Laguna mom shares her family’s battle with COVID-19

At the request of the family, Stu News is publishing this story anonymously.

It was 5 p.m. on a Friday when the unknown number flashed on my phone. Tired and weary after a long week of forced business closures and employee layoffs, I reluctantly answered. The introductions were short; the message was swift. It was the Health Department, my child tested positive for COVID-19, and I was ordered to leave work immediately and quarantine for 14 days. My heart sank. Through tears, I informed my boss, apologized, packed up my things, and headed home to hunker down with my family. Wrought with guilt, I prayed all the way home that I wasn’t somehow an asymptomatic carrier, that I hadn’t endangered the lives of my co-workers or their families.

Being confined to a relatively small space is challenging under most circumstances. But in this case, I was caring for a child that already had the virus, while simultaneously attempting to keep myself and the rest of our family from getting it. As a mom, I never thought I’d have to comfort my children solely with words from six feet away, but even a simple hug would be too risky for all of us.

That first night was long. Sleep was non-existent. Endless thoughts raced through my mind. Would we physically be ok? How would we get food? How would I work remotely? What would people say if they knew? Thankfully, we had toilet paper. Those small comforts would become my saving grace.

Three days later, as my neighbors fought incessantly on Nextdoor over which politician to blame for the shortage of ventilators, my husband couldn’t get out of bed. Exhausted and aching, he said it felt like the flu. I listened to his coughs from down the hall and wondered how I would know if he started to have trouble breathing. I thought of those who no longer could.

My employer called to check on me…and to let me know that I was out of a job. Sick pay? Vacation time? My family’s health insurance coverage? Gone. There just wasn’t any money left. My husband, whose employer had already closed, let him know they could no longer pay him either.

Virtually overnight, we went from being a modest, healthy, hard-working family to battling a deadly virus, unemployed with no income and no insurance, and quarantined in our own home. So why am I sharing our story? I am writing this to help all of you understand that although you may not personally be affected or think this only happens to “other people,” this virus is the real deal. It is here, in our town, and it is spreading. When my child was diagnosed, there were only 65 cases in the entire county. As you will see in the latest reports, that number has grown exponentially in only one week.

Although our personal story remains unfinished, I am hopeful that it will not become the norm. I am begging each of you to please, please do your part to help flatten the curve. By working together and doing the right things, we can save lives and move closer to beginning the long process of rebuilding our community and our nation.

County to release COVID-19 cases by city today

By BARBARA DIAMOND

The County of Orange on Wednesday announced that it will begin releasing additional COVID-19 data beginning today (Friday, March 27), including case counts by city, as urgently requested by local jurisdictions.

The county has also closed the parking lots at all county beaches, trails, and parks, as proposed by Supervisor Lisa Bartlett at the March 24 meeting. Laguna Beach, which is in Bartlett’s fifth district, had on March 23 closed all city beaches, parks, and playgrounds. 

“The City of Laguna Beach sincerely thanks Supervisor Lisa Bartlett for her efforts to ensure closure of parking lots and narrow pedestrian access points connected to our county beaches and parks to protect the public,” said Mayor Bob Whalen. “These closures would not have happened without her leadership on this issue. Closing these access points will lessen overcrowded conditions on our county beaches and trails and slow the spread of COVID-19.”

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Photo by Mary Hurlbut

Pacific Coast Hwy almost vacant

The county announced on Thursday that the Health Care Agency had observed as of that day 256 cases of the virus in the county, an increase of 69 cases since the previous day. 

Representatives also confirmed, sadly, the first death in Orange County due to COVID-19, a 70-year-old man with underlying health conditions.

“An increase in reported cases is one of the factors of increased testing,” said County Health Officer Dr. Nichole Quick. “This serves as a reminder of the importance of staying at home and social distancing when leaving the household for essential activities, or to work at an essential business. It is our responsibility to help protect the community and work together to flatten the curve in order to slow the spread of COVID-19.”

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Photo by Scott Brashier

Beaches closed 

Locations affected by the county closure included the parking lots at Aliso Beach and the pedestrian stairs to Thousand Steps, West Street, and Treasure Island beaches, Table Rock, and Camel Point in South Laguna. 

County parking lots at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Nix Nature Center, the James Dilley Reserve, Willow, and Big Bend are closed. 

Restrooms, playgrounds, exercise equipment, and shelters at all county parks and beaches are also closed. 

Prior to the county closures, Laguna Beach officials had closed Main Beach, Heisler, Crescent Bay, and Treasure Island parks and area trailheads. All city basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts are closed.

COVID-19 testing

Hoag Medical Group – 364 Ocean Ave, Laguna Beach

Testing is being conducted for those with symptoms such as a cough for two days and only by appointment. 

For more information, call (949) 557-0610.

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Photo by Scott Brashier

Hoag is testing those with symptoms such as a cough for two days and only by appointment

Caduceus Medical Group – 333 Thalia St, Laguna Beach

Testing is being conducted for those presenting symptoms.

For more information, call (949) 499-0577.

The facility closes at 6 p.m.

Mission Hospital – 31872 Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach

For more information, call the COVID-19 hotline at (949) 364-1400, ext. 1775.    

County Resources – Anyone experiencing worry or anxiety is urged to contact (855) 625-4657 or visit www.ochealthinfo.com/oclinks from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, to talk or chat with a trained, clinical navigator.

Medical questions about COVID-19 should be called in to the OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Health Referral Line at (800) 564-8448.

Orange County residents are also encouraged to visit www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus and follow the HCA on Facebook (@ochealthinfo) and Twitter (@ochealth).

Contact the County of Orange Public Information Hotline at (714) 628-7085 with non-medical questions.

Dr. Gregg DeNicola confirms treatment of COVID-19 patients at his medical facilities

By Gregg DeNicola, MD 

Chief Medical Officer, Caduceus Medical Group

I can share with you that we are actively treating around two dozen cases and none have required hospitalization.

Some may have been tested at sites other than Caduceus.

We have managed to stay ahead of the curve and have sufficient swabs for our current testing needs. We are trying to obtain the more rapid result of tests but are being told that those would be several weeks away.

One problem is the labs cannot keep up with the demand. What should take two or three days sometimes takes 7 to 9 days. Patients are getting upset and angry but there’s not much we can do other than refer them to the lab. After we do the swab we send it off and it’s out of our hands at that point.

Because we change our criteria almost daily based on recommendations from the health department and the number of swabs we have available, I couldn’t share that information with you accurately.

We receive requests for treatment for positive cases every day and the number goes up daily. We have been able to care for these patients through telemedicine. By doing video visits, curbside blood draws, and even curbside nebulizer treatments, we have kept these patients out of the office and emergency room system.

The main conflict comes when we feel the need to order a chest X-ray because of the lung eating property of the virus. We must do our best to prevent the progression of an upper respiratory infection into a full-blown pneumonia.

Here in Laguna that requires referring the patient to a local hospital or several outpatient radiology centers.

Several hours each day are devoted to reading the medical literature to search for treatment options. One major challenge is that although pulmonary and infectious disease specialists are normally very helpful in viral infections, no one has much of a track record on COVID-19.

There really are no true specialists to consult on this virus, at least the outpatients. In-patient hospital teams are excellent at techniques helping control the pneumonia.

Orange County COVID-19 case data

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Courtesy of OC Health Care Agency

Orange County COVID-19 case data, as of March 27;

Click here to visit page that is updated daily

COVID-19 health crisis update

By Dr. Jorge Rubal, CEO & Medical Director

Laguna Beach Community Clinic 

Staying at home remains our best defense. If the virus can’t find you, it can’t infect you.

If we don’t see a surge, or if the surge is lower than we thought, it won’t be because the virus isn’t a serious threat, it’ll be because our community took the situation seriously and stayed at home. Laguna Beach and our neighbor Laguna Woods have a large senior population; staying home will help save lives. 

Here’s what we can expect next:

--At the moment, due to the lack of testing kits, the highest priority is testing critically ill patients, and individuals with fever or respiratory illness who have traveled within the last two weeks to certain geographic regions. 

--We are going to start to hear of family members, friends, and neighbors that have tested positive, or due to the lack of testing kits available, are assumed to have the virus based on their symptoms. 

--Don’t be alarmed if your physician recommends you manage your case of COVID-19 with home care.

--Home care is appropriate for patients with mild infection who can adequately isolate themselves. The focus of home care is the prevention of transmission to others, and monitoring for clinical deterioration, which should prompt hospitalization. 

--The CDC offers these two important criteria for gauging when to discontinue home isolation:

1. At least seven days have passed since symptoms first appeared AND

2. At least three days (72 hours) have passed since recovery of symptoms (defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvement in respiratory symptoms [e.g., cough, shortness of breath])

The Clinic remains open and operational. We ask all our patients, and anyone seeking medical help, to please call first for the safety of all. In most cases, we’ll be able to help you over the phone through what’s called TeleMedicine. Of course, if you’re experiencing sever systems you should go to the ER.

The clinic is located at 362 Third St. Call (949) 494-0761 for more information or go to www.lbclinic.org.

Starting last week, and continuing through the COVID-19 health crisis, Dr. Rubal is issuing a weekly update to our community. His messages can also be found on Laguna Beach Community Clinic’s Facebook page here.

Barbara’s Column

Keeping sane

By BARBARA DIAMOND

Hanging out at home with nothing to do sounds swell – until that’s all you are allowed to do. So what are folks doing to keep from getting squirrely?

