Removing the mysteries of Medicare

Senior health insurance expert Harry P.Thal will try to unravel the complexities of the new Medicare Part D program from 1 to 3 p.m. today at South Coast Medical Center auditorium, 31872 S. Coast Highway.

Thal will explain how the program works, what the options are and the costs and penalties for not signing up when a senior is first eligible. The program is free.

Information: (949) 499-7202.

Free parking next week

Parking in downtown Laguna will be free at many metered spots from Saturday through Dec. 17, courtesy of the Laguna Beach Visitors and Conference Bureau.

Two parking lots on Ocean Avenue east of Coast Highway and spots along Broadway and Ocean and Forest avenues will be free for the specified maximum time limits.

Information: (949) 376-0511.

Local appointed to regional water board

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Monday announced the appointment of Deborah Neev, 51, of Laguna Beach to the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board.

Neev, a Democrat, is currently a vice president with Malcolm Pirnie, an environmental engineering firm, and was previously senior vice president of western operations for Earth Tech USA. Neev was a manager at BBL and the firm of Brown and Caldwell, engineering consulting companies. She is a member of the Harbor Assn. of Industry and Commerce and the School Power board of directors.

The position requires state Senate confirmation.

Turnabout Shop holds a year-end sale

Assistance League’ s Turnabout Thrift Shop is holding a storewide half-price sale, with almost everything 50% off, including the Boutique Department. (Some speciality items are not included in the sale.)

The sale will take place from Dec. 13 to 20 at 526 Glenneyre St. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed Wednesdays. Information: (949) 494-5977.

Resource Center is seeking to match adoptees, families

The Laguna Relief and Resource Center pairs up families in need with groups or families who make up a Christmas gift box according to the families’ needs and wishes. The gift boxes are delivered to the families before Christmas or to the Resource Center for distribution. Information: (949) 497-712.

Water district draft plan is released

The Laguna Beach County Water District is updating its urban water management plan, which must be submitted to the Department of Water Resources by Dec. 31.

The plan, updated every five years, serves as a long-range planning document for water supply and demand and provides an overview of the district’s water supply and usage, recycled water and conservation programs.

The draft plan is available at the district’s headquarters, 306 Third St., and the Laguna Beach Library through Dec. 23.

A public hearing will be held Dec. 27.

Comments may be sent to Christopher Regan, 306 Third St., Laguna Beach, CA 92651, or e-mailed to cregan@lbcwd.org.

Information: (949) 464-3108.