CITYSCAPE ROUNDUP: Community grants available

The city of Laguna Beach is now accepting applications for the Community Assistance Grant Program for fiscal year 2008/09. The program’s objective is to assist local nonprofit/public organizations in funding new projects and/or expanding services within the community. Grant recipients in the past have included social service, cultural, sports, senior and youth organizations.

Grant applications will be accepted until 5 p.m., Feb. 29 at the Community Services Department, 515 Forest Ave. For those interested in applying for the funds, applications are available at the Community Services Department 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

City to update Housing Element; meeting planned

The Laguna Beach Housing & Human Services Committee, in conjunction with the Planning Commission, is conducting a public workshop at 6 p.m. Feb. 6 to review the 2006-2014 Housing Element update process, and take public input with regard to housing needs and policies.

The Housing Element is a required element of the general plan, and is updated periodically as required by state law. The housing element provides citizens and public officials with an understanding of the community’s housing needs, and sets forth the city’s strategy to preserve and expand housing opportunities for all members of the community.

The adopted 2000-2005 Housing Element is available for review on the city’s website at www.lagunabeachcity.net (under General Plan Amendments); at the Planning Counter at City Hall, 505 Forest Ave.; and at the Laguna Beach Public Library.

Once the draft 2006 – 2014 Housing Element is prepared, it will be reviewed at noticed public meetings before the Housing & Human Services Committee, the Planning Commission, and the City Council. The workshop will be in the City Council chambers at city hall. For more information, call Carolyn Martin, principal planner, at (949) 497-0398.

Harman recieves award in recognition of hunting efforts

The California Outdoor Heritage Alliance, an association of hunting and wildlife conservation advocates, has awarded state Sen. Tom Harman its Leadership in Conservation Award for 2007. The award recognizes Harman’s support and defense of 2nd Amendment rights, hunting and science-based wildlife conservation during the 2007 legislative session.

“Sen. Harman emerged this past year as a leading voice against the continuous legislative attacks on individual’s hunting and 2nd Amendment rights,” said Mark Hennelly, vice president of California Outdoor Heritage Alliance. “Sen. Harman fully understands the hunting community’s issues, including the need to increase public access to public lands and was highly supportive of our efforts to secure funding for wildlife conservation activities during the water bond negotiations.”

“I am truly honored to be recognized and bestowed such an award by one of our states largest pro-hunter and conservation associations,” Harman said. “When I was first elected in 2000, I was shocked by the lack of outdoor enthusiasts here at the capitol. I quickly learned that when it came to guns or the outdoors, there was a vacuum of knowledge and only a select few of us here in Sacramento who have consistently held the line against the ongoing assaults on hunters, fisherman and 2nd Amendment rights.”

Legislation identified for the award that Harman spoke out against included Assembly Bill 1634, (mandatory spaying/neutering of dogs); AB 1471, (mandatory micro-stamping of ammunition); AB 821, (ban on the use of lead ammunition); AB 334, (mandatory reporting of stolen/lost firearms): and AB 362, (ammunition sales restrictions).

Memorial for retired Marine set for Jan. 26

A memorial celebration of the life of retired U.S. Marine Sgt. Major James Law will be at 1.30 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Veterans Memorial Building, 384 Legion Street, Laguna Beach.

Law died Dec. 14. He was 87. His friends and comrades are invited to share their memories and offer condolences to his family.

Law was a World War II and Korean War veteran and past Commander of American Legion Post 222, as well as long time post Adjutant and an advocate for veterans’ affairs. He was a Laguna Beach resident for more than 50 years.

His widow, Jean, said she chose the veterans building for the memorial because her husband so loved it and was dedicated to its preservation.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations in his name to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, P.O Box 998, 307 5th Ave., Quantico, VA 22134-998.

For more information, call Richard Moore at (949) 376-6340.

Women veterans to speak at panel

In a program sponsored by the American Assn. of University Women, Laguna Beach branch, a panel of women veterans will discuss their experiences and challenges, as well as their opportunities in the United States military branches at a special program from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 10 at the Laguna Niguel Library, 30341 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel.

This panel was organized by Shirl Castelnuovo and Ann Reeder. Castelnuovo earned her doctorate in political science at UCLA. Reeder is secretary for the Veterans of West Los Angeles Alumni Assn. She is also the founder/director of Women Veterans’ Esteem Program. Both are members of the AAUW-LB.

The three-person panel will be comprised of Wendy Barranco, U.S. Army, a veteran of the war in Iraq; Barbara Rowe, U.S. Navy, a veteran who served in Desert Storm; and Linda Miles-Celistan, U.S. Air Force, a veteran of the war in Vietnam.

Castelnuovo and Reed will moderate the panel and a question-and-answer period will follow. To reserve a ticket, call Deana Pink, (949) 497-9900, or e-mail her at sdpink1@yahoo.com; or Barbara Antonacci, (949) 248-5139, or via e-mail to anton21@cox.net

Club honors Iseman at community lunch

Former Laguna Beach Mayor Toni Iseman will be honored by the community at a special luncheon event Feb. 1 at the Woman’s Club, 286 St. Ann’s Drive.

First elected to the Council in 1998, Iseman joins Bob Gentry, Neil Fitzpatrick and Steve Dicterow as one of only four Council members to serve three terms.

Laguna Beach mayors serve the city both officially and ceremonially. This annual event affords an opportunity for the community to honor its mayors and thank them for their service.

For reservations, mail checks made out to the Woman’s Club for $25 per person to the Woman’s Club, 286 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach, CA., 92651. Reservations must be received by Jan. 25. The doors to the Woman’s Club will open at 11:30 a.m. Lunch and the program will begin at noon.