Community Emergency Response Team trainee Jayne Berberian is writing an autobiography for her grandchildren, who live next door. She also gets in her car by herself and goes to see some of the places she has always wanted to, but never took the time. And then there are her income taxes.

“I am reading trashy books,” said former Planning Commissioner Becky Jones. “I have also spent hours on the telephone with Hewlett-Packard to find out why my printer is not working and trying to decide on which new one to get. And I am getting my taxes ready.”

These two are not the only ones busy with tax returns.

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Photo by Mary Hurlbut

Betsy Jenkins said her husband, Dr. Gary Jenkins, is getting better and better at playing the piano 

Michael Kinsman is also working on tax returns, but not his own. He has both loyal and new clients with whom he is teleconferencing via Zoom Video Communications. Kinsman and his wife, former Mayor Cheryl Kinsman, are partners in a South Laguna accounting firm just steps away from their Three Arch Bay home. “I am getting rid of half of everything I own,” she said. 

Darrylin Girvin chats with her children and grandchildren and will participate in Ryan Kollock’s exercise class online. 

Village Laguna President Johanna Felder, who used to host four friends in her home for a yoga class conducted by Lori Osborn, is transitioning this week to Osborn’s online class. Felder and husband Gene, president the Top of the World Neighborhood Association, are taking their usual Wednesday and Friday walks. 

He recently finished reading The Origin of Virtue, a 1996 popular science book by Matt Ridley. It is considered to be classic in the field of genetics. “I am currently reading The Battle of Bunker Hill,” he said. 

The Felders are FaceTiming with family and friends, with whom they recently enjoyed a cocktail hour and dinner. “When the weather gets better, I plan to have cocktails with my uphill neighbor and my downhill neighbor [of course each in their own backyard],” she said. 

Greenbelt Authority Chair Mary Fegraus is catching up on paperwork, taking daily walks, and communicating with her family, including the daughter in Australia. 

Norm Grossman is spending some time on Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. business, acting as interim president in the wake of Elisabeth Brown’s retirement from the office she held for three decades. 

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Photo by Mary Hurlbut

Sam Goldstein brings Pam goodies from local restaurant

Pam Goldstein can’t go to the gym where she has worked out for 30 years, so she will be using the personal gym set up downstairs in her home. Husband Sam Goldstein is conducting business from home. However, because she is not leaving the house due to the risk factors of the pandemic, she has asked Sam to go to Zinc and bring home some of the eatery’s really good pasta and tartlets that they both enjoy. 

Joe and Susan Jahraus are cleaning house. “Our housekeeper has closed down,” he said. He is also gardening. “I planted tomatoes four days ago, and I am working on the weeds every day,” he said.

Unfortunately, he has had to curtail one of his favorite activities. “My hobby is cooking, and I miss going to the market every day, but I am keeping busy with my ‘Honey Do’ list,” he said. “Some items have been on it for months and now they are getting done.”

Realtor and arts supporter Bobbi Cox said she has always worked from home and that hasn’t changed. What has changed is her evening routine. “I am a night owl,” she said. “I get up late and work until about 9 p.m. Then I would go out to a favorite restaurant to decompress. Now they are all closed.”

Still she feels she has much for which to be grateful, a home she loves and a patio outside to enjoy.

Architect Marshall Ininns is another Lagunan who can work from home. He is also a walker, who now keeps a safe distance from others, which wasn’t that easy last Sunday.

“I have walked Laguna’s trails for 18 or 19 years, and I have never seen so many people on the trail,” he said. 

“I eat while I am cooking,” said Sande St. John. “I weigh 385 pounds.” The teetotaler fears she may be getting a beer belly. 

St. John does tour the city by herself in her car. “I drove into Crystal Cove, yesterday, which was open,” she said. “There was a really good looking ranger, who told me that state parks are still open, but he doesn’t known for how much longer.”

She also checked out some of the areas that had yellow tape last weekend to indicate they were off limits. “There was an orange fence around the playground at Moulton Meadows on Wednesday,” she said.   

Betsy Jenkins said her husband, Dr. Gary Jenkins, is getting better and better at playing the piano. No duets, but the couple are watching wonderful movies and the four seasons of This is Us. The good doctor is also cleaning out the spice rack. “We are in the mood to throw things away,” she said.

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Photo by Mary Hurlbut

Jane Egly is catching up on reading

Former City Councilwoman Jane Egly is reading the Los Angeles and the New York Times and taking her time about it. Of course, she walks the dogs and she is going through her file cabinets. 

Laguna Beach historian Jane Janz gets out of the house every day, in her car or on Shank’s mare. At home, she is reorganizing her cupboards. “I am finding all sorts of things I didn’t know I had,” said Janz. 

Arts Commissioner Pat Kollenda is another one clearing out “stuff.” Otherwise, she connects with her family by internet. “We all log on at the same time,” said Kollenda. Always one to enjoy getting a laugh, Kollenda is also using the internet to share jokes. 

Anne Frank is also trying to clear out some of the clutter in the house she and her husband, Dick, have occupied for 50 years. The attempt has not been a raving success. “I’m a saver,” Frank said. Well, duh. She is an historian and an archivist. 

Frank said the couple took a walk last weekend to Main Beach. They were surprised to see so many people – some of them residents.

Planning Commissioner Anne Johnson said she is watching way too many movies. But the most upsetting thing is not being able to visit her granddaughter’s new baby. “I do spend time talking to my girlfriends to see how they are doing and to tell them how I am doing,” Johnson said.   

Landscape architect Ann Christoph works in her office when her assistant is not there. “It is so quiet, so productive,” Christoph said. She is finally finishing up her chapters for the Story of South Laguna, begun by the South Laguna Civic Association in 2002.

Friends of the Library President Martha Lydick has a houseful from Las Vegas: her son Chip, grandsons Vaughn and Arden, and his girlfriend, Mimi. They spend time playing very competitive Monopoly games, Lydick said.

Lisa Vanderbeek doesn’t have time to be bored. She is working on sewing projects, cleaning her house with do-it-yourself products she made. She has so far read five books and has four more on her nightstand. She cooks a lot and sends goofy photographs to friends and family. 

Planning Commissioner Ken Sadler and his wife, Anne, an administrator at Thurston Middle School, are both working from home. Sadler is a structural engineer in a profession declared essential, but he and his partners set up working arrangements via internet conference calls. “It was not easy,” he said. But…“I am all in with the city,” Sadler said. “I agree with everything they have done.”

Howard Hills is homeschooling his grandchildren and their friends online. “I did an album on my family’s history in Laguna Beach,” Hills said. The photos included ones of him with typical Laguna teenage surfers’ long hair. 

Wordsmith Chris Quilter said he is spending way too much time checking the 30 new news websites and then “cleansing” his palette by going on Nextdoor. Heaven knows what will end up in Lagunatics.

As for me, I am reorganizing my address and telephone book – yes book. No Chris, not on my computer, thus retaining my title as Laguna’s Luddite.

Appropriate contributions to this column are always welcome.

The Gross Family Foundation donates $1.5 million to support SoCal COVID-19 relief efforts

The William, Jeff and Jennifer Gross Family Foundation, the charity founded by retired financial asset manager Bill Gross and his son and daughter, announced this week that it donated a total of $1.5 million to charities and organizations providing relief from the effects of coronavirus and its impact on Southern California communities. 

The Gross Family Foundation’s donations include $250,000 each to the OC Food Bank and the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County to assist in relief efforts of individuals and families facing hardships due to economic effects of the virus. Additional donations include $200,000 each to the National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA) Coronavirus Care Fund, World Central Kitchen, The Recording Academy’s MusiCares, the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, and the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation. 

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Photo by Mary Hurlbut

Bill Gross, Laguna resident 

“Jennifer, Jeff, and I are honored to support the heroic work being performed by these organizations and the volunteers who are tirelessly working to provide relief to the people who need it most during this unprecedented crisis,” said Bill Gross, the co-founder of the Newport Beach-based PIMCO fixed income asset manager and a longtime resident of Orange County. “Those with means are obligated to provide assistance to their communities to help alleviate the impact of the crisis and support the basic needs of families and individuals.” 

The OC Food Bank, a program of Community Action Partnership of Orange County based in Garden Grove, aims to make a positive impact in people’s lives by helping them meet basic needs and strengthen their support system, working with nearly 400 local charities, soup kitchens, and community organizations to end hunger and malnutrition. Second Harvest Food Bank of Irvine works through a network of more than 300 nonprofit partner agencies and programs to provide wholesome food and fresh produce to more than 250,000 hungry children, seniors, and families in Orange County every month. 

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Courtesy of Jennifer Gross

Jennifer Gross speaks at a Vatican conference

The NDWA’s Coronavirus Care Fund provides emergency assistance for qualifying home care workers, nannies, and house cleaners who are experiencing financial hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic. The World Central Kitchen, founded by chef José Andrés, provides meal preparation and distribution to U.S. food-insecure households affected by the coronavirus crisis. The Recording Academy and its affiliated charitable foundation MusiCares have established the COVID-19 Relief Fund to help its peers in the music community affected by the Coronavirus pandemic. 

