Fair Game

By TOM JOHNSON

Perry’s school suit dismissed once again, while council approves new White House plan

A notice, distributed courtesy of Laguna Beach Unified School District Board President Carol Normandin this week, said that the lawsuit previously brought by Dee Perry against her fellow board members and Superintendent Jason Viloria has once again been dismissed. 

In Perry’s original complaint dating back several years, she claimed fellow school leaders had retaliated against her. This followed claims against her that she was suspected of sharing confidential information that included a legal opinion. Perry reportedly was also at odds with fellow board members dating back to December 2018 when she was passed over for the appointment to board president.

The initial lawsuit was dismissed on March 18, 2020, noting “her allegations were insufficient to state a claim for relief.” She then amended that complaint for reconsideration, but once again it was dismissed on June 8, 2020, saying, “she again failed to state proper claims for relief.” Once again, she filed a second amended complaint, which was then similarly dismissed on September 11, 2020.

At this time, the district court held that Perry could not amend her complaint again.

Perry, however, proceeded by appealing the district court’s dismissal of her complaint to the Ninth Circuit. Yet, once again the Ninth District affirmed that dismissal, concluding, “Perry had two opportunities to amend her complaint and was on notice that her claims were barred by the Eleventh Amendment when her First Amended Complaint was dismissed. She thus had an opportunity to amend her complaint and address this specific deficiency. And because all of Perry’s claims are barred by the Eleventh Amendment, it is unclear what Perry could have alleged to overcome this hurdle.”

Board President Normandin issued the following statement after this latest dismissal, “After a confidential memo was disclosed by member Perry, the board created a subcommittee for confidential information to be securely shared. In response, member Perry sued and the courts admonished her for the lawsuits. Moving forward we hope member Perry will adhere to Board Bylaws regarding confidentiality and keep all confidential information secure to regain our trust and debate policy and issues with her members and not the courts.”

• • •

Okay, I’ve pointed out in recent columns that I’m relatively new here to the Laguna Beach community. Obviously, to get caught up I’m trying to take in as much as I can and meet as many people as my schedule permits.

But there’s one thought that repeatedly enters my mind when I watch our local city council meetings. Is it just me, or instead of Mayor Bob Whalen calmly calling the meeting to order, should we instead bring in noted MMA ring announcer Michael Buffer to start the festivities with “Let’s get ready to rumble?” 

Just something to think about.

This week’s meeting was more of the same, with Councilmember Peter Blake on one side of the issues and Councilmembers Toni Iseman and George Weiss on the other.

It certainly keeps me awake when watching what many times can get boring just hearing about city news.

The item that caused the angst this week was the proposed restoration and reopening of Finney’s Crafthouse, proposed for where the White House use to be. The concerns centered around parking, or lack of it; the location of trash bins; the hours of operation; and the acceptable number of seats for the new restaurant.

Following the presentation by “favorite” architect Morris Skenderian, Iseman repeatedly requested “compromise,” while Blake’s message was simply, “I want to get this done.”

Iseman’s requests for compromise were for the consideration of historical artwork inside the new restaurant reminding visitors of Laguna’s past music history, a reduction in the number of seating from the requested 143 seats back to a “comfortable” number of 90, moving the trash collection from the long-time used library area to the back of the building itself, concerns over the 1:30 a.m. closing time, and then, the always referred to problem of parking.

Blake argued “why would someone want to come in and do business in Laguna Beach” when conditions are made so difficult for them. He added that nobody is going to want to restore historical buildings if people continually make it so challenging, pointing out that the people that pose these challenging arguments are the same people who want to restore the historical buildings.

At the end, compromise did come. Mayor Pro Tem Sue Kempf wanted to exclude the possibility for any future music at the venue, while Mayor Whalen offered up a change in closing time to midnight (versus the proposed 1:30 a.m.) and reducing the seat count from 143 to 120.

Following the motion to approve, the item passed 3-2, with Weiss and Iseman dissenting.

As just a final point, the Planning Commission had previously  recommended approval of the project even prior to the compromises added at the 11th hour.

• • •

The Laguna Beach City Council unanimously approved a resolution at Tuesday night’s meeting opposing oil and gas drilling in federal and state waters off the California coast. 

Previously, the Council joined State Senators Dave Min and Josh Newman in sending a letter to Orange County’s federal legislative representatives asking them to lead an effort to end offshore drilling in federal waters off our coast, including all drilling being performed under existing leases.

• • •

The City’s Cultural Arts update had these items of interest:

–Congrats to local artists Noel Lashley and Kathy Tanaka for having their designs selected for the 2021 Holiday Palette Competition. 

Along with previous artist-designed palettes, these designs will be displayed on light poles throughout the city during the holiday season.

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Courtesy of the City of Laguna Beach

 2021 Holiday Palette Competition winners

–Artist David Zinn returns November 1-6 in the downtown Laguna. He’ll be illustrating his temporary chalk art installations.

This is as good as it gets and you can join David on November 6 at the Promenade on Forest and watch his process unfold.

–Finally, the Arts Commission invites children from 5-17, who either reside in town, attend school here, or take a local art program here, to create palette designs celebrating the holiday season. Designs must be painted and/or drawn on paper. 

All designs will be made available to view online via the City’s website. Up to 12 designs will be selected for display at the Promenade on Forest Avenue throughout December. The deadline is Monday, Nov. 15. Selected artists will be presented a certificate the City Council meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 14.

Funding for all three of the above Cultural Arts programs are courtesy of the local lodging establishments and the City.

Commission OKs improvement plans, new exterior design for Nirvana Grille

By SARA HALL

Nirvana Grille may soon have a new look that aims to stand out on the corner of Beach and Broadway streets. 

The Planning Commission on Wednesday, Oct. 20 unanimously approved plans for remodeling the exterior of the building and other improvements for the restaurant, located at 303 Broadway St.

It’s a very important property downtown, said Commissioner Susan Whitin, and there are great possibilities there. 

“This project is a quantum shift on a really drab building,” Whitin said. “I’m excited to see what happens with the rest of the property.”

It will almost make Nirvana look like a freestanding building and really set it apart, she said. It’s a real step up for the corner, she added. 

“Everything you’re doing, I think it really will transform that corner,” Whitin said. 

Most of the discussion focused on whether or not the building should be flush with the sidewalk or pushed back, the design of corner and entrance, the landscaping plan, rooftop options, operating hours and parking.

The project includes targeted improvements for the Nirvana Grille tenant space within the mixed-use development, The Plaza.

Plans include ground floor additions at the Nirvana Grille tenant space, demolition of the existing gazebos and lattice screens throughout the property, remodel of an existing stair structure, replacement of the existing fabric awnings with new metal awnings, a revised color and material palette at Nirvana Grille, new exterior building lighting, replacement guardrails at the rooftop dining deck and landscaping. 

The approved conditional use permit amendments also transferred three sidewalk café parking credits from Nirvana Grille (Suites 101 and 102) to Shirley’s Bagels (Suite 108) for the relocation of a nine-seat outdoor dining area at the property. 

With long-term plans to update the rest of the building’s appearance, proposed improvements for the Nirvana Grille corner location include:

–A 60-square-foot addition at the existing restaurant entrance, which would replace the entry door with operable metal-framed windows.

–Enclosure of a 285-square-foot outdoor dining area at the ground floor within an aluminum-clad structure to accommodate the relocated primary entrance.

–Remodel of a partially enclosed stair structure that provides access to the second-floor suites and the restaurant’s rooftop dining area, to include modified openings and new glazing.

–Replacement of the existing fabric awnings with new metal shutter awnings.

–Refinished stucco in a light taupe base with dark gray accents.

–A gray stone veneer application along a portion of the restaurant’s ground floor (El Dorado Stone LedgeCut33 Beach Pebble).

–New building and landscape lighting.

–Replacement aluminum guardrails at the rooftop dining deck in an unpainted, anodized finish.

–Demolition of the rooftop gazebo and associated support columns.

–New landscaping.

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Courtesy of the City of Laguna Beach/dw architecture + design

A rendering of the proposed improvements and new design for Nirvana Grille

A Master Sign Program amendment to replace the existing fabric awnings with new metal sign panels will occur at a later date. 

Phase two of the project will include new building and landscape lighting throughout the property, revised exterior building color scheme and new landscaping. It will be submitted as a separate application.

A rooftop deck furnishings plan (seating, umbrellas, tenting, heating elements, etc.) was not included in the plans, so it will also be reviewed by the Planning Commission at a later date. 

The project significantly advances the city’s design goals at the Broadway elevation by creating a sense of arrival at Nirvana Grille, said Senior Planner Anthony Viera. It will also enhance the property’s architectural character with a high quality and contemporary design, which will reduce its current monolithic appearance, he added.

The key design point the commission discussed was whether the corner should be recessed or flush.

The concrete sidewalk coming right up to the stone could be a bit rough, noted Commissioner Steve Kellenberg. 

“Is it going to be a visually awkward moment? Or should there be a little bit of landscape softening the transition?” he questioned. 

Whitin suggested pushing the storefront out flush with the corner and extend the landscaping up to the property line on the corner, an idea the rest of the commission supported and was ultimately included in the approved motion. 

As long as the applicant uses the approved plant palette that they proposed there wouldn’t be a need to come back for this issue. 

Commissioners first heard a concept review of the project in April 2019. At the time, while the commission was broadly supportive of the proposed improvements, there were concerns that the findings may not be made to support a height variance to reconstruct and expand an existing staircase enclosure. Since the concept review hearing, the scope of work has been revised to eliminate the height variance.

Commissioner Ken Sadler initially saw the project when the height variance was requested and was glad to see they worked it out of the plans so the variance was no longer needed. 

“The general, overall design of this is a huge improvement over what’s there,” Sadler said. “That entrance has always been hidden and awkward.”

The business owner has found the recessed entry to be “uninviting” and customers regularly complain that it is difficult to tell if the restaurant is open or not, Viera said. This is where the most significant design statement occurs in the new project.

“The improvements are intended to give the fine dining establishment a sense of prominence along the street,” Viera said. 

Their plans focus on creating a new entrance, explained Project architect Diane White of dw architecture + design. People often get confused about the location of the restaurant, she said. The goal is to start with the corner to give Nirvana a little more character and identity. The restaurant needs to be visible, she added. 

“(To create) a little more sense of happening and exposure at the corner of Beach and Broadway,” White said. 

Overall, they hope to downplay the scale of the building so it doesn’t have such a massive presence, White said. The new design will add texture and ambience to the corner, she added. 

A new ledgestone veneer will be added to a portion of the Nirvana storefront, but it’s not exactly a ledger stone, it’s a ledge cut, White explained. It’s a longer, rectangular three-inch high stone, not the stacked stone seen in residential settings, she noted. 

Additional planters at the southwest corner will provide a continuous row of vegetation. The proposed plant palette will add color and texture to the remodeled façade, Viera said. 

The rooftop dining area will be maintained in generally the same condition and will accommodate about 30 customers. The wood lattice gazebo will be demolished and the accompanying stucco support columns will be removed or reduced to railing height. 

Removing the gazebo from the rooftop will be a great improvement, Chair Pro Tem Jorg Dubin said. 

“I like what’s happening here at the corner, it’s long overdue,” he said. “I like the whole redesign of that corner; I think it really sets the restaurant apart.”

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Courtesy of the City of Laguna Beach

Existing street frontages of the Nirvana Grille building: (Clockwise from top left) Ocean Avenue, Beach Street, Broadway Street

Although there’s no specific rooftop plan just yet, the long-term intention is to use the roof deck more regularly for general restaurant activity. It would be great to utilize that space all season, said Nirvana Grille Chef/Owner Lindsay Smith. 

“It’s a challenge, I need that space,” she said.

Nirvana Grille’s hours of operation are currently limited by their CUP and the shared parking plan, which doesn’t allow the restaurant to open until 5 p.m., when the other businesses in the building are closed. 

It’d be great to have the option to be open for lunch, Smith said.

“The goal for us, obviously, is the more we can be open, the more we can succeed,” Smith said.

Although they don’t want to bring it forward right now and hold up the rest of the remodel process, she said. 

They don’t want to slow the process down, agreed building owner Rael Merson, president of Mixed Use Capital Laguna LLP. The reason they proceeded along the path of piecemealing improvements was simply to allow Smith to get the corner with Nirvana fixed up as quick as possible. 

“That corner’s a gigantic mess, it’s an affront to the senses,” Merson said. “We need to find some way to pull it all together and make it look like something cohesive.”

It’s important to the success of Nirvana for this project to be completed, Smith said, and she’s been waiting on these improvements for years, which was tough, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re struggling, we’re really struggling,” Smith said. “We need something to give.”

She’s also hoping to reconceptualize the inside at the same time as the exterior improvements are happening. Although she didn’t give details, it would be something special in the community.

“I don’t want to present anything yet because I want to see what’s occurring,” with the remodel plans, Smith said, “but it would change the way the restaurant operates, what we’re serving, how we’re envisioned, a new branding, everything.”

They want to be a pillar in the community, said Smith, who was born and raised in Laguna Beach. She’s been very involved with local nonprofits and organizations, as well as helping out during the pandemic 

“We really are a part of this community and I want to be able to continue that,” she said. 

Commissioners urged staff to look into possible workarounds to the limitations on Nirvana’s operating hours due to the shared parking plan. 

It’s based on the number of seats allocated for the restaurant use, explained Senior Planner Martina Caron. There are 127 seats available total during the restaurant’s permissible hours of operation, which are restricted from 5 p.m.-1 a.m. (although the restaurant closes at 9 or 10 p.m. depending on the day – they tried 1 a.m., but found it too late for the family atmosphere at Nirvana, Smith said). The limitation is due to the shared pool of parking spaces, particularly with the office tenants on the second floor. 

Through a separate process, staff can review what would be permissible during daytime hours during the weekday with a smaller pool of seats, possibly just the rooftop deck or a limited number of seats inside. 

“There may be some opportunities there that we can look at without having to alter the conclusions of the shared parking study and involving additional analysis by a traffic engineer,” Viera said. “We would be happy to explore that with the applicant. I wouldn’t be able to confirm what’s feasible tonight, but there may be room for some creativity and flexibility here.”

That restriction is only because it’s connected to the complex, Dubin pointed out. 

“It just seems like it’s a penalty for this particular restaurant because it’s connected to a complex versus a standalone building or a standalone restaurant that has no parking, which we have plenty of examples of that all over town. It just seems restrictive for this particular tenant,” Dubin said. “It just feels like the inequity in that it doesn’t seem fair, just because it’s connected to a complex.”

Anneliese Schools takes action offering aid in the recent oil spill off the SoCal coast

Anneliese Schools, an award-winning private institution dedicated to providing unique educational opportunities for nursery school through 6th grade, is spearheading out-of-the-box, hands-on learning with their timely and relevant response to the recent oil spill off the coast of California. Because of their ongoing focus on ecology and environmental stewardship, their older students were concerned about the impact of this ecological disaster. The fifth grade class call to action has raised nearly $6,500 to support the Pacific Marine Mammal Center’s (PMMC’s) fight to preserve marine life affected by this spill.

