Without a Lawyer? Legal Center Offers Help
The county’s fourth Self-Help Center opened last week at the Harbor Justice Center, 23141 Moulton Parkway, in Laguna Hills, promising better access to the judicial process for self-represented litigants.
The new second-floor center is staffed by a self-help attorney and court personnel are available to assist customers from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and Friday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Self-represented litigants will be able to receive procedural assistance and obtain form packets with instructions, use public computers with form completion software, obtain document review (prior to filing), and receive referrals for low cost legal services.
Foundation Seeks Local Grant Prospects
Laguna Beach Community Foundation is accepting applications from local nonprofits for $10,000 grants, which will be awarded to organizations providing services or programs within the Laguna Beach area.
Grants will be considered for core operations; capacity building; capital projects and equipment; programs and projects; and training. Eligible organizations must be a non-profit, tax-exempt organization and in good standing.
Grant guidelines can be found online by visiting www.lagunabeachcommunityfoundation.org. The application deadline is Sept. 23.
Funding is from donations to the Community Foundation.
In addition to a grants program, the Community Foundation provides informative programs and public relations activities to encourage philanthropy in Laguna Beach.
MOPS Send Cuddles to Storm Victims
Laguna Beach MOPS, Mother’s of Preschoolers, recently finished their program year with a hands on service project, constructing “cuddle” blankets for children who are victims of the Alabama hurricane.
The group, which meets weekly at Laguna Presbyterian Church, coordinated with the Red Cross for distribution of the “hand made” fleece lap-blankets. They were mailed to Frazier Methodist Church in Montgomery to be given to local residents.
For more information or to register for fall meetings contact Dorit Goossens-Lessard, [email protected] or the Laguna Beach MOPS website, lagunabeachmops.com.
Relying on Native Plants for Fire Safety
At the corner of Laguna Canyon Road and El Toro Road, near Anneliese’s Willowbrook campus, the Greater Laguna Coast Fire Safe Council is transforming a portion of Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park from a weedy lot to an association of fire-approved native plants.
This innovative planting is intended to reduce both fire hazard and annual weed control.
Maintenance on this project will continue throughout the summer, with the Anneliese School participating in a material way by providing the irrigation and annual maintenance of the area adjacent to their property.
Through the combined work of the Greater Laguna Coast Fire Safe Council, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Anneliese School, native plants should be established in time to make a positive difference for next fire season and reduce the threat of wildfire to Laguna.