United Way of Greater Los Angeles has announced the creation of the Pandemic Relief Fund to support L.A. County’s unsheltered residents who are especially vulnerable to the coronavirus, and low-income individuals, students, and families at imminent risk of homelessness and hardships due to health and economic impacts of coronavirus. And the Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation, an advocacy and action nonprofit founded by and for restaurant workers, set up its Restaurant Workers COVID-19 Crisis Relief Fund to provide direct crisis relief assistance to workers, assist other nonprofits serving restaurant workers, and to grant zero-interest loans to get restaurants back up and running. 

These contributions support Bill, Jeff, and Jennifer Gross’s longstanding commitment to provide financial resources to organizations that provide a direct benefit to the communities in which they serve. The William, Jeff and Jennifer Gross Family Foundation has donated $41 million to 73 nonprofit organizations since 2018.

Laguna restaurant updates: it just keeps getting more creative

By Diane Armitage

So, here’s the thing I’ve learned about my beloved Laguna chefs and restaurateurs this week: If you want to see the real creativity they possess, just take them out of their daily routine and tell them to figure out how to make business happen any way they can. 

These people are amazingly resilient and cheerful, given the circumstances. They deserve our ongoing support if only because they’re so much more imaginative than the rest of us. 

First, an overall update

We still have about 65 Laguna Beach restaurants offering to-go and delivery options. Hours and days of operation are changing often. Please call or check their websites for changes. 

I’m also offering a complete Laguna Restaurant Directory as a downloadable PDF with hours and specials. I update this with direct phone calls and texts with each of these restaurateurs every 48 hours. Opt-in to grab it at my website at www.TheBestofLagunaBeach.com.

Restaurants: I need your info and stories

If I don’t have your information listed here or if it needs to be updated, please contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Further, great photos and specials are always appreciated for my Instagram feed. Bring those photos on!

New “to-go” stories to share

Here are the biggest changes we’re seeing in this week’s update. 

Although the backroom Seahorse Lounge is closed to the public, the Pearl St. General Store is still open for business as an “essential grocery” with plenty of sundry items as well as many bottles of wines and beers (chilled and unchilled). 

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Courtesy of Pearl St. General Store

In addition to sundry items, wine, and beer, pick up a freshly made coffee at the Pearl St. General Store. 

And, if I’m not mistaken, Pearl St. is also the last (strictly) coffee shop standing in Central Laguna. (Boat Canyon’s BLKdot is still operating on the north side of town, and Peet’s in Gelson’s is still operating on the south side.) So, see? There’s hope for that perfectly swirled latté after all. 

Scott McIntosh’s Asada Tacos + Beer is now opening on Mondays “due to high customer demand.”

Never one to stay out of the creative fray too long, Ivan Spiers’ Mozambique Steakhouse is now permitted to provide a Food Truck Drive-Thru featuring Burger Monster (a burger truck), Montoya’s (Mexican food), and Nostimo (Greek Mediterranean). The trucks trundled into play yesterday (Thursday) and all three trucks will visit each day, seven days a week. 

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Courtesy of Mozambique Steahouse

Mozambique is introducing three daily food trucks at its location

Chef Tomas’ Brussels Bistro has hit it out of the park with vacuum-packed meals that can be refrigerated for up to seven days. So, the team has expanded to allowing for pick-up five days a week at the Laguna location, Monday through Friday, 3 - 5 p.m. Your order must be made online by 6 p.m. the day prior.

Michael and Christine Avila at Avila’s El Ranchito are likely the only restaurateurs in town still honoring their daily specials and happy hour offerings during their usual happy hour timeframe. They’ve also expanded their menu of freezable options, including a dozen bean & cheese or shredded chicken & rice burritos for just $20 a dozen. Order bags of chips, pints of salsa and rice, and ready-made fajita dinners that include a quart of steak or chicken fajitas, too.

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Courtesy of Avila’s El Ranchito

Freezable burritos by the dozen and quarts of fajitas are just some of El Ranchito’s new family-style offerings

Selanne Steak Tavern has been offering popular menu options as well as butcher shoppe meats and a pop-up grocery of fresh produce and dairy. Now, they’ve added cocktails to go, wines by the bottle, and vacuum-packed meat cuts for easy refrigeration and freezing. 

The visiting team has come to play at Selanne, too. Best-selling menu items from Teemu’s new restaurant in Garden Grove, The Penalty Box, have been added, too. Teemu has closed those doors temporarily there, so he’s moved items like Poutine (with an egg!), and his specialty burger and hot dog to the Selanne location. 

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Photo by Selanne Steak Tavern

The Poutine (named “The Goon”) is one of a handful of best-selling “visiting team” items that have been introduced at Selanne Steak Tavern from Teemu’s other restaurant, Garden Grove-based “The Penalty Box”

Lastly, Chef Maro Molteni looks to be back in play at Royal Hawaiian Fire Grill next week, bringing his immediate family into the restaurant kitchen to help him cook and package family-style meals. (Now that’s some home schoolin’!) It’s great news as I was beginning to hanker for the restaurant’s great wood-grilled everything. Stay tuned for details early next week.     

The bestselling 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 www.TheBestofLagunaBeach.com and follow on Instagram @BestOfLagunaBeach (look for Diane’s smiling face).

Local surfers urge all to “hold the line” and adhere to restrictions and closures

By DIANNE RUSSELL

More concerned Laguna surfers have chimed in to offer commentary on the beach closures and the importance of imparting a consistent, honest, and vigilant message.

James Pribram is a Laguna Beach native, professional surfer, and founder of ECO-Warrior Foundation. Pribram is an active environmental leader in the community, having served on the Laguna Beach Water Quality and Environmental Committees. He later co-founded the ECO-Warrior Foundation, a grassroots organization that is dedicated to protecting the world’s oceans, beaches, and sea life.

Pribram says, “Although the beaches are closed, I’ve seen people surfing and swimming. We need a clear, consistent message. I wouldn’t risk it with the rain, the water is dirty, and with the virus, medical resources are already stretched to the limit. It’s not worth the risk. We’re in the middle of an unprecedented health crisis. Better to stay out of the water and instead take a walk or a run. I discourage going into the water. It’s not worth it to risk getting sick. Stay home until we get through this.”

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Submitted photo

James Pribram

“I think that my biggest take-away from what is going on in our world today concerning the COVID-19 virus is that we all need to do our part and be on a united front and that means that we all need to stay home. It has proven to reduce the number of cases and to slow down transmissions drastically. We need to listen to our world leaders, scientists, doctors, and our community leaders as well. Now is the time we need to all come together and fight this terrible virus.

“I do think that it’s very important that we get outside for an hour a day or so. We all need fresh air, exercise, and to stay healthy. But we need to do it responsibly and maintain six feet of distance from others.”

Protect our community

Laguna native and founder and CEO of Roark Ryan Hitzel says, “My heart stopped, and my stomach sank as I drove past Main Beach last Saturday afternoon. On March 13, after asking employees at my company based in Laguna to work from home, and vigilantly shutting down playdates, etc., to keep my family within the confines of our home – the masses effortlessly passed through our thinly guarded shield. Our hard work as a community had been compromised by the selfishness of others on a sunny day. 

“Laguna has always been an enclave defended equally by our beliefs, the hills, and our ocean. There are only two ways in and out. It’s sort of a blessing that it keeps us both protected and cherished. Knowing this, we must use it to our advantage – we must be selfless and selfish for the next 30 days. Two complicated tactics that are seemingly at odds. 

“On one hand, each of us has to give up the freedoms that are almost a birthright in our community. We must self-quarantine and fend for ourselves in our homes and within our fiefdoms – from the Village to SoLag. And at the same time, help our neighbors if they are in need, like any family would. Sure, we can take walks or go for a run if we observe proper measures. Yes, we can go to the grocery store or support San Shi Go with a take-out order, but there’s a limit. We must set an example for others just passing through. 

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Submitted photo

Ryan and Dianne with their children Henry and Claire

“On the other hand, we must defend our city limits selfishly, like every city in America should to mitigate risk right now. We’re one of the only communities in Orange County with natural barriers, we should use them to our advantage. This isn’t about being elitist or draconian, it’s about controlling what we can and putting the health of Laguna residents first. Actions like beach, trail, and park closures send a clear message to visitors and residents alike. 

“As a local business owner, I understand the need Laguna has to drive revenue created by the beauty of our town. I understand firsthand the pressure that COVID-19 is putting on businesses of all sizes. But we only have one shot. Our personal and financial health are delicately intertwined. The sooner we take this seriously, the sooner we can get the economy moving again. I applaud Mayor Whalen and the members of our community that are protecting Laguna with beach, trail, and park closures. The measures are starting to work – but we’ve just entered the tunnel and I haven’t seen the light. We must hold the line.”

Sign of the times

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Photo by Mary Hurlbut

This is how we roll these days!

Lea Abel-Stone finds a new family rhythm during 

these challenging times 

By DIANNE RUSSELL

To say Lea Abel-Stone has her hands full during the shelter-in-place restriction is an understatement. She’s also in a houseful – of four adults and two children. Lea and her husband Zeda, 3-year-old Sterling, and six-month-old Lottie are living with Lea’s parents Gregg and Kathy Abel while Lea and Zeda’s house is being built on an adjacent property. However, it’s an arrangement that Lea is embracing. 

Lea says, “We all have a job we’re doing. My parents are continuing to run both a construction and design firm and interior design business, and Zeda my husband, is running RYOT [he’s CEO] from a new home office. It’s a lot to adapt to, but we’re making it work!” 

Even without the current restrictions, having three generations under one roof would appear to be a challenge in itself.