On Saturday, Oct. 2, a leak in an oil pipeline resulted in a major oil spill about five miles off the coast of Southern California, sending oil into many of the local marine ecosystems with potentially disastrous effects on marine wildlife. The spill, which was first reported by Amplify Energy, the owner of the pipeline, was estimated to amount to between 126,000 and 144,000 gallons of oil, covering a reported 13 square miles [In actuality, the U.S Coast Guard reported roughly 24,700 gallons]. The extent of the ecological damage remains to be seen, and experts predict that the full damage will not be known for another few weeks.

Anneliese teachers formulated an immediate response to help students understand the current situation, knowing it would be a topic of student discussion. Anneliese has always had a curriculum beyond the ordinary. In addition to their high standards for academic learning in the core subjects, they focus on cultivating unique learning experiences for their students that instills a deep sense of responsibility and stewardship for their environment. 

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Photos courtesy of Anneliese Schools

Anneliese students thank PMMC for helping local wildlife affected by the recent Orange County oil spill

With a keen, schoolwide focus on preserving local wildlife, they have long had a regular rotation of beach cleanup days. These volunteer-based beach cleanups are a longstanding activity within Anneliese, and serve to provide their students and faculty with opportunities to preserve and protect their local environment, further instilling the importance of environmental conservation. During this time of environmental hardship, the older students at their school will be learning directly about this environmental disaster from their teachers, and will then have the opportunity to teach the younger students, using age-appropriate language, about this spill, what it means and what they can do to help.

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PMMC releasing rescued sea lions back into the ocean

Anneliese has turned to their united community to spearhead a fundraising effort centered toward dealing with this environmental tragedy. In addition to resuming with beach cleanup days once the beaches are deemed safe to return to, Anneliese is also taking part in a fundraising campaign for the PMMC to deal with the damage of the oil spill. Anneliese has a close relationship with the PMMC, and has led fundraising campaigns for them in the past. This time however, the sense of urgency is higher than before, with the PMMC in dire need of funds to purchase emergency materials such as ventilators, feeding tubes and cleaning supplies in order to save as much wildlife as possible during this challenging time. One specific class has taken the initiative for this fundraising campaign by crafting a video explaining why it’s important to get involved in this mission. In addition to the video, the school will be collecting money for the next two weeks specifically to 

To contribute to this fundraising project with Anneliese, there are many inclusive ways to get involved. In addition to sending cash and check donations to their campuses, people looking to get involved can also donate directly to the PMMC. If monetary donations are not feasible, the PMMC also has an Amazon wish list, where those who wish to help can purchase a variety of materials necessary for this clean-up campaign. www.annelieseschools.com

The Nellie Gail Moulton Exhibition at LCAD Gallery reveals the artistic talent behind one of Orange County’s most renowned matriarchs

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.

Orange County locals are likely familiar with the Nellie Gail name, most commonly associated with the community of ranch-style and equestrian homes located in Laguna Hills. Perhaps some will recognize Nellie Gail Moulton as the wife of Lewis Moulton, who acquired nearly 22,000 acres of Orange County ranch land in the late 19th and early 20th century (including the land of Rancho Niguel). Local Laguna art students might know her as the founder of the Laguna College of Art + Design (LCAD) in 1961, or one of the founding members of the Laguna Beach Art Association in 1918. But it’s her work as an accomplished plein air artist that the LCAD Gallery is celebrating through the next month. 

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Courtesy of the Moulton Museum

Portrait of Nellie Gail Moulton with California Seascape (circa 1968). Photo print with hand-painted elements, obtained from a collection of Chapman University.

To commemorate the exhibition’s opening, two of Nellie Gail Moulton’s descendants – Jared Mathis and Scott Barnes – attended the reception and shared their thoughts on their great-grandmother’s work, including one incredible story about how they obtained one of her lost paintings.

We spent some time with historians and archivists from the Moulton Museum, as well as the curators of the exhibition and Moulton’s own heirs, to learn more about the artist’s life, influences, mentors and passions. 

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Photo by Jeff Rovner

(L-R) Great grandsons Jared Mathis and Scott Barnes pose at the LCAD Gallery reception of Nellie Gail Moulton’s retrospective

In addition to being treated to Moulton’s artistic talent, the retrospective provides an opportunity to step back in time and glimpse Orange County’s landscapes and seascapes as they existed in the early to mid-20th century. The recent past feels far removed, but the exhibition is a reminder that it wasn’t so long ago. 

The early years before plein air

Neither a native to the art world, nor Southern California, Nellie Gail came to both on her own volition and embraced them with enthusiasm. Born in Kansas in 1878, she obtained her teaching credential in 1900. But by the age of 15, she already showed a keen interest in art. A piece produced during her adolescence was shown in the children’s center of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. Gail’s earliest known existing work, produced in her early ‘20s, is a painting now titled, “Roses with Bees” (circa 1900).

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Courtesy of the Moulton Museum

“Roses with Bees” (circa 1900) was provided by the Barnes Family Collection. Charlotte Moulton Mathis, Nellie’s daughter, reported it was one of the only paintings she still possessed from her mother’s early years.

“It’s an intriguing piece because it’s so different from her other subject matter,” said Jennifer Keil, historian at the Moulton Museum. “It focuses on a closer perspective and homes in on a small landscape.”

While her passion for art – and plein air painting in particular – may have consumed Nellie Gail, she also held a deep commitment to education, spending her early adulthood as a teacher and school principal in Seattle, WA.

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Courtesy of the Moulton Museum

Five women, including Nellie Gail Moulton who is second from the left

But after moving the family to Seattle, Nellie’s father took a position as postmaster at the El Toro General Store in Southern California. Nellie visited him there shortly after his move, a trip that would change the trajectory of her life.

“Her father was receiving all the town’s mail and hearing every latest update,” said Keil. “He had a chance to introduce his lovely, eligible daughter to a Mr. Moulton, who was quite distinguished and – at this point in 1903 – had a successful career with Moulton Ranch.” 

Mr. Moulton, being a formal and well-heeled gentleman, asked Nellie’s father for permission to court his daughter. He called on her and visited her in Seattle throughout their five-year courtship. Nellie reported falling madly in love with the man who was close to her father’s age. The two were married in 1908 and Nellie Gail Moulton would spend the remainder of her 93 years living in Orange County.

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Courtesy of the Moulton Museum

Nellie Gail Moulton looks over Lewis Fenno Moulton’s shoulder as he reads

“She hated the landscape of Southern California at first,” local curator, writer and art historian Evan Senn told Orange Coast Magazine last year. “Having spent so much time in Washington, she loved the lush green vegetation of the Pacific Northwest and thought that California’s brown grass hills were not impressive. However, her artwork would tell us another side to that story, one that shows us she fell in love with the California coast.”

Learning alongside the masters

After the birth of their two daughters – Charlotte (1910) and Louise (1914) – Nellie Gail Moulton began participating in Laguna’s local art culture in a significant way. As a charter member of the Laguna Beach Art Association, founded in 1918, the Moultons began fundraising efforts for what would eventually become the Laguna Art Museum.

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Photo courtesy of the Moulton Museum

Ozzie Jackson and Nellie Gail Moulton pose with a sign reading, “Join the Laguna Beach Art Assn.” Photograph date unknown.

By the time her daughters were grown, Moulton was studying plein air painting in earnest. Perhaps knowing her commitment to education and teaching, it’s no surprise to discover that Moulton was a lifelong student of the arts. Although she received no formal artistic training, she studied with the most notable 20th century impressionist painters in Southern California – Edgar Payne, Anna Hills, Frank Cuprien, Bennett Bradbury and William Wendt.

“The LCAD exhibition also showcases paintings by Hills, Wendt, Cuprien and Payne – alongside Moulton’s pieces – to guide the public through this point of view of mentee working alongside the master,” said Keil. “We’re also showcasing the different methods used in impressionism. Moulton’s various techniques appear alongside whomever she’s studying. For example, you can see her use of palette knives versus brushes.” 

Viewers will also see Moulton’s attempts to imitate her masters’ subject matter and form. Moulton’s paintings of lush green rolling hills are indicative of her work with Wendt. “Look for her use of ‘Wendt green’ [artists often refer to this color that Wendt stylized]. You can see her mixing that color tone in her work,” said Keil. “Then she does these amazing strokes of trees, these beautiful eucalyptus trees that were a common subject matter at the time.” 

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Photo by Marrie Stone

“Mountain Landscape” by Nellie Gail Moulton emulates the work of her mentor, William Wendt

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Photo by Marrie Stone

“Road through the Ranch” by William Wendt

Then there are Moulton’s seascape paintings that are imitative of Cuprien’s style, who is known for being the master of light. “Cuprien captures sunsets and the shoreline,” said Keil. “He was able to depict that glimmer of sun as it speeds into the ocean. You can see Moulton trying that same technique in some of her seascapes.” 

Moulton traveled with these masters to Yosemite National Park, the Grand Canyon and other destinations, studying their techniques along the way. “It was an adventure as much as it was a learning experience,” said Keil. 

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Courtesy of the Moulton Museum

Nellie Gail Moulton photographed overlooking Horseshoe Falls, Niagara Falls, New York (circa 1930)

Many of Moulton’s works date from the 1930s and ‘40s. She showed her work in the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts in 1938. This period of time seems to be the height of her productivity, but she painted well into her elderly years. 

“She starts early,” said Keil. “Art remains one of her favorite pastimes until her later years. And she’s prolific to the point that we have identified more than 120 pieces of her work – from miniatures to large canvases.” 

Nellie Gail’s artistic gift to future students

The exhibition at LCAD not only showcases some of Moulton’s strongest works alongside those of her mentors, but it also includes her sketches and drawings, which allow access to her artistic thought process and the development of her style. 

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Courtesy of the Moulton Museum

An untitled charcoal sketch (circa 1935) was a study for the painting of a shack

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Photo by Marrie Stone

“Shack at Fisherman’s Cove” (circa 1935)

“Her graphite sketches emphasize her technique and her ability to capture a region and translate that onto a canvas using oil,” said Keil. “We love the sketches as their own body of work to showcase her abilities.” 

“I would have loved to see more of her writings,” said Bryan Heggie, gallery and collections manager at LCAD. “My goal was to get inside her head as an artist and showcase Nellie Gail Moulton not as the wealthy woman who started these institutions, but as Nellie Gail Moulton the artist.” 

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Photo by Jeff Rovner

Bryan Heggie, curator of the exhibition, poses with Anna Althea Hills’ “Threatening Weather” (circa 1926, left) and “Blue and Gold”

“That’s why the sketches are so important,” said Heggie. “Because they give an insight into her thought process. That’s what started the exhibition. I saw those sketches and realized we had an educational show. It allows the viewer to get into the mind of the artist a little more.”

“Seeing her process, looking at her sketches and drawings as they turn into artwork, is wonderful,” said Jared Mathis, president of Moulton Museum, CEO of Moulton Company and Moulton’s great-grandson. “It takes you behind the curtain.”

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Photo by Jeff Rovner

Jared Mathis, great-grandson of Nellie Gail Moulton, with several of Moulton’s many sketches and drawings, which reveal her artistic process

A commitment to education

Moulton was 82 years old when she founded LCAD, contributing the first significant donation to what was then known as the Laguna Beach School of Art. LCAD holds a continuing endowment in her name today. 

“I’ve been around the world twice and done almost everything I wanted to do in my 90 years except one thing – go to college,” Moulton wrote in her memoirs. “You wouldn’t think it would still matter, but it does. It’s a bit too late for me to go back, so I established a fund to assure the youngsters in the family, 21 in all, get a proper education. Something I could never afford.”

An unexpected find

One of Moulton’s signature pieces, a work titled “Three Arch Bay,” ended up on eBay, erroneously attributed to Edgar Payne. The mistake likely happened because Moulton signed the back of the painting, “With apologies to Edgar Payne,” who was her mentor for the painting. When Mathis discovered the piece, he immediately bid on it and flew to Hawaii to fetch it. 

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Photo by Jeff Rovner

Jared Mathis with “Three Arch Bay” (circa 1925), a piece he accidentally discovered on eBay

Laguna’s plein air painters as conservationists

Keil said these early 20th century plein air painters were considered the area’s first conservationists. “They captured the beauty of open rolling hills and wide-open seascapes,” she said. In that way, their paintings are not only works of art, but historic records. 

“As a little girl, I crossed the midwestern plains in a covered wagon. Last year, watching a thing called television, I witnessed man’s first step on the surface of the moon,” Moulton wrote in her memoirs, two years before her death in 1972. “I have seen so many firsts. The first telephone, the first gaslight, the first use of electricity, the first typewriter, the first bicycle, the first car, the first plane, one of the first women to work in an office.”

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Courtesy of the Moulton Museum

Nellie Gail with Charlotte Moulton and Louise Moulton in front of their new Cadillac dressed up to go to the Ebell Club (circa 1920)

Just imagine how Moulton might have reacted to the next 50 years. 

“It’s almost 50 years since she passed,” said Mathis. “It’s amazing to continue discovering her.”

The Moulton Museum plans to exhibit the Moulton family history in an exhibition set to open in July 2022. An additional exhibition of Nellie Gail Moulton’s work is slated to open at Soka University in May 2022 and run through the summer. 

The retrospective of Nellie Gail Moulton’s work at the LCAD Gallery runs through November 21. LCAD gallery is located at 374 Ocean Ave., Laguna Beach. The exhibition is free to attendees. Join the LCAD Gallery for a reception for the Laguna Beach First Thursdays Art Walk on November 4 from 6-9 p.m.

This story is a part of our Arts section. Visit www.stunewslaguna.com/arts for more arts stories as well as our arts calendars.

Council approves Crafthouse restaurant at former White House location

By SARA HALL

In a split vote, a majority of City Council approved new restaurant plans for the historic former White House location in downtown. 

Council voted 3-2 on Tuesday, Oct. 19 to move forward with the planned restaurant at 300-340 South Coast Highway. Councilmembers Toni Iseman and George Weiss dissented.

Finney’s Crafthouse will include the service of alcohol and outdoor seating. There will not be live entertainment and, after a discussion and modification by council, the restaurant will close at midnight. 

Plans include updating/repairing the exterior of the building, enlarging the existing dining patio, and exterior modifications to the K-rated structure listed on the city’s Historic Register. A folding door will be installed between the dining and patio areas. 

A variance to exceed the maximum building height allowed was also approved to make room for rooftop equipment, which was moved out of public view. New skylights were also approved.

Finney’s operators like to buy and restore old buildings, said White House property owner Jules Marine, noting that at least three other locations are more than 100 years old. 

