The public is invited to join the 30th annual Winter Solstice celebration on Monday, Dec. 21, which begins at 4:48 p.m. at Main Beach with the sunset observance of the year’s shortest day followed by art, music and poetry.
“We are fortunate in Laguna to have our own solstice marker since the sun goes down precisely in the southern tip of Catalina Island on that day,” event organizer Mark Chamberlain noted.
BC Space gallery, 235 Forest Ave., will be open for food, drink, art and conversation by 5:13 p.m. Chamberlain this year exhibits the work of a score of friends and has invited anthropologist Stephen O’Neil to describe the star lore of the Acjachemen Indians, and presentations of original work by town poet laureate John Gardner and troubadour Mark Turnbull.
The event is free, but participants are encouraged to bring food and drink to share.
Info: 949 497-1880, or [email protected].
Laguna Nursery Walk Sets Out
Grab your walking shoes and accompany award-winning horticulture expert Ruben Flores for the final garden walk of the year.
He steps out from a new location, 397 N. Coast Highway, at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19.
The Well Offers Help With Resolutions
Private training studio, The Well, 660 N. Coast Highway, will offer a 30-minute, five-day program that includes strength training, cardio and flexibility exercises, beginning Jan. 1.
The public is invited to check out the studio’s new location Jan. 7, where owner Brian Wisely will hold a raffle good for two weeks of the program.
The Well Method delivers complete fitness, Wiseley promises. “Too many people just jog (cardio) or just do yoga (flexibility and stability) or just lift weights (strength). This program does all three.
“Well-being is the goal and end result of participating in this program,” he said.
For more info visit: thewellfit.com.
Seize the Opportunity to Serve Your Town
The city is accepting applications for volunteer service on several committees that advise the City Council on many topics.
These include openings for terms of various lengths on the Recreation Committee, the Design Review Board, the Parking, Traffic and Circulation Committee, the Heritage Committee, the Arts Commission and the Environmental Sustainability Committee.
Interviews and appointments will be conducted on Tuesday, Jan. 19, at 6 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 505 Forest Ave.
Applicants may be contacted in advance and should prepare to discuss their interest in serving.
Residents should obtain an application from the City Clerk’s office or on-line at: www.lagunabeachcity.net and file by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 5. Questions may be directed to the City Clerk’s office at 497-0705.
Teens Learn Safe Driving from Experts
UPS’s safe-driving experts will deploy a state-of-the-art simulator for teens to get behind the wheel practice virtually at the Boys & Girls Club from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 18, at 1085 Laguna Canyon Road.
The UPS Foundation’s Road Code program on the dangers of distracted driving is aimed at teens aged 13-18.
Teens can earn community service hours for completing the course.
Questions? Contact Valerie Navarrete at 949-494-2535, or by email at [email protected].
Foundation Benefits from Eagle Scout Project
Luke Aronson of Irvine, a senior in the film and television conservatory at Orange County School of the Arts, earned the top rank of Eagle Scout in Troop 695 for producing a seven-minute video for the Laguna Ocean Foundation, which works to conserve and restore marine habitats.
Luke’s film, “Laguna Beach MPA’s and Tide Pools,” can be seen on youtube and will eventually end up on the foundation website.
A former Laguna Beach resident, Luke’s activism began at 10 when he testified at a City Council meeting to express his support for the establishment of a marine preserve.
City Parks Close for Maintenance
Annual maintenance and turf renovations at Riddle Field are under way and the field will be closed until Jan. 31.
Field maintenance on the Alta Laguna field and Bluebird Park should conclude this week and the parks will reopen.
Crews move next week to Moulton Meadows, which will be closed beginning Monday, Dec. 21, until Jan. 4.