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Submitted photo

Sterling dons a chef’s hat for cooking activities

“There are all different ages and things shift. We’re trying to keep a rhythm –not a schedule – to create less stress. There are big emotions and little emotions, but all support each other, and we’re all trying to run businesses. 

“We used to see my husband Zeda one hour a day because he works in Los Angeles and New York, but now he works at home.”

Snacks are supreme

Evidently snacks play a new and important role, and it’s pretty much anything goes.

“There are lots of snacks – for every single age in the house. Snacks are fair game for everyone. If they want cereal for dinner, it’s okay. If they want Have’a Chips for breakfast, it happens. 

“We all have nice long lunches every day together. We don’t very often get to do this. And we try not to get upset over little things. If it takes 15 minutes to tie a shoelace, there’s no hurry, because there’s no place to go. We’re not really totally organized, but I’m in a good place.”

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Submitted photo

Sterling watches a nature film

Making lemonade from lemons 

Lea explains, “We also have a happy hour with fresh lemonade from the lemon trees in the garden. Not to make a pun, but they have been very fruitful, and we have shared them – at a safe distance – with the neighbors.

“We go on neighborhood walks, our street is a cul-de-sac, so that’s good. We have pre-school learning materials and online videos. We’re not beholden to them, but they’re good to have. On social media, parents have been sharing what they’re doing to keep their kids busy and how to answer them when they ask, ‘Why can’t I have a play date?’”

Ideas from near and far 

“I’m part of MOP (Mothers of Pre-schoolers), and on Instagram, they post activities for Sterling that are age appropriate. It’s a new kind of community.” She says that friends in Washington, D.C. and New York send her ideas as well. 

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Lottie, Sterling, and their dad Zeda share a story

“Laguna is a small community, and we like to be together. It’s a very different reality. But we’re sharing stories and helping each other, so we’re not forced into the ugliness. There are so many people who are doing good.

“There are parents newly navigating working from home, while still juggling child care, meals, household duties, and significant others – a little or a lot of Disney+ (or screen time) is part of it all.

 “Community is so important to help stay connected, and ours is really stepping up. Businesses are supporting each other. In dealing with this health situation, there have been a lot of lessons.

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Submitted photo

Out for a neighborhood stroll 

“It’s a very scary time for parents – both in dealing with their parents and in dealing with their kids. We have to take it seriously. We haven’t left the house except for a shopping trip and have stayed isolated for the collective good. This crisis is globally unprecedented, but if we all meet the challenge, we can get past it sooner.”

From this demanding experience, Lea has an important take-away, ”We should pay teachers all the money we can [for what they do].”

As I end the telephone interview, in the background I hear Sterling asking his mom questions non-stop, and Lea handles it with patience and grace. It seems that she’s found the right rhythm to make it all work.

Perry’s suit against school board officials dismissed, judge offers 30 days for amended complaint

By BARBARA DIAMOND

A U.S. federal court judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Laguna Beach Unified School District trustee Dee Perry. 

Judge James Selna advised Perry and her attorney that the complaint did not provide the explicit evidence needed to justify her claim that she had suffered retaliation by the remaining board trustees and the district superintendent.

“He dismissed the case, but allowed an amended complaint to be filed before April 17 and set a trial date,” said Perry’s attorney, Maria Severson. “This case is very much alive. We will be following the judge’s orders for more specificity on the [alleged] harassment by the superintendent and the four other board members.”

Board members Peggy Wolff, Jan Vickers, Carol Normandin, and James Kelly and district Superintendent Jason Viloria filed the motion to dismiss the case in January. Selna granted the motion on March 18.

“We are pleased with the Court’s determination and look forward to working together as a governing body of five on behalf of District students, especially during these challenging times,” said Board President Peggy Wolff in a statement released by the district.

According to court documents, Selna said Perry’s complaint as written did not detail enough factual matter to survive the motion to dismiss. Further, he said, Perry failed to specify particular comments for which retaliatory action was taken by the defendants.

Perry filed suit in December, asking the court to block board members from taking actions that Perry said prevented her from exercising her constitutional rights and ability to represent her constituents. 

She had specifically objected at public school board meetings to being excluded from a subcommittee formed to take action on behalf of the entire board. The subcommittee was created on the advice of the school attorney after Perry was accused of disseminating information from him, which he designated as a breach of confidentiality rules.

“No lawsuit was filed against Dee for these allegations,” said Severson. “The board uses that action against her to usurp the democratic process and deny her due process – that is effectively what they are doing.” 

Elected officials can be removed from office by recall or by taking legal steps.

“The court is ill equipped to adjudicate Perry’s claims,” Selna said in court documents. 

He stated that the court needs to know whether the defendants sought to stop Perry from taking positions that differed from theirs. Furthermore, the court would need an account of what those alleged positions and statements were, Selna said. 

“Dee remains hopeful that her fellow board members and the superintendent will work with her so she can once again properly represent the constituents who voted for her,” said Severson. “She wants to avoid protracted litigation.”

Laguna Beach Public Safety Departments fully operational and responding to all calls

The City of Laguna Beach wants the community to know that its Police, Fire, and Marine Safety Departments remain fully operational and are responding to all calls as normal. The City is vigilant in its response to COVID-19 and committed to ensuring the safety of our community and visitors. 

Centers for Disease Control’s Steps to Help Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 if You Are Sick:

--Stay in touch with your doctor. Call your doctor before you get medical care. If you do not have a doctor call the Orange County Health Care Agency COVID-19 Health Referral Hotline: (800) 564-8448. They will help you find an urgent care clinic or drive through testing facility in your area. 

--Stay at home. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and are able to recover at home without medical care. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas.

--Call 911 only if you have a medical emergency and have emergency warning signs, such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, experienced periods of unconsciousness, and /or have any symptoms that make you believe it is more than a severe form of the flu/cold. If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, notify the dispatcher that you have or think you might have COVID-19. If possible, put on a face mask before medical help arrives. 

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Courtesy of City of Laguna Beach

Our first responders out in the Community

Our first responders are wearing additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when responding to all 911 calls. This equipment consists of gloves, masks, gowns, and goggles. Please do not be alarmed by their response and level of Personal Protective Equipment. It’s precautionary to limit the spread of COVID-19 and to keep our community safe and healthy. 

Firefighters will continue to respond to the highest priority medical calls, whether they are potential COVID-19 calls or not. If you see LBFD entering a residence or business in full protective equipment, this does not mean that the caller has COVID-19, it only means that our responders are taking precautionary efforts. 

All Laguna Beach Fire Department Emergency Responders have received the following training:

--The use of additional Personal Protective Equipment – all City first responders and each Fire Department unit have CDC recommended Personal Protective Equipment, are trained in its use, and are following all recommended protocols.

--Triage training and treatment of Persons Under Investigation for COVID-19, and protocol for sharing COVID-19 notifications with our County partner agencies.

--Training on new policies to ensure that industry best practices are being taken in regard to ambulance isolation protection and ambulance decontamination after each use. 

“The Laguna Beach Fire Department is dedicated to saving lives, protecting the public, and slowing the spread of this virus,” said Laguna Beach Fire Chief Mike Garcia. “We are taking the necessary steps to protect the public and our crews as we manage the effects of COVID-19. We urge the public to follow local, county, state, and the CDC’s guidelines for social distancing and best practices to help stop the spread of this virus.”

“I want our community to know that their Police Department is there for them during this time, and is providing all essential services, while taking the necessary precautions,” said Laguna Beach Police Chief Laura Farinella. “If you are in need of police services please call. Patrol officers and field personnel will be conducting high visibility patrols to ensure our presence provides a level of safety and security.”

“Our primary concern is the health, safety, and well-being of our residents and visitors,” said Laguna Beach Chief of Marine Safety Kevin Snow. 

As the COVID-19 situation develops, the City expects some of our first responders may be exposed to the virus and need to be tested for the virus and self-quarantine. The Laguna Beach Police, Fire, and Marine Safety Departments have back-up staffing in place in anticipation this may happen. 

For more information, contact Firefighter Engineer Paramedic Pat Cary at (949) 497-0700 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

The City is sending out regular COVID-19 Updates for the community through Laguna Beach’s Nixle Community Alert system. To sign up, simply text 92651 to 888-777.

Laguna Food Pantry needs face masks and sturdy bags for their drive-through distribution

As readers know, Laguna Food Pantry is responding to the COVID-19 outbreak and staying open to serve neighbors in need. The Pantry is serving shoppers in a drive-through distribution program set up in the Pantry’s parking lot. Instead of allowing the shoppers inside to select what they want to bring home to their families, volunteers are bagging food and providing curbside service. The Pantry is open Monday through Friday from 8 to 10:30 a.m.

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Photo by Scott Brashier

Laguna Food Pantry is in need of face masks and sturdy bags

Executive Director Anne Belyea says, “The Pantry needs face masks for our volunteers and sturdy bags. We are pre-packaging over 1,500 bags a week. If anyone has canceled an event and has large quantities of new, sturdy bags, please reach out at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Of course, money to buy food at discounted prices from Second Harvest Food Bank at $0.17 per pound [is also welcome]. We can get about 60 cans of tuna fish for $10!”

Laguna Food Pantry is located at 20652 Laguna Canyon Rd. 

For more information or to make a donation, call (949) 497-7121 or visitwww.lagunafoodpantry.org.