“It’s going to be a wonderful project for Laguna Beach,” Marine said. 

Most of Tuesday’s discussion revolved around the hours, location of trash containers, the seating count and parking.

Mayor Bob Whalen made a recommendation, which was later worked into the approved motion, to set the closing hour at midnight (as opposed to the 1:30 a.m. requested in the application), a maximum of 120 seats (compared to the requested 143), and that the property owner obtain an agreement with the county to continue use of the library space for trash containers. If the agreement cannot be maintained, the applicant shall be responsible for constructing a new trash enclosure on-site or entering into a new agreement for storage of trash.

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Courtesy of the City of Laguna Beach/Morris Skenderian and Associates

A rendering of the proposed restaurant at the White House location

They’ve been in touch with the county for assurances that the restaurant (along with the retail on the property) will be able to continue to use the library space for trash containers. 

Trash containers have been located by the library for about 40 years for use by the White House, the library and Forest Avenue shops because there’s no other place to put it, Marine said. Although there’s no written contract yet, it’s been grandfathered in over the years, Marine is currently working on an agreement with the county.

Hours were originally suggested from 7 a.m. until 1:30 a.m. Most councilmembers agreed they didn’t want the restaurant and bar open that late.

“I think we’re making a mistake (allowing the late hours),” Iseman said. 

She later noted the number of drunk driving cases in town.

“That comes with business,” Marine said. “If you don’t want any problems in town, close up all the businesses and there’ll be no traffic, there’ll be nothing. But if you want to have a vibrant town, you’ve got to have people in here and there’s going to be noise, it just comes with it.”

The midnight hours are acceptable, said local architect Morris Skenderian, noting that it usually takes restaurant staff about an hour to clean and close everything down.

There likely wouldn’t be much business after midnight anyway, since Laguna pretty much closes up by then, Marine agreed.

Both Iseman and Weiss were also not comfortable with the number of seats and thought the tenant should have been available to speak during the meeting. They also mentioned parking and the type of restaurant Finney’s is as reasons for their no vote. 

“I think you’re asking for too much in terms of intensification of use,” Weiss said. 

The applicant indicates that the previous White House restaurant had a similar number of seats compared to their requested 143, however, city records note that the restaurant was only allowed a maximum of 90 seats.

Weiss questioned why the tenant isn’t keeping it at the city’s previously recorded 90 seats. There’s no official documentation more than that, he noted. 

The White House has historically operated with 135-145 seats, Skenderian said. They even have the old seating plan, he added. 

“We counted seats before we demoed,” he said. “We’re going to have about the same amount of seats.” 

For some reason, the old occupancy permit was for 90 seats, Skenderian noted, but how that was calculated was not explained. The restaurant previously occupied the entire building, he pointed out. 

“That’s what’s so baffling about the limitation of 90. The restaurant has gotten smaller over the years,” with retail being added upstairs, Skenderian said. “It’s not going to operate any more intensely than it did (in the past).”

They asked for 143 seats now because the dance floor and music stage will be gone, replaced with ADA bathrooms, storage, an exit path out the rear door and seating. Square footage is actually getting smaller because space in the back has to be dedicated for utilities and a few other smaller items, he said.

“We’re not intensifying, we’re de-intensifying,” Skenderian said. 

They can compromise to the 120 and hope to come back at some time in the future for the increase, he said. 

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Photo by Mary Hurlbut

The currently closed White House restaurant in Laguna Beach

Councilmember Peter Blake also called the project a “de-intensification” of use. It’s going from a nightclub with live music and people “pseudo dancing” into a restaurant, he explained. 

“It’s not going to be nearly as rowdy,” he said. 

Previously, most of the revenue came from alcohol, not food, Blake said, so removing the nightclub/bar element means they need all the proposed seats in order to keep up revenue. But it will be quieter, he added, since the use will be so different. 

“You’re actually coming in with a much better project than when it was the White House,” Blake said. 

It’s a full-service restaurant, which typically means there will be wait staff serving the patrons, but they may offer a variation in service options, meaning guests could order at the bar or order for take-out. Marine visited five of the other Finney’s locations, all of which were sit-down restaurants with wait staff. 

It’s a California casual, American tavern restaurant, Skenderian explained. It’s not fine dining, he clarified. 

The cost-effective menu will be appealing to both residents and locals, Marine added. 

Planning Commissioners unanimously supported the project on September 15, recommending that council approve the required conditional use and coastal development permits for the new restaurant. 

The proposed menu features more than 50 made-from-scratch favorites, including shareable appetizers, gourmet salads, tacos, flatbread pizzas, signature burgers, sandwiches and steaks. The applicant also proposes to feature rotated craft and locally sourced beer on tap. Prices range from about $9-$14 for starters to $10-$15 for salads, tacos, pizza, wings, sandwiches and burgers. 

They want to see the White House restored, Weiss said, and Skenderian has traditionally done a great job on projects like this, but it looks like fast-casual dining. That can have negative impacts on the neighborhood, he said.

Employees will likely be parked in the neighborhoods, causing more grief for residents in an already intense areas, Iseman said. 

Both Iseman and Weiss commented that the 120 seats was still too high. It seems to be an intensification of use that will be busy and noisy, Weiss said. 

“That’s what you want, I’m not sure that’s what everyone wants,” Weiss said. 

People waiting in line for a business or restaurant is not a problem, Marine said, responding to some criticism of possible negative neighborhood impacts. 

“Laguna Beach needs a shot in the arm,” he said. “Laguna Beach, right now, needs some noise, right? It needs some people…You want 143 seats; you don’t want to limit it. You want a big restaurant; you want people to come into this town.”

Although that’s not exactly how Iseman saw it. It’s a difficult discussion, she said, because of the different values and priorities. She’s excited about a successful restaurant opening in the location, but there needs to be compromise, she said, and she’s not hearing any give and take.

Marine said he was willing to work with the city and asked for suggestions. 

“You need us and we would like to welcome you,” Iseman said. “But we don’t need a restaurant that doesn’t provide a location for its own trash. We don’t need a restaurant that will stay open until 1:30 (a.m.) A restaurant that has no place to park its employees. It’s a problem.”

People are excited about the White House reopening, but concerned that its replacement is a chain restaurant.

She also suggested live music be added, although not everyone on the dais liked that idea. The location has historically had music, Iseman pointed out, and a gallery or something would be a nice way to honor some of the musicians who have played there over the years. 

They are currently acquiring historical photos of the White House for a wall of photos and history, Marine confirmed. 

While the final motion didn’t include live entertainment, it did include fewer seats, shorter hours of business, and a commitment to obtain an agreement with the county regarding use of the trash containers on the library property. While the motion ultimately passed, the council was still split on the project.

“I just don’t know why you’re trying to stifle business in town,” Marine said. “It seems like it’s an uphill battle. With so many vacant restaurants right now, we need to get a restaurant in here.”

When teachers become students: LOCA instructors learn from their students at Glennwood House

Story and Photos 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.

While many local businesses and restaurants struggled under the burdens of COVID restrictions this past year, few were as severely impacted as Laguna’s Glennwood House. Glennwood, a residential living complex near Woods Cove, serves roughly 50 adults with special needs. The community remained particularly vulnerable throughout the pandemic. Outside access to Glennwood ground to a halt, preventing all the face-to-face events which residents relied upon and enjoyed. Fortunately, a few months back, LOCA-led art classes resumed in person. LOCA offers weekly on-site art workshops and classes, as well as various art-related fieldtrips and opportunities to showcase residents’ work.

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Pastel artist Lesli Bonanni (left) with a resident from Glennwood House, showcasing their creations

Last week, pastel artist Lesli Bonanni taught a PanPastel painting project to nearly two dozen residents. While the students delighted in the experience, something more profound was happening behind the scenes. As often occurs in interactive classrooms, the teacher sometimes learns more than her students. That proved true last week. 

We followed Bonanni before, during and after class, watching both an artistic and emotional process unfold and hearing her reactions. The interview has been edited for brevity and clarity. 

Stu News: This was a pastels project, but not traditional pastels. Can you describe this unique medium and what makes it so fun? 

Lesli Bonanni: PanPastels were created in 2007. They are simply pans of color meant to be scooped, spread and smoothed using custom-made painting knives and sponges. They are highly pigmented, extremely blendable, velvety smooth and offer a range of 60 different colors. The amount of dust from the process is negligible, so they are a good choice for any artist concerned about toxic pigments getting into the environment. Interestingly, no one I know has heard of them, let alone used them. 

SN: What made this the right project for Glennwood residents? 

LB: Vinita Voogd [a renowned local printmaker, fellow LOCA instructor and mother of Glennwood resident Lauren Voogd] witnessed the PanPastel painting process when I recently taught a class in her home. Once she saw the enthusiasm, curiosity and results from the students, she asked if I would share the technique with the Glennwood residents. She felt they would love experiencing this fresh new way of working with pastels. Of course, I was eager to share.

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A group of students share their work

SN: This was your first time teaching at Glennwood House. Tell us about that experience. 

LB: I have taught many classes and workshops. I teach process, not product-oriented painting. But there’s usually one person, if not more, that truly fears approaching a blank canvas. That’s why I teach. My purpose is to empower others through art. I encourage students to face the unknown, keep an open mind and let go of expectations. In this case, though, it was me who needed to let go of expectations.

As usual, I packed my bags and easel. I talked to myself the whole drive there, visualizing and vocalizing how I would lead this group, knowing the class would be different. Vinita advised me that a step-by-step approach would work best. I told myself to slow down and lead in a controlled and easy-to-follow manner (although slowing down is hard for me). I assumed these students might need extra guidance. But those were my expectations, soon to be proven wrong. 

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Bonanni circulated among the group, offering assistance and encouragement

Upon arriving, I was immediately greeted by Spencer, a resident there. He introduced me to his friend. What a warm welcome!

My expectations started to shift. The grounds are lovely, with flourishing gardens, art projects and welcoming surroundings. The individual apartments made me wonder how each room was decorated. I was fascinated with this enclave. The environment felt so safe, nurturing, loving and inspiring.

Every resident acknowledged me. Some greeted me with hugs, others with thanks for being there, all with smiles. I was touched by their genuine kindness. This class was ready! 

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The class immediately engaged with questions and comments

When the supplies started filling the tables, unbridled enthusiasm took over. The creative energy was so damn pure. The space felt free of all societal and perfectionist problems that arise outside the gates of Glennwood. Artistic comparison was gone. 

None of the students had used the pastel medium in this fashion, and they took off on their own paths. One assistant described them as “going rogue” and that felt refreshingly right. They all leaned into the project with passionate play. Some struggled, but they didn’t care. They loved the effort and experience and thanked me for being there even before I began. And they knew with confidence when they were done. They proudly signed their names on the back of each piece and moved on. 

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Two residents with their artwork

SN: What were the most gratifying parts of the experience? 

LB: The comments I received – during and after – and the hugs, and the thanks were certainly gratifying.

Many people told me how much they love art and how it relaxes them. One woman planned to give her painting to her dad, telling me how much he’d love it. She was so excited. 

Students willingly shared their supplies. They helped each other. They encouraged each other and complimented each other’s work. Afterward, again, there was gratitude and hugs and questions about whether I would be coming back.

When it was time to take my art supplies to the car, I received another generous offer from a resident to help. As I walked away, the feeling that something very special had happened overwhelmed me. 

SN: It sounds like you learned as much from them as they learned from you. What did you take away from the night?

LB: Art invites us to see the world differently. That’s the job of art, and the joy of the viewer and/or artist. I had expectations that I would teach these students new things with my fun technique. But, in the end, they taught me to see the world differently. I learned where acceptance, pure thoughts, honesty, graciousness, hospitality, thoughtfulness, courtesy, kindness and creativity can coexist and flourish. They all taught me these things with an open mind and heart. They brought everything to the table, literally. I learned expectations can dissolve and manifest anew in beautiful ways. 

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Students eagerly await instruction after receiving their supplies

SN: Spoken like a true artist. 

LB: I reached the conclusion that the residents at Glennwood House are a collective masterpiece. Each person is like a colorful thread of a tapestry, or a beautiful piece of paper in a collage. They all worked together to create this perfect harmony. Every individual came together to create a thriving collaboration. 

As I view them, with their hearts and minds already open, their beautiful souls exposed, they taught me to see the world differently. 

SN: Were there other surprises? 

LB: I need to repeat that the level of enthusiasm was surprising. These people genuinely love art and appreciate it so honestly. Vinita’s intention to expose them to fine art – instead of craft shows – is also refreshing.

SN: Is there anything you’ll do differently next time, or absolutely repeat, in light of this experience?

LB: I considered the idea of pre-priming the surface to start, as the pastel itself takes a few layers before the medium starts to glide over the base layers, offering a more effortless experience. Then students could spend more time on blending instead of pushing the medium in. Offering different paper is another option I might consider. I also will share all the tools, and how to use them, during the opening demonstration (specifically, the palette knife tool and the eraser). 

SN: Any final takeaways from the event?

LB: May we all be as free, uninhibited, curious and loving as these people. They were supposed to be the students. But when it was all over, I was the student. They taught me. That’s the essence of what art does to a soul – it ignites it. In the best possible way. 

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Glennwood House’s PanPastel artists presenting their work at the end of class

This story is a part of our Arts section. Visit www.stunewslaguna.com/arts for more arts stories as well as our arts calendars.

Yappy Howloween Yappy Hour takes place October 27

The Friends of Laguna Beach Dog Park (FLBDP) is holding their inaugural Yappy Howloween Yappy Hour, a community event on Wednesday, Oct. 27 from 4-7 p.m. at the Laguna Beach Beer Company. So pups, stop by and bring along your favorite human.

Guests are encouraged to dress up their pets – and themselves – in their favorite costumes as there will be a costume contest with prizes.

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Courtesy of FLBDP

For Wally…please don’t “squash” his Howloween

Friends of Laguna Beach Dog Park is a non-profit 501(c)(3) that is dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of the Laguna Beach Dog Park, which is operated and maintained by the City of Laguna Beach. It was formed in June 2005 when a group of loyal dog park patrons became concerned about a change in the use of the northern section of the dog park. Their ongoing mission is to maintain the integrity of the dog park and help everyone understand how much it is valued by the community so that it remains a resource for years to come.

Laguna Beach Beer Company is located at 859 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach.

Sandwich shop, remodel plans for historic Spigot building moves forward with commission support

By SARA HALL

The Planning Commission on Wednesday, Oct. 20 approved exterior modifications to a historic building and conversion of a retail space to a sandwich shop/deli restaurant use at 1802-1816 South Coast Highway, on the corner of Pearl Street. 

The property, which also houses Spigot Liquor and a Quonset storage hut, is in the HIP (Historic and Interesting Places) District, which covers along South Coast Highway, from Thalia Street to Bluebird Canyon Drive.

