City’s beaches get good grades

Heal the Bay released its 2004-05 annual Beach Report Card Wednesday,

assigning an A to F letter grade to over 450 California beaches in

California based on their levels of bacterial pollution.

Laguna beaches were listed among those with excellent water

quality during the summer dry period. They included the stretch from

Corona Del Mar State Beach in Newport Beach to Crescent Bay Beach in

Laguna Beach, and from the Hotel Laguna to Three Arch Bay.

Overall, year-round dry weather water quality at most beaches in

Orange County was fair, with 78% of the beaches receiving an A or B.

Of the 104 water quality monitoring locations covered by the Beach

Report Card, 65 (63%) received A grades.

While 74% of the beaches monitored in California during summer dry

weather received A grades, that number dropped to only 5% during wet

weather, with 76% of the beaches monitored receiving an F grade.

“This season’s record rainfall in Southern California has had a

predictable impact on coastal water quality. This was the worst wet

weather water quality on record,” said Mark Gold, Heal the Bay

executive director. “Clearly, California’s efforts to reduce storm

water pollution to protect public health have been woefully

inadequate.”

Beach Report Card weekly and annual updates are available at

www.healthebay.org.

Chamber hosts networking luncheon

The Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce’s next networking luncheon

will focus on the topic “Publicity ... Much More Than You Think.”

Stacy Taylor, principal of Taylor Public Relations, will explain

why publicity is more than sending out press releases or

announcements to local media. Taylor has more than 15 years of

experience in public relations, working for communications agencies,

corporations, and nonprofits.

At the conclusion of the speaker’s discussion, each attendee will

be allowed 30 seconds to introduce themselves and their business.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a colleague, associate or even a

friend to network and pass new leads to one another. Tickets are $20

for members and $25 for nonmembers if purchased by 5p.m., Friday June

3; and $25 for members, $30 for nonmembers at the door.

The luncheon will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday,

June 7, at Partners Bistro, 448 S. Coast Highway. For more

information, call (949) 494-1018, or via e-mail,

linda@lagunabeachchamber.org.

Council approves sewer loan amendment, grants

The City Council voted to increase its low-interest loan from the

California Infrastructure Bank from $ 4 million to $7 million.

An interest rate of 2.7% makes the loans particularly attractive,

plus amending the loan eliminates extensive paperwork and the costs

associated with pursuing other sources of funding, according to water

quality director David Shissler. The loan will supplement the city’s

funding for sewer improvement projects identified in the 10-year

Sewer System Strategic Plan.

The original 20-year loan was approved by the bank in February

2004 to be used for sewer system improvements. The bank recently

qualified the city for an additional $3 million, which the city plans

to bump up to $11 million eventually.

Loan funds will be used to match grants from the federal

government to reconstruct the Shaw’s Cove lift station, replace a

deteriorated section of the North Coast Interceptor sewer main at

Nyes Place, contribute toward relining about 5.5 miles of sewer pipes

throughout the city and rehabilitate manhole covers. Necessary

environmental approvals have been received.

“In the last four years, our representatives have successfully

supported the city in securing over $2.3 million in federal grants,”

Shissler reported.

Most recently Rep. Christopher Cox (R), Newport and U.S. Senator

Dianne Feinstein (D) were able to obtain two grants totaling

$866,000, which requires a 45% match by the city.

Shissler said $709,000 from the bank loan will be used to make the

match.

Arts patron Gordon seated on MIND board

Ellie Gordon of Laguna Beach has been elected to the board of

directors of the MIND Institute, a nonprofit organization in Costa

Mesa which helps students use music to learn mathematics.

“Ellie Gordon has been an active supporter and vital arts patron

for many years,” said Chairman Ted Smith. “Time and again, Ellie has

proven her leadership abilities in helping many arts organizations

achieve success, and we are pleased that she is willing to bring her

energy and talent to the MIND Institute’s leadership. It is a

privilege to welcome her to our board.”

A Boston transplant and California resident for the past 27 years,

Ellie and husband Michael have been married for almost 45 years. .

She holds a B.S. degree in Education from Temple University and a

Masters in Education from State College of Boston.

Over the past 15 years, Ellie has been active with many nonprofit

organizations, including FOCIS (Friends of Orange Coast Interfaith

Shelter), where she served as president from 1990-1992; Symphony 100;

Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra; and the Dean’s Leadership Council

for the Claire Trevor Arts at UC Irvine.

She has also co-chaired the Pacific Symphony Gala three times,

including its 25th anniversary celebration which netted over $1

million for the symphony’s education programs.

Ellie and her husband, Mike, who served as chairman of the

Symphony board and is the incoming chair of the Orange County

Performing Arts Center, live in Laguna Beach.

For more information about the MIND Institute, contact Mickey Shaw

at (714) 751-5443, ext. 245 or visit www.mindinstitute.net.