AROUND TOWN - Aug. 29, 2008

Labor Day pancake breakfast set

The Laguna Beach Fire Department will be flipping pancakes once again Labor Day, Monday, at Heisler Park ( between Cliff Drive and Myrtle Street) from 7 to 10:30 a.m. The cost $5. All are invited.

The event is sponsored by the Laguna Beach Exchange Club, and proceeds go toward child abuse prevention programs.

Cable TV interrupted in Laguna during upgrade

Some 20 to 40 Cox Cable customers on two streets in Laguna Beach had their service interrupted for about 3 1/2 hours Monday when problems arose during a service upgrade, said Ayne Kraciun, Cox spokeswoman.

The cable company is upgrading the entire South Orange County area to provide higher Internet speeds and more channels, Kraciun said.

During the upgrade, some equipment failed around 12:30 p.m. and customers lost video service. The service was restored by 4 p.m.

“We have been doing this upgrading for more than two years and have had few complaints,” Kraciun said.

Cox is already digital-compatible and the upgrading has nothing to do with the impending changeover to digital TV service nationwide, Kraciun said.

‘Uncounted’ to be shown at Fellowship

The Social Action Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Laguna Beach and the League of Women Voters are presenting the film, “Uncounted,” at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 13 at the Fellowship, 429 Cypress St.

The feature length film by Emmy award-winning director David Earnhardt is about how easy it is to change election outcomes and undermine election integrity across the U.S.

The film is being shown in light of predictions that the November elections could have the highest-ever voter turnout, but also reports of apprehension and uncertainty about the voting system.

An open invitation is extended to all members of the community.

Turnabout Shop reopens Tuesday

The Laguna Beach Assistance League’s Turnabout Shop will reopen Tuesday, with extended hours, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The shop features a large selection of merchandise, including clothing for all ages, jewelry, collectibles, household items, books, toys, with special items featured in the Boutique section.

Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, the shop is at 526 Glenneyre St. and offers parking beneath the store as well as in the rear. For more information, call (949) 494-5977.

More than 90% of revenue from the shop goes to philanthropy and quality donations are greatly appreciated.

Alzheimer’s doctor to speak at bookstore

Laguna Beach Books will host Dr. Vincent Fortanasce, who will lecture from and sign copies of his new book “The Anti-Alzheimer’s Prescription,” at 5 p.m. Sept. 5.

“The Anti-Alzheimer’s Prescription” offers a program to lower the risk of the disease by 70% through the DEAR method — D for diet, E for exercise, A for accentuating the brain’s reserve, and R for relaxation.

Fortanasce directs a neurological rehabilitation center in Southern California, and hosts a monthly radio show, syndicated worldwide on EWTN. He has appeared on “60 Minutes,” “Dateline” and “Good Morning America,” and in The New York Times and USA Today. His patients have included Pope John Paul II and the Dalai Lama. He lives in Southern California.

Laguna Beach Books is at The Old Pottery Place, 1200 S. Coast Hwy. For more information, call the store at (949) 494-4997 or e-mail jane@lagunabeachbooks.com