Youth Shelter gets windows from caring community

OUR LAGUNA

The Community Service Programs Youth Shelter in Laguna Beach has new

windows upstairs thanks to a couple of local men with big hearts.

John Monahan of Real Mediations raised the money to buy the windows.

Mike Morris of J.M. Morris Construction donated the labor to install

them.

“They are perfect,” director Carol Carlson said -- and she could

have been talking about the windows or the guys.

“Mike and his two workers took two days to put in the windows, so

they wouldn’t disturb the kids,” Carlson said “This was all custom

work. The house was built in 1939. He had to replace the old wood

casings as well as the windows.”

She estimates the labor would have cost $1,500. The windows were

paid for by donations from the community.

“John, who is a member of our Advisory Board, wrote letters to all

of his friends in Laguna Beach and asked for donations for the

project,” Carlson said. “The checks just started coming in.”

The shelter offers a haven in troubled times to youngsters, ages

11 to 17, with a goal of reuniting families. Donations of time, goods

and money are always welcomed. For more information, call 494-4311.

APPLE GIVES TEACHER TOOLS

Students have changed in the past two decades, and teachers have

to keep up with them, said Gary Birch, dean of Visual Arts at the

Laguna College of Art and Design.

“Students today are wired differently,” Birch said. “They speak

differently and they learn differently.”

Recognizing and dealing with those changes was the purpose of an

Apple Distinguished Educator Summer Camp, held in Northern

California. Birch, who was selected by Apple Computers as a member of

the 2003 class of distinguished educators, attended.

“It was fantastic,” Birch said. “I met with about 100 honorees,

and we were given a focused professional development program.”

During the program, the educators learned about specific changes

in students.

“There are digital natives; digital immigrants, who speak digital

as a second language; and digital aliens, who are digital

illiterates,” said Birch, who identifies himself as an immigrant.

The crossover between native and immigrant came about 20 years

ago, he said.

“Digital natives have an innate ability to collaborate,” Birch

said. “When I was in school, if I looked at another student’s work,

it was cheating and grounds for expulsion.”

Educators need to promote collaboration in project-based learning

-- research being better than memorizing dates and research that

hones cross-discipline skills best of all, according to the lessons

taught at the summer camp.

“Learning multiple skills, using them and collaborating raises the

bar for a whole class,” Birch said.

Camp participants have returned to their local venues and are

sharing what we learned with other educators.

“We hope to get their collaboration,” Birch said.

Birch has been a teacher at the Laguna School of Art & Design for

14 years and dean of Visual Arts for two years. Selection as an Apple

Distinguished Educator identifies him as an expert in educational

technology.

“Gary Birch has been a leading innovator in the multimedia design

industry for over 20 years,” college President Alan Barkley said.

“We’re privileged to have him on our faculty where he leads our

design, illustration and animation programs.”

ON BOARD

Hal Werthe has been elected president of the Exchange Club of

Laguna Beach for the third time.

Elected to serve with him: Katy Moss, president elect, John Bush,

secretary and Sandi Werthe, treasurer, also for a third term. Joe

Baker, Don Sherinian, Rick Leckey, Pat Freeman, Mary Greenberg, Bill

Kinsey and Al Oligino will serve as board members

The local club was founded in 1962. It is a member of the National

Exchange Club, a service organization dedicated to the prevention of

child abuse. The Laguna Beach club has raised funds for the Child

Abuse Prevention Center of Orange County, Turning Point Center for

Families, the CSP Youth Shelter in Laguna Beach and the Laguna Beach

Club for Kids.

Meetings are held at noon on Thursdays at the Hotel Laguna.

Prospective members are welcomed. For more information, call

494-6016.

BOOKS AND HORSES

Barbara Howard, author of “Letters to Seabiscuit,” will sign

copies of her book from 2 to 4 p.m., Aug. 30 at the Laguna Beach

Library.

The book signing was arranged after Friends of the Library

President and racing aficionado Martha Lydick met up with Howard and

her daughter, Laguna resident Malinda Howard, at Seabiscuit Day at

Del Mar Race Track.

“At one time, Seabiscuit was more popular than the president of

the United States,” Lydick said. “Join us at the library for a trip

back in time when a gutsy horse named Seabiscuit gave hope to all

during the depression.”

The letters in the book were a gift to Howard from her former

mother-in-law, Marcela, second wife of Charles Howard. Malinda is his

great granddaughter.

Admission to the book signing is free. Friends of the Library

membership envelopes will be available. Membership gives the local

library clout when it comes to budget time.

NO REVIEW FOR THIS PROJECT

Mansionization guidelines will not be enforced, and design review

will not be required for structures built for the Festival of Sand

Sculptures to be held from 11 a.m. to dusk Oct. 11 at Main Beach.

The city’s Housing and Human Affairs Committee is inviting civic,

community and family groups to participate in the festival. The event

is meant to encourage community interaction, a goal of the Vision

2030 Final Report and Strategic Plan. Volunteers will handle on-site

registration and designate plots. A $10 entry fee will be charged.

Information and pre-registration will be included in the fall

Recreation Brochure.

Residents are invited to view the sculptures, picnic at the beach

and vote for their favorite castle.

TIRED OUT

City officials have applied for a Waste Tire Playground Grant

Program offered by the California Integrated Waste Management Board.

The purpose of the grants is to reduce landfill disposal and

stockpiling of used tires. About $800,000 is available statewide,

with maximum grants of $25,000. A local match is required.

The city is asking for a $20,000 grant to help pay for the

rubberized surfaces under play equipment, which cost $40,000.

Matching funds are required.

Grants will be announced in October.

The grant would free up some money already earmarked for the park

and could be put toward the restoration of rocket ship, which had to

be deleted from the project because of budget constraints.

Councilwoman Cheryl Kinsman made the first donation to a fund

established by parents to restore the rocket ship, considered a park

icon. Donations to the fund may be made to City Treasurer Laura

Parisi.

* OUR LAGUNA is a regular feature of the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. Contributions are welcomed. Write to Barbara Diamond, P.O. Box

248, Laguna Beach, 92652, hand-deliver to 384 Forest Ave., Suite 22;

call 494-4321 or fax 494-8979.