Briefly In the News

Pinto to be honored

Michael Pinto, founder and former longtime president of Laguna Canyon Foundation, will be honored during an afternoon of celebration from noon to 4 p.m. May 1 at the Nix Nature Center.

The public is invited to attend and limited parking will be available at the Nix Nature Center. A free shuttle from the James Dilley Preserve will run from noon to 4 p.m. Activities include a wildflower and plant identification table and hikes along Mary’s Trail. Refreshments will be provided.

The Nix Nature Center is at 18751 Laguna Canyon Road. The James Dilley Preserve is on the east side of Laguna Canyon Road, just north of the San Joaquin Hills (73) Toll Road.

For more information, visit www.lagunacanyon.org, e-mail info@lagunacanyon.org or call (949) 497-8324.

Library Month events

Officials and supporters of the Laguna Beach Public Library plan a month of special events for adults and children to celebrate Library Month throughout April.

Friends of the Library President Martha Lydick announced at the April 6 City Council meeting that all books in the Friends’ bookstore will be sold at half price through Saturday and a poetry contest will be open to all ages the entire month.

For more information, call (949) 497-1733.

Donations sought for Boutique Benefit

The Fourth Annual Boutique Benefit will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. May 1 at the Laguna Presbyterian Church. Proceeds will provide food for jobless and low-income families through the Laguna Resource Center, and also sponsor three Congolese women through womenforwomen.org.

The sale will feature quality clothing, accessories and small decorative items. To donate, call Evonne Kane at (949) 468-6831. For more information, visit boutiquebenefit.com.

City vindicated in lawsuit by courts

City Atty. Philip Kohn announced at the April 6 council meeting that a lawsuit filed by Robert Ross had been dismissed by the Federal District Court and the Federal Court of Appeals.

The suit alleged that certain city officials had violated provisions of the Racketeer and Corrupt Organizations Act, known as RICO, by committing improprieties in connection with the Old Top of the World annexation.

Rethink Change meeting is Monday

Transition Laguna will sponsor Rethink Change, in which panelists will lead an evening of lecture, discussion, and interactive change games relevant to the Transition Town Movement, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at Anneliese’s School, 20062 Laguna Canyon Road.

A $15 donation is suggested. For more information, call (949) 285-1473.