Beloved principal Chris Duddy has died
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Photo by Mary Hurlbut
Chris Duddy
Wednesday morning, the news of the passing of El Morro Principal Chris Duddy stirred the community. Duddy, the beloved principal, died in his sleep. He was just 57.
“We have extremely sad and urgent news to share with our El Morro families,” said Laguna Beach Unified School District Superintendent Jason Viloria. “We are deeply saddened to inform you that our beloved Principal, Mr. Chris Duddy passed away (Wednesday, May 25) night in his sleep. Mr. Duddy has been an incredible partner and leader in our El Morro family and Laguna Beach Unified School District. This is incredibly shocking news to share and we are all working diligently to support our El Morro teachers, staff and students. We also share our deepest sorrows and sympathy with Mr. Duddy’s wife, children and family.”
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Photo by Mary Hurlbut
Principal Duddy doing what he loved, interacting with his students
Duddy, who has served LBUSD for 24 years, was scheduled to retire on June 30.
El Morro had an Open House scheduled for Wednesday evening that was subsequently cancelled.
A vigil took place Wednesday evening at Guyer Field with several hundred people attending.
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Photo by Scott Brashier
The community gathers to mourn the passing of Chris Duddy
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Photo by Scott Brashier
Fifth graders singing Rascal Flatts’ “My Wish for You” at the vigil
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Photo by Scott Brashier
Laguna Beach mourns the passing of Verna Rollinger, longtime city clerk, councilmember
Laguna Beach mourns the loss of Verna Rollinger, who passed away early Thursday, May 26 from renal failure. She was 77.
File photo
Verna Rollinger
She served as Laguna Beach City Clerk from March 1976-December 2004 (28 years). She also served four years as a City Councilmember. According to Laguna Beach Mayor Sue Kempf, “Verna was the epitome of a dedicated public servant, serving the City of Laguna Beach for decades as City Clerk and also as a City Councilmember. As we mourn her passing, we recognize that her love for this City and commitment to serving the people of Laguna Beach will live on through all who knew her.”
Rollinger, a 52-year resident of Laguna Beach, was involved in myriad civic affairs for many years, including being a board member of Village Laguna. She also championed environmental causes.
“Verna set the standard for City Clerks. Warm, friendly and she always could answer a question or find the answer,” said Laguna Beach Councilmember Toni Iseman. “On a personal level, her passion for our town was a model for all of us. She loved Laguna and she never stopped working to protect the essence of our town that we treasure.”
Joined by Ann Christoph, Johanna Felder and Barbara Metzger, Rollinger was responsible for founding the Laguna Beach Historic Preservation Coalition.
“Verna was our rock,” said Felder, past president of Village Laguna. “She was dedicated to the community that she loved. We will miss her guidance, her spirit and her love for Laguna Beach.”
And Anne Caenn, president of Village Laguna aptly shared, “She was a true treasure.”
Rollinger is survived by her son, Victor Rollinger, of San Diego.
Fair Game
By TOM JOHNSON
Sadness comes as death casts a pall over the country, as well as Laguna Beach
It’s been a very sad week. First, we hear the news of the mass shooting in Uvalde, TX. It was almost unimaginable.
I went to bed that night crying inside for all the grandparents, in a similar situation to me, that would never again enjoy the life, sounds and joy of their little ones. I honestly don’t know if I could ever go on.
My prayers!
Next, we woke up Wednesday morning to the very sad news that Principal Chris Duddy had passed away in his sleep at just 57. Chris was, obviously, the beloved principal of El Morro.
I never had the chance to cross paths with Chris, but the calls and sadness expressed following his passing speak volumes for his character. He absolutely will be missed by so many.
From LBUSD Board Chair Carol Normandin, “The Board, LBUSD employees, the students past and present, and their families are all in grief. The improv vigil for Mr. Duddy (Wednesday) night to replace what would have been his last Open House (at El Morro) illustrates the immense love he had for his family. Chris’s ‘family’ was so much larger than the kids who shared his DNA and his incredible wife but all the students, families and community members he influenced, taught and mentored over the last 24 years.
“There wasn’t a kinder man with a bigger heart than Chris. His sudden passing has left a painful void in our community. Our heartfelt wishes are extended to his beautiful family.”
Chris had previously announced his retirement from the District effective June 30.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t all; come Thursday morning news came that Verna Rollinger, former city clerk and Laguna Beach City Councilmember, died from renal failure.
Verna lived in Laguna Beach for more than 50 years, and according to current Laguna Beach City Clerk Ann Marie McKay, Verna spent 28 (1976-2004) of those years as city clerk and then four more as a councilperson beginning in 2008.
Verna was recognized as one of the original founders of Village Laguna, and “was a true treasure,” according to Anne Caenn.
“Verna was the epitome of a dedicated public servant, serving the City of Laguna Beach for decades as City Clerk and also as a City Councilmember,” said Mayor Sue Kempf. “As we mourn her passing, we recognize that her love for this City and commitment to serving the people of Laguna Beach will live on through all who knew her.”
• • •
Monday is Memorial Day. It’s a federal holiday to mourn U.S. military personnel who have died during their service in the armed forces for the United States.
Yet, as happens every year, many people truly don’t understand what Memorial Day stands for and, as such, on Monday will post pictures of parents or loved ones, in uniform, who proudly served, or serve, our country but have been lucky enough to return home…alive.
I take this holiday a little more seriously, simply because my father’s brother, Nathaniel Clifford Wolf, was killed in the South Pacific three days from the conclusion of World War II.
Memorial Day is a holiday for him, and unfortunately, the thousands and thousands of others like him.
Although I never had a chance to meet him myself, over the years I’ve heard wonderful Uncle Cliff stories. It’s a void that can never be filled…it robbed him of his life, and me of cousins and relatives that I would’ve shared a lifetime.
That’s why I recognize Memorial Day.
For those of you wanting to thank those for their past service, remember Veterans Day that will come up Friday, November 11; and for those wanting to honor those currently serving, think Armed Forces Day, that just passed on Saturday, May 21.
But come Monday, let’s properly honor those that gave the highest sacrifice for our country. Thanks Uncle Clifford.
• • •
Looking for a Memorial Day Ceremony to perhaps enjoy? Monday, May 30, at Monument Point in Heisler Park begins at 10:30 a.m. with music, followed by the program at 11 a.m.
The same day, there will also be a presentation by the Laguna Community Concert Band to honor our troops with a free concert at Main Beach from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• • •
Still, Monday is the third day of a holiday weekend. It’s one of the freedoms that were fought for. As such, we should also party and have fun.
One person who certainly gets that is our friend Ed Steinfeld with The Mornings with Ed Show on KX FM, our local radio station. Come Monday, Ed is presenting his Memorial Day 100 Countdown.
Ed has polled his listening audience and selected the 100 greatest rock & roll songs of all time. Beginning at 7 a.m., Ed will kick things off with #100 and spend the day “igniting the rock & roll fire that lives in all of us, until we enjoy #1 together.”
After celebrating his 4th anniversary with the station on May 1, Ed says, “I’m honored to live in a community and work for a company that truly understands and respects freedom of the press. On The Mornings With Ed Show, we cover all the serious issues affecting our daily lives, but I never forget how VERY important music is to those lives. So, our gift to the community for May, is the countdown...(I have another awesome gift planned for June!)”
Enjoy.
• • •
Laguna Plein Air Painters Association (LPAPA) will present the Kathleen Dunphy Solo Show, “Outside Insights,” at the LPAPA Gallery, 414 North Coast Highway, from June 2 through July 4. “Outside Insights,” part of the Artist in Residence program, will also include major studio paintings and the field work that inspired them.
Courtesy of LPAPA
A piece by LPAPA Signature Artist Kathleen Dunphy
To kick off the exhibition, Outside Insights Plein Talk with Kathleen Dunphy, hosted by the LPAPA Gallery, will take place Saturday, June 4 from 6-8 p.m. Tickets are $20 for members, $30 for nonmembers. For more info, go to https://lpapa.org/dunphy/.
• • •
The Artists Fund at Festival of Arts invites the public to a free reception at City Hall, Thursday June 2 from 6-7 p.m. to kick-off First Thursdays Art Walk. Visitors may view Art-To-Go originals by Festival of Arts exhibitors under the theme “What the World Needs Now.” The exhibit runs through June 27. https://theartistsfund-foa.org/2413-2/.
• • •
Now, there are three days ahead of us. Get out there and enjoy the town. Shop, beach and barbecue. After all, isn’t that why we live here?
A couple of things to get you rolling, tonight is the final Heisler Park Sunset Serenade at 6:30 p.m. featuring Acoustic Asylum, and Beth Wood will also be performing at the Promenade on Forest beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Also at the Promenade will be Felisha Dunne on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and Molly Bergman on Sunday at 5 p.m.
Local Rich German founds Project O and turns hobby into a passion to preserve the ocean
By DIANNE RUSSELL
“If you think the ocean isn’t important, imagine Earth without it. Mars comes to mind. No ocean, no life support system,” said Dr. Sylvia Earle, founder of Mission Blue.
The ocean defines Laguna Beach as much as its art, and no one is more invested in ocean conservation than local Rich German, who has spent much of the last 12 years on his stand up paddle board (SUP) navigating its waters.
“Except for a few days, I’ve been out on my SUP every day since 2010,” said German, the founder of Project O and president of strategic partnerships of OneWhale.
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Photo by Mary Hurlbut
Our Epic Ocean is a podcast series Rich German started which brings experts from around the world into conversations to share their stories and solutions to the challenges the ocean is facing
Of course, one can only fantasize about German’s many adventures.
Picture being on an SUP off the Laguna coastline and spotting two 100-foot blue whales – the largest animals on the planet. “I paddled out 30 to 40 minutes to get to them. It was incredible that they were close enough to shore to reach,” said German.
“The next day I went back to the spot where I’d seen them at a line of buoys. There was a worker there at the buoys, and I asked him how far offshore we were and how deep the water was. He said that at two miles offshore, the depth drops from 200-300 feet to 600 feet. Then another 1/4 mile farther out, it drops to 1,500. The vision of 1,500 feet of water below me and my paddle board was daunting.”
