Mailbag: Laguna would be 'soulless' without Animal Crackers

It is heartbreaking to hear that Animal Crackers in the Laguna Beach Albertsons shopping center is being forced to leave. Gina Katzenbedian, the owner of the shop, has selflessly given of herself to the orphaned animals that come to her and is devoted to finding them good homes.

She and her wonderful staff are always supportive to customers. Those of us who come to her shop for pet supplies soon discover that the people who work there consider their work to be a true calling. They really care about animals and the people who love them.

I'm hoping that a miracle happens to help Katzenbedian and her crew stay where they are or at least somewhere else in Laguna Beach — the town would feel pretty soulless without them.

Ellen Witt

Laguna Beach

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Pantry grateful for donations

Laguna's urban gardeners are having bountiful harvests this year. The Laguna Food Pantry already has received bumper crops of apples, arugula, basil, grapefruits, lemons, lettuce, nectarines, oranges, peaches, peppers, spinach and zucchini.

At first we wanted to thank each farmer by name, but that quickly became unfeasible because so many of you have come to fill our bins with your colorful produce. We can hardly wait for tomorrow's surprises.

So thank you from all of us at the pantry and from all of our friends who come for groceries each week. We are especially grateful to Transition Laguna Beach, whose goals of sustainability and self-sufficiency have resulted in many of these generous donations.

Andy Siegenfeld

Laguna Beach

Editor's note: Siegenfeld is chairman of the Laguna Resource Center.

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Veterans appreciate town's support

Our big thanks go to the board of the Festival of Arts and June Neptune of Tivoli Terrace restaurant for providing a wonderful evening for a hundred veterans and their support staff on July 9.

This year, the Laguna Beach American Legion and Veterans of Foreign War posts invited veterans from Long Beach, Loma Linda and San Diego Veterans Hospitals and from the Barstow Veterans Home to attend the famous Pageant of the Masters and dinner at Tivoli Terrace.

Our fellow veterans never fail to be amazed and appreciative of this special Laguna Beach hospitality.

Thanks so much.

Bob McIntosh and Arnie Silverman

Laguna Beach

Editor's note: The authors are commanders of the American Legion Post and Veterans of Foreign Wars.