Plans for Wigz Sandwich Shop include the service of alcohol, outdoor seating, exterior modifications to the C-rated structure on the city’s historic register and a 50% historic parking reduction. 

Applicant and lifelong resident Zac Cornwell said he’s been working on this project for the past 16 months. This intersection is particularly special to Cornwell, who grew up right up the street and used to buy candy from Spigot.

“My goal with this project is to create a special place for the community that’s affordable for both locals and local workers,” Cornwell said. “I want to create a great vibe and I just want to serve really great sandwiches.”

Commissioners all expressed enthusiastic support for the new sandwich shop. 

Chair Pro Tem Jorg Dubin said his favorite go-to sandwich shop is long closed and is excited to see this new deli open in town.

“I look forward to having another place to enjoy a good sandwich because we are kind of lacking that in town,” Dubin said. “And having it be a family, locally owned, a guy who grew up here, that just adds more flavor to the sandwich.”

It’s a positive thing any time someone comes in and upgrades an existing building that’s a little tired and in need of refurbishment to bring it back to life and activate the street scene, said Commissioner Steve Kellenberg. 

“I walk that street a lot, that area, and it needs it. It’s just a little devoid,” he said. “So I’m really excited about creating some street life (in that area).” 

Sidewalk cafes are what Laguna is all about, Kellenberg said, and help build the pedestrian and street character. 

“I’m totally supportive of this,” agreed Commissioner Ken Sadler. “It’s the type of business that Laguna could use.”

It’s not an architectural gem, but it’s historic because of its age and the people that were associated with it, including early development of Laguna Beach, Sadler noted. 

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Courtesy of the City of Laguna Beach/NBC Architect Inc.

A rendering of Wigz Sandwich Shop and the remodel of the historic Spigot building

Several commissioners commented on the interesting and long history of the building. The project includes displaying a historical/cultural exhibit inside the sandwich shop. A historic plaque will also be placed on the property to identify its historic status.

On the parcel is a 7,500-square-foot building that was constructed in 1930 and is occupied by two commercial suites: Spigot Liquor store and the subject suite that is currently occupied by the Annalise Pop-up retail shop. 

Spigot Liquor has been located at 1802 Coast Boulevard South since 1933. The storefront at 1816 Coast Boulevard South was leased to artist Joane Cromwell in 1936 for her art studio. She remained at this address until the mid-1940s. Other notable tenants in the 1816 storefront included Coast Upholstering, La Pierre Home Appliance, West Coast Gypsy Leather and Charles’ Wigs, which was the longest running tenant, from the early 1980s until closing in 2020.

On September 20, the Heritage Committee recommended the property be placed on the Historic Register with a C-rating.

Cornwell plans to launch the sandwich/deli restaurant, Wigz, with outdoor dining and the service of beer and wine in an existing retail suite with a total of 12 indoor seats and 15 outdoor seats. The proposed hours of operation are from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. 

A bicycle rack for eight bikes is also included in the plans. 

There are four on-site parking spaces and a private storage (i.e. Quonset hut) are located toward the rear of the property.

The applicant proposes modifications to both the South Coast Highway and Pearl Street elevations to restore and enhance the building. The following four changes are proposed to restore the exterior of the building (as recommended by the historian):

–Remove the non-original board and batten siding and replace with vertical wood planking with pecky holes to match the existing siding.

–Remove the boards to restore the original storefront transparency.

–Remove siding adjacent to 1816 storefront to reveal stucco behind and replace wood paneled door with a single glazed panel. 

–Remove the existing 300-square-foot non-original storage area that is attached to the rear of the liquor store.

It was also recommended to update the existing signs by adding gold leaf address numbers above the entry doors on a glass transom and add a new round sign to the left of the Spigot entry door. The applicant has agreed to incorporate these items, but signage will be processed under a separate application, explained Senior Planner Martina Caron. 

Additionally, new paint is proposed throughout the main building – cement plaster (stucco) will be painted white, metal awning will be painted black and white, and roof rafter tails and eave underside will be painted white. The Quonset hut is proposed to be painted black. 

Toward the rear of the building, the applicant proposes to replace the existing chain link fence with a new six-foot high wood fence with planting in front. The existing planting area will be enlarged and a new retaining wall is proposed to accommodate a new fifth parking stall.

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Courtesy of the City of Laguna Beach

The current building at 1802-1816 South Coast Highway 

Dubin asked about the reasoning for painting the Quonset hut black.

It’s trending now for certain buildings and it creates a nice look, said Architect Nancy Balmer-Csira. Her thought was that it would help it “disappear” or not look as shabby as it does in its current state.

“We’re open to different colors,” Balmer-Csira said, like more red, instead of brown for the pecky wood as some commissioners suggested. “The idea was to freshen up the building.”

The pecky wood currently on the building is painted, Cornwell said. It’s not a great color, he added, agreeing with Whitin’s comments, but it’s too fragile to strip the paint off.

“So, we were hoping to select a color that was more ‘woody’ than what’s there now, because right now it looks very artificial,” Cornwell said. 

It’s not in his budget to replace all of the pecky wood, but he intends to continue working with the historian to determine the best process.

Cornwell’s father, Kelly, is currently in escrow to purchase Spigot, which will hopefully be completed by mid-November. 

“Big plans for Spigot,” Kelly Cornwell said. 

He’ll return to the commission with interior design changes and other improvements for the historic liquor store at a later date. 

The first thing that will change will be a sign hung inside that says, “No loitering, no trespassing on these premises” will be swapped out for a “Welcome” sign, Kelly Cornwell said. Wet dollar bills will be accepted and sandy feet are okay to come inside.

“Those are the changes that we’re going to make to Spigot, just to change the vibe,” he said. “Going along with the sandwich shop, it’s going to be a cool corner.”

He also has plans to rebuild and install the actual spigot on the Spigot barrel, which has been missing for decades, Kelly Cornwell said. 

The history of the Quonset hut is also really interesting, he added, explaining that it was surplus property leftover from WWII. In restoring the building and highlighting the history, they’ll focus on where it came from, how it was acquired and how it was built.

Kelly Cornwell said he was retired and now he’s jumping into this business venture all because of his son, Zac, who worked as a financial planner and saved his money to open the shop, he said.

“Giving that up to put his heart and soul into Laguna Beach…I’m proud of him,” Kelly said.

Other than the applicant’s father and soon-to-be owner of Spigot, there was one other public speaker and more than two dozen letters of support in favor of Wigz Sandwich Shop.

Local artist Steve Adam has an elephant now

By Diane Armitage

You might say that local Laguna Beach artist Steve Adam has had an elephant-sized year.

Several months ago, he was chosen by none other than L.A. Rams owner Stanley Kroenke as the “branding artist” for the spectacular SoFi stadium. Adam has since splashed his signature work everywhere, from walls to restaurant coasters. His work is prominent in the large art gallery on site, too.

And now, one of the baby elephant statues in the just-arrived Elephant Parade® also bears Adam’s signature palms and splashes of color.

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Courtesy of Steve Adam Gallery

Laguna Beach artist Steve Adam’s latest work of art – Cali the Elephant

“It’s definitely a one-of-a-kind of honor to be chosen as one of the artists for the Parade,” he said. “Who knew I’d wake up one day and paint an elephant? 

Dana Point’s Elephant Parade has returned

The elephant, named “Cali” by Adam, is one of 25 baby elephant statues ambling once again throughout Dana Point. The outdoor California Dreamin’ exhibition began October 8 and runs through November 26, the day after Thanksgiving.

Cali is hanging out near the Timeless Teak furniture store on Del Prado (the old Lantern District). 

As I took myself to lunch the other day, I came across three other elephants – one lounging across from Stillwater Restaurant, another in the median just east of Bonjour Café and a third gleaming, golden beauty with a heartbreaking message at the crest of Heritage Park. They are literally everywhere. 

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Photo by Diane Armitage

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Photo by Diane Armitage

Find elephants on the Elephant Parade^® ambling throughout Dana Point through Thanksgiving

If you remember noticing an elephant in the room from years past, you’re not imagining things. In 2013, Dana Point was the first North American city to host the Elephant Parade^®, drawing more than 250,000 visitors who wandered the town with elephant map in hand. 

The majority of those statues were purchased by resorts, businesses and lucky homeowners throughout the Orange County and L.A. Basins. 

It’s all about saving the lives of elephants

The Parade originated from a father-son team. While vacationing in Thailand in 2006, they met a baby elephant that changed the course of their lives. Mosha had lost half her front leg to a land mine and was the first elephant in the world to be fitted with a prosthetic leg. (The leg has to be replaced every year because she’s still rapidly growing.)

The gentlemen were so moved by her dignity and spirit that they came up with the idea of an international Elephant Parade, asking renowned artists and celebrities to paint life-size baby elephant statues that then “go on world tour” to raise awareness for elephant conservation.

Mosha’s home base in Lampang, Thailand was the first to receive generous contributions from the original Parade, which took place in the Netherlands in 2007. The first tour proved so popular that it has simply grown to elephant-like proportions.

While the original art elephant statues continue to be auctioned to caring homes and businesses at the end of each exhibition, their replicas are also sold in various merchandise forms at the website, www.ElephantParade.com.

“For me, this was a no-brainer”

Adam said he was delighted to take on the project because he already donates regularly to wildlife conservation. 

“Cali felt like the perfect name and inspiration for this elephant,” Adam said. “I wanted Cali to have a light and joyful feel that evokes a spirit of celebration and enlightenment.”

“The SOS on Cali’s hind leg stands for “Save Our Souls” and represents my concern for critically endangered animals. I believe that by saving the animals, we save ourselves,” he added. 

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Courtesy of Steve Adam Gallery

A side view of Cali

To put in a bid for Cali or any of the other California Dreamin’ elephants, go to www.ElephantParade.com/parades/dana-point-2021.

You’ll find Steve Adam regularly in residence at his gallery just south of the Ralph’s parking lot (right next to the British Hair Company) at 760 South Coast Highway, Laguna Beach.   

The best-selling author and blogger on The Best of Laguna Beach™, Diane Armitage is on an endless quest for the most imaginative adventures in Laguna’s restaurants, events and lifestyle. Check out chef interviews, retail and restaurant news and favorite events at https://thebestoflagunabeach.com/.

Please follow on Instagram @BestofLagunaBeach (look for Diane’s smiling face).

Where’s Maggi?

Here’s a little detail Maggi found along a Laguna roadway – a driveway detail. Has anyone else noticed?

Send your answers in to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The location will be revealed in Tuesday’s edition, and we’ll let you know who got it right.

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Eighth Annual Gala celebrated the magic of Glennwood House and its residents

By DIANNE RUSSELL

Photos by Mary Hurlbut

On Sunday evening, Oct. 17, magic was in the air at the Festival of the Arts during the 8th Annual Glennwood Gala – and not just due to the performance of Le PeTiT CiRqUe. 

As Glennwood Housing Foundation, residents and their families and friends gathered where “enchanting” was the best word to describe the atmosphere. It was an occasion to celebrate the creativity, individuality and passion of the incredible residents. 

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Le PeTiT CiRqUe 

“The residents arrived in style on the iconic Laguna Trolleys,” said Faith Manners, CEO of Glennwood House. “I think that kicked off the excitement and success of Glennwood’s most successful gala ever!”

All in attendance lined up to cheer and applaud the residents as they walked from the trolleys to the Festival of Arts entrance.

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Residents arrive at FOA

The last gala, held in 2019, raised more than $300,000, all of which benefitted the Glennwood Housing Foundation program.

Glennwood House of Laguna Beach provides adults with special needs an opportunity to live independently in a safe, diverse, dynamic and loving community, offering special programs, social involvement and supported living.

It all began when the Larson and Voogd families saw the need for their children to experience independent living in a safe and supportive environment. Once children reach the age of 18, many transitional support services through school systems end and new chapters in their lives begin. Many young adults with disabilities often find themselves feeling isolated and Glennwood provides the opportunity for not only continued personal growth but for inclusive participation in an expansive world. 

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Vinita Voogd and her daughter Lauren

Opening in 2013, the 30,000-square-foot former residential care facility houses 50 adults. One of their goals is for the residents to be able to live-work-play and function as a diverse community within the greater community. 

Presenting sponsor of the gala was the Thompson Family Foundation.

Monica and Rick Thompson, whose son Troy has been at Glennwood for seven years, had the utmost praise for the residence. “It’s amazing,” said Monica. “So genuine and pure. We love to go see Troy on campus at Glennwood, it’s very warm.”

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Rick and Monica Thompson and their son Troy

A challenging year

After a challenging year, it was a time to party and everyone took full advantage of the opportunity to be together.

Examples of the residents’ creativity was evident throughout the festival grounds; hand-painted scarves, hats and artwork to name just a few. At each place setting at the dinner tables, one-of-a-kind napkins created by Glennwood residents were gifted to the attendees. 

 Glennwood Director of Development Janet Parsons said, “It was so touching to see our 300 guests cheering the residents as they arrived at Festival of the Arts and walked the red carpet. The Glennwood residents and staff joined our guests at the welcome reception and we so enjoyed visiting with each other as we began the evening.”

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Walking the red carpet 

Marmalade provided tantalizing appetizers as attendees mingled, drank Champagne and greeted friends.

As is it the tradition, everyone started the evening together, and then the Glennwood residents and their friends entered the stage and lawn area for their prom, which included their own caterer, casino game and DJ. 

As resident Danielle Agam bet at one of the casino tables – and from all indications won – her father Shraga Agam explained her history at Glennwood. “Danielle has been there from the beginning. We feel very blessed to be part of all this, it is a unique place. We were looking for someplace like this in Los Angeles, since we live in Encino. We looked at places that housed only five to six people, but Glennwood with its 50 residents is like a community. When we were shown around the property, they were in the process of building it. We talked to people and the staff is amazing. It takes a lot of patience and understanding. Parents don’t always know how to react, but we do the best we can. They have so many activities – locally – walking on the beach, volleyball, and they go to the mountains. Chabad is just a short distance away, which is convenient. She also attends a vocational center.” 

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Celebrating in style

Danielle’s father attested to her social personality. “During the pandemic, Danielle came home a few times, but she missed the activities and her friends at Glennwood.”

As the evening progressed, the rest of the gala guests moved to the seating area for dinner, presentations and the live auction. Marmalade provided a feast befitting a gala.

Dancing and music from the prom area continued as residents used the special headsets provided by Silent Disco as Master of Ceremonies and Auctioneer Henry DiCarlo – an Emmy award-winning AMS meteorologist and sportscaster for KTLA Morning News – continued on with the evening’s program.

Dr. J. Thomas Megerian, a board-certified pediatrician and child neurologist specializing in Autistic spectrum, presented the program.

Results of the Live Auction:

–Two trips at $5,500 each to Kaanapali Shores, Maui (at the last minute, the donator added another trip).

–Four days, three nights in Napa Valley - $5,900.