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Photo by Mark Girardeau
Blue whales, the largest animal on the planet
When asked about the strangest thing he’s ever seen, German replied, “On December 21, 2021, I was out with my friend Matt Wheaton, and we spotted a massive (9-10 ft.) sunfish (Mola mola) around 200 yards offshore. I’ve seen many sunfish but never that close to shore.”
The ocean sunfish or common mola (Mola mola) is one of the two heaviest known bony fish in the world, the other being the southern sunfish. Adults typically weigh between 545 and 4,409 lbs.
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Photo by Rich German
Matt Wheaton with giant sunfish
German admits there have been funny occurrences as well. “I was paddling with a good friend and her best friend – we were right by Seal Rock and there was a blue shark in the water. My friend ran into her friend’s kayak with her board and knocked her into the water.”
No doubt more fun for the observers than the person in the water.
A magical encounter with mammals
German has had his share of amazing moments – he sees dolphins and all kinds of sea creatures during his daily jaunts. However, there was one that changed the course of his life, an improbable incident others might describe as frightening but for German, it was life-changing.
In 2015, it was his encounter with a pod of four orcas that was the impetus for turning German’s passion into a lifelong project. “They were inches away and swam under my board. I wasn’t afraid of them – they’re not harmful. It’s a lot scarier being out on the 405 freeway than being out in the ocean with marine animals. That story went global, and I saw it as a sign from the universe that my hobby needed to become my life’s work.”
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Photo by Mary Hurlbut
German moved to Laguna in 2006
After the encounter garnered international media attention, German connected with some of the leading ocean conservationist organizations. When he learned firsthand about the peril our ocean and the marine life are facing, his obsession turned into a mission to protect them. “The ocean gave me so much, and I realized it was my job to spend the rest of my life preserving it,” he said.
Thus in 2017, Project O was born. Project O is a nonprofit, 501c3 organization dedicated to restoring, protecting and sustaining the ocean and the marine life in it.
Experts agree that the health of the ocean predicts the health of the planet. According to www.marinelife.com, a healthy ocean regulates climate and reduces climate change impacts. Ocean currents distribute heat across the globe, regulating temperature and weather. The ocean also absorbs more than 90% of the heat and approximately 30% of carbon dioxide emissions produced by human activities.
From Florida to California
Originally from Chicago, German grew up in Florida and spent most of his time in Fort Lauderdale and three years in Key West. “No one paddle boarded in Florida,” he said.
German came out west in 2006. “I always thought I’d live here on the coast and first moved to Newport Beach, but I didn’t like it and only stayed there for five months,” he said. “Then a buddy suggested Laguna Beach.”
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Council approves Coastal Fire investigation NDA, chief says LB “lucky” blaze wasn’t worse
By SARA HALL
City Council this week unanimously approved a non-disclosure agreement with several agencies to investigate the cause of the recent Coastal Fire, while the local fire chief said Laguna Beach was again “lucky” that the blaze wasn’t worse.
On Tuesday (May 24), council voted 5-0 to authorize the city manager to execute the NDA (non-disclosure agreement) and receive confidential information, along with the LB Fire Department chief, as part of the multi-jurisdiction investigation into the fire.
The Coastal Fire started on May 11, burned 200 acres, destroyed 20 homes and damaged 11 more.
The NDA is between the City of Laguna Beach, Safety and Enforcement Division of the California Public Utilities Commission, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Orange County Fire Authority and the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety.
The item comes after a group of Laguna Niguel residents filed a lawsuit against Southern California Edison, claiming the Coastal Fire was sparked by the company’s faulty equipment. SCE officials have noted that there was “circuit activity” near the area when the blaze started.
Councilmember Toni Iseman pulled the item from the consent calendar because of her observations of the California Public Utilities Commission, she explained. Referencing some recent regional news, she said there has been some conduct of “making deals with the people who they’re supposed to be guarding.”
“So when I saw this, I was concerned,” she said. “There may be a very good reason (for the NDA) but, if in fact the PUC is protecting Edison, then we have to be hyper-vigilant.”
Anytime there’s a potential involvement of a major utility company, a variety of entities take part in the investigation and review different pieces based on their expertise, explained LBFD Fire Chief Mike Garcia.
“What the NDA does is allow them to share their findings with our fire investigator, Orange County, CalFire. It allows for open communication so this whole thing can be put together, packaged and then it goes through the attorney general’s office,” he said. “Otherwise, what you find is (that) individual entities will keep their information because they don’t want it to leak, they don’t want it to get out, get discredited, and all these other things and you have no sharing and you have a disfunction in the investigation team.”
Typically, there’s one investigation unit and no need for an NDA because it’s done internally, he added. The City of Laguna Beach would do the same if the city was the only entity involved in a fire, he added. They wouldn’t bring that information to the council until it’s gone through the proper findings, reporting, and the legal system to be allowed to be released.
“This just formalizes it,” he said. “So there is nobody in there that’s going to be giving this information to anybody else that could be used against what’s going on.”
They have also yet to hear the cause of the recent Emerald Fire, Iseman pointed out.
The Emerald Fire isn’t in their jurisdiction to investigate, Garcia said. “The blaze burned open space and county land, so the administrative unit is Orange County Fire Authority.”
“That fire was not in our city, we’re not a part of the investigating team so we didn’t sign an NDA,” he said.
There were no other council or any public comments on the matter.
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Photo by Cyrus Polk
The Coastal Fire burns just over the hill from Laguna Beach
Earlier in the meeting, Garcia gave a report on the Coastal Fire response.
The first report came in around 2:45 p.m. on May 11 as a small vegetation fire near The Ranch, Garcia explained. Laguna Beach responded to the incident location, along with a full vegetation response from OCFA. The initial report confirmed that the fire that was just under one acre at the time.
“It was slowly creeping uphill, against the wind,” Garcia said.
It was a heavily vegetated area with steep terrain, he explained. The wind was blowing embers, causing various spot fires along the opposite canyon wall. While ground level winds were about 6-7 mph, up higher they were about 12-18 mph with 25 mph gusts, Garcia noted.
The strong winds continued to drive the fire up the canyon and into the Laguna Niguel neighborhood.
The incident command post was established and a plan of attack was implemented. Orders quickly went out for additional help. The city also opened up the Emergency Operations Center to assist further.
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Bare Bones Theatre presents the provocative and challenging play The Christians at the Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center
By MARRIE STONE
This story is a part of our Arts section. Visit www.stunewslaguna.com/arts for more arts stories as well as our arts calendars.
In keeping with its commitment to deliver meaty and thought-provoking theater, Bare Bones will stage a reading of Lucas Hnath’s 2014 play The Christians on Tuesday, May 31 at the Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center. The final reading of the spring series promises to raise a range of provocative issues. The play aims to engage both religious and secular audiences, and challenge ideas about the role of the church in our community, who it serves and how it might serve us all better. A talkback discussion will be held afterward, led by Pastor Rod Echols of the Neighborhood Congregational Church.
The Christians opens with a Sunday sermon delivered by Pastor Paul to his massive evangelical congregation. He has a new message to share, and it’s about to be poorly received.
Over the course of 20 years, Pastor Paul has grown his small, storefront ministry into a megachurch with thousands of worshippers. The costs of expansion, both financial and spiritual, have been staggering. Along the way, Pastor Paul reexamined some elements of his faith and decides to share his change of heart with his parishioners. The consequences of this reversal reverberate throughout the community, threatening his career, his congregation and his marriage.
Pastor Paul is played by Brent Schindele. Paul’s wife, Elizabeth, is played by Brent’s real-life wife, Erika Whelan Schindele. The casting couldn’t be stronger. So strong, in fact, that Bare Bones founder and director Lojo Simon would not have staged this play without the Schindeles’ agreement to play the lead roles. Actors Ava Burton, David Sasik and Tom Shelton round out the talented cast.
Both Brent and Erika grew up in the church and have talked about many of these faith-based issues over the course of their near-decade-long marriage. The texture of their relationship, and the core of their belief system, inform the way they play these roles.
“On those rare occasions when you’re able to work with your actual spouse, it’s wonderful because you can bring all kinds of little intimacies into your scene work,” Brent said. “You know your dance partner so well and it shows up in the work.”
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Courtesy of Bare Bones Theatre
Brent Schindele plays Pastor Paul. He studied theology as an undergraduate at Dartmouth College and attended the School of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh. He brings his perspectives, as well as his marriage to his on-stage wife, Erika Whelan Schindele, to the role.
During his time at Dartmouth College, Brent attended the School of Divinity at the University of Edinburgh for a semester, so many of these theological discussions are front of mind.
“I’ve been a Christian most of my life, but I’m an observer of the church as well,” said Brent. “I consider myself a humble amateur theologian. Pastor Paul unfortunately stumbled into a problem that probably could have been averted had he been more theologically trained. These aren’t new issues.
“To me, the play is less about theology and more of an examination of the sociological and institutional issues of what the evangelical church is in America today. A lot of these churches have become large corporate bodies with all the financial responsibilities. Finances are a big part of this play. It’s an unavoidable issue with these big churches. At the helm of these institutions are usually charismatic men, often with the best of intentions, but they may not be the most theologically trained in the seminary or otherwise equipped for these big moments that come.
“Pastor Paul shows passion and best intentions, but in terms of his education or his training, he wasn’t prepared for what he launched into motion. The congregation is at the mercy of that. They’re looking to him to be the shepherd and he’s not equipped.
“They’re difficult questions, but they are perennial questions that have been asked for centuries. The play shows the holes in Pastor Paul’s religious training. He rose to his position more on passion and charm than education. He knows the lingo and the game, but he doesn’t understand the underpinnings and is completely unprepared and caught flat-footed at a crucial moment.”
For Erika, playing the role of Pastor Paul’s wife feels natural. While she hasn’t confronted a crisis of faith, she can empathize with her character’s experience. “Brent and I have had so many of these conversations before we were married and into our marriage,” she said. “Whether it’s about children, finances, or religious beliefs, you assume these fundamental principles won’t change. I can imagine this wife’s shock when she thought they believed in the same things. Suddenly you watch this man you think you know believing in something else. It would make you question what else you don’t know about the man you married.”
