City manager announces a hiring freeze

In more fallout from the June 1 landslide, City Manager Ken Frank on

Sept. 23 announced an immediate hiring freeze for city workers.

Frank said the freeze was necessary “given the uncertainty

surrounding the funding for the restoration of Flamingo Road.”

The freeze will affect both permanent full-time and part-time

personnel. In the case of public safety workers, however, Frank said

it would be less costly to hire more employees than to pay overtime

costs.

Frank said the freeze will remain in effect at least until the end

of the fiscal year, June 30, 2006, unless sufficient funds to cover

the cost of the landslide repairs are obtained through a proposed

sales tax increase, from government disaster agencies or through

other means.

“Otherwise, the freeze will remain in effect through the rest of

this fiscal year and until the city recovers from the expenses

associated with unavoidable costs,” Frank said.

Burba named to state tourism commission

James Burba, 51, of Laguna Beach, has been appointed to the

California Travel and Tourism Commission. He has more than 25 years

of experience in the hospitality industry. Burba has served as

president of Horwath Hospitality & Leisure, a hotel brokerage,

advisory and hospitality practices firm, since 2004. He also serves

as president of Burba Hotel Network. This position does not require

Senate confirmation, and there is no salary. Burba is a Democrat.

Chambers look at ‘Cost of Doing Business’

An educational forum, “The Cost of Doing Business -- 2006

Outlook,” is being held by the Coastal Chamber Legislative Coalition

on Friday, Oct. 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Laguna Cliffs

Marriott Resort and Spa, 25135 Park Lantern, Dana Point.

The coalition includes the chambers of commerce of Dana Point,

Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.

A panel of experts consisting of state Sen. Dick Ackerman,

Assembly members Chuck DeVore and Mimi Walters and possibly state

Sen. John Campbell will be speaking about insurance issues, eminent

domain and the governor’s reform measures.

Admission price of $25 includes lunch and parking. Reservations

and prepayment are through the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce.

Information: 949-363-0136 or o7info@lagunaniguelchamber.netf7.

Resource Center is looking for volunteers

The Laguna Beach Resource Center is calling on interested members

of the community for assistance. The center serves homeless and needy

families. It originated years ago through the efforts of the Laguna

Beach Interfaith Coalition and the Community Services Council.

The center needs persons who are available on weekday mornings to

perform services such as bookkeeping, helping families with food and

other needs, and assisting homeless people who come into the center

for showers, to do laundry and to prepare a hot lunch. There are

always at least two volunteers at the center.

Anyone wishing to assist should call volunteer coordinator Ann

Richardson at (949) 494-0271 or the center at (949) 497-7121.

Another need, as cold weather approaches, is for dark-colored warm

jackets, sleeping bags and blankets for the homeless.

They can be delivered to the center at 3305 Laguna Canyon Road,

behind Kubisak’s Antiques Center. Pickup can be arranged by calling

the center.

Methodist women’s group to hold brunch

The United Methodist Women of Laguna Beach United Methodist Church

are holding their Fall Bountiful Brunch with keynote speaker Judy

Hoyt Pettigrew, nationally known author and speaker and Laguna Beach

resident.

Pettigrew will present a program, “Making Memories,” based on her

most recent book, “Let Me Call You Sweetheart, I’ve Forgotten Your

Name.”

The brunch will take place from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Oct. 8

at Laguna Beach United Methodist Church, 21632 Wesley Drive.

Tickets for the brunch are $15 and include a copy of Pettigrew’s

book. All proceeds go toward mission projects.

To reserve a ticket, contact Laura Hahn at (949) 770-1927 or via

e-mail at o7lfhahn@lworld.netf7.

Painted pumpkins to be auctioned for charity

More than a dozen local artists will paint artificial pumpkins to

be auctioned off Thursday to benefit the Family Violence Project,

which conducts abuse education programs throughout the area.

The auction will take place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Madison

Square & Garden Cafe, 320 No. Coast Highway.

Jon Madison, cafe owner, is on the community advisory board of the

organization.

Reservations: (714) 619-0259.

Women of achievement to be celebrated

Mayor Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider, Councilwoman Toni Iseman,

Valerie Imhof and Michelle Reinglass will be honored at the Laguna

Beach American Association of University Women’s seventh annual Women

of Achievement dinner, to be held Oct. 17 at Tivoli Too.

Social hour will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., with dinner at 6:30.

The cost of the dinner is $45; checks may be sent to Katie Hven,

915 Hyde Court, Costa Mesa, CA 92626.

The deadline for reservations is October 10.

For further information, call Carol Reynolds at (949) 497-0986.