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Laguna Hills commission previews December holiday events, notes staffing changes and movie-license for indoor screenings
Summary
The commission reviewed a full slate of December events including a tree lighting on Dec. 5 and Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 13, announced a new annual blanket license to allow indoor movie showings, and outlined staff changes including an interim community services director during a staff member’s maternity leave.
The Laguna Hills Park and Recreation Commission reviewed its December holiday calendar and staffing updates at its meeting. Director Danny told commissioners the city will host a tree-lighting ceremony Friday, Dec. 5 from 6 to 8 p.m.; Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 9 to 11 a.m.; a holiday toy-drive collection with pickup days currently shown as Dec. 13–14 (collection logistics to be finalized with Christ Community Church); a holiday dinner-and-performance event on Dec. 19 (time TBD); and two indoor movie showings — a family screening of Elf on Dec. 10 at 6:30 p.m. and a senior showing of Miracle on 34th Street on Dec. 15 at noon.
Why it matters: The schedule aggregates multiple city-run programs that serve families and seniors and uses a new licensing approach to expand year-round indoor film programming at the community center.
Director Danny said the city has purchased an annual blanket license from the Motion Picture Licensing Company (MPLC) to permit indoor screenings at the community center; staff told the commission the city pays a recurring fee for the blanket license but did not provide a confirmed dollar amount at the meeting. For outdoor movie nights, staff said the cost is roughly $500 per screening.
Staffing changes were also announced. Director Danny said Brandon Aguirre’s responsibilities were realigned to include field allocation and facility maintenance; Brooke Grimes was introduced as the new recreation coordinator who will lead facility reservations and contract classes; and the presenter said they will go on maternity leave at the end of the month. During that leave, Karen Crocker, a retired annuitant, will serve as interim community services director for the remainder of the year and is expected to attend future meetings while the regular staff member is away.
Commissioners asked about timing and logistics for the toy drive and the blanket license; staff responded that some dates shown in the packet denote pickup dates rather than the start of collections and that collection locations and exact pickup times remain to be finalized in partnership with Christ Community Church and other community partners. The commission moved to receive and file the holiday pre-event report.
