Spark of Love Toy Drive Returns; New Public Art Competition

Laguna Beach City Manager John Pietig's weekly update:

City Hall Closed - Reminder that City Hall will be closed on Thursday, November 22 for the Thanksgiving Day holiday, as well as on Friday, November 23.

Artist Open Studios - On Saturday, December 1, 2012 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. will be Artist Open Studios. Participants can catch a free shuttle service from Act V, 1900 Laguna Canyon Road and take advantage of the free parking. A docent will guide participants through the studios of 36 artists along Laguna Canyon Road.  The event will be held the first Saturday of the month through March 2013. This program is funded by the lodging establishments and City of Laguna Beach. A map and list of participating artists is available by downloading this PDF file or by clicking the PDF in the box on the right. >>>>

Downtown Holiday Lighting - The Chamber’s installation of holiday lighting in the Downtown is in progress and should be completed within two weeks.

Spark of Love Toy Drive - The Fire Department is supporting the “Spark of Love” toy drive and collecting new, unwrapped toys, gift cards or sporting goods for underprivileged children.  Each of the City’s four fire stations are drop off points for toys that can be given to boys and girls ages 0 – 18 years old.  Toys will be collected through December 24 with all toys collected being distributed here in Orange County.

Hazardous Business Inspections - Certain businesses in the City that use, handle or store hazardous materials or waste materials are required by Federal law to have specific inspections at least once every three years.  The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) has conducted these inspections in the past and has inadvertently charged the businesses for annual inspections when they were only inspected once every three years.  In order to get the program back on cycle inspectors from the OCFA will be out in these pre-identified Laguna Beach businesses prior to the end of the year and conducting inspections.  Businesses that were overbilled can expect to be reimbursed by the OCFA at a later date. 

Lifeguard Headquarters Art in Public Places - At its meeting on Monday, November 26, 2012, the Arts Commission will be discussing concepts for a public art competition to satisfy the Art in Public Places requirement for the Lifeguard Headquarters. The public is invited to attend the meeting which will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the Council Chamber located at 505 Forest Avenue.

Downtown Parking Management Plan - Members of the public are invited to participate in a Community Workshop that is designed to spark discussions and generate ideas for the upcoming Parking Management Plan for Downtown Laguna Beach and Laguna Canyon Road.   The workshop will take place on Wednesday, December 19 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Suzi Q Senior/Community Center.  The Community Workshop welcomes community members to get involved in helping to maximize the City’s public parking through the use of innovative parking management strategies and new parking technologies.