CITYSCAPE ROUNDUP: Athens to air Aliso Creek plan

The Laguna Beach City Council will hold a special meeting 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Council Chambers at City Hall, 505 Forest Ave., to consider a major redevelopment of the Aliso Creek Inn and Golf Course property, a 325-acre parcel in South Laguna.

Athens wants to redevelop the site with hotel rooms and residences, and to reconfigure and replace the nine-hole golf course.

For more information, visit the city’s website, www.lagunabeachcity.net

Adopt a family for holidays

Laguna Beach’s Adopt-A-Family program is again being jointly sponsored by the Laguna Relief and Resource Center and the Woman’s Club of Laguna Beach.

Last year, more than 90 families and low-income seniors living in Laguna Beach received gift baskets from adopters in Laguna. Many families in need have already been identified, and the group hopes the community will respond generously.

Adopters may be families, single persons, clubs, businesses or churches.

The adopters are matched with a senior, or one or more families and given particulars about the names, ages, sizes and holiday wishes of the children.

The adopter makes up a gift box containing at least one new toy for each child in the family and small gifts for the adults. Canned and packaged food is also welcomed by the families as are gift certificates to local grocery stores. Gently used clothing (unstained and freshly laundered), and housewares are also appreciated.

Families or organizations who would like to sign up to adopt a family may call Marsha Bode at (949) 499-5518 or Sande St. John at (949) 499-9429.

Laguna Beach Community Clinic to ‘raise the roof’

Laguna Beach Community Clinic is hosting “Raise The Roof,” a fundraising party at Ganahl Lumber, to raise money for a desperately needed new roof Nov. 4.

The barbecue luncheon, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the parking lot of Ganahl Lumber, will feature silent and live auctions, an opportunity drawing, Brian Young and The Blues Station Band, and some highly unusual construction “competitions.”

The cost is $100 for adults and $20 for children ages 5-12. Construction attire is suggested and hard hats are welcome.

The opportunity drawing features a one-week stay in a five-bedroom Beaver Creek, Colo., condo; a 2008 Rose Parade package with four prime grandstand seats and invitation to a private float party; and a five-course gourmet dinner for six with wine pairings, hosted by chef Dennis Myers in his Laguna Beach home overlooking the ocean.

Suggested donation: $25 each or six tickets for $100. Winner need not be present.

All proceeds from this fundraiser go directly the clinic for the new roof. For more information, call (949) 494-0761, ext. 134 or visit the clinic website at www.lbclinic.org.

Thanksgiving dinner helps animals in need

RUFF, Rescuing Unwanted Furry Friends, is sponsoring a Thanksgiving dinner from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 22 at Tivoli Terrace, 650 Laguna Canyon Road, on the Festival of Arts Grounds. Dogs are also invited.

People can enjoy a traditional turkey dinner with all of the fixings or a vegetarian option. The cost is $35 pre-paid, or $50 at the door. For a reservation, call (949) 340-2239. Children under 12 are $15.

RUFF is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping pets and their owners with financial assistance for veterinary care.

Women’s health highlighted at hospital health expo

South Coast Medical Center is holding a Women’s Health Expo from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday to disseminate the latest information on nutrition, breast cancer genetics and advances in breast cancer detection. There will also be a make-up consultant, refreshments, giveaways and opportunity drawings.

In continuing recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the hospital will offer low cost digital mammography and bone density screenings. The digital mammography screenings are being offered for $69. The bone density screenings are $39. Patients may get both for just $99.

These screenings are for women 35 years and older who reside in the cities of Laguna Beach, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente or Aliso Viejo only. An advance appointment must be made. Certain conditions apply. Cash, check and credit cards only; no insurance will be accepted for these low-cost screenings. To schedule an appointment, call (949) 499-7545.

The hospital is at 31872 S. Coast Hwy.

‘Doc Talk’ open house

At the upcoming “Doc Talk” Open House from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 7, women can meet and mingle with some of South Coast Medical Center’s top women’s health physicians.

The event will be at Physician Center West, at 31852 S. Coast Hwy. “Doc Talk” Open House is free and features opportunities for friendly conversations with participating physicians, office tours of the doctors’ offices and refreshments.

The open house also includes a free Women’s Health Symposium from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the auditorium at South Coast Medical Center. Dr. Red Alinsod will provide news on medical treatments for women’s issues including urinary incontinence, pelvic prolapse, vaginal rejuvenation, abnormal vaginal bleeding and more.

To reserve a spot call (949) 499-7202 or register at SouthCoastMedCenter.com.