Applicants for cultural arts funding sought

Applications to receive cultural arts funding are available. The

deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Feb. 4.

In April 2001, the city of Laguna Beach adopted a resolution

establishing a business improvement district, with the purpose of

promoting off-season cultural events and encouraging overnight hotel

occupancy. The funds are available to projects that promote tourism

and related tourist events.

Applications will be accepted from nonprofit organizations with

functioning programs offering cultural events that provide the

greatest benefits in meeting the cultural needs of the city and its

visitors. Recipients will be notified of their award on July 1, 2005.

Applications to receive funding are available online at

https://www.lagunabeachcity.net or by calling (949) 497-0722.

Open Gatherings next meeting topic set

The next meeting of Open Gatherings, a local movement that draws

people together from all faiths and nonfaiths to explore topics of

spirituality, relationships and personal ethics, will be held at 7:30

p.m. on Dec. 17, at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 429 Cypress

Drive. The topic of the meeting will be: “Values? A Liberal Looks at

Christmas,� and the Rev. Tari Lennon, will lead the discussion and

give her take on the holidays.

The discussion will be interspersed with selected pieces played by

noted pianist Bill Protzman.The evening of thoughtful, wide-ranging

discussion serves no doctrine or ideology. Open Gatherings is held at

7:30 p.m. on the last Friday of each month. Admission is free,

donations are welcome and free care is provided for children age 4

and older. Dessert and coffee are served after the discussion.

Information: (949) 370-7040.

Free parking offered Downtown

The Laguna Beach Visitors and Conference Bureau will give the gift

of free parking to shoppers, merchants and residents this holiday

season.

From Dec. 17 to 24, there will be free parking at meters in the

Downtown village area. The posted time limits on the meters will

still be enforced. Information: 1-800-877-1115.