Dog Park

A 70-foot-tall oak tree fell into nearby power lines on Laguna Canyon Road Friday, blacking out 11,136 homes and businesses. The tree fell just north of Raquel Road near the Dog Park, said Vanessa McGrady, a Southern California Edison representative. The damage happened about 12:45 p.m. and power was restored to most of the affected areas by about 1:10 p.m. About 600 Edison customers remained without power Friday afternoon. Edison will try to have the problem fixed as soon as possible this weekend, McGrady said.

A 70-foot-tall oak tree fell into nearby power lines on Laguna Canyon Road Friday, blacking out 11,136 homes and businesses. The tree fell just north of Raquel Road near the Dog Park, said Vanessa McGrady, a Southern California Edison representative. The damage happened about 12:45 p.m. and power was restored to most of the affected areas by about 1:10 p.m. About 600 Edison customers remained without power Friday afternoon. Edison will try to have the problem fixed as soon as possible this weekend, McGrady said.

Andrew Edwards In welcome news for pet owners, park visitors and just about anyone who likes clean shoes and water, the company that picks up dog waste in Laguna Beach reported finding less to clean up in 2003. Entre-Manure Dog Waste Removal Services, based in Dana Point, contracts with the city to do the dirty work in Laguna parks. The company informed city officials 480 pounds of waste was cleaned up during the past year, a 30% reduction from previous numbers.

When the rain lets up for a bit and it's time to get out of the house, take the time to visit one of Laguna's many parks icluding: Alta Laguna Park Located at the north end of Alta Laguna Boulevard, this hilltop park has a baseball field, six unlighted tennis courts, a half-basketball court, walking trails, picnic tables and children's play equipment. Bluebird Park Located on Cress Street between Temple Terrace and Bluebird Canyon Drive, this park has a fenced playground, half-basketball court, barbecues and picnic tables.

Laguna Creek has a new look where it runs by the Dog Park on Laguna Canyon Road. Dozens of volunteers provided the manpower for a major landscaping project last month organized by city officials with the expertise of two local landscape architects. Turf grass was removed along the parkway, sycamore trees and California live oaks were planted, and invasive plants such as pampas grass were hauled out. Instead of rushing to the ocean, the creek now meanders and even pools beside a willow that covers it on both sides.

City Councilmember Verna Rollinger's recent commentary regarding "preservation over restoration" of historic buildings and their ability to comply with Mills Act standards disregarded the fact that historic buildings can also be evaluated based on their cultural significance to the city and not just the extent to which the original structure remains intact. ["Heisler Building gets a tax break," Coastline Pilot, Sept. 24.] The Heisler building is a perfect example of a structure that has significant cultural impacts to the city.

Mallory McCamant Regarding your editorial on May 28, "Three barks for getting that skate park built": You're right, the City Council's job is to work for the benefit of all Laguna residents. Then how about some consideration for the residents of a dozen properties next door to the proposed site? There is a canyon community adjacent to this property that cares for its quality of life. We also care about the welfare of our youth, but putting a skate park in the Dog Park is not the answer to either.

In the dog days of summer, Laguna is the dog park — one of the places folks from the hills head to when the thermometer hits 95 to 100 degrees. This summer, temperatures have set records, and the ocean has been unusually warm as well, with temperatures rising at times to a tropical 80 degrees or above, making for ultimate swimming conditions. Beach attendance has been at record numbers, we're told, and beachgoers are lingering long into the evening to keep their cool.

It's an interesting exercise, watching the City Council meetings. Not always a happy experience, but frequently informative. During public communications at the June 3 meeting, Verna Rollinger alerted the council and the public (at least this part of the public) to an alarming situation. For years, Lagunans have been pushing for the restoration of Laguna creek. In 2003, the council approved the concept plan for creek restoration. State Water Board Resources Control members came to Laguna and the result was a grant to restore the creek at the Dog Park.