Briefly In Business

'Open for Business' workshops

The city of Laguna Beach is sponsoring a new series of workshops designed to introduce prospective Laguna Beach business owners to the city. The "Open for Business" workshops are for business owners and others interested in opening or expanding businesses in Laguna Beach.

"We are reaching out to business owners, building owners, commercial Realtors and other professionals to let everyone know that we want to help entrepreneurs realize their vision in Laguna Beach," Mayor Toni Iseman said in a news release.

The next workshop will take place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday in the Community Center, 380 Third St.

Workshop participants include planning commissioners Anne Johnson and Bob Whalen, and Gregg Abel, a Chamber of Commerce board member and owner of Gregg Abel Construction and Design Inc.

For more information, contact Monica Tuchscher, principal planner, at (949) 497-0745 or mtuchscher@lagunabeachcity.net.

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Business Club hosts elderly hiker

Bill Burke, considered the oldest American to climb Mt. Everest, will speak to the Laguna Beach Business Club at 7:30 a.m. Feb. 17 at the Hotel Laguna.

Burke, a Costa Mesa resident, reached the summit of Mt. Everest on May 23, 2009, climbing from the southern side, and was heralded as the oldest American to do so. This year, he plans to attempt a double summit of Mt. Everest from both the north and south side.

He will present a video/photo slideshow of his climbing adventures and discuss his training and preparation. Visitors are welcome by reservation; the cost is $25, including a buffet breakfast.

To attend, contact club president John Campbell at JL.Campbell@verizon.net or (949) 494-1008, or Gil Thibault at GGThibault@aol.com or (949) 275-5900.

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Pure Light holds grand opening

Pure Light Candle Studios of Laguna Beach, formerly in Laguna Canyon, is celebrating its grand opening at 540 S. Coast Hwy., Suite 202 on Thursday. Mayor Toni Iseman will cut the ribbon on the new store at 5 p.m., and a reception will follow.

For more information, call the studio at (949) 736-7200 or visit http://www.purelightcelebrations.com.

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Fiori offers tour of Umbria, Italy

The owners of Fiori Italian ceramics store in Laguna Beach are offering "An Insider's Tour" of Umbria, Italy, from June 16 to 27. The tour includes historical pageants, a visit to Assisi, olive and wine tastings and a truffle hunt. Meals, accommodations, activities, local transportation and guides are included for $3,995 per person, double occupancy. Airfare is not included in the price.

Bonnie and Jonathan Wolin, owners of Fiori, 214 S. Coast Hwy., and Pamela Amato, an American who has lived in Umbria for more than 40 years, will host the tour. For more information, contact Bonnie Wolin at blwolin@aol.com or (888) 497-8297.

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Chamber hosts Valentine mixer

The Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce is holding a Valentine Day mixer from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 9 at Hotel la Casa del Camino/K'ya, 1289 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach. For more information, visit http://www.lagunabeachchamber.org or call (949) 494-1081.

—Compiled by Cindy Frazier