CITYSCAPE ROUNDUP:Vietnam vets sought for parade

Local Vietnam veterans have reserved a position in the March 3 Patriots Day Parade and are seeking area veterans to join in the march. The group has participated in the parade since 1985.

Veterans are encouraged to wear their old uniforms. The group will form near Laguna Beach High School, 625 Park Ave., between 9 and 10 a.m. on parade day.

Participants should inquire at the check-in booth at the corner of Park Avenue and Short Street as to the specific location of the group.

The parade begins promptly at 11 a.m. and covers six blocks.

After the parade, marchers are invited to join the traditional get-together at the Marine Room Tavern. Family and friends are invited.

For more information, call Patrick Freeman at (949) 497-7473 or e-mail patrickfreeman@cox.net

HIV Advisory Committee gets new chairman

Scott Alan will begin his duties as chairman of the Laguna Beach HIV Advisory Committee at the March 1 meeting, to be held at 4 p.m. at Laguna Beach City Hall, 505 Forest Ave.

The HIV Advisory Committee was started in 1988, when the city’s mayor was Bob Gentry, who may have been the first openly gay mayor in the country.

Alan has had the virus for about 24 years and was instrumental in organizing this year’s World AIDS Day event.

Lifeguard HQ project to be presented to public

The designs for the proposed Laguna Beach Lifeguard headquarters and public restrooms are ready for public review, City Manager Ken Frank said. .

A public meeting will be held at the existing lifeguard headquarters building at north Main Beach on Saturday at 9 a.m., and the Planning Commission is scheduled to review the design at its March 28 meeting.

Copies of the plans are available for review at the City Hall building counter, 505 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach.

Corporation Yard project progresses

The new Corporation Yard project under way at the Act V parking lot on Laguna Canyon Road is progressing, City Manager Ken Frank said.

Underground utilities, including storm drain piping, sewer piping and water piping for the fire hydrant system, are nearly complete.

The retaining walls have been completed and are ready to be backfilled. In the next several weeks, construction work is slated for underground electrical conduits, gas service piping and foundations for the building.

The project will replace the municipal facilities now located behind City Hall and allow the development of the Village Entrance at Laguna Canyon Road and Forest Avenue.

City’s sidewalks made safer

Public Works crews have completed a four-month process of modifying a number of sidewalks throughout the city to address conditions that could create tripping hazards, City Manager Ken Frank said.

The city’s recently purchased grinding machine helped expedite the process, he said.

Sidewalks were ground down at 800 locations, and patching of holes and uneven areas was accomplished at 2,500 other locations.

Wastewater Authority names assistant GM

The South Orange County Wastewater Authority, a regional wastewater management agency serving South Orange County, has promoted Mike Wilson to the position of assistant general manager.

The appointment was approved by the board of directors Feb. 1. Wilson, employed by the agency and its predecessor agencies for the last 22 years, was most recently the director of operations and will continue to manage this segment of the organization alongside his new responsibilities.

The authority operates four wastewater treatment facilities and two ocean outfalls.

“I’m looking forward to working closely with Mike as we tackle the other challenges facing the organization, including leadership development, succession planning and ongoing regulatory changes,” said General Manager Tom Rosales.

Educated in management and wastewater treatment at Pasadena City College and CSU Los Angeles, Wilson brings more than 30 years of experience to his new role.

Friends of dog park to meet, hold work party

Friends of the Laguna Beach Dog Park are planning a Volunteer Day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at the dog park. A general meeting will also take place.

Group members will be working with the city’s Water Quality Department to help clean up an area that was replanted in last year’s creek restoration project. Participants are asked to bring a shovel, hoe, gloves and sun hat.

For information about becoming a voting member of the group or to renew your membership, visit www.lbdogpark.org and go to the “Join FLBDP” page.

The $25 annual membership fee can be paid via PayPal, or checks can be mailed to: FLBDP, P.O. Box 164, Laguna Beach, CA 92652

Friends of Laguna Beach Dog Park is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

Group raises funds for Bolivian water projects

TERRA Resource Development International, a nonprofit humanitarian organization, is planning a fundraising event on Sunday, March 11, from 5 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. at the Laguna Beach Woman’s Club.

TERRA works with impoverished Bolivian communities to increase the standard of living by funding and building environmentally sustainable water and natural resource projects to improve residents’ health and quality of life.

For more information, call Maxwell Borella at (949) 680-7850, e-mail mborella@terradevelopment.org or visit www.terradevelopment.org.