Sunset Serenade Concerts at Heisler Park are Back (and Still Free!)

Laguna Beach City Manager John Pietig's weekly update:

Sunset Serenades - Starting on May 4, 2012 the Arts Commission will be presenting live music at the amphitheater in Heisler Park. The concerts start at 6:30 p.m. to sunset and are free.

• May 4: Shelby, Tieg & Tara (Modern Vocal Harmonies)
• May 11: Erica Powell (Harpist)
• May 18: Mancini/Stone Trio (Vibraphone Jazz)
• May 25: John Troy and Jason Feddy (Singer Songwriter)

This program is funded by the lodging establishments and City of Laguna Beach.

Artist Designed Bench at Heisler Park - At its meeting on Monday, the Arts Commission reviewed two proposals for an artist designed bench for a location on the ocean side of Cliff Drive, near Jasmine Street in Heisler Park. The Commission unanimously approved a design by Laguna Beach artists Larry Gill and Gavin Heath. The bench will be made of stainless steel, concrete and cast glass. The design resembles a paddleboard and the glass elements reflect marine fauna and flora. The proposal will require City Council approval. This program has been funded by the Kaye family.

Orange County Home Ownership Preservation Collaborative Workshop -  On 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 your 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.

Glenneyre Parking Structure Rehabilitation Update - Work on the Glenneyre Parking Structure rehabilitation project requires the closure of the No. 2 southbound traffic lane of Glenneyre in front of the parking structure. Difficulties of groundwater during drilling of caissons will cause this work to extend through the middle of May. The lane closures are from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. No significant traffic delays have been experienced. The lower level of the parking structure has been closed during working hours. In response to requests from nearby businesses, a plan has been worked out to keep the lower level open for parking by using a flagman at the entrance. There will still be occasional closures of the lower level, but it will be open most of the time, and always on weekends.

Allview Terrace Utility Undergrounding to Begin - Construction of the newest utility undergrounding district, Allview Terrace, will begin next week. Update letters are being sent to property owners this week. The City Council approved the project in October 2011 and 15 year bonds were sold in March with an interest rate of 3.94%. It is expected that all poles and wires will be removed within two years.