AROUND TOWN - Dec. 19, 2008

Donations sought for homeless breakfast

The Laguna Resource Center and Laguna Presbyterian’s Outreach Committee are organizing the eighth Annual Homeless Christmas Breakfast at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Neighborhood Congregational Church.

Financial donations are needed to defray the costs of new warm clothing, backpacks and sleeping bags given to guests at the breakfast. To donate, visit www.lagunapreschurch.org. Click on giving, then debit or credit card. Checks payable to Laguna Presbyterian Church for Homeless Breakfast may be mailed or dropped off at the church, 415 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach, CA 92651.

Items in good condition may be dropped off between 9 a.m. and noon at the Resource Center, 3305 Laguna Canyon Road (behind Kubisak’s), or during office hours at the Congregational Church, 340 St. Ann’s Drive.

For more information, e-mail Ric Shoemaker ricshoe@cox.net.

Cold weather shelter opens at churches

The Cold Weather Shelter for homeless people opened Dec. 12 at the Neighborhood Congregational Church, City Manager Ken Frank announced.

The shelter will open on nights when the temperature is 45 degrees or colder, or 48 degrees or colder with a chance of rain.

Community Development Block Grant funding will pay for an overnight security guard and the Laguna Beach Resource Center and the churches will provide volunteers to assist with the shelter.

On Jan. 29 the shelter will move to the United Methodist Church and is expected to close March 15 for the season.

Midday bus service to Ritz back in operation

The Laguna Beach city bus service along Coast Highway between the Ritz Hotel in Dana Point and the bus depot on Broadway in downtown Laguna Beach that was recently eliminated between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. resumed Monday, Frank said.

City may get $2.5M for Heisler work

The city of Laguna Beach has been notified that an advisory committee will be recommending that the State Water Board approve a $2.5-million grant for Phase 3 of the Heisler Park renovation, Frank said.

The state money would be matched with approximately $1 million of city funds to renovate the portion around Monument Point and between the gazebo and Main Beach.

When these two sections have been finished, Heisler Park will have been entirely rejuvenated.

Club plans forum on ‘sandwich generation’

“Caring for our Parents and Ourselves” is the topic of a discussion planned at the Laguna Beach Woman’s Club at 7 p.m. Jan. 15.

A panel of experts will discuss issues facing the “sandwich generation” — people who are caring for younger and older family members — including the physical and medical challenges, accessing available community resources, hospice care, legal issues, protecting caregiver health, and managing long-distance care.

The public is invited to join the discussion at the Club, 286 St. Ann’s Drive. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the general public is invited.

For more information, leave a message at (949) 497-1200.