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Courtesy of Bare Bones Theatre
Erika Whelan Schindele plays the role of Elizabeth, Pastor Paul’s wife, and is the actual wife of actor Brent Schindele
Having Pastor Rod Echols lead the talkback discussion was also an important factor for Simon. “As head of his own church, he’s the perfect person,” she said. Plus, as Pastor Echols told Simon, “Heaven and hell are two of my favorite subjects. Of course I want to talk about this.”
As veterans of the theater industry, both Erika and Brent recognize how unique these philosophical discussions are within our arts community. “I appreciate that the people who attend Bare Bones’ productions want to have these hard conversations,” Erika said, citing her typical experience with Q&A sessions that often lead to superficial queries. “The readings I’ve done with Bare Bones always lead to intelligent questions. Readings – as opposed to full-fledged productions – allow people to gather in a smaller space to really listen to the words and ask questions about the material. Laguna is such an intelligent arts community. I appreciate that we have this small venue to present big ideas and interesting pieces. Lojo always brings very meaty, difficult material and then guides these great discussions. It’s important to get us talking and hold space for all these concepts.”
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Laguna Beach resident and long-time accomplished leader named CEO of PMMC
Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC), an organization which has been rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing marine mammals for more than 50 years, has named Glenn Gray as their new CEO.
“Glenn is recognized for his decades of experience and success leading large teams and organizations,” said Board Chair Jeff Meberg, “and we feel he is exactly the right person to lead us into our next chapter.”
Gray is an accomplished leader with more than 40 years of diverse experience in commercial lending and specialty finance, of which 20 years were in positions of executive leadership.
Courtesy of PMMC
Glenn Gray
Prior to retiring in 2020, Gray was the chief executive officer of CalWest Bank, a $225 million asset commercial bank based in Orange County. Before joining CalWest Bank, from 2005-2012, Gray was the CEO of Sunwest Bank, a commercial bank with operations in California and Arizona.
“Marine mammals are the modern-day canary-in-the-coal-mine,” said Gray. “Sadly, through their diseases, malnutrition and injuries they are telling us our oceans need our help.
“As a scuba diver, I have seen the damage first-hand, rising water temperatures, bleached-out coral reefs, masses of single-use plastic and abandoned fishing lines entangling mammals.
“If we do not take care of what covers 70% of our planet, the other 30% is in grave danger. Through its rescue & rehabilitation efforts and its research & education initiatives PMMC is not only treating symptoms but also addressing causes. We all must become better stewards of our oceans.”
Gray has served on many not-for-profit boards, including the past five years on the PMMC board of directors, as a trustee for the Laguna Playhouse for 10 years, and as board chairman and board member of Habitat for Humanity of Orange County and as a fundraiser for Susan G. Komen/Orange County.
Gray and his wife Kathryn have been residents of Laguna Beach since 2000.
“I am very grateful for this opportunity to lead the Pacific Marine Mammal Center and to join the remarkable staff and countless volunteers whose work and efforts are changing the landscape of ocean stewardship and marine mammal conservation,” added Gray.
PMMC is committed to marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, science-based education for youth, and collaborative research initiatives that contribute to environmental conservation and stewardship.
Obituary
Sequoia Slentz
June 27, 1976 – May 16, 2022
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Photo by Leslie Christen
Sequoia Slentz
Sequoia Slentz of Laguna Beach passed away as a result of mental illness on May 16, 2022.
Born July 27, 1976, Sequoia grew up running around the Sawdust Festival and Shaw’s Cove, a place that remained special to him throughout his life. He graduated in 1994 from Laguna Beach High School where he met his wife, Leslie Christen, with whom he had two sons, Micah (16) and Logan (12). He attended San Diego State University.
Sequoia was the lead singer of Yer Mom, a Laguna Beach punk band. He released music from other area bands, as well as groups from out of state, on his CleanBox Entertainment label. For years, he booked Monday nights at the Sandpiper Lounge, which were often packed.
CleanBox grew to become a successful live events company, with Sequoia and his team promoting performances across the U.S. by well-known acts such as Artie Lange and the Fab Faux. He launched comedy tours featuring personalities from The Howard Stern Show, including a three-day festival in Jamaica.
Sequoia expanded and developed his family’s land in Point Arena, California, into Buckridge Grove, a highly rated and reviewed campground that is consistently filled with nature lovers throughout the camping season.
In 2012, Sequoia and Micah started Play Well Africa after Micah, then only 6, said he wanted to send LEGO® sets to kids in Africa who didn’t have any. In 2015, the nonprofit gained national media attention and LEGO® donations poured in.
Sequoia and his family traveled to Uganda many times and brought more than 4,000 pounds of LEGOs® to families and schools there and in other countries on the continent. To date, PWA has provided some 6,000 children, who previously had no toys or learning tools, with the opportunity to play with LEGOs® on a regular basis. The nonprofit remains active and will continue in Sequoia’s memory.
While in Uganda, Sequoia sponsored schooling for a number of children, including Esther and Veronica, whom he regarded as his daughters. Dramatically and tangibly improving the lives of individuals he connected with in Uganda – such as holding a fundraiser to remove a large tumor from a woman’s face – was deeply fulfilling for Sequoia.
The rare combination of dreamer and man of action, Sequoia could not help but change the lives of those around him simply by being who he was. His entrepreneurial spirit was infectious. He saw the world as a place of endless possibility and freely shared that vision with everyone he met. He led many people to accomplish things that he knew were possible for them before they could see it themselves.
Sequoia was an avid traveler who believed in the transformative power of cultural exchange. He visited more than 20 countries with his sons and lived abroad with them for months at a time. Sequoia was also impossibly social – he never met a stranger. He is survived by hundreds of friends throughout the world.
“Planet Earth is my country and my religion is to do good.” That’s what Sequoia always said. And he did a staggering amount of good in his 45 years on this planet. Thank you for inspiring us to be our best selves, Sequoia. We’ll take it from here.
A memorial will be held in Laguna Beach at a later date. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to be notified.
In lieu of flowers, a fundraiser for Micah and Logan’s education is being held at gofundme.com/f/help-support-micah-and-logan.
Play Well Africa is holding a memorial fundraiser to ship 1,600 pounds of donated LEGOs® that Sequoia had stored in California to Uganda and to continue the schooling of Ugandan children he sponsored. Donate at www.gofundme.com/f/playwellafrica.
American Legion and VFW to conduct Memorial Day ceremony
On Monday, May 30, Laguna Beach American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars will conduct their Memorial Day ceremony in remembrance of all their comrades who died in all wars and conflicts protecting our country.
The ceremony takes place at Monument Point in Heisler Park at 11 a.m. sharp. The keynote speaker will be Col. Greg Raths, USMC (RET). Music will begin at 10:30 a.m. The public is invited to come early, as seating is limited. For more information, contact Richard Moore at 949.637.4437.
Many organizations place floral offerings on the Heisler Park Memorial Monument during the ceremony. If you send or bring floral arrangements, make sure your organization’s name is attached. It is suggested that those having flowers, should have them delivered by 9:30 a.m. If you intend to send or bring floral arrangements, call Sandi Werthe at 949.494.6016. No glass containers, please.
Budget discussion focuses on housing fund, purchasing garden property with conditions
By SARA HALL
A discussion this week on the proposed fiscal year 2022-23 budget focused on resident-serving projects, the city re-committing $500,000 to purchase the land where South Laguna Community Garden Park is located and creating a housing fund with an ongoing revenue source.
On Tuesday (May 24), Mayor Pro Tem Bob Whalen commended staff’s work on the budget and emphasized the benefits to local citizens. There are a number of resident-serving programs and projects in the proposed budget, he said.
“I look at this budget and I’m actually quite proud of what we’re doing,” Whalen said, noting a few specific items like the ambulance program, the Neighborhood and Environmental Protection Plan and community capital improvements at local parks. “I think we’ve done a very nice job here of taking advantage of some of the money that we’ve seen come into the budget and put it in some great locations.”
The budget is balanced and city revenues continue to improve, exceeding pre-COVID levels. It also keeps the 20% general fund reserve intact.
The budget appropriations reflect council’s goals and priorities set at the strategic planning session, noted City Manager Shohreh Dupuis.
The proposed budget includes the city’s new ambulance program, new community development staff positions, increased funding for capital equipment, technology projects, renovations for city playgrounds and beach access and funding to continue the Main Beach Management Plan.
“Over the past several years, the city’s financial decisions have positioned the city to manage the uncertainty of rising inflation, the waning of the pandemic and the impact world events have had on our local economy,” Dupuis said.
Although even as the city experiences an economic recovery, long-term financial planning has challenges. Therefore, the budget is only for one year (compared to the previous two-year budgets).
At their March 15 meeting, councilmembers unanimously updated the budget, adjusting for increased ending balances of the various city funds and some mid-year modifications. At that time, they added recommendations to move the cost of the Main Beach Management Plan to the Measure LL funds, earmark $200,000 to be put aside for housing (now sitting as a reserve in the general fund, according to city staff) and rename the utility box item to “cleaning up” instead of “wrapping.”
Next step will be the final changes and approval of the budget, scheduled for June 21.
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Photo by Mary Hurlbut
The South Laguna Community Garden Park was the hot topic of the city council’s budget discussion
It’s a “once-in-a-lifetime” budget, Councilmember Toni Iseman said, and it provides an opportunity to look at the community and spread the wealth, referencing the garden in South Laguna, which was discussed at length during the budget workshop.
The reserve fund for the garden was granted a temporary stay of execution following a vote during last year’s budget discussions. Council unanimously approved a six-month extension on June 15 for the fund earmarked for the community garden.
The park in-lieu fund previously held a reserve of $500,000 for the South Laguna Community Garden, it was set to expire on June 30 before council granted the extension.
Councilmembers agreed to the extension after hearing that there was some encouraging developments in the effort to contact the property owner in Saudi Arabia and gauge his interest of selling the property.
At the time, Whalen suggested a limited extension of approximately six months to let the recent developments play out. While he previously thought there wasn’t a reason to continue the reserve because there was no willing seller, it now appears (based on paperwork he’s reviewed and conversations he’s had), there may be some interest in selling the property, he noted at the meeting last year.