Bird’s-eye view 

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Photo by Scott Brashier 

The best seat in the house

The Cliff Restaurant offers no-touch pickup and free delivery: new family menu available

The Cliff Restaurant offers free delivery to all of Laguna Beach, even Dana Point and beyond. All of the limited menu items are available, as well as the family menus (to feed four people), with all beer and wine selections 50 percent off with the purchase of any food. The cocktails are “just add ice,” and the restaurant is offering margarita kits and blackberry mojito kits to-go as well as engineering a “quarantini.” The Cliff is also are featuring curbside no-touch pickup.

Hilary Haron says, “Our delivery driver has been provided additional hand sanitizer and gloves. If orders are pre-paid, we offer a no-touch drop-off if the customer requests – meaning the food is placed on the front porch, or specified place of delivery by a gloved delivery driver.

Ordering can be done via phone at (949) 494-1956 (free delivery through the restaurant) or DoorDash (not free delivery). The Cliff has an application being released soon and will post details on its website, Instagram, and Facebook pages.

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Submitted photo

Curbside pickup at The Cliff Restaurant

“Again, our main concern is your health and safety, and the health and safety of our staff. Rest assured we are staying abreast of the COVID-19 situation at state, local, and national levels,” Haron states.

In response to the required closure of all in-restaurant dining, The Cliff Restaurant is:

--Continuing to provide curbside pickup and free delivery

--Has instituted additional cleanliness and safety measures, including limiting staffing

--Using effective disinfectant and sanitization practices following CDC guidelines 

--Menus are wiped down with disinfectant after each use 

--Staff is practicing social distancing and following all CDC guidelines

--Staff is utilizing additional protective gear

--No touch pickup and delivery available

The Cliff Restaurant is located at 577 S Coast Hwy.

For the new family menu and take-out items, go to www.thecliffrestaurant.com.

Where’s Maggi?

Who’s spotted this lighthouse? Well, Maggi did, but now she wonders who else has noticed it. 

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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Dennis’ Tidbits

By DENNIS McTIGHE 

March 27, 2020

On track for normal seasonal rainfall

Laguna’s 2019-20 rainfall now stands at 12.12 inches and our March total as of Wednesday evening is at 3.55 inches – that’s 1.03 inches above the normal total for March. Our season normal to date is 12.10 inches, so we’re right there.

This March has been our coolest in 45 years, since 1975. Our normal high for March is 67 and that figure has only been reached or exceeded once – on March 1 at 69 degrees. Every other day after that was well below normal with an average high of only 62.1. In a normal March we’ll see at least five or six days with 70 degrees or higher and at least two days when it hits 80 or higher. 

We’ve hit the 90-degree mark twice in March, in 1980 and 1988. Our warmest Marches were in 1984 and 1997 and our coolest were 1975, 1977, and this one.

With all the cool and wet conditions our air quality has been quite exceptional, with San Clemente Island, which is about 54 miles out, being easily seen on several occasions.

 The Sierra Nevada mountains have been getting payloads of snow this March and their seasonal snowpack is up to 85 percent of normal, way up from 45 percent just a month ago, with more on the way as another deep low-pressure trough is getting ready to plunge southward from the Gulf of Alaska.

In my last column I revealed my very first encounter with a tornado first-hand on April 1, 1967, in Amarillo, Texas, way up there in the Texas Panhandle, which is situated at the southern end of the famous Tornado Alley. There was so much more than just the twister that day. There was everything on the plate that day from baseball-size hail, straight-line winds up to 70 mph, torrential rain to the tune of over two inches per hour, and finally snow that evening.

The day dawned innocently enough with clear blue skies and temps at or near freezing with no wind. A little later that morning, the winds picked up from the SSE and temps began to warm at a rapid pace, and by 11 a.m., the temp had shot up to 70 degrees and up to 80 by noon. The sky was still fairly clear but on the horizon to the SW and west, a line of anvil-shaped clouds rose above huge cauliflower-shaped cumulonimbus supercell thunderstorm-shaped monsters. 

The warm, humid SSE winds were now blowing up to 35 mph, a sure sign of a flood of warm, moist, unstable air from the Gulf of Mexico, over 550 miles away. By 2 p.m. it was 85 degrees, and the air suddenly became very still and oppressive. A few moments later the violent thunderstorms were on us and all hell broke loose as intense, and I mean intense, lightning lit up the sky every 15 seconds or so, and the ear-piercing thunder shook the ground like a quake! 

Then the sky turned a turquoise color signifying that heavy hail was about to fall and boy did it fall! Picture thousands of baseballs coming from above at 100 mph. The ground was completely covered in white in just 15 minutes! Suddenly a huge vortex popped out of the dark supercell and made a beeline for the ground as it grew in size while moving to the NE about a mile north of our Air Force base, which was a good thing as it was tearing up real estate but away from any structures. 

Within moments this sucker looked like it was a mile wide as it had its way with the surrounding landscape with the roar resembling a whole fleet of jet fighters. The twister was an EF-4 with winds up to 190 mph. Then the whole sky emptied with Biblical rains like I’ve never seen before as the winds shifted abruptly from the SSE to the NW. Straight-line winds were signifying the passage of the cold front. 

Two hours later it began to snow as the temp dropped from 85 to 28 in a matter of just four hours! By midnight it was all over as the stars and moon appeared. All this in less than twelve hours! Welcome to the world of severe weather, Mister McTighe! I remember that day like it was yesterday. I knew right then and there I would someday be a tornado chaser! 

Stay healthy! ALOHA!

Assistance League steps in to help Laguna Food Pantry: Can you help too?

The COVID-19 outbreak has dramatically increased the number of people needing food. At the same time that the number of people seeking food increased, the Laguna Food Pantry’s supply of rescued food from grocery stores has become unreliable and, last week, almost non-existent.

Hearing the impact of COVID-19 on the Laguna Food Pantry, the Assistance League stepped into action, delivering a check for $5,000.

Assistance League Laguna Beach’s vision is “Transforming Lives” and “Strengthening Community.” 

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Photo by Mary Hurlbut

Laguna Food Pantry volunteers (L-R) Cecile Scott, Rebecca Washington-Lindsay, and Nancy Oughton

“We all felt that the Laguna Food Pantry supports our vision and we’re glad we could help during these uncertain times,” said Cheryl Spetrino, president, Assistance League Laguna Beach.

Spetrino added that, “Vice President of Philanthropy SanDee Frei sent out an email to her committee members asking for their permission to proceed. In a matter of minutes, members started replying, affirming their desire to support the Laguna Food Pantry’s endeavors in this way.”

The Laguna Food Pantry is open Monday through Friday from 8 to 10:30 a.m. and is now operating with a drive-through distribution system. Anyone in need is welcome once a week. 

If you know of anyone in need, please let them know. Please donate at www.lagunafoodpantry.org.

Laguna Playhouse gives back to the community 

Submitted by Laguna Playhouse 

Thank you to all our community service heroes who are working so extraordinarily hard to get us through these unprecedented times. While we’re all practicing “Safer At Home” guidelines, everyone from grocery store workers and gas station attendants, health care workers, law enforcement, court employees and fire personnel, postal clerks, and hardware store employees – you are all on the front lines, working diligently to make sure that we all have the essential items we need. Thanks to you, we can receive healthcare, eat, fix our cars, get gas, and mail letters. Thanks to you, we’re safe.

You are our heroes. And we want to say thank you.

Says Executive Director Ellen Richard, “Every day these incredible people are giving us hope in humanity. They put themselves and their families at risk to serve the entire community. These are true heroes who are showing up every day to help all of us during this unprecedented crisis.”

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Submitted photo

Laguna Playhouse signage displays closure for a brief intermission 

We will be back performing again when it is safe to gather. When we do, Laguna Playhouse will make performances complimentary for these Orange County heroes as our way of thanking you for your selfless dedication to us all. 

To be eligible, all you have to do is visit and sign up on our website with your contact information and the type of work you do, and once we reopen, we’ll set you up with a pair of tickets for the show of your choice. It’s that simple; visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com for details.

A night out, on us, as our way of saying thank you. 

As we journey down this road together, know that we at the Playhouse will support our community in any way we can. We have just delivered our supply of N95 face masks, hand sanitizer, and gloves to local hospitals and our costume department is busy sewing masks. If there are other ways we can give back, know that we will. As we know you will too.

We look forward to seeing you soon – at your Laguna Playhouse.

Rock of ages

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Photo by Scott Brashier

A safe place to land

Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach announces virtual enrichment programs

The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach is excited to announce virtual enrichment programs will be launching soon. While the Club’s Laguna Enrichment Centers and El Toro Park Program are currently closed, there have been an astounding number of youths and parents asking when the doors will re-open. 

“While we can’t commit to date that we will reopen, we can inform everyone that our mission will continue to serve the youth of our communities by offering programs virtually in the coming weeks,” said Pam Estes, CEO. 

Age appropriate virtual enrichment programs will be available for preschool through high school aged youth. Programs will encompass five program areas: arts, sports, health and wellness, education, and leadership. Live stream video instruction and discussion will take place on the digital platform Zoom.

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Submitted photo

Boys & Girls Club will offer virtual enrichment programs to youth 

Live stream programming will include: leadership and service programs such as Torch Club; health and wellness programs like SMART Girls; education programs such as study hall and homework help; art classes; and even a Virtual Teen Center where teens will have a safe place to socialize and collaborate. 

