Brooks Street Surf Contest Watch Is On Again!

Laguna Beach City Manager John Pietig's weekly update:

50th Brooks Street Surf Contest - The waiting period for the 50th Brooks Street Surf Contest has begun! The surf contest, touted as the oldest surfing classic in the world, is open to Laguna Beach residents only. Event age groups range from Youth (Boys 13 and under, Girls 15 and under) to Senior Masters (40-49). You may call the Community Services Department at (949) 497-0716 ext. 6 or download the registration form here, or simply click and download the PDF file in the box on the right. --->

Broadway Beautification Project - At a special meeting on Friday, June 1, 2012 the Arts Commission selected finalists for the Broadway Beautification Art in Public Places project. The Commission reviewed 25 letters of interest and selected six finalists for each of the two opportunities. The following finalists were selected: Vertical Sculpture/Handrail - Alber & Luna De Matteis, John Barber, Marlo Bartels, Marsh Scott, Mike Tauber and Terry Thornsley; Sculpture - Alber & Luna De Matteis, Jorg Dubin, Cheryl Ekstrom, Louis Longi, Marlo Bartels and Jon Seeman. The artists will develop proposals which will be presented to the Commission at its meeting on Monday, June 25, 2012.

Heisler Park Art in Public Places - Artists Scott and Naomi Schoenherr are in the final phases of their installation in Heisler Park. During the next two weeks, they will be installing two benches created of rock, bronze and ceramic north of the amphitheater, along with a freestanding sculpture. The installation is schedule to be completed by June 22, 2012.

Orange County Home Ownership Preservation Collaborative Workshop - On Saturday, June 9, 2012, from 8:30 a.m.to 11:30 a.m., a free workshop open to the public for homeowners facing mortgage payment challenges will be held at the Laguna Beach Community & Susi Q Center.  This is an opportunity to meet one-on-one with a lender and a HUD Approved Housing Counselor.  Find out if you qualify for the Federal Making Home Affordable Program, Keep Your Home Program or other options from your lender.  RSVP by email to conniedt@housingcollaborative.org or call 714-599-1014.   No walk-ins after 11 a.m. This event is sponsored by the City of Laguna Beach and Laguna Beach Seniors.

Lobster Research Occurring off of the Laguna Beach State Marine Reserve - Lobster traps were slated to be set by the Department of Fish and Game from Monday June 4 through Friday, June 8 at the Northern boundary (Irvine Cove) and Southern boundary (Seacliff Drive/TableRock) of the Laguna Beach “No Take” Marine Protected Area. The traps are marked with buoys and are checked once a day to tag and measure lobsters as a part of a baseline monitoring effort. The traps will be pulled at the end of Friday.

Cleaning and Video Inspection on Third Street – The Wastewater Division is contracting with National Plant to conduct a sewer line cleaning and video inspection operation along Third Street.  This work is a necessary effort to verify field conditions in order to complete the design of the Loma Terrace sewer line realignment project.  Due to an equipment problem the work has been re-scheduled for next Thursday, June 14, 2012.  Traffic will be detoured around the northbound (downhill) lane of Third Street hill between Park Avenue and Mermaid from 9:00 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.  Some parking spaces along Third Street must be occupied as well.  City staff will be in the field coordinating the work throughout the day.