CITYSCAPE ROUNDUP:Climate workshop scheduled

Laguna Beach’s Environmental Committee will hold a public workshop on “Implementing the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement” from 1 to 4 p.m. May 19 in the council chambers at City Hall.

The City Council adopted the climate protection measure unanimously on Feb. 6. The workshop will be the first of a series designed to formulate a set of recommendations that will be submitted to the Environmental Committee for approval and then forwarded to council.

Laguna Beach residents who are interested in helping with this effort are invited to attend and participate. A week before the scheduled workshop, an agenda will be posted at City Hall. All those interested in participating are strongly encouraged to prepare in advance for the workshop by reading the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, which is online at www .seattle.gov/mayor/climate/PDF /Resolution_FinalLanguage_06-13-05 .pdf.

In accordance with city policy, no polystyrene containers can be brought into the council chambers.

Environmentalist specialist to present

Laguna Beach’s senior environmental specialist, Will Holoman, will meet with the Design Review Board at 6 p.m. Thursday at City Hall, 505 Forest Ave.

Holoman will present the city’s techniques to improve water quality in new projects, City Manager Ken Frank announced on May 4. The workshop will be televised.

Shanti turns 20, honors HIV and AIDS survivors

Shanti Orange County, formally known as Laguna Shanti, will celebrate 20 years of service to the HIV and AIDS community and honor long-term HIV and AIDS survivors on May 18 at Tivoli Too, 777 Laguna Canyon Road, from 6 to 11 p.m.

Shanti Orange County is a nonprofit social service agency founded in Laguna Beach. For more than 20 years Shanti has been providing services and emotional support to people with AIDS, many of whom are living with the challenges associated with the disease.

“Five long-term HIV and AIDS survivors will share their moving and inspirational life stories with us,” said Sarah Kasman, Shanti executive director. “We will publicly recognize their courage and strength, and showcase their personal, work and community-service achievements.”

Shanti will present Caring Heart Awards to Dr. Paul J. Cimoch, director of the Center for Special Immunology in Fountain Valley; Bill LaPoint, publisher of the Orange County Blade; South Coast Medical Center; and the Men Alive Chorus of Orange County for their community service and support for Shanti Orange County over the years.

The Men Alive Chorus of Orange County will perform, and the program also includes music by DJ Mark Bisson and a keynote speaker, Charles A. Garfield, the founder of the Shanti model who will reflect on Shanti’s roots.

Another highlight of the event is the Laguna Beach artist’s Beach Bag Project. Thirty local artists have designed canvas beach bags in their own signature style for the event’s silent auction.

There will also be a live auction led by Mike Tauber featuring Marriott Hotel packages, Thomas Fallon Fine Photography gift certificates and a Paul Bott and Company dinner for eight prepared in your own home.

Tickets are $125 each, which includes appetizers, dinner, champagne, wine, beer and dessert. A cash bar will also be available.

All proceeds from the event will support the work of Shanti Orange County.

For tickets and information, call Mary Jo at (949) 452-0888 or go to www.shantioc.org.

City switching from Verizon to Cox cable

The City of Laguna Beach has begun the switch from Verizon to Cox Communications for telephone service, City Manager Ken Frank announced May 4.

In addition, Cox will be providing data and voice service in the new corporation yard and the new community center.

The initial savings will be more than $10,000 per year, and once all of the services are converted, the savings will be $50,000 annually, Frank said.