–Toby’s Wine Wheelbarrow - $4,600.

–Two-night stay at Casa del Mar in Santa Monica - $3,200.

–Photograph from FOA exhibitor Jeffrey Rovner - $1,200.

–Ski week in Utah - $5,300.

–VIP package at Dodger Stadium - $4,400.

There was no shortage of fun and frivolity at the gala. A good time was had by all and a most worthy foundation program benefitted.

For more information on Glennwood Housing Foundation, go to www.glennwoodhouse.org.

For more photos by Mary Hurlbut, go to the slideshow below:

Local violin shop owner builds custom violin as a gift to Laguna student or player

By DIANNE RUSSELL

Stephen Davy, owner of Stephen R. Davy Violins, spent the pandemic building a custom violin for a fortunate recipient, who has yet to be found.

Prior to that time, Davy received an art grant for $5,000 – funded by the Wayne Peterson Fund – from the City of Laguna Beach Arts Commission to build a custom violin so that it could be gifted to a local Laguna student or player. 

“I am interested in gifting it to help inspire a musical student to pursue music,” Davy said. “The recipient would need to have some form of connection to Laguna or lived in Laguna and has moved to college. We prefer an intermediate to skilled level young player. It was a great thing what the Arts Commission did, and I hope to get the violin to the right person. I look forward to who that might be.”

This was among the many donations made by the Wayne Peterson Fund of the Laguna Beach Community Foundation.

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Submitted photo

Custom violin awaits recipient

Cultural Arts Manager Siân Poeschl developed a proposal for a grant program for Laguna Beach artists to return to creative work. Poeschl shared the concept with the Laguna Beach Community Foundation, who has undertaken great work and has supported the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. A donation of $100,000 was awarded to the City of Laguna Beach, made possible by a gift from the Wayne Peterson Fund of the Laguna Beach Community Foundation, to support Laguna Beach artists. The grant program was unanimously supported by the City Council and Arts Commission. 

As a community, Laguna Beach has evolved with artists at its core. Artists are integral in shaping the city and are an economic driver. The City of Laguna Beach Arts Commission believed that in order to support resident artists they need to work here to remain here. As a result, the Fostering Creativity Grants program was initiated.

Grants were awarded to Laguna Beach resident artists of amounts between $1,000 and $8,000.

According to his wife, Dee Challis Davy, once a recipient is found, part of the grant proposal was that Davy would host a recital at which his daughter-in-law would play the custom violin and then present it to the recipient.

Violin shop

“It took several months,” Davy said. “It’s a long process that can’t be rushed, especially in later stages.”

Davy established Stephen R. Davy Violins in 1974 in Washington D.C. and relocated to Laguna Beach in 1982. For many years, he was also a professional guitarist. Originally working out of his house, Davy opened his shop in 1993 across the street from his current location – which he moved to in 2008. Before he opened his store, Davy ran an antique shop where he displayed violins. 

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Davy looks forward to finding the right recipient

Stephen R. Davy Violins specializes in the sales, restoration and repair of fine bowed instruments as well as bow re-hair, rentals, accessories and adjustment. They also provide rental instruments supporting school music programs in the Southern California area.

Davy studied violin making with Italian luthier Albert Moglie, a master violin maker and the curator for more than 50 years of the Stradivarius instruments at the Smithsonian Institution, specializing in fine bow re-hair and personal adjustment appointments for optimum sound quality. Davy credits his mentors Harry Duffy, Karl Roy, Albert Moglie and Lynn Hannings.

Anyone interested in becoming the recipient of the violin, should call Davy at 949.499.5088 for more information on how to apply. 

Stephen R. Davy Violins is located at 31662 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach.

For more information on Stephen R. Davy Violins, go to www.davy-violins.com.

Seventeen local businesses recognized for implementing green practices 

Seventeen local businesses were recognized on Tuesday, Oct. 19 at the City Council meeting for receiving a Green Business Certification. For a business to receive this certification, they must implement specific green practices to conserve resources through waste reduction, energy and water conservation and pollution prevention. Restaurants and other food establishments must also participate in the city’s commercial organics recycling program.

The Laguna Beach Green Business Certification Program is managed by Waste Management, as part of its Franchise Agreement with the city and is part of the California Green Business Network (CAGBN) to include 17 counties and 22 cities. Currently there are 46 businesses in Laguna Beach that have obtained their certification.

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Courtesy of the City of Laguna Beach

These following 17 Laguna Beach businesses were those recognized this week along with a summary of their accomplishments: 

–ROOTS the Beauty Underground installed LED lighting, uses green cleaning products and has minimized the use of paper.

–OM Laguna Beach eliminated most disposable paper products and is using reusable towels. They also use only natural ventilation to keep energy-use minimized.

–Maya Dunne & Associates switched to certified eco-friendly cleaning and paper products. 

–Tuvalu uses energy efficient LED lighting, paper products from brands containing recycled content and eco-friendly cleaning products as well as increasing their recycling efforts.

–Skinterest Wellness & Regenerative Esthetics switched all paper products to ones with recycled content and eco-friendly cleaning products. They also upgraded their lighting to energy-efficient LED bulbs.

–Fredric Rubel Jewelers switched their storage and back room lighting to energy-efficient LED and eco-friendly paper products.

–Village Gallery now ensures their store bags and other paper products include recycled content and they’ve started using eco-friendly cleaning products.

–European Optical has installed state-of-the-art LED lighting and low-flow water fixtures and have switched to non-toxic cleaning products.

–Silverfish Surf Sunglasses implemented recycled content packaging, copy paper and eco-friendly cleaning products.

–Violet Boutique installed all new energy-efficient LED lighting and implemented an environmentally preferred purchasing program including recycled content copy and bathroom tissue paper and eco-friendly cleaning products.

–McCormick & Sons Crematory is using recycled content copy paper and bathroom tissue paper and eco-friendly cleaning products. The business also recently installed energy-efficient LED lighting and received recycle containers through the program. 

–AREO Home is using recycled content office paper and bathroom paper and eco-friendly cleaning products. 

–The Mermaid Store started a recycling program at their building, updated to all energy-efficient LED lighting and switched to green cleaning and paper products.

–Katharine Story has installed all new energy-efficient LED lighting, switched to eco-friendly cleaning products and added recycling containers to help increase recycling efforts.

–Tippy’s implemented an environmentally preferred purchasing program for take-out containers, store bags and paper products with recycled content. They also purchased reusable glass mugs to help reduce customer use of disposable cups.

–Tight Assets updated all their LED lighting and switched to non-toxic cleaning products.

–The Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce implemented an environmentally preferred purchasing program for non-toxic cleaning and paper products. 

The City of Laguna Beach congratulates all of these Green Businesses. Others can also get local and statewide recognition for their businesses when they become a certified California Green Business. All businesses are welcome to apply. 

For more information on the program or to get involved, click here or contact Liz Avila, senior public works analyst/solid waste program coordinator at 949.497.0344 or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Dennis’ Tidbits

By DENNIS McTIGHE 

Raindrops falling on our heads!

As of late, local weather has been on a nice little winning streak with hardly any gloom, lots of sunshine and cool crisp mornings. Temps have been down into the high 40s at night out in the Canyon and below normal afternoon temps in the mid-60s. Local ocean temps are already down into the upper 50s across most of the county, the earliest that it’s been that chilly since 2003 when similar water temps were recorded. The normal ocean temp for October 20 is around 63-65.

Northern and parts of Central California are about to get fully drenched. We’re talking five to eight inches with even a foot in some areas – and with feet, not inches of snow in the Sierra Nevada Range. It’s either feast or famine up there in the wildfire ravaged areas. A series of strong lows are setting their sights on Northern California as the North Pacific storm machine is well oiled and tuned and ready to rock and roll. We could even get some of that moisture down here by the weekend. 

Sure, those downpours will put out the fires, but this much rain will surely result in serious landslides and flooding. That much rain in that short period of only a few days will just run off like concrete as the ground is so parched. Any significant rain will not be absorbed, so that area is on high alert.

Our so-called rainy season is about to begin down here. November averages about 1.2 inches in Laguna with December averaging about 2.5 inches. Our two wettest months are January and February with about 3.1 inches for those two months, followed by around 2.5 for March and 1.1 for April. After that, the faucet is pretty much turned off until the following late October or November with only about a total of around 1.2 inches from May through October. 

The annual average in Laguna is about 13.95 inches. Last season’s total in Laguna was a paltry 4.4 inches, the third driest on record, thanks to an ongoing strong La Niña event that is presently beefing up once again. So even though it’s hard to predict the upcoming season’s output, the pattern for almost every La Niña season here is well below normal rainfall. It usually involves only a handful of those Pacific moisture-laden lows penetrating that stubborn ridge of high pressure. They pretty much run the show during the winter months – as most of that energy sets its sights on the gloomy Pacific Northwest.

Historically, when it comes to our seasonal rainfall, the pattern has been a dry winter here when there’s a La Niña. When there was an El Niño going on, weak or strong, we had a wetter than normal season with only one exception. That was the most recent El Niño, a strong event, which behaved out of character, dropping less than eight inches for the entire 2015-16 campaign. The same exception was true for the recent La Niña event that followed the 2015-16 El Niño. In 2018-19 we got soaked with nearly 20 inches of the wet stuff. That’s the crazy thing about weather; there’s always a new surprise in store for us! 

Have a safe and healthy weekend, ALOHA!

Crashing into rocks

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Photos by Scott Brashier

Waves crash into rocks as birds stand steadfast at Crescent Bay Point

Copy & Print Center dogs work different shifts; Tyson and Peanut on the job 

By DIANNE RUSSELL

Photos by Mary Hurlbut

Operated by Mehdi Zahedi and his daughter Mindy, the Copy & Print Center has been in business in the same location for 31 years. A downtown fixture in Laguna, the store is located on Beach Street – and has always had shop dogs.

Having pets in the workplace has been found to lower stress and boost morale, and when it’s a family-run business, every day can be national “Take Your Dog to Work Day” – if you want it to be. 

“I bring both of my dogs to work with me,” said Mindy, who grew up in Laguna. “However, they have different shifts. The black and tan dog, Tyson, is a bit of a wild child and works with me on Fridays. The white dog, Peanut, works with me on Wednesdays and even comes to the gym with me afterwards.” 

 Lest you think Mindy needs a watch dog while she’s in the store, you’d be mistaken. She doesn’t need a canine chaperone and is more than capable of taking care of herself. A boxer for five years, Mindy trains in Laguna Hills – and her second competition is in November. She got into boxing when she broke her arm and wanted to get back into shape. 

So, it’s not a surprise that Tyson was named after Mike Tyson.

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Mindy with Peanut (on left) and Tyson

Tyson is Mindy’s fifth dog from the Orange County Animal Shelter. “I got him at an adoption event three years ago when he was five months old,” said Mindy. “All the other puppies were eating and not looking at me, and he was the only one who came over to me.”

Tyson is a Rottweiler and Australian Cattle Dog mix, which is an interesting combination of working and herding dogs. In German, Rottweilers were known as Rottweiler Metzgerhund, meaning Rottweil butchers’ dogs, because their main use was to herd livestock and pull carts laden with butchered meat to market. Australian Cattle Dogs are definitely job driven, but here at the shop, Tyson’s job seems to be keeping track of who comes in the door and patrolling the aisles in between the machines.

Not at all a throwback to his herding instincts, Tyson has a strange quirk. He likes the sound of paper crunching, which is obviously a good thing if you’re spending time in a copy and print shop.

Shop greeters

“Tyson is really friendly and puts his paws up on the counter so he can see over it when he greets/recognizes someone,” Mehdi said.

On the other hand, Peanut follows people around when he’s there. 

Downtown shop favorites, both Tyson and Peanut get treats from 254 Shoes and Ken’s Jewelry Store – among other retailers.

Nine-year-old Peanut, a Maltese Shih Tzu, came to live with Mindy a year ago. Although he’s not a working dog, his breed possesses a congenial personality and they’re fun to have around. 

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Mindy with her dad Mehdi, with Peanut and Tyson

“Peanut grew up in a neighbor’s backyard and when their other dog died, he was back there alone,” Mindy noted. “They let me have him.” 

Peanut is a total adventurer. “Despite his size, he is up for anything,” Mindy said. “He loves camping, hiking, playing in water and accompanying me to the gym. He generally has a great time when we take him anywhere! His favorite toys are his stuffed moose and his toy bone. He’s also just discovered that he is allowed to jump onto the couch and seems to have a great time stealing my seat.” 

Mindy admitted that Tyson is a bit of a “nervous Nancy” and doesn’t enjoy journeys as much as Peanut. “He loves walks, cuddling, back scratches, wrestling, tug o’ war, his giant orange ball, his indestructible toy donut and stealing Peanut’s stuffed toys when no one is looking (which he’s not supposed to have because he destroys them),” she said. “He also loves going over to his grandparent’s house where he makes a game out of picking apples off their apple tree.” 

What happens when Mindy leaves for work and doesn’t take Tyson? “My boyfriend says that he goes into the closet and pouts,” she said. 

Apparently, Tyson loves his work.

Fortunately for Tyson and Peanut, during the pandemic, the shop stayed open. 

“We were considered essential,” Mehdi said. “Business was good during that time. A lot of people were doing electronic documents. People were also doing trust deeds and advance directives, and since I’m a notary, that kept me busy.”

So, if you want to meet Peanut and Tyson, visit on Wednesdays and Fridays, and as with all the shop dogs in town, don’t forget the treats! 

Copy & Print Center is located at 240 Beach St., Laguna Beach.

For more information, visit www.CopyPrintCenter.com, or call 949.494.5005.

South Laguna Community Garden Park might just be the place for you

Have you always wanted to try your hand at gardening, but weren’t sure where to start? Perhaps you are a seasoned gardener, but lack a sunny spot of soil to work with. Does the idea of meeting and working alongside your family and neighbors to make our community a greener and better place appeal to you? The South Laguna Community Garden Park (SLCGP) currently has openings and now is your chance to join.

Thanks to dedicated volunteers and generous donations, what was a vacant lot in 2009, is now a bustling and productive organic garden park with 53 raised beds (6’x8’) cared for by individual families or shared between friends. Over the years, more than 400 people have become members of Laguna’s only community garden, and countless others – locals and tourists alike – enjoy the public park space every day. 

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Photos courtesy of SLCGP

South Laguna Community Garden Park is a lovely mix of vegetables, flowers and herbs

The fall and winter growing seasons are actually the most rewarding, so don’t let the upcoming change of seasons deter you from joining. Greens such as kale, chard, lettuces, herbs and root vegetables thrive in our moderate climate and many even enjoy sharing their abundant harvest with neighbors. Some have even perfected growing varieties of winter tomato plants. Volunteers are always happy to help others with improving their soil or choosing proper plants to grow, so don’t be intimidated if you’re not a “gardening expert.”

