CITYSCAPE ROUNDUP: County stops floating books

Books that start out in Laguna Beach will stay in Laguna Beach from now on.

The Orange County library system has sunk its plan for the “floating collection,” a concept that allowed library branches to borrow books from other branches but not return them.

“It didn’t work,” said Martha Lydick, president of the Friends of the Laguna Beach Library, which opposed the project.

The floating collection began last January.

“County officials thought it would ease transportation,” Lydick said. “It didn’t. And they really thought it would refresh collections at the branches. It didn’t.”

The biographies and big print volumes taken from the Laguna branch during the test of the floating collection will be restored.

“We are thrilled,” Lydick said.

Visitors Bureau elects board of directors

The Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau has announced its new board of directors for 2008-09, according to Executive Director Judy Bijlani.

Karyn Philippsen, representing the Casa Laguna Inn, has been re-elected as president for a new, two-year term. Two executives have taken on new leadership roles on the board and include David Shepherd, general manager of Inn at Laguna Beach and Robert Fader, general manager of Tivoli Too and Tivoli Terrace.

Shepherd will serve as vice president for the new term while Fader becomes the new secretary. Rob Quest, owner of Sundried Tomato, returns as treasurer.

Other elected board members include: Blaise Bartell, general manager of Surf & Sand Resort; Kevin Johnson, general manager of Vacation Village; Carol Leenerts, chef concierge at Montage Laguna Beach; Mark Orgill from Sunset Cove Villas/Seven Degrees; and Bonnie Wolin, owner of Fiori Gallery.

Elected by the Laguna Beach Visitors Bureau’s general membership, the new two-year term for the board of directors will run through December 2009. The board meets once a month to review and direct overall marketing and advertising goals as well as general operations.

Established in 1986 as a nonprofit organization, the agency’s membership includes representatives from the lodging establishments, restaurants, retail venues and galleries of Laguna Beach.

The Visitors Bureau is funded by membership dues and a business improvement district assessment. The bureau is dedicated to marketing the Laguna Beach brand globally, promoting overnight visitors to the city primarily during the off-season and to providing excellent service to visitors through referrals to its members, local destinations and organizations.

For more information about the bureau, visit www.lagunabeachinfo.org

Great Decisions discussion groups begin

The Foreign Policy Assn.’s Great Discussions Groups will resume in Laguna Beach Jan. 29. These discussions give citizens the opportunity to be informed about international issues which impact the nation. Briefing books, which provide background material on the eight topics chosen for study, are available at cost.

The Foreign Policy Assn. is a nonprofit organization based in New York City “dedicated to inspiring the American public to learn more about the world.” Founded in 1918, the organization provides independent publications, programs and forums to increase public awareness of, and foster popular participation in, matters relating to those policy issues. For more information, visit www.fpa.org

The discussions, which occur around the country, are sponsored in Laguna by the League of Women Voters and the Social Action Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Laguna Beach. Both of these organizations are committed to encouraging an informed electorate as a basic necessity of democracy.

The afternoon session will begin at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 29, and will continue for eight consecutive Tuesdays.

The evening sessions begin at 7 p.m. Jan. 29, and will continue on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.

The meetings will be at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 429 Cypress Drive, Laguna Beach.

All are invited to participate. For more information, call Jean Raun at (949) 494-2247.

Shanti’s ‘sea of hearts’ fundraiser set for Feb. 9

Shanti Orange County’s 2nd Annual Sea of Hearts will take place Feb. 9 in Laguna Beach. A “sea” of 500 hearts will be planted on Main Beach to remember the people affected by HIV and AIDS in Orange County.

The Sea of Hearts project is coordinated by Shanti Orange County, formerly known as Laguna Shanti, a nonprofit agency providing services and emotional support for people living with HIV and AIDS.

“Last year the Sea of Hearts project was a huge success,” said Sarah Kasman, executive director of Shanti Orange County.

“Recent statistics show that new HIV infections are on the rise in the United States affecting people from all walks of life. We cannot afford to be complacent about this issue.”

According to the Orange County Health Care Agency, there are approximately 6,000 Orange County residents living with HIV and AIDS.

“We acknowledge that HIV and AIDS is a global issue, but we cannot ignore the fact that this disease is affecting thousands of people right here in our own backyard,” said Carolyn Spivak, project coordinator.

In addition to the Shanti volunteers who will help the public participate on the day, ACTION (AIDS Care Teams in Our Neighborhoods), Laguna Drug and the Laguna Beach Community Clinic will also be there to provide information to the public.

Hearts will be planted from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The public is invited to make a donation of any amount and plant a heart as a statement of support for the HIV/AIDS community.

Hearts may be dedicated to individuals or the HIV/AIDS affected community on the day of the event, or in advance by calling Shanti at (949) 452.0888.

All donations support the work of Shanti Orange County. More information is available at www.shantioc.org