Briefly In the News

Hanos to be feted at event Saturday

Bonnie and Arnold Hano will be honored Saturday as Village Laguna’s 2009 Villagers of the Year for their commitment to enhancing of the quality of life for Laguna Beach residents and for their participation in the community.

The Hanos moved to Laguna Beach in 1955 and were among a group of residents who began Village Laguna in 1971.

The party will be from 3 to 6:30 p.m. at Sally and Jeff Jameson’s home, 494 El Camino Del Mar. The public is invited. Tickets are $75 per person. For more information, call (949) 499-4809.

Free bike tune-up offered

Bike-ON! of Laguna Beach is offers a free bike tune-up, which includes: inflating tires, repairing flat tires, lubricating deraileurs, shifters, chain and headset; aligning seat, handlebar, brakes and deraileur; and replacing broken spokes.

To schedule a tune-up, e-mail bikeon@verizon.net.

The next Bike-ON! community bicycle ride will be 9 a.m. Nov. 21. The ride starts at Park Avenue and Legion Street.

Recycling at all-time high

Laguna Beach has reached an all-time high 65% waste diversion rate by diverting more than 75,000 tons of trash from landfills in 2008, according to city officials. The recycling reduces greenhouse gas emissions by an amount equal to saving the energy use of 509 homes for one year.

The city surpassed a state mandate requiring each jurisdiction to maintain a waste diversion rate of at least 50%. Laguna Beach met the 50% diversion requirement in 2005 by diverting about 58,000 tons of trash from landfills. The city’s diversion increased to 65% in 2008, an increase of 15% in three years.

More than 95% of households participate in the free curbside recycling program. Eighty percent of the 557 businesses and multifamily complexes also participate in commercial recycling programs.

Charity grants available

The Laguna Board of REALTORS and Affiliates Charitable Assistance Fund will review written applications in early December to determine which local community groups will receive donations from 2010 fundraising events. Scholarships are also awarded to qualifying Laguna Beach High School students. To apply, contact Stephanie Lennon at (949) 497-2474 or Stephanie@lbrealtors.com. Groups must be registered 501(c)3 nonprofits and a questionnaire will be supplied. Prior recipients are allowed to reapply. The deadline for written applications is Nov. 30. Letters will be sent to all applicants by January notifying them of selection committee’s decisions.

Marine reserve discussion set

Mike Beanan of the South Laguna Civic Assn. will present an analysis of the proposed marine reserve under consideration by the Fish and Game Commission.

The meeting, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, will be at 9:15 a.m. Saturday at Siggie Johnson’s home, 616 Mountain View Drive. For more information, call (949) 494-0572.