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Shoveling soil to distribute to the garden beds

This last year, gardeners embarked on the challenging task of removing invasive nightshade from the surrounding slopes, and replacing it with California native and drought-tolerant plants. Not only was there a drastic reduction in pests, but many more native birds and beneficial insects, including wrens, Monarch butterflies and praying mantises are now using the garden areas as habitat. Garden members care for the park’s public areas by pruning, weeding and planting when needed. Many enjoy this rewarding activity as much as tending to their boxes. Some volunteers come solely to help maintain the overall garden.

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Meeting and working alongside family and neighbors in the garden park

 In the past year and a half during the pandemic, the SLCGP has taken on an even more important role for the community. Despite being closed to non-members for a short time at the onset, as advised by the CDC, the garden park has provided a place for neighbors and visitors to meet safely and offered much needed “green therapy.” In the coming months, the garden park will again be offering its popular events – community potlucks featuring the famous Garden Band, sing-alongs and gardening classes. 

For information on how to join, visit http://southlaguna.org/garden/garden-plot-applications/ or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Call 949.228.8690.

The South Laguna Community Garden Park is located at 31610 Coast Highway and Eagle Rock Way in Laguna Beach.

Time to Mask Up, this time for fun at the LBCAC Halloween Bash fundraiser

The Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center (LBCAC) will be hosting its inaugural “Mask-A-Rad” Halloween Bash fundraiser. The event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 30 from 5-8 p.m. on a scenic, seaside Moss Point Estate in South Laguna Beach. 

Ryan Heflin & Band and “Laguna Tenor,” Rick Weber and Gerardo “Jerry” Segura will perform, while the Tasting Menu includes plant-based and traditional protein options, prepared by Chef Stephen Orlick. 

Everyone is encouraged to participate in the costume and mask contests, as well as an art-inspired silent auction. Proceeds will benefit the LBCAC to realize its vision of creating an accessible and affordable epicenter for entertaining and thought-provoking art in the heart of Laguna Beach.

The “Mask-A-Rad” event is the first major fundraiser that the LBCAC has held since the world went on COVID-19 lockdown in March of 2020. 

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Courtesy of LBCAC

According to the Recovery Support Function Leadership Group (RSFLG), “The experiential and in-person nature of the arts – whether visual arts, music, dance, or numerous other mediums – has made it especially difficult to sustain, as many venues have remained closed, or on limited operations. In the face of those challenges, arts organizations and artists have adapted and innovated in an effort to survive.” 

The LBCAC has taken advantage of this “downtime” to make improvements to their venue along the Forest Avenue Promenade, in downtown Laguna Beach. Beginning with improved air circulation, to reconfigured seating and hand sanitizer stations, the LBCAC is committed to offering unique events that are comfortable and safe for all who attend. 

“It’s been too long! We are so pleased to be hosting our first major fundraiser, with three premier music acts, a chef-prepared Tasting Menu, fabulous art in our silent auction, and great prizes for the best costume and the best mask. Our guests will enjoy all of this fun and entertainment outdoors, at scenic, seaside Moss Point, during sunset, the Saturday night before Halloween,” said Rick Conkey, founder of the Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center. “Let’s face it, the arts took a beating over the past 18 months and we truly need our supporters, both local and global, to help us keep up the unique program we offer.” 

There are several ways to get involved, purchase tickets for $125 each or a table of 10 for $1,000; donate to the LBCAC via their GoFundMe page; or reserve the LBCAC for your private event, and volunteer your time and/or skills. For more information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For tickets, go here.

Bidding is now open for LCAD’s Spookeasy Silent Auction – Bids + Boos in the Canyon

Join Orange County’s most beloved art enthusiasts, fellow philanthropists and the extended community of Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) supporters, and bid on dozens of unique, exceptional works of art from renowned professional artists, as well as LCAD faculty and alumni. Proceeds from this event will benefit the LCAD Annual Fund.

All bidding for the Online Silent Auction will be done on the GiveSmart website through your smartphone. You don’t need to download an app. Click here to view the GiveSmart event page on your phone, which will allow you to view the artwork, place your bids, and receive real-time updates and alerts regarding the auction.

 Online bidding is open now and runs through Friday, Oct. 29 at 8:30 p.m. Note: The Handbid is no longer being used as the bidding app. Instead, they are utilizing GiveSmart, a web-based browser platform that doesn’t require the event participants to download an app. 

So, grab your smartphone, register for the online auction and start bidding on your favorites.

If you have questions, contact Tracy Hartman, director of development at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call 949.376.6000, ext. 241.

Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center presents Sordid Lives film screening on November 3

On Wednesday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m., the Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center will host a film screening of Sordid Lives at the Arthouse Theatre. 

When Peggy, a good Christian woman, hits her head on the sink and bleeds to death after tripping over her lover’s wooden legs in a motel room, chaos erupts in Winters, TX.

When three generations of her family gather for the funeral, we learn the hilarious, sad, trashy truth of their “Sordid Lives.”

Courtesy of LBCAC

“Sordid Lives” is a “A Black Comedy about White Trash”

The Chicago Tribune refers to the film as, “A train wreck you can’t help but watch.”

Grant funding was made possible by the lodging establishments and the City of Laguna Beach.

To purchase tickets, click here.

Proof of vaccination, negative test or mask is required.

The Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center is located at 235 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach.

Meet Rotary’s Student of the Month

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Courtesy of Rotary Club of Laguna Beach

Noah Novick

The Rotary Club of Laguna Beach has announced that Noah Novick, a LBHS senior, has been selected as “Student of the Month” representing the Foreign Language Department.

In addition to Spanish, Novick is passionate about biology and music. He enjoys composing, recording and performing live music and was a Le Fete Student Organizer. He has also participated in theater, chorus and cross country & track and was an Honors Spanish Assistant while a student at LBHS.

In the future, Novick would like to take another of his passions for biology and become a lab scientist. His goal is to achieve a Ph.D., then start his own company doing biological research pertaining to disease. He would ultimately like to help others live healthier lives through his work. 

He also hopes to continue his love of the Spanish language through a minor.

Mozart Classical Orchestra to open Music Director Ami Porat’s 37th season

Earlier this week, Ami Porat, the music director of the Mozart Classical Orchestra, announced the opening program of the 2021-2022 season, featuring masterworks in new settings while celebrating the Orchestra’s 37th season. 

Three subscription programs from November through May will feature, among others, works of Dvorak, Piazzolla, Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Deutscher, Haydn and Mozart. 

The orchestra’s education and outreach events, Mozart on the Move and Mozart for Teens, enter their 34th year.

For the first concert, the Mozart Classical Orchestra will return to the Artist’s Theatre in Laguna Beach High School, where it played its first professional season in 1985. 

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Photo by Bruce Stevens

The Mozart Classical Orchestra featuring Music Director Ami Porat and season soloists Patti Cloud on flute and Laszlo Mezo on cello

The grand opening is Sunday, Nov. 21, featuring the celebrated Mozart Flute Concerto in D Major, what many have called “his great contribution to the short list of works in the solo repertory.” It will be performed by principal flutist of the MCO, Patti Cloud.

In a deal literally signed on a napkin in a bar, Mozart agreed to write “some music” for the flute during a chat with a boat captain and amateur flutist. The Concerto in D major was one the works in that deal. 

The program will close with Haydn’s Bb major Symphony, No. 74 – a masterpiece in motion, a vibrant and humorous work that contributed to Haydn’s musical immortality well beyond Vienna. 

The program opens with the maestro’s newly minted edition of the Slavonic Dance No. 16, in Ab major, written by Dvorak upon advice received from Brahms. 

This performance will be presented at 3 p.m. For online tickets, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Laguna Beach High School is located at 625 Park Ave., Laguna Beach

Third Street Writers offer eerie evening of readings for Halloween

Third Street Writers is hosting Secrets & Sins, their upcoming Halloween Reading & Open Mic event on Thursday, Oct. 28 from 7-9 p.m. in the LCAD Gallery at 374 Ocean Ave., Laguna Beach. Secrets & Sins is Third Street Writers annual eerie evening of original stories and poems.

“This is our first post-pandemic in-person reading event,” said Amy Dechary, president of Third Street Writers. “We are thrilled to be able to gather and once again share this fiendishly fun tradition with the community.”

This event is free and open to the public, but participants must register in advance at www.thirdstreetwriters.org/events. Masks and proof of vaccination will be required to attend.

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Courtesy of Third Street Writers

Third Street Writers gets ready to share some hair-raising stories

“Everyone loves dark stories, and we’ve been hard at work to create some hair-raising tales,” said Rina Palumbo, vice president of Third Street Writers. “Thanks to Zoom, our members have continued to expand their storytelling skills during lockdown, and I think the audience will be delighted.”

As well as the opportunity to listen, anyone from the public is encouraged to share original work (fiction, nonfiction and poetry) during the open mic session following the reading. Pieces should not exceed three minutes.

Workshopping virtually for the last 18 months, the Third Street Writers has also hosted a variety of workshops led by guest instructors, including Marya Summers, Cara Benson and Barbara DeMarco-Barrett.

“We’re looking forward to showcasing a variety of genres and writing styles,” said Dechary, “as well as working to promote local writers and provide an encouraging, peer-led environment to help make the literary community as diverse and vibrant as it can be.”

Anyone with a writing project is encouraged to check out Third Street Writers’ free workshops held Mondays, 12-2 p.m. at the Susi Q Center.

Founded in 2015, the Third Street Writers is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to fostering the growth of the writing community in Laguna Beach through weekly workshops, reading events and publication of its annual Beach Reads anthology.

For more information, contact Amy Dechary at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.thirdstreetwriters.org/events. You may like Third Street Writers on Facebook and follow them on Instagram and Twitter @thirdstreetwriters.

The Plant Man: planting Spring bulbs

By Steven Kawaratani

“If we could see the miracle of a single flower, clearly our whole life would change.” – Buddha

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Photos courtesy of Steven Kawaratani

Steve Kawaratani

With the weather autumnly perfect and a sense of normalcy returning to Laguna and beyond, I now focus my attention toward the prospect of bulbs. Long a fascination or even a miracle for gardeners, bulbs can be counted on to bloom annually, after disappearing and returning from the depths of the soil. Most bulbs live for years, and it is part of garden magic to anticipate their yearly return. 

Bulbs are the ideal beginner’s plants, as their flower buds are already formed inside at the time of purchase. The gardener is practically assured of flowers the upcoming season, unless he or she commits some significant error (bulbs do have a top and bottom). With the minimum care of moisture, light and food, bulbs will succeed almost anywhere. 

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Why wait for Spring?

The best place to shop for bulbs is at your favorite nursery or garden center. Bulbs vary in size and quality, so look carefully before you purchase; generally, larger bulbs will produce more flowers while blooming. Select firm bulbs, avoiding ones that are mushy or infested with insects. Tulip, daffodil and crocus bulbs should be chilled (not frozen) in the refrigerator for six to eight weeks prior to planting.

Most bulbs prefer a sunny locale and a soil that is not too acid; a pH of 6.5 to 7.0 is desirable. Additionally, it is important that the soil drains well; bulbs can rot if they sit in soggy soil. Heavy, clay soil structure can be improved by adding peat moss or leaf mold. Unlike nitrogen, phosphorous moves slowly downward, so superphosphate or bone meal should be added at the depth of the future root zone of each bulb.

The garden maxim that a bulb should be planted at a depth equal to twice its width is generally safe. However, in light sandy soils, bulbs should be planted a little deeper, and in heavier soils, a little shallower. Tall growers, like gladiolus and lilies, need the extra support of deeper planting to ensure they grow upright. Even then, some bulbs often require stakes for vertical support.

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The Plant Man’s favorite planting mix and mulch

The best time to apply fertilizer is when the first shoots appear. A low nitrogen “bloom” fertilizer is better for bulbs than one high in nitrogen. An organic mulch to cover the bulbs helps to keep the weeds down, retains moisture and improves the general soil condition and appearance.

Besides the obvious use of bulbs in garden beds and pots, they are successful in informal planting beds and “hidden” areas of your garden; masses of blooms remind one to take advantage of the entire garden. Narcissus and hyacinth can be grown in water and pebbles, bringing wonderful flowers and their fragrance indoors.

It seems natural that I should plant bulbs with Catharine; they have added an ineffable touch to our garden. Their prodigious display and brilliance of color have shown us that prior to narcissi and daffodils, our landscape was never entirely complete. 

See you next time.

Steve Kawaratani has been a local guy for seven decades and likes to garden and drive the Baja Peninsula. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 949.494.5141.

COVID-19: Thirteen new cases and no new deaths reported in Laguna Beach this past week

Stu News Laguna is reporting COVID-19 numbers on a weekly basis, as reported by the OC Health Care Agency.

This week, October 13-19, there have been 13 new cases in Laguna Beach and no new deaths, bringing the overall totals to 1,181 cases reported to date and eight deaths. 

During the past week, the county reported a total of 1,485 new cases, raising the total to 302,016 to date. The death totals for the county were 27 for the week, bringing the overall total number of deaths to 5,531.

As of Tuesday, Oct. 19, Orange County has performed a cumulative of 5,306,527 tests to date. There are 185 current cases of hospitalized patients in Orange County, of which 32 are in ICU.

For questions about the data presented by the county, call 714.834.2000 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

To view the county’s data dashboard, click here.

COVID-19 numbers are updated weekly by Stu News Laguna in Friday’s edition.

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Data courtesy of OC Health Care Agency

Art & Nature featuring Rebeca Méndez opens at LAM on November 4

Laguna Art Museum (LAM) announces Art & Nature featuring Rebeca Méndez to open on Thursday, Nov. 4 at 6 p.m. 

Rebeca Méndez is an artist, designer and chair of the Design Media Arts department at UCLA, where she is also director of the CounterForce Lab. Her research and practice investigate design and media art in public spaces, critical approaches to public identities and landscape, and artistic projects based on field investigation methods. 

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Courtesy of LAM

Rebeca Méndez exhibition to open November 4

In addition to her many great permanent public commissions, including two for the Metro Art Crenshaw/LAX project and three for the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, Méndez’s work is represented in numerous public and private collections. 

Among them are Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Nevada Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Oaxaca in Mexico, the El Paso Museum of Art and Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. From 2017 through 2019 she served as selecting committee member for the “Pritzker Emerging Environmental Genius Award.”

Laguna Art Museum is located at 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach. Visit www.lagunaartmuseum.org.

Grateful breast cancer patient transforms her journey with City of Hope’s pioneering science and expert cancer care

For Sarah Sanders, one of the most life-changing aspects of breast cancer was letting someone else take care of her – specifically, her mom, Teri, who basically moved into Sarah’s home to help her. 

The two found uplifting moments in unexpected places. “I reconnected with her in such a meaningful way,” Sarah said. “She did all this research on how to care for someone post-surgery. We still laugh when we talk about her trying to give me a shower. She would put on a bathing suit, and she would wash my hair, and we would just laugh together. Our bond deepened while I healed.”