This week, a number of residents spoke out supporting the city re-committing funds to help purchase the garden property.
South Laguna Civic Association President Scott Sebastian said the land where the community garden is located should be coming on the market this week, which “changes the game considerably.”
“After many, many years, which we’ve been waiting and trying to get this to happen, finally we have the chance we hope of getting it,” Sebastian said.
They’ve collected 600,000 in donations and pledges, he confirmed. They’d like the city to help them acquire the property.
Village Laguna President Anne Caenn urged the council to restore the funding for Garden Park.
“Restoring the Garden Park funding from the city is critical in making the acquisition feasible,” she noted.
The past few years during COVID have demonstrated how relevant the garden is for the community, she added.
“Garden Park provides a safe and inspiring outdoor experience for the neighborhood and for visitors,” Caenn said.
It serves the entire city and is an important part of the town, she added.
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Lighting up the sky
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Shafts of light cascade through overcast clouds
Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods premieres at No Square Theatre next week
By MARRIE STONE
This story is a part of our Arts section. Visit www.stunewslaguna.com/arts for more arts stories as well as our arts calendars.
• • •
All the best performers bring to their role something more, something different than what the author put on paper. That’s what makes theatre live. That’s why it persists. – Stephen Sondheim
Few composers and lyricists were as beloved as Stephen Sondheim. Credited with having “reinvented the American musical,” Sondheim was the recipient of eight Grammy Awards, eight Tony Awards, an Academy Award, a Pulitzer Prize in Drama and a Lifetime Achievement Tony. He died last November at the age of 91.
Even musical illiterates like me appreciate Sondheim’s incredible contributions to theater. Known for tackling complex themes with unprecedented sophistication, Sondheim addressed the darker sides of the human experience with songs that revealed the full range of complicated emotions.
No Square Theatre had already purchased the rights to Sondheim’s Into the Woods last summer, before he passed away. The 1987 musical revival soon morphed into an elegy for the iconic songwriter. “When he passed away, it was bittersweet,” said Emma Hutchinson, who plays the baker’s wife. “We’d already known we were doing the musical, and then we knew we could dedicate it to him.”
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Courtesy of No Square Theatre
The cast and crew of “Into the Woods” gather for a rehearsal at No Square Theatre earlier this week
“There’s a greater reverence for the production now,” said Robert Harryman, who plays both the show’s narrator and the Mysterious Man. “I’ve always revered him, but knowing there will never be another Sondheim musical coming along, it heightens the intensity of the experience. Especially a show like this, which is about life lessons. These are core teachings that were central to Sondheim’s belief system.”
Written by James Lapine with music and lyrics by Sondheim, the musical is a mashup of several Brothers’ Grimm fairytales. Cinderella shares a stage with Little Red Riding Hood (known as “Ridinghood” in this production), Jack and his notorious beanstalk, Rapunzel, a baker, his wife, a witch and several others as they go into the woods, searching for the objects of their various desires. The musical explores the yearnings of these many legendary characters, and the resulting consequences when they obtain their wishes.
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Courtesy of No Square Theatre
(L-R) Dane Hobrecht (Jack), Grace Gilchrist (Milky White), Jonathan Haidl (Baker) and Emma Hutchinson (Baker’s Wife) rehearse for “Into the Woods,” opening June 2 at No Square Theatre
“All these characters want something,” said Music Director Roxanna Ward. “There’s a quest or a wish for something and, of course, they have to go into the woods for one reason or another to get it. Just when you think everybody got what they wanted, there are consequences for how they went about getting it. So they have to go back into the woods. Just like life.”
Lyrics that deepen with time
Some members of No Square’s production have been directing or performing Into the Woods since it debuted 35 years ago. The world looks different than it did in 1987 and so do the lives of these performers.
“I think this country is in the woods,” said Ward. “The pandemic showed us what that’s like. The play is more relevant now than when it was written in the 1980s. When the musical first came out, I remember listening to the soundtrack and dissecting it. I kept hearing different things every time I played it. Now, 35 years later, I’m still discovering things. You can’t say that about a lot of work, but that’s how intricate and how interesting Sondheim’s musicals are. Of course my life has changed along with the world. Being a young woman in her 20s, suddenly now in my 60s, I see this musical completely differently.”
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Photo by Mary Hurlbut
Music Director Roxanna Ward has been directing and performing “Into the Woods” since its release in 1987. Her relationship with the musical changes and deepens over time.
Ward said one lesson particularly resonates today – the desire for a life lived in the middle. Cinderella grew up abused, her childhood home a nightmare. Once she met her prince, he became her dream. She realized she craved something in-between – reality over fantasy. Jack, trapped in the humdrum lifestyle of his mother’s stifling home, longed for a life of adventure. He soon discovered it was scarier than he imagined. Unlike her younger self, today Ward relates to this desire for a middle ground.
“Even in this country, we’re having to choose between the extremes,” said Ward. “Our politics are so extreme. Lots of things seem extreme. The baker’s wife has a line in the song ‘Any Moment,’ and it’s my favorite quote: ‘Must it all be either less or more, either plain or grand? Is it always ‘or?’ Is it never ‘and?’ Just remembering you’ve had an ‘and,’ when you’re back to ‘or,’ makes the ‘or’ mean more than it did before.’ That’s typical Stephen Sondheim.”
Harryman, who plays both the narrator and the Mysterious Man, also appreciates the modern-day resonance of Sondheim’s lyrics. “There’s a song I love called ‘Your Fault.’ I did a parody of it for Lagunatics a while back. The City Council was bickering with each other, trying to place the blame and nobody wanted to take responsibility. That’s especially true in our current political environment. It resonates more today than ever. My narrator has a line when the cast is thinking about killing him. He says, ‘Trust me, you don’t want to live in chaos.’ That means more to me now than it would have prior to the last presidential administration, and even with what’s still going on now. We live in chaotic times. Much more chaotic than when the play was originally produced in the late ‘80s.”
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Courtesy of No Square Theatre
(L-R) Grace Gilchrist (Milky White), Jonathan Haidl (Baker) and Emma Hutchinson (Baker’s Wife)
“One of the biggest themes in this show is self-serving acts versus acts that benefit the community,” said Hutchinson. “Fairytales are full of platitudes. They’re black and white. Learning to be comfortable with the in-between and being forced to hold two opposing ideas at the same time is challenging. That’s what Sondheim does best.”
Giving actors room to roam
Several performers point to Director Joe Lauderdale’s strong leadership as essential to the production’s success. Lauderdale doesn’t stray from the text, but he’s comfortable giving his actors a lot of leeway in how they interpret their roles.
“We’ve tried a lot of weird things,” Lauderdale said. “Maybe we keep them or maybe we don’t. But I hope I’ve inspired the actors to try things. I don’t want them waiting for me to tell them what to do. I tell them, ‘You do it. You think of the most wonderful thing you can do with this character. We’ll take it from there. We’ll keep it, we’ll change it, we’ll get rid of it.’ The important thing is that the actors are highly involved in that creation.”
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Guest Letter
Guisou Mahmoud, M.D., FACEP
Providence Mission Hospital
Do you know the signs of a stroke?
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Courtesy of Providence Mission Hospital
Guisou Mahmoud, M.D., FACEP
May is Stroke Awareness Month...do you know the signs of a stroke? Recognizing the symptoms is important for everyone, but it is especially critical if members of your family have risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
You can develop a stroke, also known as a brain attack, if your brain isn’t getting the blood it needs. Unfortunately, about 75% of people who experience a stroke annually have not had one before, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). This means that many people may not be aware that they are in danger of having a stroke.
There are two types of strokes. Almost 90% are known as ischemic strokes – or when a clot blocks blood flow to your brain. The second type is a hemorrhagic stroke – which means there is active bleeding in your brain.
No matter the type of stroke, your loved one’s long-term health is directly dependent on swift and proper treatment. The good news is that by recognizing the signs early and acting quickly, you can save their life.
Know the Symptoms
Because a stroke is a serious medical condition, it is important that you and your family understand the symptoms. Common signs include numbness or weakness in the body, confusion or trouble understanding what people are saying, difficulty speaking, difficulty with balance or coordination, or dizziness.
One way to remember the signs of a stroke is to think of the acronym, BE FAST:
B – Balance: Is your loved one having trouble balancing?
E – Eyes: Is their vision blurry?
F – Face: Ask them to smile. Does one side of their face droop?
A – Arms: Ask your family member to raise both arms. Watch to see if one arm drifts downward.
S – Speech: If you ask your loved one to repeat a simple phrase, is their speech slurred? Are they saying strange words that don’t make sense?
T – Time: If you witness any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away. Be fast because minutes matter!
Types of Treatment
When you receive care in a local emergency room, doctors will try to restore blood to the brain if you have a clot. Active bleeding in the brain may require emergency surgery.
As your family member recovers, their medical team will conduct regular tests to better understand what caused the stroke and will work closely with you to develop a customized treatment plan for your loved one.
Following acute care treatment, your clinical team will take a close look at your loved one’s lifestyle to provide recommendations that will help them during and post-recovery. For example, they may advise removing red meat from their diet, eating more balanced meals and daily exercise. Physical, occupational and speech therapy may also be recommended.
It’s important to remember that treatment and recovery can look different for each person. Your care team will be there to help your loved one (and your extended family) navigate the recovery journey.
And please remember, Providence Mission Hospital is here to help. They are designated by Orange County Emergency Medical Services as a certified stroke and neurology receiving center. Also, they are the only South Orange County hospital recognized by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association with a Get With The Guidelines®- Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award for their commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based stroke care to the local community.
Guisou Mahmoud, MD, FACEP is director of emergency medicine at Providence Mission Hospital Laguna Beach.
A feeding pod of pelicans
Video by Julie Barnes
A feeding pod of pelicans was captured at Emerald Bay earlier this week from aboard Newport Coast Marine Yacht Charters.
Meet Pet of the Week Ester
Ester is currently taking over Pet of the Week. She is a 2-year-old rabbit who is spayed. She would do great as a house rabbit due to her small size. Ester loves to lie and cuddle with those nearest to her. Nancy Goodwin, shelter director, is hoping to have Ester adopted as soon as possible.
