Briefly In Business

Optometrists urge diabetes screening

In recognition of American Diabetes Month and World Diabetes Day on Nov. 14, the father-daughter team of Laguna Eyes Optometry, William D. and Alicia M. Harrison, are urging community members to schedule yearly eye exams, particularly those with diabetes or who are predisposed to diabetes.

“Regular eye exams are crucial for individuals of all ages, particularly those with diabetes or that are predisposed to diabetes, as earliest signs of eye complications often occur without warning,” said Alicia Harrison.

Diabetic retinopathy causes 12,000 to 24,000 new cases of blindness each year, making diabetes the leading cause of blindness in adults 20 to 74 years of age, Harrison said. Regular eye exams can help detect diabetic retinopathy in the early stages to prescribe effective treatment plans.

Laguna Eyes Optometry, PC is at 1100 S. Coast Hwy., Suite 201. For more information, call (949) 497-1769.

Kartsonis named VP of council

Melinda Morgan Kartsonis, APR, president and founder of Morgan Marketing & Public Relations LLC, was elected as vice president for the International Foodservice Editorial Council, one of the nation’s leading organizations for writers, editors and public relations professionals working in and with the food-service media. The council provides venues for members to exchange ideas and information about culinary and beverage trends, as well as issues of significance to the food-service industry.

Morgan Kartsonis, a Laguna Beach resident, was selected as a candidate by the council’s nominating committee and subsequently elected by the board of directors at the organization’s annual conference in San Diego. She will be serving a one-year term as vice president.

In addition to providing executive leadership support to the president, Morgan Kartsonis will also assume the responsibility of chairing new membership orientation for the organization.

For more than 18 years, Morgan Marketing & Public Relations LLC has been providing marketing, public relations and event-planning services to a variety of industries, including retail, restaurants and hospitality, real estate, food and beverage, and legal. The firm’s office in Irvine features a state-of-the-art test kitchen, conference room with multimedia and focus-group capabilities.

Morgan Marketing & Public Relations is the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the Public Relations Society of America, Orange County Chapter.

For more information visit www.mmpr.biz or call (949) 261-2216.

‘Open for Business’ workshop is Tuesday

The next “Open for Business” workshop for business owners and others interested in opening or expanding businesses in Laguna Beach is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Community Center, 380 Third St.

The workshops are being organized by the Business Promotion Task Force.

“We are reaching out to business owners, building owners, commercial Realtors and other professionals to let everyone know that we want to help entrepreneurs realize their vision in Laguna Beach,” said Mayor Pro Tem and task force Co-chairwoman Elizabeth Pearson.

Workshop participants will include members of the city’s Planning Commission, key city staff, Chamber of Commerce officials and successful local business owners.

For more information, contact Monica Tuchscher at (949) 497-0745 or by e-mail at mtuchscher@lagunabeachcity.net