Perhaps the most memorable moment of her journey, said Sarah, came during a follow-up visit with her physician, Wade Smith, M.D., a board-certified medical oncologist at City of Hope Newport Beach Fashion Island. Smith, who specializes in breast cancer treatment and research, performed cutting-edge genomic testing and determined chemotherapy was not necessary.

When Smith gave her the good news, said Sarah, it was the only time she cried. “[Dr. Smith] represents everything City of Hope stands for.”

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Courtesy of City of Hope

Wade Smith, M.D., medical oncologist breast cancer specialist and grateful patient Sarah Sanders

Now thriving in breast cancer survivorship, Sarah is grateful for City of Hope’s highly specialized physicians and the breakthroughs they deliver to patients like her. “I have peace of mind knowing my care is with the institution that’s going to always have the most cutting-edge technology and advanced medical science.”

With an expanding clinical network throughout Orange County, City of Hope offers unmatched access to lifesaving cancer care close to more homes in the region. Patients can consult with City of Hope experts whose sole focus is treating and curing cancer. And they can do so free of the burden of having to travel far from where they live for advanced therapies, clinical trials, and precision prevention and early detection resources.

Newport Beach residents have convenient access to City of Hope’s two patient-focused locations in their community: City of Hope Newport Beach Fashion Island and City of Hope Newport Beach Lido. Orange County patients can also access City of Hope’s care at locations in Irvine Sand Canyon and Huntington Beach.

The four Orange County locations are home to a multidisciplinary team of City of Hope cancer specialists, backed by the deep expertise of the organization’s more than 1,000 researchers and physicians. Each location offers an array of services and a calming environment.

And all offer another City of Hope hallmark – nationally recognized compassionate care throughout the cancer journey for patients and their families, delivered by a team that promises to hold your hand and never let go.

The benefits for breast cancer patients at City of Hope Orange County are extensive and include access to:

–Clinician-scientists with track records of exceptional outcomes at all stages of breast cancer.

–A collaborative and compassionate multidisciplinary team of breast cancer experts that understand your unique needs and background.

–Advanced techniques such as nipple-sparing mastectomies, high-precision radiation and immunotherapies.

–Promising new therapies for breast cancer offered through innovative research and clinical trials.

–Breast-conserving surgery that removes early-stage tumors while delivering excellent cosmetic outcomes.

–Personalized support care and comprehensive follow-up programs focused on minimizing recurrence risk and improving quality of life – from diagnosis to remission and beyond.

Even before her diagnosis, Sarah Sanders knew that, with her family history of breast cancer, her choices could make all the difference in her breast health. She recognizes how important it was that her cancer was discovered early and urges Orange County women and their families to take advantage of City of Hope’s individualized and highly specialized breast cancer care.

“At City of Hope, my care went to a level that no one else can match,” Sarah said. “For leading-edge technology and breast cancer expertise that represents the best of the best, City of Hope Orange County is the place to be.”

Hope is growing at City of Hope Orange County. Learn more about our highly specialized breast cancer care. To make an appointment, click here, or call:

–Newport Beach Fashion Island, 949.763.2204

–Newport Beach Lido, 949.999.1400

–Irvine Sand Canyon, 949.333.7580

–Huntington Beach, 714.252.9415

For more information on City of Hope Orange County, go to www.CityofHope.org/OC.

This is paid content by City of Hope.

Middle and High School PTAs’ 13th Annual Sports Swap scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 6 

The Thurston Middle School and Laguna Beach High School PTAs invite residents to take part in the 13th Annual Sports Swap to be held again at the high school stadium on Saturday, Nov. 6. Doors will open at 8 a.m. on that day. Catch Surf is once again the premier sponsor of Sports Swap this year.

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Submitted photo

(L-R) High school student volunteers Kamran Mohseni, Hunter Gray and Ashton Azadian, along with middle school student volunteer Brody Azadian, helping to pick up donated items for Sports Swap

Sports Swap Chair Jimmy Azadian asks those who wish to donate sports gear and equipment to call or text him at 818.645.9177.

“This fun community event and fundraiser supports our students at both Thurston Middle School and Laguna Beach High School. All unsold items will be donated to the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach,” Azadian said.

Azadian and his team of student volunteers will gladly come to your home or place of business to pick up your donated items, making it as easy as possible on you, while the students earn community service and volunteer credits. Or, if you prefer, you can make arrangements to drop off your donated items. All donated sports items are 100 percent tax deductible. 

Laguna Beach High School is located at 625 Park Ave., Laguna Beach.

St. Mary’s to host indigenous peoples celebration

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Laguna Beach will host a special Holy Eucharist at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 24 to welcome Indigenous people, and to give thanks for more than 400 years of history together in the Episcopal Church.

The celebrant and preacher for the enculturated eucharist will be The Rev. Dr. Mary Crist (Blackfeet), coordinator of Indigenous Theological Education for the Episcopal Church. Members of the First Women Gather around the Fire Talking Circles from many tribes and nations will present the lessons and offer songs. Singing Byrd (Mescalero Apache) and friends will also offer prayers and sacred songs accompanied by native drum. The service will begin with a land acknowledgement to honor the first people of the land where Laguna Beach is now located. The church invites the community to this special intertribal worship event to honor our creator and our people. 

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Courtesy of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Laguna Beach

The Rev. Canon Mary Crist, Ed.D.

The Rev. Canon Mary Crist, Ed.D., a longtime Laguna Beach resident, is enrolled Blackfeet (Amskapi Pikuni) from the Douglas family in Babb on the reservation Montana. She is a priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, serving at St. Michael’s Riverside. She is married to The Rev. Will Crist, the mother of an adult son and a daughter, grandmother of five and great grandmother of one. She earned a Doctor of Education at Teachers College Columbia University in New York, a Master of Divinity at The Episcopal Theological School/Claremont School of Theology and a Bachelor of Arts at the University of California Berkeley. She is the former dean of the Metcalf School of Education and professor in the Online and Professional Studies Division at California Baptist University in Riverside. She has been active in Indigenous Ministry in the Episcopal Church for many years, as a member of the executive council’s committee on Indigenous Ministry, and is now a member of the Indigenous Missioner’s Advisory Council. She was a preacher at the Holy Eucharist featuring Native Americans at General Convention in 2012. 

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Laguna Beach is located at 428 Park Ave., Laguna Beach.

It’s almost tailgate time…

Laguna Beach High School Athletic Boosters has planned an exciting event for all ages.

Friends and family are welcome to join the inaugural Laguna Beach High School Homecoming Football Tailgate, hosted tonight, Friday, Oct. 22 from 5-6:30 p.m. in the District Lot.

Los Angeles-based funk band, Slapbak, will be performing live alongside LBHS athletic team representatives, who will be selling team spirit wear as well as food prior to the evening’s game.

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Photo by Scott Brashier

LBHS players take to the gridiron at a previous football game

This year’s homecoming theme is “Halloween,” so plan to dress accordingly.

Vehicle parking will be allowed and encouraged inside the perimeter of the District Lot. Cash and PayPal will be accepted at the event.

Guest Column

Hello, spiritual being! This week we are discussing how to stay calm when you are triggered

By Dr. Vidya Reddy

We live each moment of our life through the ebb and flow of emotions. It’s almost as if each beat of our heart, and every breath we take, move us in one direction or another. It is as if one moment we are joyous and carefree, and the next moment, we can be triggered and proceed to spiral out of control.

Or it could be that someone says something to us, and suddenly our mood shifts, we feel triggered, and we are suddenly not feeling ourselves anymore. Instead of calm, balanced and happy, we are suddenly dysregulated, overwhelmed and trying to choke back tears. Has that ever happened to you? We are a bundle of conditioned emotions that are primed to respond to the momentary assessment of whether our needs have been met or not.

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Photo by Johnny Antezana

Dr. Vidya Reddy

Simply put, emotions are subjective, conscious experiences that link our interpretation of a given moment to a biological reaction which creates a particular mental state. Have you ever yelled at someone after having a tough time or a difficult encounter over something that had nothing to do with them? Psychologists refer to this mis-direction as “emotional leakage.” When you are triggered and suppress your emotions rather than becoming aware of them in the moment, you’re likely to express them inadvertently in other avenues such as being sarcastic, snarky, retaliatory, biting, harsh, or downright mean to people who had nothing to do with your initial frustration.

Suppressing our feelings is now scientifically proven to lead to poor memory, relationship challenges, and deeper health issues as our body is influenced so strongly by our subjective conscious experiences.

We can rise above being triggered by heightening our emotional intelligence. In many leadership, psychology and philosophy circles it is also known as “EI”. EI is essentially our ability to “own” these four capabilities: 

–Correctly perceive emotions. 

–Retrieve and produce emotions to assist thought.

–Comprehend emotions and understand them. 

–Effectively adjust emotions to promote personal development and growth.

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Photo by Pieter Baetens

Suppressing feelings has widespread effects

If you don’t know how you feel or why you feel a certain way, you will experience emotional overwhelm or confusion and won’t be able to communicate effectively, meet your needs, or resolve disagreements. But if we master our emotional intelligence, you will be triggered less, flow with less stress, more grace and greater ease. And, the more successful we are at heightening these core skill sets, the happier and more fulfilled we will be.

The beauty of EI is that it’s not a function of simply being born with it. Emotional intelligence can be learned, developed and mastered. Although daily intelligence is important to succeeding in life, emotional intelligence is key to achieving your goals. Remember, EI is an awareness of your actions and feelings – and how they affect those around you. It also means that you value others, listen to their wants and needs and are able to empathize or identify with them on many different levels. In this process, you will reduce the number of your emotional triggers and you will meet more of your own needs. Brilliant!

In the meantime, remember to like, subscribe and share to keep your ripple flowing in our community. Sending you peace, love and health. Be well.

As a thought exercise, I’ve learned a lot of things over the past few months and feel compelled to share them with you in the spirit of robust helpfulness. If you would like more information, techniques and meditation based on Life Lessons, please refer to my blog: https://naturally-happy.com/blog/.

In Peace, Love and Gratitude. 

‘Til next time.

Dr. Vidya Reddy, ND, AMS, DAC, CLC

www.Naturally-Happy.com

Crystal Cove Conservancy among Parks California’s first “Career Pathways” grantees

Crystal Cove Conservancy (CCC) has been named as one of six inaugural recipients of Parks California’s 2021 Natural Resource Stewardship Career Pathways grants. The grants support organizations who are advancing access and climate resilience across state parks through workforce development programs.

The CCC, in partnership with California State Parks’ Orange Coast District (OCD) and UC Irvine’s Center for Environmental Biology (CEB), is launching a new summer capstone project that connects nontraditional students who may not normally qualify for internships to work directly with CCC and OCD staff on natural resource projects. 

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Courtesy of CCC

Young “scientists” engaged in field studies

As a recipient, CCC will work hand-in-hand with California State Parks to advance climate resilience and environmental justice in outdoor spaces, and is committed to breaking down barriers to broaden and expand access to job training, professional development and career advancement opportunities.

“We’re so pleased to have this opportunity to expand both our conservation efforts and our community,” said Kate Wheeler, president and CEO of Crystal Cove Conservancy. “Expanding access to our public lands and opportunities to help preserve it creates new populations of environmental stewards, every one of which we’ll need to ensure that places like Crystal Cove live on for generations.” 

In addition to providing training and work experience in invasive species removal work, habitat restoration projects, and monitoring and fuel reduction work, CCC will also invest in building an inclusive culture through staffing and mentorship. It will connect participants to job networks, provide career advice and additional resources such as equipment, wages, meals and travel reimbursement to make training opportunities more accessible to the community it serves. 

Parks California is a statewide nonprofit dedicated to the preservation of state parks through education, conservation and employment opportunities.

To learn more about Parks California’s Career Pathways grants, the grantees and their programs, visit https://parkscalifornia.org/pathways/.

School Notes

News and notes from our colleges and universities

Some 1,700 students were named to the Biola University Dean’s List in Spring 2021. Biola students are placed on the Dean’s List to honor those with a GPA of 3.6 or higher.

One student from Laguna Beach was recognized, Rachael Longuepee, who is majoring in Intercultural Studies.

Biola University is a nationally ranked Christian university in the heart of Southern California. It was recently recognized as one of America’s best colleges, earning a spot in the top tier of the “best national universities” category of U.S. News and World Report’s Best Colleges 2021 rankings.

A call for nominations for the 55th Laguna Beach Annual Patriots Day Parade

Planning has begun for the 55th Annual Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade scheduled for Saturday, March 5, 2022.

Nominations are being accepted for Parade honorees including Grand Marshal, Honored Patriot, Citizen of the Year and Artist of the Year. A brief summary of their background and local activities should be included with the nomination.

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Photo by Scott Brashier

Sande St. John, Citizen of the Year, waves to onlookers in last year’s Patriots Day Parade

The first Parade committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. downstairs at the American Legion Hall and volunteers are welcome. Honorees will be chosen at the meeting.

For an entry form or further information, contact Sandi Werthe at 949.494.6016 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The American Legion Hall is located at 384 Legion St., Laguna Beach.

14th Annual Taste of Laguna Festival serves up a taste of heaven for food and music fans

By DIANNE RUSSELL

Photos by Mary Hurlbut 

After a year’s hiatus, the 14th Annual Taste of Laguna Food and Music Festival returned to the Festival of Arts grounds with a culinary and musical bang. This is their second year as a combined food and music festival, presented by Julie Laughton Design Build, the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce and KX 93.5. 

This year’s event was not only an inspired feast for the palate; it was also an artistic fête for the ears. The festival, which included 33 booths with participants from local restaurants, businesses and organizations – and on the Main Stage, a succession of great bands – was all about the art of food and music, both of which were served up in grand style. 

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(L-R) City Manager Shohreh Dupuis, Visit Laguna Beach Board Member Karyn Philippsen and President & CEO of Visit Laguna Beach Ashley Johnson

The evening was hosted by Ed Steinfield, the award-winning host of KX FM’s “Mornings with Ed Show.” Music was provided by Nova with its signature Brazilian flavor, DJ Steve Whelan “The Ruckus,” and Tino Productions and its classic big band sounds.

Heidi Miller, owner of Tight Assets and World Newsstand, has been going since the Taste started more than 25 years ago when it was on the top level of the Glenneyre parking structure. 

“Taste of Laguna” is the greatest mix of talented chefs in one night! The flavors...the fun...the friendships,” Miller said. “Laguna Beach foodies were in heaven!”

