CITYSCAPE ROUNDUP: Flamingo Road set to reopen

City officials are planning to officially reopen Flamingo Road, which was severely damaged in the June 2005 Bluebird Canyon landslide, in December.

A dedication ceremony is set for noon on Dec. 15, City Manager Ken Frank stated in his weekly memo to the City Council.

A reception will take place after the dedication.

Plans for the first house to be rebuilt in the canyon will be presented to the Design Review Board on Dec. 13.

City forgives parking tickets for charity event

Some 30 people who got tickets for parking illegally on Laguna Canyon Road for an event at Anneliese School won’t have to pay fines.

The Nov. 4 event was to raise funds for a very ill child.

“Given the nature of the event, the police chief and I have decided to rescind those tickets since people were there for a charitable purpose,” City Manager Ken Frank stated in his weekly memo to the City Council.

“We will be meeting with Anneliese School to make sure that the school staff understands that any future incidents of this nature will result in parking citations that will not be refunded,” Frank added.

Illegal parking and ticketing of attendees of events at the school has been an issue at City Council meetings.

“” Cindy Frazier

Firebreak maintenance work by goats, hand crews to begin

Goats and hand crews will work to augment a firebreak on private property owned by Athens Group between Moulton Meadows Park and the bottom of Nyes Place, according to city officials.

“We have received complaints from residents who abut that open space,” City Manager Ken Frank stated in his weekly memo to the City Council.

“We will be directing the Athens Group to resume maintenance of the firebreak in that area. The work will probably start after Thanksgiving,” Frank stated.

Frank said the Coastal Commission enforcement staff will be notified of the work and biologists will be present every day to protect endangered plants.

“While the goats will be able to graze a portion of the site which is steep, the work on the flatter areas will be done by hand crews,” Frank said.

The Athens Group will be paying for the hand crews, because the work is required by the Fire Department as a nuisance-abatement project.

Community band holds free swingin’ holiday concert

Laguna Community Concert Band will present a free “Swingin’, Singin’ Holiday Concert” from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at the Artists’ Theater, 625 Park Ave., Laguna Beach.

Actress and Laguna resident Lona Ingwerson will be the Master of Ceremonies while the 60-piece concert band performs holiday favorites such as “Fantasia on Greensleeves,” “Let It Snow,” and a narration by Ingwerson of “The Bells of Christmas.”

Audience members are invited to join the band in a Christmas pop sing-along.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be present, and the Anneliese School Children’s Choir will perform.

Admission and parking are free.

Crystal Cove tree lighting kicks off holiday season

Crystal Cove will hold its 11th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at 4 p.m. Dec. 1. Sponsored by the Crystal Cove Alliance, the tree lighting kicks off a monthlong celebration of Christmas at the Cove.

Beginning at noon, artisans represented in the Crystal Cove Store and Gallery will demonstrate plein air painting, jewelry-making and sculpting in the Historic District.

Santa is scheduled to visit Crystal Cove as soon as the tree is lit and the sun begins to set. The entire Cove will glow as the restored seaside cottages are decked out in authentic lights and ornaments echoing the 1935-55 era of Crystal Cove’s Historic District.

“People tell me all year it’s hard to add to the magic of Crystal Cove, but our Christmas tree is always a beacon for visitors from all over California,” Crystal Cove Alliance President and Founder Laura Davick said. “This year we’ve decided to illuminate the Cove’s history entirely in Christmas lights.”

The Coastal Tree, located next to The Beachcomber Café, is the only holiday tree on display on the beach along this stretch of the California coast. For many years during the holiday season, a natural decorated tree at Crystal Cove has been a landmark for sailors and aviators, as well as divers and dolphins.

Seasonal refreshments, including hot chocolate, cocktails and light snacks will be available at the Bootlegger Café. Crystal Cove’s historic “martini flag” will fly and be saluted at 5 p.m.

The Beachcomber restaurant will also offer a traditional Christmas dinner with Santa, complete with carolers on the sand. Reservations are being taken beginning at 5 p.m. Cost for the dinner is $49.95 for adults and $34.95 for children, not including beverages. Contact the Beachcomber for reservations at (949) 644-5887.

The Crystal Cove Alliance Store and Gallery will be open throughout the day, until 7 p.m. All sales benefit the Crystal Cove Alliance.

Crystal Cove Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a winner of the 2007 California Governor’s Historic Preservation Award.