CITYSCAPE ROUNDUP:Seniors to gather at summit

Laguna Beach Seniors, Inc. will hold its first “Senior Summit” from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday at Aliso Creek Inn & Golf Course, 31106 Coast Highway, Laguna Beach.

The half-day seminar will feature two of Orange County’s leading speakers and writers on aging, Jane Glenn-Haas and Tom Blake. The day will focus on providing the most comprehensive information available on senior issues.

Some of the organizations that will be available for information at the summit will be:

In addition, representatives will be on hand from the offices of Assemblyman Chuck Devore, Michelle Lindstrom and Supervisor Tom Wilson. Carolyn McInerney will bring attendees up-to-date with legislation that affects the senior community.

The event is free to the public and a continental breakfast and light lunch will be provided. Space is limited. Call Laguna Beach Seniors to reserve a seat, at (949) 497-2441.

First merchants at Pottery Place open doors

Three retailers at The Old Pottery Place — the historic redeveloped site of the Pottery Shack — have opened for business. They are: Tootsies, Scout 3 and Riviera Home.

Entrances to the three stores face Coast Highway, where their signs can be seen. Visitors can park for free in the rear structure, go into the center and cross through the courtyard to the shops, or enter directly from Coast Highway.

Tootsies sells shoes and handbags to women of all ages. In the near future, Tootsies will offer pedicures at three salon stations.

Riviera Home has relocated from Newport Beach (where they were known as Riviera Collections), and features creative ideas in contemporary furniture, home accessories, and gifts. They also have a studio area offering residential interior design services.

Scout 3 is a new retail concept selling clothing and accessories, primarily work-to-weekend wear, for men and women.

Coming soon are Laguna Beach Books, Studio Arts Gallery and Chocolate Soldier.

Studio Arts expects to be open in time for the October 5 First Thursdays Artwalk.

Sapphire Laguna restaurant and the adjacent Sapphire Pantry are expected to open before the end of October.

The Old Pottery Place is located at 1200 South Coast Highway, at the corner of Brooks. Shops are open seven days a week.

Non-residents came to pick up Laguna’s beaches

Inlanders again outnumbered Lagunans by a three-to-one ratio during Saturday’s Coastal Cleanup Day, Roger Butow of Clean Water Now! said. The age of participants was also much younger.

“This shouldn’t be misinterpreted as locals being uncaring,” Butow said. “Many Laguna residents do their own cleanups out of the spotlight or at their own convenience. They pick up trash daily on their beach walks, jogging or along PCH.”

Butow said that two unusual items were picked up: a drugstore shopping cart at Aliso Beach and a three-foot-long, seven-pound heavy gauge steel concrete form stake at Main Beach.

The revised figures for the cleanup day at seven stations along the beach revealed that 3,280 pounds of “regular” trash was picked up, of which 696 pounds was recycled.

Total participation numbered 560, including 500 volunteers and 60 staff.

For the third straight year, the Aliso Creek Inn formed a crew under the supervision of General Manager Mark Slymen and picked up accessible debris to the upper limit of their property line, including the golf course.

Top of the World plans neighborhood picnic

The Top of the World Neighborhood Association will hold its annual Neighborhood Picnic from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Alta Laguna Park. All are invited. It is not necessary to be a member of the group to attend. Memberships are $10 per year for a household.

Neighbors will bring their favorite dish for a pot-luck dinner, and activities for toddlers and children will be featured.

“We hope to see everyone there joining neighbors and friends for a relaxing afternoon at Alta Laguna Park,” president Piero Wemyss said. “There will be games for kids and adults too. We will have a visit from the Laguna Beach Fire Department with a chance for our children to take part in a demonstration. There will be a dessert contest for the most scrumptious homemade delight.”

For more information, call Gene Felder at (949) 939-7257.

Laughter Playshop offered

A work/playshop using laughter to awaken creativity will be presented on Friday, Sept. 29, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. in Laguna Beach. Participants will engage in laughter exercises, and have their choice of numerous outlets of artistic expression. The creativity session will be followed by a period of free-form expressive dance.

The techniques practiced will be those of Laughter Yoga, a system of laughter exercises developed by Dr. Madan Kataria, known as “The Laughing Doctor of Bombay.”

The class is suitable for families and individuals of all ages and ability levels. Participants are requested to wear clothing they can stretch in. Artistic outlets available may include: watercolors, crayons, pastels, colored pens, collage, writing, modeling clay, music and song.

The playshop will take place at the city Recreation Building, 515 Forest Ave. Registration is $15 general, $10 seniors); advance registration requested. Contact Community Services at (949) 497-0716, ext. 6. For program information, e-mail [email protected].

Village Laguna 2007 calendars out

The Village Laguna Calendar 2007 has been released.

The calendars are $13 each inclusive of tax -- all proceeds go to Village Laguna to support and preserve the village atmosphere.

A number of local stores are carrying the calendars, including: Tuvalu, Zinc Cafe, Animal Crackers, Laguna Beach Books (The Old Pottery Place), Fawn Memories, Latitude 33, and Coast Hardware.

To purchase a calendar directly from Village Laguna, contact Charlotte Masarik at (949) 494-1630.