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Winner of Best Vegetarian Dish: Harley Laguna Beach, Chef Greg Daniels - Roasted Cauliflower

Participants included Aston Martin Newport Beach, Brightlife Beverage Co., Broadway by Amar Santana, Carolyn Johnson, Casazul Tequila, Comedor Laguna Beach, DirectMed, Firebrand Media, Harley Laguna Beach, Hotel Laguna, Jedidiah Coffee, KX FM, Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Beach Beer Company, Laguna Beach Garden Club, Laguna Beach Police, Fire and Marine Safety, Lapin Rouillé Champagne, Mike Johnson Partners, Nirvana Grille, Oak Laguna Beach, Oliver’s Osteria, Pizza Bar, Ristorante Rumari, Roux Creole Cuisine, Saigon Beach, Splashes, Splendid Events (photo bus), Starfish, Sueños Laguna Beach, Surfrider Foundation, Tatyana Zen, Terra, The Cliff Restaurant, The Rooftop Lounge, The Seahorse, Tipsy Missy’s Taps, We Love Laguna Beach and Wine Gallery.

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(L-R) Heidi Miller, owner of Tight Assets and World Newsstand, Jayme Maxwell and Carol Falstup

“It seemed like all of Laguna was at The Taste! What great vibes – the enthusiasm was electric!,” said Pamela Knudsen. “I love KX FM and was so happy to be there celebrating with everyone. I participated in the Mick Jagger strut, the brainchild of weekday morning host, Ed Steinfeld and could not stop smiling as I was groovin’ with the crowd of Mick Jagger strut impersonators. I was thrilled to meet radio hosts Patti Compton, Steve Reid and Greg Friedman and also Alyssa Hayek, the general manager. We are so blessed to have KX FM, not only for its amazing music but because the station brings an added sense of community to Laguna.”

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Best Dish for a “Sweet Tooth”: Chef Lindsay Smith of Nirvana Grille - Goat Cheese Ice Cream

Many participants were first-timers such as Sueños, which just opened recently and others are veterans of the event. From the very first bite at Sueños – a tuna appetizer – with a lot of tasty tidbits in between – to the last bite of flan from Oak Restaurant, it was a food lover’s paradise.

After the 2020 hiatus, everyone was happy to be back amid the festive atmosphere.

Spotted were artist Randy Morgan, Catmosphere Laguna Foundation founder Gail Landau, Gail Duncan, Pamela Knudsen, Heidi Miller, Sue Kempf, Peter and Stephanie Blake and their new puppy.

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Cookie Lee and husband 

Winners

Although it must have been particularly difficult this year to pick winners, these restaurants took top kudos:

Best Overall Bite: Broadway by Chef Amar Santana - Sherry-glazed Meatballs.

 Best Plated Dish: Hotel Laguna, Chef Craig Strong - Short Rib “Cigars”.

 Best Vegetarian Dish: Harley Laguna Beach, Chef Greg Daniels - Roasted Cauliflower.

 Best Dish for a “Sweet Tooth”: Chef Lindsay Smith - Goat Cheese Ice Cream.

For more photos by Mary Hurlbut, go to the slideshow below:

David Zinn’s quirky chalk characters return to downtown Laguna Beach

Street artist David Zinn will be brightening the streets of Laguna Beach with temporary installations throughout downtown from Monday, Nov. 1 through Saturday, Nov. 6.  Zinn’s work is inspired by objects, street fixtures and cracks in the sidewalk to create his creatures and monsters into trompe I’oeil illustrations.

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Photos courtesy of City of Laguna Beach Cultural Arts

David Zinn at work creating his chalk characters

Zinn’s temporary street drawings are composed entirely of chalk and charcoal and are always improvised on location. Some favored characters are Sluggo (a bright green monster) and Philomena (a flying pig), but the menagerie of characters is only limited by the size of the sidewalk. So where will you be able to see them? You will have to seek them out!

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An endearing green creature

On Saturday, Nov. 6, Zinn will be at the Promenade on Forest, and he welcomes all to watch the process unfold and maybe lend a helping hand. He will be providing materials and directions.

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A very literate lizard

Adam Schwerner, chair of the City of Laguna Beach Arts Commission explains, “We need David’s whimsical creatures now more than ever. As the Arts Commission continues to explore every genre of temporary art, you can’t get more temporary and fleeting than chalk art. It’s a thrill to invite David back to Laguna Beach after the huge success of his installations in 2019.” 

When you go seeking out Zinn’s chalk art installations take a photograph and post them on Instagram with the hashtag #zinnlagunabeach. The first four people to post will win David Zinn merchandise. 

Sluggo and Filomena (but, where’s her wings?)

This program is funded by the lodging establishment and City of Laguna Beach.

For more information, visit www.lagunabeachcity.net and https://zinnart.com/.

Iconic Ornaments launched by two young entrepreneurs just in time for the holidays

By DIANNE RUSSELL

Photos by Mary Hurlbut

Brothers Jackson and Sawyer Collins – ninth and seventh graders respectively at St. Margaret’s in San Juan Capistrano – have joined forces to create Iconic Ornaments, which launched on September 22. 

The Laguna Lifeguard Tower at Main Beach is the first in a product line they’re hoping to develop into a collection of high-quality glass ornaments portraying legendary landmarks. They chose the name Iconic Ornaments because they liked the sound – it does have a nice rhythm to it.

However, Iconic Ornaments is more than just a business endeavor.

According to Jackson and Sawyer, their dads Clark and Greg raised them to appreciate the importance of giving back to the community. As a result, a portion of each sale will go to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC). Even though they launched less than a month ago, they will soon present a check for $300 to PMMC.

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Sawyer (on left) and Jackson

They chose PMMC because they’ve visited the facility over the years and have seen the incredible accomplishments firsthand. “What they do is important, and Chief Executive Officer Peter Chang is great,” said Jackson.

Sawyer added, “We picked them because they do such good things.”

“On behalf of the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, we feel so fortunate and humbled to be the recipient of portions of their very hard earned and well-deserved funds,” said Chang. “Creatively coming up with beautiful, unique products is tough enough in itself, but then, for these two boys to incorporate a philanthropic aspect is admirable too. That’s both fantastic and impressive. Jackson and Sawyer are a force to reckon with for years to come, and it will be fun to watch.”

An idea is born

The brothers’ habit of collecting Christmas ornaments from places they visit on vacation (like Yellowstone) sparked the idea to make ornaments based on Laguna landmarks. And what more iconic landmark is there than the Lifeguard Tower at Main Beach?

 “I did some research and found that there wasn’t anything else like it around town,” Jackson said. “We did a business plan, and the other steps we’re playing by ear.” 

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Laguna Lifeguard Tower ornament

With the help of local draftsman Keith Lee, who made a drawing of the tower, they decided on the dimensions and found a manufacturer overseas. 

From 20 color options, they chose two samples and got the first order with no problems.

The ornaments’ iridescent quality adds to their appeal and the attention to detail is extraordinary.

 “Bushard’s Pharmacy has been super generous,” Jackson said. “A day after we launched, Marisa Bushard said they had been looking for ornaments exactly like this. We’ve restocked there three times already.”

Sheila Bushard-Jamison, owner of Bushard’s, is thrilled about finding the ornaments and being the first in town to carry them.

“My daughter Marisa first saw Iconic Ornaments on Instagram and knew it was something special,” said Bushard-Jamison. “At Bushard’s, we are always trying to support other local businesses, and it is great to see the young entrepreneurship that Jackson and Sawyer have shown by creating these beautiful ornaments. We also love the fact that with each purchase a donation is made to the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. The Lifeguard Tower is quintessential Laguna Beach, and we have had so many customers excited about including the ornament in their holiday decorations. We hope to keep the ornaments stocked year-round.”

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(L-R) Jackson, Sawyer and Olive

Future plans

“We would just like to say how proud we are that the boys were able to take an idea, just a simple sketch, from the development phase all the way through to the finished product,” said Clark and Greg. “They didn’t let the inevitable bumps in the road stop them and it’s wonderful to see that they are growing, and learning how to give back and building confidence along the way.” 

Jackson and Sawyer are expanding their market to Corona del Mar.

“We took a tour of Roger’s Gardens and went behind the scenes into the Christmas Room with the head buyer,” said Jackson. 

On October 9, Jackson and Sawyer delivered 36 ornaments to the store. 

Both boys are fans of Christopher Radko’s ornaments, which are also featured in Roger’s Gardens’ Christmas Room.

Of course, partnering with family members can be tricky. They are 50/50 partners. Asked if they ever disagreed on business matters, Jackson answered, “No,” and Sawyer said, “Yes.” 

“It’s mostly about efficiency, very minor things,” Jackson added. “We negotiate.” 

Although it would appear difficult to balance school and business, evidently, they have it all worked out.

“After school, we pack up orders and get them ready to ship,” Jackson said.

They also schedule deliveries from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. on Saturdays and orders can be picked up from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Wednesdays.

They ship all over the U.S. and even had one order from Vancouver.

“We are looking to do other iconic Laguna landmarks in the future and develop a collection,” said Jackson. 

There’s no doubt that it will happen. For these creative and compassionate brothers, there’s no limit to the possibilities. 

For more information or to order, go to www.iconicornaments.com.

Also follow them on Instagram @iconicornaments and on Twitter and Facebook.

LagunaTunes singing through COVID

The LagunaTunes Community Chorus is live again! After months of Zoom meetings, recorded rehearsal tracks and recorded online “mini-concerts,” the chorus is cautiously reconvening in person. All participants must show proof of vaccination and rehearsals are held outdoors. It is not too late to join for the Fall 2021 season. Love to sing? No auditions are required and all skill levels are welcome. Preparations will soon be underway for a holiday performance in December, so keep your eyes out for more details.

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Courtesy of LagunaTunes

Rehearsals are held Saturdays at 10 a.m. on the outdoor patio behind St. Mary’s Church at 428 Park Ave., Laguna Beach. The group’s motto is “creating community through the joy of singing.” Membership requirements: Proof of COVID vaccination, $50 membership fee, and a desire to add your voice and share the joy.

The chorus is led by Bob Gunn, popular director of Orange County’s Men Alive chorus and Laguna’s St. Mary’s choir. LagunaTunes is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides choral singing to everyone (no auditions). Funding is provided by the Festival of Arts Foundation, lodging establishments and City of Laguna Beach.

For more information, visit www.lagunatuneschorus.org or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

“Art in Public Places” – Chambered Nautilus by Carolyn Reynolds

By DIANNE RUSSELL

Photos by Mary Hurlbut

This is the 31st 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.

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. 

The Chambered Nautilus Bench by Carolyn Reynolds, was installed in 2001 and funded with a donation of $10,000 by Laguna Beach residents Steve Chadima and Mark Porterfield. Located on the first block of Forest Avenue, the concrete bench measures 75” x 57” x 18” (seating height) and is decorated with glass tile. 

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Touch the center and your travel wish will come true 

The legend associated with this piece says, “Triton rode this shell to the surface of the ocean to enchant the sea nymph. Her love inspired Triton to make the Nautilus the most beautiful shell in the ocean; ever since the Nautilus has been honored as the pearly ocean chauffeur. Touch the pearl in the center of the shell and your travel wish will come true.”

“The interactive element of this installation is whimsical, creating an additional depth and story, about something very few of us have been able to do these past two years – travel,” said Cultural Arts Manager Sian Poeschl. “Legend says that if you rub the center glass sphere all your travel wishes will come true. These type of good luck rituals create character to a piece, just as turning on the bull anticlockwise three times is a tradition in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, we have our own tradition downtown. Try it out and see if it works!”

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“Chambered Nautilus” was created by Laguna artist Carolyn Reynolds

“Obsessed by nature’s mysterious movement and light, I focus on those ineffable moments in nature that silence me,” said Reynolds.

With degrees in Art History and Fine Art from University of California, Irvine, Reynolds advanced her professional life as an artist 31 years ago when she moved from Northern California to Laguna Beach. World renowned for her luminous landscapes on gold and silver leaf, Reynolds claimed her corner of the art market as master and creator of a technique known only to her.

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This bench was restored in 2017

In 2017, after years in this heavily traveled area, the bench exhibited signs of wear. It had not been restored since its installation and was showing significant fading on the seating portion. Reynolds recommended the following restoration be undertaken: The bench would be covered by a canopy and anchored with weights, existing coating would be removed and cleaned, and missing glass tile replaced. The process also involved re-staining the surface in its original turquoise green hues and replacing its protective coating. 

At the time, Reynolds remarked, “The bench has been in bad shape for far too long. But, plans to repair it and other pieces of public art are a good sign.”

Reynolds’ work can be seen in high-end resorts such as the Four Seasons and Green Valley Ranch Resort in Las Vegas, or in the Ritz Carlton in Dana Point and San Francisco. Comerica Bank in San Francisco displays their collection of Reynolds’ art prominently in the lobby while Bank of America proudly hangs her work in their Los Angeles office. 

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.

Boys & Girls Club alumnus to be recognized at “An Autumn Affair” gala

The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach (BGCLB) has one main goal – to help young people thrive. To support its mission, Joe Ziomek has invested $100,000 as a challenge gift for social impact promoting inclusion, diversity, equity and access – the Ziomek I.D.E.A. Initiative.

Ziomek, a Club alumnus, who recently retired from a busy financial adviser role, has contemplated how the Club’s programs and leadership shaped his life perspective, enhanced his self-esteem and provided inspiration which led to his business success. His legacy investment is earmarked for the future of young people who face systemic obstacles beyond their control. 

On Saturday, Oct. 23, Ziomek is being honored at “An Autumn Affair,” the BGCLB’s Sixth Annual Night Under the Stars Gala, benefitting the Boys & Girls Club Lake Forest programs.

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Photos courtesy of the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach

Gala honoree Joe Ziomek with his wife Gwen

The evening’s festivities begin with a cocktail hour at 5:30 p.m. in the open-air atrium of the new Lake Forest Community Center, followed by dinner in the ballroom with live music & dancing, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

“I not only want to share with those that are less fortunate but inspire others to do the same,” said Ziomek. “What better way to do that, than to give to the youth organization that had the biggest impact on my life and have them carry on my life’s work.”

Ziomek’s gift will be dedicated to expanding and supporting programming in the Saddleback Valley to reach thousands more children and youth in need of socio-emotional and academic support.

According to BGCLB CEO Pam Estes, “Every child who walks through our doors is welcomed and treated with the same love and respect, regardless of ethnicity, gender choice, or socio-economic status. Every child feels supported to be their best.”

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Boys & Girls Club of Lake Forest members share their artwork

It is Ziomek’s hope that his gift will inspire others to invest in future generations through the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, whose programming helps even the playing field for underserved youth. He and his wife Gwen feel nothing matters more than helping others, and are dedicated to promoting safety, health, dignity, and equity so every child may develop the resiliency required to be their best and thrive.

Tickets to the gala are $150 per person.

For more information, admission and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.bgclakeforest.org.

The Lake Forest Community Center is located at 100 Civic Center Drive, Lake Forest.

To learn more about the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, contact Michelle Highberg at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or text/call 949.813.7681.