Courtesy of the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter
Meet Ester, a friendly rabbit looking for a new place to call home
The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter adoption procedures are designed to make sure that both the potential family and the animal adopted are in the very best situation possible. Due to their approach to adoption, their return rate is five percent as compared to the national return rate of fifty percent.
The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter is located at 20612 Laguna Canyon Road. Call 949.497.3552, or go to the website for information on adoption procedures, www.puplagunabeach.org/our-pets.php.
2022 Laguna Bluebelt Photo Contest captures ocean’s magic
The Annual Laguna Bluebelt Photo Contest celebrates its 11th year of attracting top professionals and emerging amateur photographers who capture the magic of Laguna Beach’s marine protected areas. The photo contest will accept entries from June 4-July 5. Contest prizes will include cash awards for top winners. This year’s contest is dedicated to celebrating the good news surrounding the ongoing recovery of sea life and kelp forests.
A winners’ reception will be hosted by the Laguna College of Art & Design (LCAD) Gallery at 374 Ocean Ave. at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 4, to coincide with Laguna Beach’s popular Thursday Art Walk. Bluebelt Contest photography will be displayed at the LCAD Gallery from August 4-18.
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Courtesy of Laguna Bluebelt Photo Contest
First Place, Professional was awarded to Sean Hunter Brown for “Intertidal” in the 2021 Bluebelt Photo Contest
“The impact of the COVID pandemic has been very hard for many of us. The steady recovery of Laguna’s sea life and many ways we enjoy the Laguna Bluebelt’s citywide marine protected areas (MPAs) captured by photographers gives us hope for a better, brighter future.” said Anne Girtz, a contest organizer.
Laguna Bluebelt 2022 Photo Contest judges are Mitch Ridder (Bluebelt Photo Contest coordinator, Festival of Arts and freelance photographer), Tom Lamb (conservationist, documentarian, landscape and aerial photographer) and Beverly Factor (awarded the prestigious Platinum Pro5000 Diver award and author of SEADUCTION The Sensuous Side of the Sea – a stunning collection of photographs that captures the abstract side of sea life exploding with color, texture and usual excitement).
To review previous annual Bluebelt Photo Contest winners, visit www.lagunabluebelt.org.
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 222 elects chaplain
Courtesy of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 222 Laguna Beach
The Laguna Beach American Legion Auxiliary Unit 222 has elected Rosalind Russell as their chaplain. Russell, generally known as R Star Foundation’s “Goat Lady,” serving women in Nepal’s rural villages, has eagerly accepted the position. When asked about the position she stated, “I love being in service, especially in Laguna Beach, for our military and my very own community for decades!” She will be sworn in later this month. The unit is honored to have Russell serving as chaplain.
Hortense Miller Garden to hold free Journaling with Photography two-part workshop
Hortense Miller Garden is holding a free “Journaling with Photography: Explore Creative Storytelling with a Camera and an Open Mind” two-part workshop. Part 1: Photojournalism: To use photography to tell the story of Hortense Miller and Part 2: Photo Journaling: To use photography to tell your story.
The first session takes place on Saturday, June 11 from 9:45-11:30 a.m. The second session date is TBA.
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Courtesy of Hortense Miller Garden
The first of a free two-part Journaling with Photography workshop at Hortense Miller Garden takes place on June 11
In the first part of the session after learning about Hortense, participants will have the chance to explore the home to capture images that reflect who Hortense Miller may have been as a woman, artist, avid gardener, photographer and Laguna Beach resident. Then students meet back to share and reflect on the images and the experience. In the second part of the class, you will go out into the garden and grounds to explore and capture images that speak to you personally, that reflect your inner thoughts and feelings and even life experiences.
Each student will have the opportunity to post their best photographs on the website and following the session there will be an opening reception to exhibit the work. The class is open to everyone for fun, to create community and to explore new ways of seeing with a camera.
They ask you to use a camera that is not a part of an iPhone or mobile device. This class, led by photographer Jenine Lurie, includes both a house and garden tour. For more information on Lurie, go to http://www.JluvPhoto.com.
Registration is required. Register at www.hortensemillergarden.org.
Hortense Miller Garden is located at 22511 Allview Terrace, Laguna Beach.
The Plant Man: landscape decisions to mitigate wildfire risk
By Steve Kawaratani
“What California right now is more destructive, larger fires burning at rates that we have historically never seen.”
–Jonathan Cox, Cal Fire spokesperson
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Courtesy of Steve Kawaratani
Steve Kawaratani
My focus on work was interrupted by the insistent thrumming sound of helicopters above me. By the time I went outdoors, photo messages from Danielle Cavallucci and Jessica Gannon revealed billowing clouds of smoke just beyond Arch Beach Heights and Top of the World, and LBGOV announced a fire in Aliso and Wood Canyons. Seeing the rapidly increasing smoke billowing beyond the hills time-shifted me back to October 27, 1993, when fire destroyed more than 400 homes and scorched 16,000 acres.
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Photo by Danielle Cavallucci
Smoke billows from the Coastal Fire burning just over the Laguna Beach hillside
Laguna’s steep coastal foothills are vegetated by native plant communities, known as chaparral and coastal scrub. Prior to land use decisions and policies that seriously impacted the environment, by building onto the coastal hillsides, chaparral had evolved to burn every 30-150 years. This was a natural regime to reinvigorate itself and the interval was dependent on the frequency of lightning, which is the only natural source of wildfire ignition.
Scientists have conducted studies that conclude that increased fire danger is a result of drought and warmer temperatures due to climate change. Additional research has theorized and proven that the fire season may now be year-round, as the classic Santa Ana winds, high temperatures and low humidity were absent during the recent Coastal Fire.
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Courtesy of Steve Kawaratani
Remove dead vegetation
Defensible space is a buffer created between your home and landscaped areas and the natural habitat that surround it. This space is essential to “slow or stop the spread of wildfire” and protects your house from catching fire; “either from embers, direct flame contact or radiant heat.” With much of Laguna in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, careful attention must be given to landscape decisions and direction from the Laguna Beach Fire Department.
New and major remodel projects in Laguna Beach require review by the Fire Department and Building Division and are carefully vetted to ensure that defensible space is provided through landscaping and fuel modification. If you have a mature landscape, there are a number of garden tasks that should be considered as the seasons shift into summer:
1. Remove all dead plants and vegetation from your property.
2. Keep tree branches at least 10 feet away from your home.
3. Trim trees regularly to separate canopies a minimum of 10 feet.
4. Remove vegetation under trees to prevent fires from climbing.
5. Clear vegetation away from combustible outdoor structures.
6. Remove dead or dry leaves from the garden, roof and rain gutters.
7. Keep mown lawns to a maximum of four inches.
We are challenged today to rethink where we live and how we build, and to maintain a stewardship of our environment and dwindling resources, during a period of rising temperatures and drought. To believe that our first responders can always heroically protect us is folly; just ask the homeowners of the 20 homes lost in Laguna Niguel. Let’s all do our part and keep Laguna safe. See you next time.
Steve Kawaratani has been a local guy for seven decades and likes to garden and drive the Baja Peninsula with Catharine and Loki. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 949.494.5141.
Laguna Craft Guild returns May 29
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Courtesy of Laguna Craft Guild
The Laguna Craft Guild will return to the Main Beach Cobblestones this Sunday, May 29 from 9 a.m. to dusk. Come by and meet the local artists offering jewelry, ceramics, glass blown art, paintings and more. For more information and the schedule of future shows, visit www.lagunacraftguild.com.
Letters to the Editor
Concerns with council skirting the intent of the Brown Act
Village Laguna is deeply concerned about the City Council’s disregard for transparency and public involvement. A low point was reached during the council’s recent consideration of a downtown parking-garage project at the Laguna Presbyterian Church. Prior to the Council meeting, Village Laguna sent the Council two letters commenting on the project, one of focusing on concerns with the Council’s compliance with the Brown Act, California’s open-meeting law for local public agencies. Neither letter reached the City Council until shortly before the meeting began. When we asked what had happened, we were told that our letters had been “blocked” and “scrubbed” in the city’s email system.
After recent events concerning the Council’s Brown Act compliance, we thought that the Council would be more careful with closed sessions. Less than a year ago, the Orange County District Attorney criticized the Council for violating the Brown Act by receiving a closed session briefing from City staff on the Hotel Laguna and by voting in closed session to lift the hotel’s stop-work order. After this episode, and especially after the involvement of the District Attorney’s office, we were surprised to learn that the Council appeared once again to be conducting improper closed-session meetings, this time on the downtown parking-garage project at the Presbyterian Church.
The Brown Act allows the Council to discuss real estate negotiations in closed session, such as those involving the Church parking-lot project, but the discussion must be very limited. The limitations for real-estate negotiation are common-sense limitations. They allow the Council to discuss price, payment terms, and related matters in closed session, so that, for example, the Council can develop a negotiating strategy around an initial offering price and a maximum price without disclosing a negotiating strategy or the price that the City is willing to pay. Little else, however, can be discussed. The Council cannot in closed session propose a project, develop it, and once the project is almost fully realized, spring it on an unsuspecting public, which is exactly what appears to have happened here. It is distressing that some members of the City Council believe that this course of action is “normal” and “the way councils operate.” It is not normal, and it is not the way councils operate, at least those respecting transparency and avoiding embarrassing enquiries from the district attorney’s office.
Closed-session violations are by their very nature difficult to identify. The violations occur in secret, behind closed doors and away from public scrutiny. Here, the proof of the Council’s Brown Act violations for the church parking-lot project comes from the City’s own documents and from statements by City officials. This proof was discussed in detail in one of the letters that Village Laguna sent to the Council. It is unfortunate that the letter was blocked and scrubbed by the city’s email system and that members of the City Council did not have an adequate opportunity to review the letter before the Council meeting. It might have helped cast some light on a deal that appears to have been negotiated in the shadows.
Moving forward, we urge the Council to follow the normal planning process for major public works projects, at least what has been the normal process up to this point. The Council should include the Church parking in the City’s general and specific plans, in this case, the Downtown Specific Plan. The parking garage should be included in projected capital improvement plans and in the appropriate year’s budget. The Council should stop developing the project in closed sessions. By not following the normal planning process and developing the project in closed sessions, the Council has sidestepped public scrutiny and avoided important questions regarding the Church parking lot. This is not the way councils operate, at least not ones that follow the law and that value transparency and public involvement.
