Briefly In News

Blood drives need donors

The Red Cross is hosting two blood drives July 18, according to a press release.

The first takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mission Hospital Laguna, 31872 Coast Hwy., in the auditorium on the basement level. Parking is free.

The second is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the cobblestone area at Main Beach, 175 N. Coast Hwy.

For more information or to make an appointment, email Laura Rudd at laura.rudd@redcross.org or call (949) 439-0551.

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City debuts its own mobile app

Laguna Beach now has its own mobile app, according to a press release.

The Laguna Beach Visitors and Conference Bureau, in partnership with the city and Phondini Partners, has launched the Laguna Beach Travel Info Mobile app so people can navigate their way through Laguna while visiting the town. Features of the app include information on weather, tide tables, maps and local transit information, the release said.

The app is available through iTunes, Google Play and Amazon.

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Chamber seeks homes with best curb appeal

The Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce is seeking photos of residents’ homes for the Prettiest Painted Places contest, sponsored by the Dow Chemical Co., according to a news release.

The contest seeks out “American towns and neighborhoods that have exceptional communitywide curb appeal due to their beautiful exterior paint color schemes,” the release said.

Deadline for entries is July 28. Fifteen photos will be selected for submission by the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce. Email photos and a brief description to kristine.lagunabeachchamber@gmail.com.

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Foundation receives grant from recreational company

The Laguna Canyon Foundation was given a $15,000 grant from Recreation Equipment Inc., according to a press release.

The money will go toward maintaining safe and sustainable trails in Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park.

“We have seen a dramatic increase in the park’s use over the past 10 years. We estimate more than 200,000 hikers, bikers, equestrians and dog walkers use Aliso and Wood Canyons’ 30-plus miles of trails alone,” foundation Executive Director Max Borella said in a statement. “With this use comes trail erosion, rutting and trail widening which exasperates trail user conflicts, makes the trails less safe and reduces habitat. In addition, there is an increase of user conflicts every month, which we would like to reduce.”

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Mission Hospital receives top honor

Mission Hospital received Magnet recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, according to a press release. It is the highest honor given to nursing services at a hospital.

Mission Hospital is now part of a select group of 393 health care organizations — out of nearly 6,000 U.S. health care organizations — to have the designation.

“Magnet Recognition is a symbol of the hospital’s commitment to excellence in the delivery of patient care,” Linda Johnson, vice president of patient care and chief nursing officer of Mission Hospital, said in a statement. “It took tremendous teamwork and collaboration amongst all staff to achieve this recognition.”

Mission Hospital has two locations, one in Laguna Beach and the other in Mission Viejo.

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League of Women Voters hosting discussion series

The League of Women Voters is hosting the third series of “Great Decisions 2012” at 12:30 p.m. July 13 at the Susi Q Senior Center, 380 Third St., according to a news release. The sessions will continue every week for nine weeks.

Great Decisions discussion groups use material produced by the Foreign Policy Assn. After discussions, participants respond to opinion surveys, and those opinions are distributed to the executive and legislative branches of the national government.

The topic for the first session is “After the Arab Spring.” It will be led by Elye Pitts, who has spent several years in the Middle East. Pitts was in Saudi Arabia as part of the Stanford Institute, which advised the Saudi government on social and economic policies, the press release said.

For further information, contact Jean Raun at (949) 494 2247.

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Memory-writing workshop offered at Susi Q

The Susi Q Senior Center is offering a memory-writing workshop every Thursday from noon to 3 p.m. at the center, 380 Third St.

The class, which has already started, is $10 for people who want to drop-in on a class by class basis.

It’s led by Tammy Lechner, a published author and award-winning sports journalist who was with The L.A. Times, according to a news release.

For more information call the Susi Q @ (949) 497-2441.

— Compiled by Alisha Gomez

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Laguna Beach nonprofits receive grants

The Orange County Community Foundation handed out more than $525,000 in grants recently with two Laguna Beach nonprofits as recipients.

The Friendship Shelter received $10,000 and Laguna Beach Community Clinic was given $15,000.

The grants, awarded to nearly 40 Orange County-based organizations, are a result of the foundation’s ReachOut OC 2012, which combined $345,000 in funds from the foundation with $180,000 in donations from the public, according to a foundation news release. Supporters’ contributions ranged from $20 to $50,000.

— Jamie Rowe

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City Council honors Community Clinic

The Laguna Beach Community Clinic has provided medical care to the city’s low income- and underinsured-residents and workers since 1970.

Mayor Jane Egly presented a proclamation at the June 19 City Council meeting honoring the clinic’s decades of service to the community. Dr. Korey Jorgensen accepted the proclamation on behalf of the staff.

“It has been a privilege being there and a privilege to be in Laguna,” said Jorgensen, who was selected 2010 Patriots Day Parade co-Citizen of the Year for his dedicated service to the clinic and the community.

Jorgensen in turn presented the council with a new brochure aimed at women over 50, who are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. He credited the idea to Pauline Walpin; printing was funded by the Laguna Beach Woman’s Club.

— Barbara Diamond