AROUND TOWN - Nov. 14, 2008

County officials warn of bacteria

County health officials warned of unsafe bacterial levels for swimmers on Bluebird Beach at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and near the Hotel Laguna at 4:30 p.m. Thursday. The contamination was not the result of another sewage spill in the area, according to Assistant City Manager John Pietig. Signs were posted warning swimmers to avoid contact with the water.

It was less than two weeks after a massive Oct. 29 sewage spill closed four miles of beach in Laguna.

In another water-quality incident, the Laguna Beach Fire Department investigated a report of “brown stuff” leaking into the storm drains near Agate Street on Ocean Way at 7:21 a.m. Tuesday.

This was determined to be the result of fire hydrants being flushed out by the Water Department, said Mike Phillips of the city’s Water Quality Department. The hydrant water “picked up residual organic material” as it was being flushed through the system, and was not raw sewage, Phillips said.

Sewer station work progresses

City Manager Ken Frank reported in his Weekly Update to city staff on Nov. 7 that work was proceeding well on the recovery from the Oct. 29 sewage spill — which released nearly 600,000 gallons of raw effluent onto city streets and storm drains, closing a four-mile stretch of beach.

“Two pumps are fully operational and an emergency bypass remains in place until a third pump is placed into service,” Frank wrote. “The bypass pumps have been relocated to the bottom of Galen Drive, which will help with operations, traffic flow and odor reduction.

“The wet well doors near Glenneyre Street have also been sealed to mitigate odors. Construction activity to establish operation of the third pump will begin next week.”

Frank wrote in the update that plans for rehabilitating the lift station have been under development since April and construction bids will be solicited before the end of the month to complete improvements at the sewage facility.

City funds aluminum can recycling segment

The cities of Laguna Beach and Costa Mesa together helped underwrite an upcoming PBS “Curiosity Quest” television episode devoted to aluminum can recycling, Laguna Beach City Manager Ken Frank reported in his Friday Update on Nov. 7.

The episode will air at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 28 on Cox Cable, channel 10 (the Orange County KOCE - PBS Station). Funding was provided by a grant from the Department of Conservation. The episode is part of a 13-episode series funded by several south Orange County cities and featuring such topics as recycling milk jugs, plastic bottles, glass, paper, food compost, and green waste.

“Curiosity Quest Goes Green” episodes are broadcast every Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. on KOCE.

Medical Center holds Holiday Fair

South Coast Medical Center will hold its annual Holiday Fair from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday to benefit the SCMC Auxiliary.

“Our holiday fair is one of the most highly-anticipated events of the season,” said Helen Simpson, Director of the SCMC Auxiliary. “We look forward to meeting the people in our community and helping them get a head start on their holiday shopping.”

The Auxiliary will showcase a multitude of gifts, including jewelry, watches, sunglasses, scarves, wallets, clothing and books. Baked goods will also be on sale, as will handmade Christmas ornaments and decorations. Prices start at $5. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted.

South Coast Medical Center’s Auxiliary is a group of volunteers who provide services for the hospital and its patients. For more information, call (949) 499-7177.