AROUND TOWN - Oct. 24, 2008

1993 firestorm is Conservancy topic

The Laguna Canyon Conservancy will present a program on the Laguna Wildfire at its dinner meeting, 6 p.m. Nov. 3 at Tivoli Terrace on the Festival of Arts grounds, 650 Laguna Canyon Road. No-host social time starts at 6 p.m. with dinner and the program following. The charge for dinner is $10 for Conservancy members and $15 for others.

Conservancy vice-president Gene Felder will present a PowerPoint program with many photographs of the wildfire and a short video. More than 300 homes were lost in the Oct. 27, 1993, firestorm.

Those wishing to support the Laguna Canyon Conservancy can become a member for $10 per year (good through December 31, 2009) at the dinner or by mail to P.O. Box 1383, Laguna Beach CA 92652.

To reserve a seat, call Ed Drollinger at (949) 494-6465 by Oct. 31.

Two named alternates to marine life group

Ray Hiemstra and Calla Allison, both members of the Laguna Bluebelt Coalition, have been selected to serve as alternates on the South Coast Regional Stakeholder Group in the State’s Marine Life Protection Act Initiative.

Under the initiative, the state will be designing and managing a network of marine protected areas with the goals to protect marine life and habitats, marine ecosystems and marine natural heritage.

Hiemstra has been with Orange County Coastkeeper for six years, studying local marine resources. Allison is the city’s Marine Protection Officer.

Diamond Street beach steps closed for 3 months

The steps to the beach from Diamond Street will be closed for three months beginning this week, City Manager Ken Frank stated in his Oct. 17 Friday Update.

The steps will be completely demolished and reconstructed in the same location. The beach will still be accessible from the steps located 275 feet to the north. In addition, the contractor, Southland Construction, will be placing a 40-foot storage container on the south side of Diamond Street in three parking spaces.

Third Street improvements will be finished by Oct. 31

Construction of Third Street improvements at the Community and Senior Center started Oct. 20, Frank stated.

The work will include removal of the existing sidewalk, curb and gutter, excavation and grading. The new curb will be aligned to accommodate a drop-off area in front of the center.

New concrete sidewalks will be poured with brick ribbons to match the downtown area. The construction will necessitate the closure of the Third Street sidewalks in front of the Center and “no parking” on both sides of Third Street at the center.

The street improvements are expected to be completed by Oct. 31.

Lumberyard opens for lunch Monday

The Lumberyard Restaurant opened Tuesday for dinner, and will be open for lunch Monday, according to the restaurant’s website.

The restaurant, at 384 Forest Ave., replaces the longtime Cedar Creek Inn, which had become a staple for city officials since it is located across from Laguna Beach City Hall and members of the City Council routinely gathered there after meetings.

The new restaurant opened after extensive renovations, two months after its projected August opening.

In deference to one city official, City Manager Ken Frank, a lunch item has been named for him.

The Ken Frank, an “all natural beef hot dog with caramelized onions and mushrooms,” is the cheapest item on the menu, at $8.

Frank is noted for carefully watching city finances.

For more information, visit lblumberyard.com