The virtual enrichment programming will also include a video library that includes instructional skills in basketball and baseball, story time for Kinders, virtual workouts, yoga, and meditation. 

“We are so excited to launch our virtual enrichment programs,” said Estes. “The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach provides such vital resources for the youth and families in our community. Since the decision to close our doors in wake of COVID-19, we have been imagining and creating how we can extend our services while practicing social distancing. I am amazed by the leadership and ingenuity of our team. Everyone is thinking out of the box and dedicating themselves to continue world-class programming in our new norms of life. We feel the launch of virtual enrichment programs will fill the void parents and members have been asking for since our doors closed.” 

Consistent, supportive, responsive relationships are key for child development. According to Harvard’s Dr. Shonkoff, “It’s those relationships that can turn toxic stress into tolerable stress.” The team at the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach will continue to provide these types of relationships even with COVID-19 interfering with day-to-day operations.

“We can’t wait to reconnect with our members,” stated Hans Laroche, Branch Director. “Not seeing them daily is like part of our family is missing. We are continually developing and nurturing relationships with our members. Not being able to be there to support them during such difficult times is really tough on all of us.”

“A pilot test for virtual programming will be running next week,” explained Danny Panduro, Program Director. “We will be announcing an official start date after we complete this test. Our Virtual Enrichment Programs will be offered to all youth, not just our current members, free of charge with parent consent.”

For more information, follow the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach on Instagram and Facebook, or visit the Club’s website at www.bgclagunabeach.org.

Festival of Arts’ FOA Foundation awards over $100,000 to 22 Arts Grants Recipients

The FOA Foundation helps fund the many art-related nonprofits in the Laguna Beach community, emphasizing the enrichment of children and young adults in all disciplines of art.

“During these challenging times, arts organizations suffer greatly. The FOA Foundation is proud to be able to assist Laguna Beach communities’ nonprofit art organizations,” said FOA Foundation President Bob Earl. “We hope that these funds help to continue the programs that educate our community on the importance of art and cultural experiences.”

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Courtesy of Jeff Sewell, LPAPA

FOA Foundation awards grants to local nonprofits 

The 2020 Art Grants recipients are:
--Art for Kids, Inc

--Arts Orange County

--Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach

--Festival of Art Education

--Laguna Beach High School Art Department

--Laguna Beach High School Drama Department

--Laguna Beach High School Music Department

--Laguna Beach High School Ceramics Department

--Laguna Beach Chamber Singers

--Laguna Beach College of Art and Design

--Laguna Beach Live

--Laguna Beach Museum of Art

--Laguna Beach Seniors

--Laguna Community Concert Band

--Laguna Dance Festival

--Laguna Playhouse

--Laguna Plein Air Painters

--LagunaTunes

--LOCA (Laguna Outreach for Community Arts)

--No Square Theater

--Sawdust Art Enrichment Fund

--Thurston Middle School Drama

For more information on the grant application process, contact Bob Earl at (949) 494-4132.

Laguna Beach Arts Alliance announces nominees for the 14th Annual Art Star Awards

Laguna Beach Arts Alliance (LBAA) has announced the nominees for the 14th Annual Art Star Awards. The event originally scheduled to be held on Sunday, April 5, 2020 has now been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic until Sunday, October 25, 2020. 

At this red carpet event, the winners will be announced and presented with one-of-a-kind Art Star award sculptures created by Louis Longi. These organizations, businesses, and individuals contributed and shaped the arts and culture in Laguna Beach in 2019. 

“Laguna Beach is so fortunate to have such a plethora of wonderful artists and supporters of the arts in our community. We are pleased to recognize these amazing people and organizations whose contributions are so critical to Laguna Beach’s thriving arts community,” said Art Stars Chairperson Dee Dee Irwin. 

The winner of the $5,000 Honarkar Family Grant, honoring the best and brightest of Laguna’s diverse artistic community, will also be announced during the event. 

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Photo by Mary Hurlbut

Bree Burgess Rosen awarded special Art Star Award

Laguna Beach Alliance for the Arts this year honors Bree Burgess Rosen with a special Art Star Award for Lifetime Achievement in recognition of her accomplishments in the arts in Laguna Beach. This year, LOCA and LPAPA Workshops was a unanimous choice for winner of Outstanding Arts Collaboration. 

The additional categories, nominees, and winners are: 

Best Arts Program 

--Third Street Writers 

--CAP Gallery 

--City of Laguna Beach Temporary Public Art Installations 

Individual Arts Patrons 

--Carla and Jeff Meberg 

Corporate Arts Patron 

--Dawson Cole Fine Art 

--Quilter Labs 

--Laguna Clay Company 

Arts Leadership 

--Wendy Wirth 

--Ellen Richard & Ann E. Wareham 

--Diane Challis Davies 

Artist of the Year 

--Timothy Robert Smith 

--Kathy Jones 

--Lojo Simon 

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Photo by Mary Hurlbut

Kathy Jones, nominee for Artist of the Year 

Volunteer of the Year 

--Pageant of the Masters Volunteers 

--Pat O’Brien 

--M. Charlie Ferrazzi 

The 2020 Art Stars Award winners will be announced during the event. 

To purchase tickets to attend the 14th Annual Art Star Awards, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Tables/Tickets for the rescheduled event will be available September 1, 2020. 

The Laguna Beach Arts Alliance was established in 2002 as the result of an exciting partnership among more than 20 Laguna Beach organizations. The mission is to serve as an advocate for the arts, promote collaboration and networking among the arts organizations of Laguna Beach, and to serve as a united voice for the arts in the city.

Members of the Arts Alliance include City of Laguna Beach Arts Commission, Community Art Project, Festival of Arts, First Thursdays Art Walk, KXFM Radio, Laguna Art-A-Fair Festival, Laguna Art Museum, Laguna College of Art & Design, Laguna Concert Band, Laguna Dance Festival, Laguna Beach Cultural Center, Laguna Beach Craft Guild, Laguna Beach Live!, Laguna Beach Sister Cities Association, LOCA Arts Education, Laguna Playhouse, Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, Lagunatunes Community Chorus, No Square Theatre, Sawdust Art Festival, [seven-degrees], and Third Street Writers.

For more information, go to www.lagunabeacharts.org.

Laguna Dance Festival COVID-19 update

By Jodie Gates, LDF Founder and Artistic Director 

We hope you are well and staying safe. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, we are closely monitoring both federal and state guidelines and responding accordingly and wanted to share some new adjustments to our upcoming dance events.

To ensure the safety of dancers, audiences, and staff we are closely following the CDC’s guidelines to avoid gatherings of 50+ people for the next eight weeks. We are reinventing and postponing LDF engagements. 

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Photo courtesy of Laguna Dance Festival 

Laguna Dance Festival announces cancellations 

This includes:

--Art Walk scheduled for May 7th at Laguna Art Museum postponed

--Spring Soirée/gala May 9th at [seven-degrees] canceled until further notice

We regret any inconvenience caused by these changes. Your health and safety is foremost, and we are grateful for your understanding. As we adjust to our virtual spaces, we are working to reinvent and entertain you remotely. These include training sessions and coaching for young dancers and providing access to master teachers.

Small arts organizations like ours are already feeling the economic impact of COVID-19. Our Spring Soirée/gala brings in 20 percent of our annual revenue so canceling is a tremendous loss. That is why the show will go on in one form or another. Stay tuned!

Thank you for your continued support during this challenging time. We wish you and your loved ones well and look forward to welcoming you back to Laguna Dance Festival as soon as we safely can share artistic experiences together again.

Village Laguna cancels Charm House Tour

By Johanna Felder, President, Village Laguna 

Dear friends,

We hope you are all well. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused us all to prioritize what is most important…the health and safety of our families and community.

We must reevaluate our goals as we look forward to happier times. In light of this, the Directors of Village Laguna most regretfully are cancelling this year’s 48th Charm House Tour.

We are hopeful that next year we all will return, and you once again will enjoy that delightful diversity of iconic homes and neighborhoods we have come to cherish…our Laguna Beach

We are thankful for your support over the past 47 years, and we look forward to celebrating our 48th Charm House Tour with you!

Laguna Canyon Conservancy update

By Harry Huggins, LCC President

As a nonprofit community organization, the health and safety of the public is important to us. Amid ongoing concerns about coronavirus (COVID-19) and following the governor’s guidance to avoid or slow the spread of the disease, the Board Members of LCC have made the decision to cancel two of our upcoming events, the April 6th John Pietig fundraising dinner and the April 26th Carolyn Wood Celebration of Life. 

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Submitted photo

Laguna Canyon Conservancy President Harry Huggins 

Due to the complexity and fluidity of the situation, the next scheduled dinner date on May 4th is subject to change also. We will keep you posted.

There have been no reported cases of coronavirus among our members. This closure is not mandatory, but, rather, a social distancing measure. Anyone who has already purchased their April dinner will carry a credit toward the May dinner or receive a refund.

Be healthy and carefully take care of others who may be dependent upon your assistance.

Stand up for better days

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Photo by Scott Brashier

Stand tall, we’re all in this together

Impact of COVID-19 on travel and tourism

By Ashley Johnson, CDME, President & CEO 

Visit Laguna Beach

As Orange County residents and businesses respond and adapt to the impact COVID-19 is having on our communities, one industry in particular has been brought to a complete standstill – travel and tourism. 