Anne Caenn
President, Village Laguna
Residents claim petition is ignored by City
In 2020 the Village Entrance reported cost was $11.3 million or $37,000 per parking space, that option forgoes the Sewer Digester make-over at $16.6 million and $43,000 per space. That’s $1,200/sq. ft. of paving stones supporting your vehicle. The irony is the project funding comes from our capital improvement projects and the coveted city Parking Meter Fund – the city’s slush-bucket for budget red ink.
The new Village Entrance offers a multi-use pathway extending roughly 750 feet from the Pageant to the Art-a-Fair. Trouble is the pathway was built with no provisions to serve Canyon residents; it serves the motorists who park on those snazzy new paving stones. It would make sense to extend the pathway to Canyon Acres and complete the original intent of the VE architects.
A proposal to extend the pathway was sent to Mayor Pro Tem Whalen March 8 and Public Works on March 10. A resident petition was circulated among Laguna residents to petition our city for the pathway and submitted to the LB City Council and City Clerk with fifty-six signatures on March 15.
To date, the petition failed to appear in any city staff report, in any record of public communications, in any agenda bill.
Follow-ups occurred with Public Works and the City Clerk in April, with no response from Public Works. A NextDoor poll shows 81% of respondents favored the multi-use pathway, with the City Clerk making note of this in a city staff report on April 21.
A reminder was sent to the City Manager, City Council and Public Works in May with no reply from anybody. On May 10 in a council meeting, I reminded the council that the petition failed to be recorded. By the May 24 meeting there is no record of the petition in public communications nor any staff reporting. There is also no record of the petition with the Parking and Circulation Committee.
The City argument heard most frequently in opposition is a painted pathway on an existing sidewalk costs too much. A project cost estimate from Caltrans is $222 per foot, an estimate from volunteers is $3.50 per foot. A line item in our city 2010 wish list allocates $40,000,000 in future expenditures for the Village Entrance above and beyond the 10-year Capital Investment forecast.
State (CTG, Measure M) and Federal (Tiger II, CMAQ) funding agencies offer free money for improvements like pathways, bike lanes, and traffic calming measures. Should Laguna Beach decide to qualify for the grants here are some funding examples: https://lagunastreets.blogspot.com/2012/02/laguna-beach-ignores-opportunity-for.html.
In the time that passed since the petition was submitted to council, this city proposed the most absurd parking supply solutions ever: to bury a parking structure under the community library, to hide one in a church parking lot, and to PAINT white “edgelines” on Temple Hills Drive to control motorists. The church parking estimate is $400,000 per space. Doesn’t that cost too much?
Les Miklosy
Laguna Beach
Minimal parking enforcement staff presents problems with summer ahead
I was informed by the Laguna Beach police that they have only two parking enforcement employees on staff, and some days only one is working the entire town. They said it’s a City Council issue that remains to be taken care of, but at one time Laguna had four to five parking enforcement employees.
Two is not enough. Especially not now with the tendency of people to disobey laws and the anything-goes mindset. We are about to go into the summer season and this is completely unacceptable. I know from living on a beach-access street, people do park illegally. With no deterrent, it’s going to be a very problematic summer in Laguna.
Marsha Bianchi
Laguna Beach
We will miss you Chris Duddy
Life often can be cruel, especially when you least expect it.
My son, Spencer, is getting married this weekend in Carmel Valley. He and his bride, Chelsea, have everything to look forward to over the next 30, 40, or 50 years together.
Spencer also attended Thurston Middle School when Chris Duddy was the assistant principal. Tragically, Chris passed away this week, one month prior to retiring. He was only 57.
It always is a shock when someone you know suddenly dies, especially when that someone is part of the fabric of the community as Chris certainly was.
Laguna has lost a good soul. RIP Chris. You will be missed.
Denny Freidenrich
Laguna Beach
Dennis’ Tidbits
By DENNIS McTIGHE
Guillermo, the hurricane that wouldn’t die
It was August 7, 1997 and Category 5 hurricane Guillermo (Bill) was two weeks old now and showing absolutely no signs of losing steam anytime soon. After all, he was swimming in abnormally hot waters in the high 80s, fueled by arguably the strongest El Niño event of the 20th century.
On this date, Bill was centered about 650 miles SSW of Baja’s tip, a zone where normally tropical systems begin their demise as they’re usually in much cooler waters. However, we’re talking a mega El Niño here and it’s a whole new ballgame whenever Senor El Niño is on steroids and really flexing his muscles. Monster hurricane Bill was still a Cat. 5, the longest ever that any eastern Pacific system of this caliber has maintained that strength – and he continued to crawl to the WNW at 8 mph. His current position and forward direction placed him on a beeline course to strike the Big Island of Hawaii, but that was at least a week in the future, and as you know, a lot can happen in that span of time.
Five days later on August 12, 1997, Bill was centered about 950 miles ESE of Hawaii and was now a high-end Cat. 4 storm. For the next five days, he continued on his crash course to the west and WNW, still setting his sights on the Big Island of Hawaii. By the 15th, Bill was only around 300 miles ESE of the Big Island as hurricane warnings were now posted for the entire Island Chain. He was still a low end Cat. 4 with sustained winds of 132 mph with gusts up to 145 and continued to be a monster at 550 miles across. Huge swells began marching into the SE and eastern shores of the islands, and residents were really starting to squirm, preparing for the worst.
Then on the 16th with Bill’s center less than 200 miles to the ESE, the unthinkable happened as Bill abruptly made a sharp right turn and was now moving straight to the north. Tropical storm-force winds were buffeting parts of the Big Island from Bill’s outer bands, but at least there were no hurricane-force winds as Bill continued his course to the north.
By the 18th, Bill found himself about 300 miles to the NE of Hilo and still moving to the north while picking up forward speed so the islands were now out of harm’s way. Whew. Hawaii had really dodged a bullet in a huge way! On the 21st, Bill was now situated about 2,000 miles west of San Diego, still a Category 2 hurricane with winds in excess of 100 mph. It was moving straight to the north at 12-15 mph and was still surrounded by 80 degree water this far north. Late on the 23rd, Bill was 1,800 miles due west of the California-Oregon border, a Cat.1.
The very next day, on the 24th, Bill was finally now a post tropical system, having hooked up with a super intense, early-in-the-season deep low that was plowing to the SE. These two systems joined forces as they began to ride a west-to-east moving jet stream on steroids while setting sights on making landfall on the extreme northern coast of Oregon near Astoria. This huge low with a one-two punch raced to the east, riding on this hyper jet stream and on the 27th, made landfall near Astoria. It boasted a central pressure of 970 millibars, resulting in gale force winds and up to 5-8 inches of rain up in the Pacific Northwest. Ahead of this low, large swells from the NW were pushing into places like Rincon with near double-overhead sets which has never happened in late August. Rincon is strictly a winter break that only works properly on west and NW swells from the North Pacific.
Imagine surfing epic Queen of the Coast waves with no wetsuits in El Niño fueled by 75-degree water. And check this out – the very same storm that sent us an epic one weeklong south swell, delivered an equally epic NW classic three weeks later. That’s never happened. That’s one big reason why El Niño is our dear friend!
See you on Tuesday, ALOHA!
Tips to stay prepared, connected during wildfires, natural disasters
For Southern California residents, preparing and protecting your home or business in the event of a wildfire is a daily reality. A top priority for Cox during a wildfire or other natural disaster is to keep customers connected so they can stay informed, check in with family and friends, and even access their shows and movies while away from home.
Cox also works hard to keep business customers, including hospitals and offices of emergency services, connected so they can continue to serve their customers and the public.
Wildfire season now begins earlier and ends later than in years past, so Cox prepares all year long, reviewing its business continuity plan and running through mock wildfire events so employees in all facets of its operations will be prepared and know their role and responsibilities during a natural disaster.
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Courtesy of Cox Communications
Preparing in the event of a wildfire
When strong winds and other weather conditions create an increased risk for wildfires, the local power company may notify their residential customers, and business customers like Cox, that they’ll be implementing a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). In the event of a PSPS, Cox services may be interrupted in a neighborhood where power will be shut off.
During a wildfire or PSPS, Cox works closely with the power company and public safety agencies to monitor the situation and ensure the safety of its network and facilities to keep customers connected.
There are also some things Cox customers can also do to better prepare for an unexpected event like a wildfire or Public Safety Power Shutoff.
Corded landlines and backup battery recommended
Cox Voice customers should keep corded landlines and a fully charged backup battery for phone modems in case of emergency. To purchase a battery, call 855.324.7700 or visit your local Cox store.
Get updates on Cox’s Twitter handle
In the event of a Public Safety Power Shutoff, wildfire or natural disaster, Cox will post service outage updates, tips and other important information on Twitter. Follow @coxcalifornia.
Download Cox apps before a wildfire or PSPS occurs
–Cox app – Check on outages, stay up to date with text alerts and manage your account.
–Cox Contour app – Cox TV customers can access the latest news and weather and stream favorite content to their smartphones and tablets.
Portable generators
If your power goes out, a generator may prolong your services, if your Cox service location still has power. Check your generator owner’s manual for details on power capacity and safe operation.
Have Cox Homelife Security? It will continue working with these limited functions.
Update contact information
In advance of wildfire season, update your preferred contact information to receive emergency and outage notices.
Disaster Relief Protections
You could be eligible for consumer disaster relief protections if your Cox Voice service goes out during a state of emergency declared by the California Governor’s Office or the President of the United States. Disaster relief protections include waiver of a onetime activation fee for establishing remote call forwarding. Visit www.cox.com/CaliforniaAssist.
This is paid content by Cox Communications. Cox provides residents in the Laguna Beach area with digital cable television, telecommunications and Home Automation services. Cox also provides scholarships to local high school students in its service area through its Cox Cares Foundation. For more information, visit www.cox.com.
