CITYSCAPE ROUNDUP:Harman bill targets illegal aliens

State Sen. Tom Harman has introduced his first measure of the 2007-08 legislative session.

Senate Bill 3 would make it a crime to enter California if that person is in the country illegally — and permit local law enforcement to make an arrest.

According to Harman, SB 3 was introduced in direct response to the concerns of many Orange County citizens as well as local law enforcement officials.

“Due to term limits, the legislature has lost several many guardians of the conservative values, but I look forward to working with the two new members of the Senate Republican Caucus, Senators Cogdill and Wyland, both of whom I firmly believe will work hard to preserve and protect the conservative principals that unite our Republican caucus,” Harman said.

For more information, visit www.sen.ca.gov/harman.

Ethics training won’t include some panels

City officials will participate in state-mandated ethics training on Tuesday, but some groups, including the Arts Commission and Personnel Board, have not been asked to participate, City Manager Ken Frank said.

The City Council, Planning Commission and Design Review Board will all participate in the training led by Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, Frank said.

Frank said that the Arts Commission was not asked to participate because it is not involved in approving projects; upon their recommendation, a project goes forward to the Planning Commission for approval.

State Assembly Bill 1234, which was signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger on Oct. 7, 2005, mandated a minimum of two hours of ethics training by the end of the year for local agency officials in service as of Jan. 1.

Officials whose term of office ends before Jan. 1, 2007 are not required to participate in the training, which is to be performed every two years.

— By Candice Baker

Arts funding available for visitor-serving groups

Applications are now available for Business Improvement District Cultural Arts Funding proposals, Cultural Arts Manager Sian Poeschl announced.

Applications will be accepted from nonprofit organizations with functioning programs offering cultural events that provide benefits in meeting the cultural needs of Laguna Beach and its visitors.

The business improvement district funds are intended to promote off-season cultural events and encourage overnight hotel occupancy. The funds are to assist in supporting projects that promote tourism and related tourist events.

The application deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2. Awardees will be notified July 1.

Application forms are available on line at www.lagunabeachcity.net.

For more information, contact Poeschl at (949) 497-0722 or via e-mail at [email protected].

Medicare D enrollment appointments Friday

Laguna Beach Seniors, Inc. and the Council on Aging are scheduling appointments from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 15, for those seniors who are new to the Medicare D program or are interested in finding out if there is a better plan for them.

Two counselors from the Council on Aging that specialize in the Medicare D programs will be available that day. Appointments are 30 minutes long.

Medicare for 2006 is coming to a close, and there will be many changes to Medicare 2007 that beneficiaries need to be aware of. These changes will affect prescription drug plans, issues with HMOs as well as cost increases. The enrollment time for Medicare expires on Dec. 31.

The enrollment will take place at the Laguna Beach Boys & Girls’ Club, 1085 Laguna Canyon Rd. For an appointment, call (949) 497-2441.

Volunteers needed for Adopt-a-Beach

Volunteers are needed for Saturday’s beach clean-up event focused on Main Beach, Oak Street Beach and Treasure Island Beach at Montage Resort and Spa.

The cleanup, organized by Clean Water Now! and the California Coastal Commission, will take place from 9 a.m. to noon.

Waste Management of Orange County is donating trash and recycling bins and service for the event.

Free all-day parking at city lots is available for clean-up participants. No special equipment is needed — everything the volunteers need in order to participate will be provided.

For more information, visit www.cleanwaternow.com.

Hortense Miller Garden thanks community

Laguna’s Hortense Miller Garden has a little extra greenery this winter thanks to the generous support and grants of some special organizations.

The County Water District granted the group’s wish for a new automated sprinkler system for the lower and middle levels of the garden, replacing a more than 40-year-old patchwork one.

Now, winter plants are in bloom that were dormant for years, said spokeswoman Joanne Sutch.

The Rotary Club presented a grant for new and replacement electrical wiring for the new sprinkler system.

In addition, the City of Laguna Beach bestowed a grant for a new water pump and second water tank, replacing a decades old and highly insufficient pump.

“A very big thank you and happy holidays wish from Hortense Miller and the Friends of the Hortense Miller Garden,” Sutch said. “By the way, if you haven’t been to see the garden lately, please call the Parks and Recreation Center to set up a free docent-lead tour. We would love to see you.”

‘Adopters’ needed for holiday giving

The Laguna Resource Center is looking for people to “adopt” a family for Christmas.

The Christmas Adopt-A-Family program, sponsored by the Laguna Resource Center, is a way for community members to share with low-income families who live or work in Laguna Beach.

Last year, more than 90 families had a brighter holiday because of the generosity of adopters in Laguna Beach.

Families are still waiting to be adopted for this year.

Adopters make up a gift box containing toys and clothing for the children and small gifts for the adults.

A box of canned and packaged food is also welcome, as are gift certificates to local grocery stores.

Anyone who would like to help a family this holiday season should call the Resource Center at (949) 497-7121 to be matched up with a family of their choice.