Tourism is a key economic driver in our county encompassing more than 500 hotels, major key attractions, and a workforce of 180,000. Last year, tourism generated more than $21.3B in total economic benefits to Orange County, money that is used to fund vital public priorities such as infrastructure improvements, community development projects, and public safety. In Laguna Beach alone, visitor spending surpassed half a billion dollars and continues to support more than 5,000 local jobs. For the last 14 years, I have watched our local travel and tourism industry flourish and benefit our community and neighbors as a result. 

However, the entire travel and tourism industry is currently in peril, including the thousands upon thousands of local workers that rely on visitors to keep food on their tables. The short-term impact of COVID-19 has been catastrophic for our hospitality partners and businesses. 

That is why Visit Laguna Beach has joined with U.S. Travel Association to request that Congress establish a fund to keep workers employed, provide emergency liquidity for travel businesses to remain open, and expand the Small Business Administration loan program. We are asking Congress to act today to ensure the Laguna Beach travel industry and its 5,000+ workers will have the means to sustain themselves through this painful economic period. 

Our community is strong and resilient, as is our industry, and we will continue to work together to support one another. We at Visit Laguna Beach promise to continue to fulfill our mission of promoting business and leisure travel to visitors around the world – so they know when they can travel, we will welcome them with open arms. Until then, we will continue supporting the Laguna Beach community and small businesses and do everything we can to help them weather this storm. 

While we heed the warnings to shelter in place, there are safe ways you can help our small businesses stay afloat. For more information on ways you can help Laguna Beach, please visit our Health Advisory page at www.VisitLagunaBeach.com.

Sing along at home to The Beatles with Jason Feddy

The City of Laguna Beach Arts Commission invites Laguna Beach to sing along at home with local musician Jason Feddy. In the recently released sing-along video, Jason sings some of your favorite Beatles songs and during the next two weeks, the City will add additional performances. 

Join the sing-along by visiting www.lagunabeachcity.net/culturalarts. 

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Submitted photo

Local musician Jason Feddy and the City invite locals to sing along at home

The City would like to issue a huge thank you to artists Rick Graves, who produced the video, and Jason Feddy, who both generously donated their time to create this event for the community. 

“I am just doing my bit to bring our neighbors together, at a time when we can’t physically be together,” said Feddy. “This was such fun to do! When this is all over, I’ll do another Beatles Sing-along at Heisler Park, but for now you can join in at home!”

The City of Laguna Beach Arts Commission and Cultural Arts Department will be providing online programming to the community. Coming soon will be virtual installations by street artist David Zinn and screening of Friday Flicks on April 2, 2020.

Keep updated on the latest news at www.lagunabeachcity.net.

Community Development Department offers limited services

On March 19, Governor Gavin Newsom issued direction that all California residents stay at home unless participating in essential functions. According to the state, construction workers who support the construction, operation, inspection, and maintenance of construction sites and construction projects (including housing construction) are considered part of “California’s Essential Workforce.” 

While construction is allowed to continue at this time, we ask that builders be considerate of neighbors during this time while they are required to stay at home.

Though Laguna Beach City Hall is closed to the public, the Laguna Beach Community Development Department is offering limited services online and over the phone to support planning, zoning, and building activities in the City of Laguna Beach.

Notable changes to service:

--The Community Development Department will continue accepting plans and issuing permits. The City is prioritizing applications for essential home repairs and health and safety issues. 

--The Community Development Department is conducting inspections. The inspectors are not entering occupied homes and are utilizing all mobile technology such as FaceTime, Skype, and photos to conduct and complete these types of inspections remotely.

Due to the stay at home order and associated impacts to service levels, extensions of building permits will be considered for approval by the Director of Community Development.

All Planning Commission, Design Review Board, and Committee meetings are canceled through April. 

The March 31 City Council meeting is still scheduled to be held but public access shall be limited to electronic and telephonic participation. There will be no public appeals heard until after the end of April.

To schedule a Building Inspection, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the City Request Line at (949) 497-0707 or IVR Request number at (866) 462-2073. 

The City has placed several secure drop-off cabinets at City Hall in front of the Community Development Department where plans and permit applications can be dropped off and picked up. 

The City is accepting applications and associated plans via US mail and email (for minor projects). Email applications and plans to the following:

--Building Permit Applications: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

--Zoning Plan Check and Residential Design Review Applications: 

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

--Permits and Commercial Design Review Applications:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

--Mail applications and plans to: 

City of Laguna Beach Community Development Department

505 Forest Ave

Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Payments for Permits: You may mail a check for payment to the City or you can drop it off in the slot on the left side of the main doors at City Hall. Be sure to include your name and the address of the project as identification. Payment can also be made over the phone by credit card or by check. For phone payments or general questions about Planning Department Operations, call (949) 497-0712.

Real Property Reports: The application for a Real Property Report (RPR) can be found on the City’s website here. 

Mail the Real Property Report application to:   

Nancy Csira, Architect/Zoning Administrator

City of Laguna Beach

505 Forest Ave

Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Or drop off the application and check written out to the City of Laguna Beach in the mail slot adjacent to the City Hall front doors. RPR applications are generally prepared within 7 to 10 working days.

Business Licensing: Planners are continuing to review business license applications as well as conditional and temporary use permits. Get or renew your business license here. 

You can contact the City by phone, and by email. For a directory of all City employees, click here. 

For questions about City services, call (949) 497-3311 during regular business hours.

Laguna Beach Seniors: “We are still here for you” during coronavirus crisis

By Nadia Babayi, Executive Director

The Susi Q Senior Center is closed until further notice. However, our staff are working onsite and from home, and are ready to help you weather this health crisis. Here’s what we recommend:

If you have symptoms or think you may have been exposed to the coronavirus, your essential first step is to call your health care provider to be evaluated. Do not go to the emergency room unless you are having an emergency or are directed to do so.

To stay well and reduce your risk of getting the coronavirus, employ current public health “best practices.” This is critically important if you also have any chronic health conditions. So: Shelter at home, maintain social distancing, and when you must go out, wash your hands before you leave and when you get home. If you have visitors, ask them to do the same.

However necessary, social isolation has its own side effects. So, use your phone, FaceTime, and the internet to stay connected with friends and loved ones – and with us. Facebook, Nextdoor, Instagram, Skype, and other social media are great platforms. But be wary of scams, conspiracies, and bogus medical advice. Use this time to get closer to people you know and trust.

You are the mission of Laguna Beach Seniors. So never hesitate to contact us. The best place to start is with Martha Hernandez, Director of Care Management. Martha is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and can connect you to all the resources of a caring community. Call Martha at (949) 715-8104 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. If you are feeling anxious or depressed, she can assess your needs and connect you with one of our skilled, compassionate behavioral health staff members supervised by Kay Wenger, MA, LPCC, LMFT.

Another great resource is our aging-in-place support network, Lifelong Laguna, which is managed by Director, John Fay, MSG. The mission of Lifelong Laguna – to help you age safely at home in the hometown we all love – has never been timelier. Lifelong Laguna volunteers are taking the same precautions we all are. And they are ready to run errands and lend a friendly ear. Reach out to John by calling (949) 715-8107 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Martha and John are also working closely with our many service outreaches partners. Sally’s Fund is continuing to transport seniors to medical appointments and can also help with errands like picking up prescriptions and grocery shopping. Call (949) 499-4100 to make a transportation request.

The City of Laguna Beach has also issued a press release regarding City programs at the Center and its efforts to respond to and prevent the spread of COVID-19. Click here for the latest information. 

Again, email or call our staff with any questions or concerns. For a complete staff directory, click here. If you are not already receiving our “Living It Up” e-newsletter, sign up at the bottom of our home page. In addition to regularly updating our website, Facebook page, and Instagram, Program Director Jo Ekblad (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; 949-715-8103) will be publishing special editions of “Living It Up.”

Because everything we do is driven by your needs and concerns, we welcome your This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. on how we can all stay well and stay connected during these challenging times. Stay safe, stay healthy.

Visit www.thesusiq.org for regular updates.

Sally’s Fund senior transportation service continues to operate during closures

By Rachael Berger, Executive Director, Sally’s Fund, Inc.

Sally’s Fund senior transportation service will continue to operate during the temporary closure of the Susi Q Senior Center and Age Well food service program.

As the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve, we want to assure the senior community that Sally’s Fund is still operating and will continue to transport seniors to medical appointments, grocery shopping, and running necessary errands. 

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Photo by Mary Hurlbut

Sally’s Fund van picks up seniors at the Susi Q for shopping trip

Sally’s Fund drivers will also pick up prescriptions and grocery shop for seniors if they do not feel comfortable leaving the house. 

Our drivers have been instructed to take precautionary measures to mitigate their exposure to possible infection, including wiping down the inside of the vehicles after each ride and washing hands frequently. 

Sally’s Fund strives to ensure that seniors have access to medical care and that nutritional needs are met. We never want any senior in Laguna Beach to feel isolated or alone, especially at this time. 

Please call (949) 499-4100 if you have a transportation request or if you know of a senior who requires our services.

Spotlight on the sea

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Photo by Scott Brashier

A spectacular show

Health in Balance Immune Boost Protocol

Recommendations from Gary Arthur, D.C., N.D., Dr. Lisa Arthur, D.C., N.D., Marcela Dominguez, M. D., Jordan Martin, D. C.

