Orange County Almanac

Ever wonder why Laguna Niguel’s city motto is “Sea Country,” even though the South County community doesn’t touch the ocean?

And why the Ritz-Carlton--Laguna Niguel hotel is actually located within the city of Dana Point?

Back in the 1960s, realtors touted the Laguna Niguel planned community as “Sea Country” because the development stretched to the ocean south of Laguna Beach.

But in the 1980s, residents of Laguna Niguel’s coastal section, known as Monarch Beach, voted to incorporate with Dana Point. So the Ritz-Carlton hotel became part of Dana Point in everything but name. And the city known as “Sea Country” became landlocked.

Today

Retiring Supervisor Thomas F. Riley will be honored by the Mental Health Assn. of Orange County at noon at the Irvine Marriott hotel.

The association will inaugurate an annual community service award named in Riley’s honor.

UC Irvine psychiatry professor Dr. William Bunney will be the keynote speaker, discussing new research in schizophrenia.

Former association President Mary Evelyn Bryden will also be honored.