CITYSCAPE ROUNDUP:Foundation gets green award

The Laguna Canyon Foundation has been named environmental nonprofit of 2007 by the Orange County League of Conservation Voters.

Foundation President Michael Pinto, Vice President Elisabeth Brown and Executive Director Mary Fegraus accepted the award at the League’s May dinner recognizing the honorees.

“If anyone asked me the key to Laguna Canyon Foundation’s success as a nonprofit, I would emphasize our ability to build consensus between diverse groups of stakeholders to champion common goals,” Pinto said.

“Accomplishments such as preserving the 6,600 acre area that is now Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, improving communication between the park’s government and private entities, and providing educational outreach have involved teamwork from many different players.”

“We are honored to accept this award from such a well-respected voice in Orange County’s environmental community,” Fegraus said. “The recognition is particularly well-timed because, with the opening of the Nix Nature Center and Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area, the 17,000-acre South Coast Wilderness System has entered a new era of increased public accessibility.

“Visitation has gone up, and we are actively seeking volunteers to lead an expanded number and variety of recreational programs.”

Laguna Canyon Foundation is a 501c(3) nonprofit corporation dedicated to preserving, protecting and enhancing Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and surrounding coastal canyons wilderness.

For more information, call (949) 497-8324, e-mail lagunacf2@lagunacanyon.org or visit www.lagunacanyon.org.

Froistad appointed to Behavioral board by Gov.

Elise Froistad, 45, of Laguna Beach, has been appointed to the California Board of Behavioral Sciences by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

She has served as director of community involvement for the Olive Crest Homes and Services for Abused Children since 2006 and has been a marriage and family therapist for T & G Communications/Thomas Okamoto, M.D. since 1999.

Froistad previously was director of residential group homes and clinical director for Olive Crest Homes and Services for Abused Children from 1993 to 2004. The position requires Senate confirmation.

Climate protection workshop planned

The city’s Environmental Committee will hold a public workshop on “Implementing the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement” from 1-4 p.m. Saturday at Fred Lang Park Multi-Purpose Room, 21547 Wesley Drive.

The City Council adopted the Agreement unanimously February 6. The workshop will be the second in a series whose purpose is 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 participate. Within three days of the scheduled workshop, an agenda will be posted at City Hall. All those interested in participating are encouraged to prepare in advance for the workshop by reading the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, which can be accessed on the web at https://www.seattle.gov/mayor/climate /PDF/Resolution_FinalLanguage_ 06-13-05.pdf

Chamber to visit marine mammal center

The Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce is going on a “field trip” to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center at noon on Tuesday.

The chamber will hold its June networking luncheon at the center, 20612 Laguna Canyon Rd. A boxed lunch and membership to the center is included in the $25 cost.

For reservations and more information, call the chamber at (949) 494-1018.

Seniors to meet for BBQ

Laguna Beach Seniors, Inc. will hold their general membership meeting with a summer barbecue, “Sea, Sun & Fun” from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. June 11 at the Veterans Memorial Center, 384 Legion Street.

The event includes an outside BBQ lunch, entertainment by Brad Kittlesen, followed by presentations from The Oasis Sailing Club and The Pacific Marine Mammal Center.

Cost is $3.50 per person and includes lunch and entertainment. Reservations are due Thursday, by calling (949) 497-2441