El Morro controversy in court

The ongoing squabble between residents of El Morro Village and

proponents of turning the trailer park into a state park will

continue in court today at 9 a.m.

Representatives of El Morro Village residents will reportedly

claim that the environmental report was not completed accurately by

state park officials.

“The state park people think they did a fine and complete job on

the EIR,” said Fern Pirkle of the Friends of the Newport Coast. “This

is just another stalling tactic by the people at El Morro. We and

just about every other environmental agency in the state have joined

in favor of the state park’s plan.”

The hearing will be in the Complex Civil Center in Santa Ana, 751

Santa Ana Blvd., room CX-102.

-- Mike Swanson

Groups get United Way funds

The United Way has allocated funds to five Laguna organizations.

The Boys and Girls Club received $48,000; the Youth Shelter

received $30,000; the Friendship Shelter received $30,000; the

Community Clinic received $120,000; and Laguna Club for Kids received

$11,590.

The funds were designed for programs that affect health and human

services. Each group was identified through research and analysis for

five years by a volunteer committee. Fund recipients were trained and

given technological resources to provide performance reports for

funded programs. The organizations are now required to report where

and how donor dollars will be spent and measure their programs’

results in the community.

Astronomy Night will focus on view of Mars

Astronomy Night will start at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Mars will have its best appearance from Earth’s view in thousands

of years. There will be night sky viewing with Orange County

Astronomers Assn. members.

Before Mars comes into view, there will be discussion about

nocturnal animals, as well as summer constellations. Bring a chair

and jacket. They will provide hot chocolate and cookies.

The group will meet at the El Moro parking lot, which is off Coast

Highway at the stoplight, School-State Park. Turn inland and follow

the signs to the state park.

Workshop to focus on habitat restoration

A public workshop will be held at 6 p.m. Monday in the City

Council Chambers to receive input about a proposed study of habitat

restoration options for the upper portion of Laguna Canyon Creek

between El Toro Road and the dog park.

The city has hired PCR Services Corporation as technical

consultants to conduct a biological study of the creek.

The council chambers are at 505 Forest Ave. For more information,

call Craig Justice at (949) 497-0781.

City seeks personnel board applicants

Laguna Beach is accepting applications to serve on the city’s

personnel board.

The board consists of three members who serve two-year terms

beginning Oct. 1. The board hears appeals on disciplinary action,

dismissals, demotion, reduction in pay or suspension.

Applications should be turned in to the city clerk’s office. They

must be filed by 5 p.m. Sept. 10. Applicants will be interviewed by

the City Council at their regular Sept. 16 meeting at 6 p.m. in the

council chambers, 505 Forest Ave.

Books Live! gets kick off event

The Festival of Arts is kicking off its Books Live! Series.

Jane Seymour, James Keach, Karin dela Pena, Caitlin Ferrara and

Rashad El Amin will present readings.

The four-month reading series will take place at 8 p.m. Nov. 8,

Dec. 6, Jan. 10, Feb. 14. Guest readers will be announced.

The kickoff is at 2 p.m. Aug. 24 at the Forum Theater on the

Festival of Arts grounds, 650 Laguna Canyon Road. Tickets are $20 and

include entrance to the Festival as well as a wine reception with the

actors.

Next PFLAG meeting is set

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) will

host its next meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 20 in the Sun Room of the United

Methodist Church, 24442 Moulton Parkway in Laguna Woods.

The group is a secular organization that promotes a society that

embraces everyone, including those of diverse sexual orientations and

gender identities.

For information, call (949) 380-7035 or (949) 459-2834 or

www.pflagsouthoc.org.

Council meeting tape will play Saturday

The Laguna Beach City Council video of the Aug. 5 meeting was not

replayed on Aug. 9. The replay is now scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday

on Channel 30.

Gala will honor Crystal Cove

The Alliance to Rescue Crystal Cove is organizing a fund-raising

gala, plein air art and environmental fair.

The event will be Sept. 20 and 21 and is designed to recognize the

past four years of preservation efforts and the approval of the

Preservation and Public Use Plan the guides the re-use of the Crystal

Cove Historic District set to begin in October.

Tickets are available now at www.crystalcove.net.

For more information, call (949) 640-5220.

2003 Business Expo scheduled for Sept. 20

The 2003 Business Expo will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 20

at the Farmer’s Market.

The expo is open to all businesses that want to showcase their

products and services to the community. Booth space is available by

reservation: members pay $50 before Aug. 29 and $75 after; nonmembers

pay $85 before Sept. 29 and $105 after.

To reserve your space, call the chamber at (949) 494-1018, ext. 1.

Signing of Seabiscuit letters

Barbara Howard will be at the Laguna Beach Library to sign her

book, “Letters to Seabiscuit.”

The book is a compilation of letters given to Barbara Howard by

Marcela Howard, wife of Seabiscuit owner Charles Howard.

The book signing will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 30 at the

library, 363 Glenneyre St. Admission is free.