CITYSCAPE ROUNDUP:Dedication is ‘People’ powered

There was at least a little bit of happiness during the July 6 dedication of the controversial “The People’s Council” sculpture in front of City Hall.

The shadow from the sculpture’s center sundial was pointed directly at “happiness” during the event, event emcee and arts commissioner Mike Tauber pointed out.

About 75 people were on hand to celebrate the dedication of the sculpture by artist Linda Brunker.

Several City Hall officials, including Mayor Steve Dicterow and Councilwoman Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider, were present for the dedication, along with representatives from the community.

Brunker suggested that the creation of the piece, which took nine months, was rather like giving birth.

Brunker had to make last-minute changes to the installation and install new sidewalks due to accessibility requirements. Reaction to the sculpture has been mixed.

Arts commissioner Nancy Beverage noted that the piece will be the only predominantly stone sculpture in the city’s collection.

“There is probably nowhere better in Laguna Beach for Art in Public Places,” Dicterow said.

? Candice Baker

New guard towers installed at Main Beach

New lifeguard towers at Main Beach are now secured with caissons.

Topline Construction completed the caisson foundations for the two new lifeguard platforms.

The lifeguards, working with public works crews, installed the new platforms, City Manager Ken Frank announced.

Recycling benefits Presbyterian preschool

Laguna Presbyterian’s preschool is recycling used cell phones and empty toner/ink cartridges. The proceeds go toward scholarships at the preschool and church’s youth departments.

Items may be dropped off in the white “Recycle” boxes in the back of the church between 9 and 11 a.m. Sunday morning or at the church office located upstairs at the corner of Forest and Second streets during work hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For questions, leave a message at the preschool office at (949) 494-0504 or contact Mary Reiner at mreiner@lagunapreschurch.org.

Laguna landslide on Weather Channel

The Weather Channel will air a “Storm Stories” segment on the Laguna Beach landslide at 8:30 p.m. Monday.

The all-weather network is taking a week-long look at dramatic survival stories that have struck a chord with its viewers, making them the highest-rated episodes of “Storm Stories.”

“Laguna Landslide” recounts the January 2005 rains in Southern California that resulted in the June 1, 2005 Bluebird Canyon landslide, from which the city is still recovering.