Neighborhood meeting to look at fire danger...

Neighborhood meeting

to look at fire danger

New Fire Chief Mike Macey will discuss how residents near open

space can prevent wildfires at the general meeting of the Top of the

World Neighborhood Association at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the Top of the

World Elementary School multi-purpose room, 21601 Tree Top Lane.

The meeting is open to the public.

Macey and Battalion Chief Kris Head will provide key information

regarding fire safety. Due to the near record rainfall last winter,

plant growth in the open space surrounding TOW may create a

formidable fire season, fire officials have warned.

Other issues to be discussed include a possible Alta Laguna

Boulevard median, traffic and parking, excess nonnative vegetation

and an update on preserving public views from the north end of Alta

Laguna Boulevard.

There will also be a short business portion of the meeting to

elect the board of directors.

Nominations for the board will be made by the nominating committee

and from the floor. The nomination committee is recommending Sonia

Campbell and current board members Chris Brazelton, Dave Connell,

Michelle Falkowski, Gene Felder, Les Miklosy, John Robinson, Gary

Schwager, Karen Schwager, Margot Seeholzer, Paul Tackabury, Todd

Thornton, Piero Wemyss, Carolyn Wood and Scott Woodard.

The next Top of the World Neighborhood Association event will be

the neighborhood picnic on Sept. 25 at Alta Laguna Park. For more

information, call Gene Felder at (949) 939-7257.

Cove book garners best-seller list status

“Crystal Cove Cottages: Islands in Time on the California Coast”

debuted at No. 11 on the Los Angeles Times nonfiction bestseller list

July 31, two weeks after its release by Chronicle Books.

Authors Laura Davick, president and founder of the Crystal Cove

Alliance; journalist Karen Steen; and plein-air painter Meriam

Braselle will celebrate at an official book launch and signing party

at the Crystal Cove State Park Historic District from 3 to 6 p.m.

Sunday.

The event benefits the cove, as 50% of the cover price of books

purchased at the signing or from the Crystal Cove Alliance website --

o7www.crystalcovealliance.orgf7 -- will go to the alliance mission

of restoration and education at the Crystal Cove Historic District.

The free event includes a 4 p.m. tour of the cottages led by 1950s

cove lifeguard Mike Fenderson. Parking is available in the Los

Trancos lot in Crystal Cove State Park for $10. For more information,

visit o7www.crystalcovealliance.orgf7

Historic district

bill moves forward

A bill by state Sen. Bill Campbell that would authorize the state

to enter into an operating agreement with a nonprofit organization to

oversee the Crystal Cove Historic District was approved unanimously

by the Committee on Natural Resources Tuesday. The bill was sent to

the Appropriations Committee.

Campbell had withdrawn the bill in June for amendments. The bill

requires a two-thirds vote of the legislature; it has urgency status

and would go into effect immediately upon approval.

St. Nick to make early holiday stop at Sawdust

The Sawdust Art Festival is about to conclude its summer run --

but not before hosting Santa Claus in an early holiday visit.

The jolly old fellow will visit the Sawdust from 10 a.m. to noon

Sept. 2 -- specifically to remind youngsters of the importance of

good behavior. But he will also listen carefully to what they want

for Christmas, so he can best advise his elves on what to make this

holiday season.

St. Nick’s visit is also a reminder that the Sawdust Festival will

close for the summer season, and its last day will be Sept. 4.

The Sawdust will then get ready for its Winter Fantasy arts and

crafts festival, held during four weekends in November and December.

Snow will replace sawdust, and carolers and holiday lights will

abound, as some 170 artists from around the country gather to show

and sell fine art and handiwork for holiday giving.

For more information on the Sawdust Art Festival and the Winter

Fantasy, call (949) 494-3030 or visit the website

o7www.sawdustartfestival.orgf7

Republicans host

city manager

The Laguna Beach Republicans will meet Sept. 21 to hear City

Manager Ken Frank talk about the June 1 landslide and the financial

implications for the city.

The event begins with a social period at 7 p.m., followed by

Frank’s appearance at 7:30 p.m., at the Aliso Creek Inn, 31106 Coast

Highway.

This is an opportunity to hear exactly what happened in the

landslide area and what the city needs to do before the winter rains.

Frank will also present an update on what federal and state funds are

available to help with costs.

It will be $5 for nonmembers and free to members. Reservations

must be made by Sept. 17 to (949) 494-0607.