Whole Foods Starts Construction, a Special Veterinarian and a Costco Lawsuit

Christmas is over and the gifts are being returned at a record pace, but that doesn't mean the news has slowed in terms of local business comings and goings.

Finally,  located in the former Tall Mouse crafts store has started construction at 23922 Aliso Creek Rd., in the Aliso Creek Village Plaza. 

Patch photographer Barton Mac Leod captured these photos of the construction site recently which clearly shows work has indeed begun.

Whole Foods representatives confimed by stating, "Construction is taking place at Whole Foods Market Laguna Niguel. The store is slated to open to the public in spring 2012, bringing a variety of natural and organic foods."

Added Jeff Gibson, planning manager for the city's Community Development department, "Whole Foods Market has installed their construction safety fence at the shopping center and begun the project demolition. The building permit for the renovation is currently in process with the building division of the Community Development Department."

Top Veterinarian

Over at 30001 Town Center Dr., Ste. 5, according to a press release sent out by , “Our main veterinarian, Dr. Edward Song, DVM, became the first and only ABVP 'Board Certified Specialist for Canine and Feline' in Laguna Niguel and he is also a well known 'Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist.'"  

Dr. Song became part of a small group of veterinarians across the country who has earned the title "Diplomate" from the ABVP Board Certified Specialist for Canine and Feline, the release added.

"To become a Board Certified Specialist, Dr. Song made a choice to undergo a very long and difficult process that took several years to complete, the release states. "He made the professional choice to pursue additional studies and examinations to achieve this outstanding goal."

In addition to general cares, the practice treats advanced pet care services, which include: tumor/bone surgeries, TTA surgery for torn ACL knee, endoscopy, laparoscopy, eye surgery, laser surgery, on-site digital X-rays, heart and abdominal ultrasound, non-anesthetic and anesthetic dentistry, needle/laser acupuncture therapy and herb therapy, and laboratory testing. The hospital also provides veterinary care for dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, pocket pets and reptiles.

Dr. Song has been practicing small animal veterinary medicine for more than 11 years, and was trained at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.  

Gas at Costco Class Action Lawsuit

For those who purchased gasoline between Jan. 1, 2001 and April 22, 2009, from at a temperature above 60 degrees Fahrenheit in any one of the following States: Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Virginia,

"YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that based on concerns regarding class representation, the Court did not approve the settlement agreement previously entered into between Costco and Plaintiffs on or about April 12, 2009 (the "Original Settlement") in In re Motor Fuel Temperature Sales Practices Litigation, Case No. 07-MD-1840 (United States District Court, District of Kansas). On or about January 3, 2011, the parties entered into an amended settlement agreement (the "Amended Settlement") based on suggestions made by the Court.

"The Amended Settlement provides for a Settlement Class consisting of 21 subclasses, one for each State covered by the settlement. In other words, class members who purchased gasoline from Costco in one or more of the identified States now have a representative who purchased fuel from Costco in that State.

"In addition, in the Amended Settlement, Costco agreed to file compliance reports with the Court every 6 months and the parties agreed that any amount that the Court awards Class Counsel for attorneys' fees and costs will be payable in accordance with a payment schedule set by the Court. The Court has preliminarily certified the 21 subclasses and preliminarily approved the proposed Amended Settlement."

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