AROUND TOWN - May 16, 2008

Firm honored for work on Bluebird Canyon landslide

Geofirm/Stoney-Miller Consultants Inc. of Laguna Beach was awarded the 2007 California Geotechnical Engineers Assn. award for its work on the Bluebird Canyon landslide restoration.

The award, presented May 3, honored the firm’s geotechnical investigation, design and construction monitoring of damages from the June 1, 2005 landslide.

Geofirm/Stoney Miller has dedicated the award to the city of Laguna Beach in recognition of its support and leadership throughout the process.

The landslide destroyed Flamingo Road and some two dozen homes.

The road was reopened in December. Cost of the landslide restoration has been tallied at $35 million.

Sawdust reinstatement still open for Steins

Jim Steins did not get the ruling he wanted last week ordering the Sawdust Festival to reinstate him as an exhibitor for this summer’s show, attorney Bruce Dannemeyer said.

Judge Franz Miller did not make a decision on reinstating the ousted photographer in time for the May 6 booth picking at the festival grounds, but will take up the overall issue of reinstatement again May 21, Dannemeyer said.

Steins was ejected from the Sawdust after an alleged incident of sexual harassment during the summer 2006 show.

He is suing the festival, seeking $3 million in compensation for lost income and damage to his reputation.

Memorial Day ceremony planned at Heisler Park

The Laguna Beach American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars will conduct a Memorial Day ceremony in remembrance of comrades who died in wars and conflicts.

The ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. May 26, at Monument Point in Heisler Park.

Sgt. Casey McCullar USMC, combat instructor from Camp Pendleton and veteran of the current Middle East war, will be keynote speaker. Music, by Larry Wohrman of Diamond DJ’s Entertainment Company, will begin at 10:30 a.m. For more information, contact Richard Moore at (949) 376-6340 or Dave Connell at (949) 494-2065.

Mature driver classes offered at senior center

Drivers age 50 and older are invited to participate in AARP’s Mature Driver Safety Program to help recognize their physical limitations and how to best compensate for them, learn new traffic laws and review rules of the road.

A certificate is awarded at the end of the class for possible insurance discount.

The class will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at the Laguna Beach Senior Center, lower level, 384 Legion St.

The cost is $10 per person, check payable to AARP.

Payment and sign-ups must be received one week prior to class start date.

For information, call (949) 497-2441.