Memorial planned for Bonnie Hano
The public is invited to celebrate the life of one of Laguna Beach’s finest citizens – Bonnie Hano, who worked tirelessly to support what she knew made Laguna the beloved town it is. She and her husband, Arnold, fought to secure the height limit – 36 feet, probably one of Laguna’s most important achievements.
She and Arnold demonstrated their compassion when they joined the Peace Corp at ages 70 and 75, respectively. They built a school in Costa Rica. Bonnie came home fluent in Spanish and resumed her career as a family therapist.
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Photo by Mary Hurlbut
Bonnie and Arnold Hano
At City Council meetings, Bonnie spoke about environmental concerns and the fear of losing Laguna to tourism. Her voice was soft, respectful and thoughtful. She helped to focus on and remember what is important to the community.
There will be a gathering at the Woman’s Club on Sunday, June 19 from 3-5 p.m. Come laugh, share stories and honor Bonnie’s legacy.
All are welcome.
For more information, contact Anne Caenn at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The Woman’s Club is located at 286 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach. www.wclb.org.
Low light
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Photo by Scott Brashier
A break in the clouds at day’s end
On Saturday, riders on the Laguna Artists’ Studio Trolley Tour took a step back in time
By DIANNE RUSSELL
Photos by Mary Hurlbut
During Laguna’s month-long celebration of Heritage Month, which is sponsored by the Heritage Committee, one of the many festivities is the Laguna Artists’ Studio Trolley Tour. On a round-a-bout and ruckus ride in and out city streets, on Saturday, May 21, participants learned about Laguna’s founding artists, their homes/studios and other historic buildings – with a few urban myths thrown into the mix.
Laguna has a lot to offer in terms of history – its art, architecture and landscape are inextricably interwoven into the community. We saw examples of the diverse architecture in town – Romanesque, Victorian, Mission Revival, Art Deco, Modern and more. However, only a few Laguna structures are on the National Registry of Historic Places – Edward and America Griffith’s House and St. Francis by the Sea American Catholic Church as well as Crystal Cove.
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(L-R) Bill Hoffy, Ann Cristoph and Clark Collins
Bill Hoffy of Hoffy Tours, Landscape Architect Ann Cristoph and designer/builder Clark Collins, who is vice chair of the Heritage Committee, were our expert guides as we traveled back in time. It was a relatively short journey (90+ minutes), but a long and fascinating one – historically.
As our adept driver Nick navigated a packed trolley through the narrow, winding streets, all participants seemed to have a wonderful time as we got the scoop on more than 30 landmarks and artists’ homes/studios.
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Built in 1927, the headquarters building was designed by Architect Aubrey St. Clair (who also designed City Hall) to house the then 2-year-old Laguna Beach County Water District. Until the early 1920s, the residents of Laguna Beach relied on privately owned shallow wells and intermittent rainfall for their water supply.
The first stop was the Laguna Beach Water District building. In 1925, pioneer leaders – Harold Reed, Joseph R. Jahraus and Thomas A. Cummings – pretending to be duck hunters, traveled north to Huntington Beach where they bought 120 acres to form a “Duck Hunting Club.” Arrangements were made to purchase the property from the Anaheim Sugar Company. The men divvied up the $1,000 deposit out of their own pockets, with the balance to be paid at $400 an acre. What they bought was Laguna’s future water supply.
Cristoph started out by telling us that Laguna was not part of the land grant territory, so residents would homestead by planting eucalyptus trees to claim an area. She further explained that Laguna was originally three separate villages: Laguna Beach, Arch Beach and Aliso, which is now South Laguna.
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Originally built in 1915, the White House Restaurant was the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Orange County. When it opened in 1918, it was the only building in Laguna Beach other than the Laguna Hotel. It will become Finney’s Crafthouse.
“The Trolley Tour of Artists’ Homes was very illuminating,” said Sandy Smith, a member of the Laguna Beach Sister Cities Association and one of the caretakers of their garden in Heisler Park. “It was interesting to see the location of the various homes, as well as the various neighborhoods. The additional information provided by the guides added lots of flavor and some humor. We also received a colorful handout of the homes and buildings found on the route. I really enjoyed the experience and look forward to other trolley tours.”
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A glimpse of the Wendt home/studio. William Wendt was president of the Laguna Beach Art Association. It’s said that he traded one of his paintings for the wood to build his home/studio.
Several of the homes were those of Laguna’s early plein air painters, who first discovered Laguna Beach in the late 1880s. They prized the area for its clear light and natural beauty and wanted to capture it on canvas. Some of the early Laguna Beach plein air painters included Frank Cuprien, Edgar Payne and William Wendt. These artists together with others would ultimately become the founders of the California Impressionist Style. In 1918, these artists formed the Laguna Beach Art Association and the city soon became known as an artists’ colony. In 1929, the group opened a permanent gallery on the corner of Coast Highway and Cliff Drive. That gallery is known today as the Laguna Art Museum.
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Old Art Gallery was the first art gallery in Laguna and is now a residence
Little known facts from our guides:
–Edgar Payne was the most well-traveled of the early artists.
–Anna Hills, prominent California landscape painter and a civic leader in Laguna Beach, designed one window of the Laguna Presbyterian Church.
–In 1913, during the building of the home and studio of Basil Engel, who was a friend of Wendt’s, sand and sea water was used to make concrete. (Probably not the best idea.)
–In 1938, Frank Cuprien, who believed everything should be artistic and was known as the Dean of Laguna Artists, gave President Franklin Delano Roosevelt a painting during a stop in Laguna.
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Isaac Frazee’s historic home
–Isaac Frazee was a painter who specialized in Indian subjects and also wrote books, short stories and poems. His sketches of Laguna Beach in 1875 are the earliest known depictions of this area, and he made his home here from 1926 until his death on July 23, 1942.
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“Captain’s House” was built in 1900 on a bluff near the Hotel Laguna. It was later moved to its present location and is in the process of being renovated.
Thanks to the Heritage Committee for sponsoring this unique look into the rich history of our community – and to Hoffy, Cristoph and Collins for their insights into the properties and artists.
Members of the Heritage Committee advise City Council and design review authority on matters pertaining to historic preservation in the city, including evaluation of alterations to historic structures, requests to place structures on the Historic Register and recommendations of properties for Mills Act contracts.
“What a delight to see and hear the storied past of our city’s historic homes and buildings,” said Paula Dumas, a member of the Heritage Committee. “It’s a rare legacy that few California cities share and something we should be proud of.”
For more information on the Heritage Committee, click here.
“Art in Public Places” – A Tranquil Place by Jason Kopydlowski
By DIANNE RUSSELL
Photos by Mary Hurlbut
Some of the art you see around Laguna Beach is the result of two city programs: “Public Art and Murals” and “Art in Public Places.” The goals of the Public Art and Murals and Art in Public Places (adopted in 1986) initiatives are to create diverse art installations of the highest quality that will, over decades, reflect the city itself and its citizens, and improve the quality of life; and to be a source of pride to all Laguna Beach residents.
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Brown’s Park is located at 515 S. Coast Highway
Installed in 2002, A Tranquil Place was created by Jason Kopydlowski and installed in Brown’s Park in 2002. It consists of a cast bronze sculptural table and two chairs, with a backdrop of a mosaic brick wall. It was funded by the City of Laguna Beach and is part of the Artist Designed Benches series.
A Tranquil Place invites Coast Highway pedestrians into Brown’s Park, a charming 300-foot long “pocket park” that also boasts a fabulous ocean view. At the end of the walkway overlooking the sea, visitors can view Raymond Persinger’s Sound and Sight, a poetry-infused bronze and colored glass panel railing.
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Sit and rest
To honor the family who donated the land for the park, one of the bronze books on the table is titled Browns. Of his sculptures, Kopydlowski said, “As people pass by this homage to the history of the city, I invited all to rest and sit on the artwork and enjoy the public space.”
Kopydlowski went to the University of Arizona on a football scholarship, but gave it up to enroll in the Laguna College of Art + Design where he studied sculpture and fine art. He has done sculptures, paintings and murals for many cities and corporations. He changed his professional name to Jay Scott, focusing on abstract paintings and is now the owner/artist of Jay Scott Studios in Atlanta, Georgia.
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His first major public commission
As a professional artist, Scott took the art market by storm after his first major public commission for Laguna in 2002. After that, he was asked to create artwork for The Water Polo Hall of Fame, The City of Nashville, Warner Brothers, Compact Computers, Wings West and even the United States military. His talents were utilized in Hollywood special effects as well as within the toy industry. His paintings are very contemporary with a strong emphasis upon texture, and he admits that he constantly tries to walk the line between abstraction and realism. As described, even his most minimalistic work evokes a distinctive mood. Hundreds of private and corporate collectors have fallen in love with his versatility and style.
This is the 60th article in our weekly series featuring Art in Public Places. Since there are more than 100 pieces of public art scattered throughout Laguna, it will take a while to cover them all.
For a map of Art in Public Places (not every piece is listed), click here.
To apply for the Arts in Public Places program, click here.
Free concert at Main Beach honors our military on Memorial Day
The Laguna Community JaZz and Concert Bands salute our troops on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30 with a free concert at the cobblestones on Main Beach.
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Courtesy of Laguna JaZz Band
Jazz vocalist Ginger Hatfield kicks off concert festivities
The 17-piece Laguna JaZz band kicks things off with an eclectic mix of Big Band, Latin, rock and pop starting at 10:45 a.m. with jazz vocalist Ginger Hatfield. At 12:45 p.m., the Laguna Community Concert Band plays flag-waving favorites including “Stars and Stripes Forever,” a medley of military anthems and a mix of Western-inspired classics. The band performs television and film favorites like “The Lone Ranger,” “How the West Was Won” and “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly.” Next, featured vocalists Samantha Morrice, Gary Greene and Lisa Morrice sing a medley of songs from the musical Oklahoma.
Like all of the band’s performances, this concert is free. The Laguna Community Concert Band rehearses at the Laguna Beach High School band room on Tuesdays at 6 p.m.
For the latest news about the concert and jazz bands and a calendar of concerts, or if you would like to play with the band, go to the website at www.lagunaconcertband.com.
The Woman’s Club honors Dee Perry as 2022 Woman of the Year at upcoming luncheon
The Woman’s Club of Laguna Beach has announced Dee Perry has been elected by its membership as the 2022 Woman of the Year.
