CITYSCAPE ROUNDUP:Lifeguard headquarters on hold

The proposed Main Beach restrooms and lifeguard headquarters project will not go before the Laguna Beach Planning Commission on March 28 as originally planned, City Manager Ken Frank announced March 2.

City officials have decided to look into revising the project after complaints about its size and that it would block views at a nearby hotel.

“We have staked the proposed project and have received some unfavorable comments about the size of the project and view concerns, including concerns from the Inn at Laguna,” Frank said.

“Therefore, we are postponing consideration by the planning commission and will look at some modifications hopefully to resolve the concerns that have been expressed.”

The project is designed to provide lifeguards with a larger space for operations and would more than double the number of public restrooms at the location.

Historic houses on on the move

The historic houses located at 368, 374, 386 and 390 Third Street will be moved to a new location during the late night and early morning hours beginning Monday through March 23.

The route of the move is westbound on Third Street to Forest Avenue, right on northbound Laguna Canyon Road, ending at 2911 Laguna Canyon Road.

One of the houses, 390 Third St., may continue on Laguna Canyon Road to the Laguna Beach city limits.

The moving time is expected to be between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. on weeknights. There may be unusual noise and street closures on the moving nights.

Guide dog group holds benefit

Guide Dogs for the Blind will host “Labs & Lunch” at 1 p.m., March 25, at Tivoli, Too, 777 Laguna Canyon Rd., to support veterinary care and programs for local guide dogs and puppies-in-training.

Tickets are $100 and include sensory and blindness experiences, and a simulated dog waking with a guide dog training, cocktails, lunch and a raffle.

Information on the causes and types of blindness and the various stages of the guide dog puppy-raising program will be provided, and several puppy-raisers will be present with their puppies-in-training.

Alex Valdez, a guide dog graduate, will present a program including his guide dog, Rocca.

For more information and reservations, call Cheryl Post, (949) 497-2616 or visit chindes@guidedogs.com.

Historic photos, surf history on tap

The Laguna Beach Historical Society is planning two programs to be held at Laguna Beach City Council chambers, City Hall, 505 Forest Ave.

On Monday, March 19, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., participants may view and discuss historic photographs from the collection of the Laguna Beach Historical Society, presented by Eric Jessen and Gene Felder, with Joan Irvine Smith expected to attend.

The History of Surfing in Laguna Beach will be presented by Dick Metz on Monday, May 21, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Volunteers are needed to greet visitors to the Murphy-Smith Bungalow. Anyone interested should call (949) 939-7257.

Those interested in supporting and joining the Laguna Beach Historical Society should send $15 per individual, $25 per household or $50 per business/organization to 278 Ocean Ave., Laguna Beach, CA 92651.

More information on the Society and Laguna Beach history is at LagunaHistory.org.

Helen Pletts marks 90th birthday

Helen Pletts, a Laguna Beach resident since 1942, celebrated her 90th birthday March 3 with a get-together of family and friends at Ti Amo Ristorante.

The party was hosted by her son, Tom Pletts, and daughter Barbara Magnusson. Family members came from Lancaster, San Diego, Sun Valley, West Hills and Laguna Woods, and neighbors also attended.

Council committees have openings

The Laguna Beach City Council is accepting applications for the Tech/Comm Committee and the Heritage Committee. Both committees have three openings for terms that run to April 1, 2009 and meet once a month.

The Tech/Comm Committee advises the council and community on telecommunications issues that affect Laguna Beach. The committee also serves as a kind of ombudsman for residents who have cable TV or telecommunications concerns.

The Heritage Committee serves in an advisory role on matters pertaining to historic preservation.

Interviews will be conducted at 6 p.m. March 20 at the City Council meeting in Council chambers at City Hall, 505 Forest Ave.

Laguna Beach residents who are interested should obtain an application from the City Clerk’s office at City Hall or the city’s website at www.lagunabeachcity.net and file it by 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Questions may be directed to (949) 497-0705.

Library bookstore needs volunteers

Friends of the Laguna Beach Library Bookshop is seeking volunteers. The volunteers staff the bookstore, and two volunteers are needed during some bookstore hours.

The bookshop is located on the parking level at 363 Glenneyre St. Interested volunteers should contact the bookshop at (949) 497-7115 or Magda Herlicska at (949) 464-1941.