Since 1995, the Woman’s Club has annually honored a local woman for her consistent volunteer service to the community in diverse ways. Perry will be honored at the Woman of the Year luncheon on Friday, June 17 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. held at the Woman’s Club. This is their first community luncheon since 2019.
Sande St. John was the first member to be recognized as the honoree, epitomizing the club’s mission of enhancing the lives of others in the community through volunteer service. Toni Iseman was its most recent honoree in 2019.
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Courtesy of Woman’s Club of Laguna Beach
Dee Perry
Perry has lived in Laguna for 27 years and taught in the Laguna Beach Unified School District for 37 years. Currently, she is serving a second term on the Laguna Beach school board and is an advocate for the voices of students, parents and citizens to be heard. She is also president of the Career and College Advantage Board which serves more than 17,000 students from both the Capistrano Unified School District and LBUSD. Among other community-related activities, Perry is actively involved in the arts, giving hundreds of tours for the Laguna Art Museum, serving on the Crystal Cove Art Council and most recently as a community development panelist for art grants for the State of California Arts Council. Her love of the outdoors and the environment has led her to advocate for and volunteer in local school gardens (as an active member of the Laguna Beach Garden Club) and at the IRWD San Joaquin Marsh & Wildlife Sanctuary as well as leading many hikes. Recently, she worked with the city, Susi Q, Laguna Public Library and students on programs to celebrate Ethnic Diversity & Black History Month.
The Woman’s Club was organized in 1922 by a group of community women to benefit the community of Laguna Beach through philanthropic activities. Today, the club has 135 members and continues its community outreach through generous donations from the community and its members. It provides assistance to in-need women and children through its involvement with the LBUSD, Laguna Beach Food Pantry, the Laguna Beach High School Scholarship Fund, Adopt-A-Family at the holiday season, the fire department’s Spark of Love holiday program, Waymakers Youth Shelter and Human Options. The club will be sending seven in-need children to various summer camps provided by the city’s recreation division and provide three scholarships for youth ages 8-12 to attend a week of ocean environmental programs through Camp Pinniped at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center.
For questions, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Tickets to the luncheon are $55 for members/$65 for non-members and are available by going to the club’s website at www.wclb.org/events. Seating is limited to 100. RSVPs will be accepted up to Friday, June 10.
The Woman’s Club is located at 286 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach.
Winning poets to read their works on June 4
The winning poets of the 24th Annual John Gardiner Poetry Contest will read their works at the Laguna Beach Public Library on Saturday, June 4 at 11 a.m. A reception with refreshments will follow. The community is invited to share in this event.
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Photo by Mary Hurlbut
John Gardiner, beloved local poet, for whom the contest is named
The theme for the next year’s contest will be announced at the event.
Free copies of the booklet of poems, titled “This Fragile Life,” will be available at the library after June 4. The annual contest and booklet are funded by the Friends of Laguna Beach Library.
The contest is named after John Gardiner who was a beloved local poet and former master of ceremonies of the program.
Laguna Beach Public Library is located at 363 Glenneyre St., Laguna Beach. For more information, call 949.497.1733.
Laguna Art Museum presents Lit to Life: Carmela Full of Wishes
Bringing literature to life during a participatory storytime that will have you making and moving, Laguna Art Museum (LAM) will present Lit to Life: Carmela Full of Wishes on Saturday, May 28 at 10 a.m.
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Courtesy of LAM
“Lit to Life: Carmela Full of Wishes” on Saturday, May 28
On the fourth Saturday of each month, you’ll craft a storytelling experience inspired by a museum artwork or exhibition to foster children’s understanding of art’s role in their lives. Read-alouds will be supplemented with mindfulness exercises, art-making projects, or in-gallery activities that promote meaningful connections with caregivers and others. Sessions are designed for PreK-5 learners and their families.
Cost: Museum members, $7; Non-members, $14. Kids under 12 are free. To purchase tickets, go here.
Laguna Art Museum is located at 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach. https://lagunaartmuseum.org.
Pageant of the Masters commissions Laguna Beach artist to paint travel poster
The Pageant of the Masters is busily preparing for this summer’s production of Wonderful World, a theatrical love letter to the joys of travel and the wondrous art to be found in every corner of the globe. The production’s combination of live music, narration and artworks magically transformed into “living pictures” (tableaux vivants) promises to visit 17 countries in search of artistic inspiration during its 90-minute performances presented every night, July 7-September 2 in the Irvine Bowl at Festival of Arts.
As part of Pageant Director Diane Challis Davy’s ambitious vision of a global community brought together through art, she has also made it clear that there’s room for some nostalgic fun in the process. The Pageant will open with a series of travel posters from that distant time: the 20th century. And to include a local angle, Challis Davy invited Laguna Beach artist and longtime Festival of Arts exhibitor Mike Tauber to create an acrylic painting to be transformed into a “living picture.”
Challis Davy described her idea. “I was assembling a group of charming vintage travel posters of the French Riviera and other seaside resorts. But it felt incomplete without a nod to our own iconic coastline, hotel and boardwalk here in Laguna. Our recreation of Mike’s painting, Laguna Beach, will be part of our artistic trip around the world. Not surprisingly, the show will end back here in Laguna Beach for the Pageant’s traditional tableaux of Leonardo’s The Last Supper.”
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Courtesy of Festival of Arts
Artist Mike Tauber and Pageant Director Diane Challis Davy with Tauber’s original painting, “Laguna Beach”
An award-winning 24-year Festival of Arts exhibitor whose mediums are acrylic painting and ceramic tile, Tauber is very familiar with the Pageant of the Masters. He admits to being “surprised and incredibly honored” to undertake Challis Davy’s commission. Tauber worked with the Pageant team, employing props, a volunteer model and staged photos taken on location as inspiration for his completed acrylic painting titled simply, Laguna Beach.
In it, a young woman, like countless plein air painters before her, sits at an easel overlooking Laguna’s pristine coastline and paints what she sees. Tauber’s canvas takes its cues from countless promotional travel posters from the mid-20th century. But it also teases with its gentle nostalgia and echoes of local history, especially when it becomes a Pageant “living picture,” with its own original music and narrative. Tauber concluded, “I’ve always admired the Pageant’s team of professional designers and artists. I’m thrilled that they invited me and I hope, truly hope, they like what I created.”
Tauber’s painting will join the dozens of other artworks transformed into theatrical illusions during the 2022 Pageant of the Masters as it travels the globe in search of artworks revealing cultural traditions of other countries. With Director Diane Challis Davy in charge, there’s every reason to believe Wonderful World will once again create its own magical spell. Challis Davy offered a final thought. “Art in every culture expresses our common humanity. I hope our audiences will see universal traits that unite us.
Wonderful World runs July 7-September 2. A Pageant ticket is also a season pass to the 90th Annual Festival of Arts Fine Art Show (July 5-September 2). Follow the Pageant and Festival on social media at @FestivalPageant and visit www.foapom.com. When at the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show this summer, stop by booth #87 to visit with artist Mike Tauber and see his artwork.
Kids take over Laguna Art Museum during “Outside the Lines Summer Day Camps” and “Kids’ Night Out”
The school year is quickly coming to an end, which means it’s the perfect time for kids to explore the world around them, filling their days with unique experiences that expand their imagination. This summer, Laguna Art Museum (LAM) will provide opportunities for kids to unleash their creativity during “Outside the Lines Summer Day Camps” and “Kids’ Night Out” programming, where kids can get messy and cut loose.
“We believe that art is for all ages and that kids can enjoy the museum just as much as adults,” said Julie Perlin Lee, executive director of Laguna Art Museum. “The Outside the Lines Summer Day Camps and Kids’ Night Out programs are the next step in educating kids about the importance of art and exploring their creative side.”
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Courtesy of Laguna Art Museum
“Outside the Lines Summer Day Camps” take place in July for two age groups
Outside the Lines Summer Day Camps will offer four sessions starting in July for ages 6-9 and 10-12. These single-day summer camps transform the museum into a space for creative expression and exploration – no matter how messy it gets.
Parents can take the night off during Kids’ Night Out on August 19 and 26, when kids take over the museum for a special, fun-filled night of art-making and learning about the museum’s permanent collection. LAM’s education team will provide young learners with dinner, art-related activities and opportunities to explore exhibitions.
Schedule of Events:
–Outside the Lines Summer Day Camp: Gallery Groovin’ on Wednesday, July 13 from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Geared for ages 6-9.
–Outside the Lines Summer Day Camp: People, Portraits, Personalities on Wednesday, July 20 from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Geared to ages 10-12.
Laguna Beach Art Museum is located at 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach.
For more information, visit www.lagunaartmuseum.org.
The Barefoot Movement at Laguna Live!’s Bluegrass & BBQ
Named “Band of the Year’ by the International Bluegrass Music Association, The Barefoot Movement will be performing at Laguna Live!’s Bluegrass & BBQ on Sunday, June 12 from 4-7 p.m.
Alongside the excellent music, attendees can enjoy BBQ by local favorite Gnarly Q, beer by the Salty Bear Brewing Company and wine from Bianchi Winery in a picturesque setting at Laguna Beach College of Art.
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Courtesy of Laguna Live!
The Barefoot Movement
Tickets in advance are available at www.lagunalive.org. Cost: $100 VIP which includes the concert, BBQ, a reserved table and table service; $40 for the concert and BBQ; and $20 for the concert only. Non-VIP seating is theater style, general admission, chairs provided. Tickets at the door: $50 for the concert & BBQ, $25 for the concert only and $25 for the BBQ (with pre-bought concert). No outside food or beverages are permitted.
Laguna Beach College of Art is located at 2222 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach.
Police Beat Primer
Compiled by Suzie Harrison
Police Beat derives from information in the daily police and arrest logs published on the City of Laguna Beach’s website and required under CA Government Code Section 6254 (f). Additional information is obtained through communication with the Laguna Beach Police Department’s Public Information Officer.
Information in the logs is deemed reliable and Stu News Laguna is not responsible for any mistakes made available as public record by the Laguna Beach Police Department.
Any person arrested is innocent until found guilty in a court of law.