Prevention: 

--Practice social distancing and all guidelines laid out by the CDC 

--Wash Hands – soap and water is recommended as more beneficial than hand sanitizer

--Sanitization – see Dr. Klinghardt’s video (click here) on the best sanitization materials (look into hypochlorous acid)

Boosting the Immune System:

Sleep 

--Get adequate sleep – at least eight hours a night. And get to bed early. In Chinese medicine, each hour of sleep before midnight is worth two after midnight. 

Nutrition

--10 immune boosting foods to implement: citrus fruits, blueberries, garlic, ginger, broccoli, mushrooms, red bell peppers, turmeric, spinach, and miso

--Eliminate or drastically decrease sugar intake 

--Eliminate inflammatory foods such as wheat, GMO corn, soda, saturated fats, and artificial sweeteners 

--Avoid cold liquids. Stick to warm broths and foods.

Home Remedies

If starting to feel a sore throat, gargle with…

--Straight lemon juice (if it stings, this is your remedy. Stick to it and do it multiple times a day. If it does not sting, switch to… 

--Warm sea-salt water or... 

--Argentyn silver (spray in the throat) 

Click here for gargling tips. 

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Submitted photo

If starting to feel a sore throat, gargle 

--Make ginger tea: Boil sliced ginger root for 10 minutes, turn off heat, and add fresh squeezed lemon/lime juice. You may sweeten with raw honey, maple syrup – grade B, agave syrup, or sucanat.

Movement

--Keep moving and exercising to improve lymphatic drainage 

Ryah Arthur, a Check Holistic fitness trainer, is an amazing resource for virtual training and workouts during this time! Visit http://calendly.com/ryaharthur.

--Stimulate thymus gland

--Tap your thymus gland (in the middle of your chest) 

--Massage your thymus lymphatic reflexes located between your nipple and armpit

Temperature 

--Stay warm and bundle up: It is important to keep your kidneys covered up 

--Stick to warm foods as opposed to cold foods

Decrease Stress 

--Practice Qigong breathing techniques 

--Implement FAST- First Aid Stress Tool 

--Schedule NET- Neuro Emotional Technique Session 

--Click here to see Stress Relief Workshop for details on these techniques above

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Submitted photo

(L-R) Gary Arthur, Lisa Arthur, Marcela Dominguez, and Jordan Martin

Adjustments 

--Get regular adjustments to improve immune function. 

--Research has shown that adjustments improve immune function: 

--During the Spanish Flu in 1917 and 1918 those who got adjustments and chiropractic care had a much higher survival rate than those who were under medical care. Click here to see article.

--Ronald Pero, PhD, chief of cancer prevention research at New York’s Preventative Medicine Institute did a study in 1975 that found those receiving chiropractic care had a 200 percent greater immune-competence than those who didn’t receive chiropractic. 

--The University of Madrid Medical School and the Department of Health Sciences at the University of Jaen Spain, Plaza-Manzano found a link between chiropractic adjustments and the immune system in 2014. 

--A study in the Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy reported that a cervical spinal manipulation has a direct link to the immune system. 

--A 2011 study in the Journal of Osteopathic Association found that “Spinal adjustment increases IgA by 139 percent increasing immunity, decreasing risk of infections.” IgA is a specific immune system protein vital for immune function. 

--A 2010 study in the Chiropractic and Osteopathy Journal found that “Those who received an adjustment had significantly higher IgG and IgM levels post adjustment compared to control groups.” These markers signify increased immunity. 

--Call us at (949) 497-2553 to schedule a Chiropractic Adjustment

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Submitted photo

Enhance immune function

Supplements 

--Take supplements to enhance immune function including Vitamin C, Vitamin D (with Vitamin K), Zinc, and other supportive nutrients 

--Order a Daily Supplement Package! We have put together home ordering for supplements through Xymogen so you can create a package online and have it shipped directly to your home. Click the link below to connect to our dispensary. Make sure to choose the “Create An Account” option when you get to the site so that you can see our recommendations for the immune support package. Click here to order. 

--Look through this supplement recommendation sheet for immune boosting supplements. We are suggesting an Immune Boosting Supplement Package including: 

--Vitamin C (Xcellent C if Available) 

--Vitamin D (K2-D3 5000 if available) 

--Zinc (Zinc Glycinate if available) 

--Immune Essentials (if available) 

--Viragraphis (if available) 

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Submitted photo

MedPax

--At the moment, with the high demand for supplements, certain products are on backorder. Check out the Xymogen Immune Products Overview for other immune boosting supplements and options if the above recommendations are unavailable. You can also call our office at (949) 497-2553 to create a supplement package from our current stock and have it sent to you directly. 

--Option for a phone consultation with our doctors to go over supplements, recommendations, and dosage. Call (949) 497-2553 to schedule. 

Immune Boost Visit at Health in Balance 

--We have put together an immune boost visit for the community for only $67 including:

--Chiropractic adjustment to boost immunity

--Supplement recommendations and 15 percent off supplements 

--Cold low level laser therapy to boost immunity 

-- Click here for information and scheduling

Other Resources 

--Watch Dr. Klinghardt’s update on COVID-19 here. This is a very insightful and hopeful presentation on COVID-19 by Dietrich Klinghardt, MD, PhD, world-renowned doctor and founder of the Sophia Health Institute.

OC Health Care Agency helps support mental resilience during COVID-19

As the spread and far-reaching impacts of COVID-19 dominate the world news, we have all witnessed and experienced the parallel spread of worry, anxiety, and uncertainty. The way to overcome this natural tendency is to build our mental resilience, the ability to refocus, clear our minds, and discard negative thoughts.

What you can do:

1. Remember that knowledge is power. Understanding the factors that affect a person’s immune response to COVID-19 will matter as much as, or more than, understanding the virus. There is great information available on the OC Health Care Agency website at www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus.

2. Don’t accept everything you read or hear. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides information and frequent updates on the COVID-19’s spread, severity, risk assessment, etc. on the CDC’s website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov.

3. Get your emotional support system in place:

--Maintain familiar routines in daily life as much as possible; take care of your basic needs and employ helpful coping strategies: rest during work or between shifts, eat healthy food, and engage in physical activity.

--Stay connected with friends and family, even virtually connected, and maintain your social networks.

--Have the emails and phone numbers of close friends and family handy.

4. Take control and incorporate preventative measures

- -A near-constant stream of news reports can cause anyone to feel anxious or distressed. Instead, seek updates and practical guidelines at intervals during the day.

--Be supportive to others. Assisting others in their time of need can benefit the person receiving support as well as the helper.

If you or a loved one are feeling anxiety, worry, or fear related to the social disruption caused by COVID-19, you can reach out to these resources for support:

Call (855) OC-LINKS or visit www.ochealthinfo.com/oclinks Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm to talk or chat with a trained, clinical navigator.

The NAMI Warmline is also available to provide non-crisis support for anyone struggling with mental health concerns Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 a.m., and Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. Call (877) 910-WARM or visit www.namioc.org. 

For general information about COVID-19, call the OC Health Care Agency’s (HCA) Health Referral Line at (800) 564-8448, visit www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus, and follow the HCA on Facebook (@ochealthinfo) and Twitter (@ochealth).

For non-medical questions, contact the County of Orange Public Information Hotline at (714) 628-7085.

Guest Column

Another spiritual tool to relieve fear and anxiety about the coronavirus 

By Dr. Vidya Reddy

It’s dominating the headlines: 

“COVID-19 now in more than 50 countries”

“How bad will the coronavirus outbreak get?”

“Growing anxiety as doctors prepare for an epidemic” 

“Coronavirus pummels financial markets”

There’s so much uncertainty and heightened fear from coronavirus and its current and potential impacts across the globe. Rather than give in to anxiety, we can respond through the eyes of Hope and Faith.

We’re all in this together. The more we can stay centered, the more we can support our loved ones, our community, and our overall well-being. Our spiritual practice is more important now than ever. This is an opportunity to surrender to your own faith and recognize where your true power lies.

I created the Naturally Happy podcast as a tool to help, as a reflection exercise and for your building spirit muscle. Please listen and share it at https://naturally-happy.com/podcast/. Use the podcast guide to find episodes to create some catharsis in your life. 

Last week, I shared a beautiful meditation practice and this week I’d like to share another tool wthat I hope will serve you – The Choose Again Method. 

The tools I’ll be sharing in the weeks to come are ones that you can bring into your day-to-day life to alleviate anxiety and feel better no matter what’s going on. 

The Choose Again Method 

First things first, I want to give you a method I’ve been practicing for a really long time now. This is the Choose Again Method that I shared a few weeks ago on Naturally-Happy.com, and we’re going to apply it to coronavirus anxiety. 

This method has three steps: 

--Notice the fearful thought 

--Forgive the thought 

--Proactively choose a better-feeling thought 

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Photo by Johnny Antezana

Dr. Vidya Reddy

Notice the thought

So the first step is to witness your fearful thoughts getting out of control. In any moment, we can notice that that coronavirus story is on loop in our minds. We’re feeling pressure and uncertainty and fear. Just be gentle with yourself about having the thought: “Okay, there it is. Of course, I’m having it.” 

Let yourself be really present with the thought and identify where you feel it in your body. When we have a fear-based thought, there’s also a physical response to it, so we want to make sure we don’t neglect our body on our journey of getting back to a place of ease. For me, I feel it in my chest and my jaw, and I just feel an overall sense of tension.

Give yourself a chance to notice where you feel the anxiety, uncertainty, fear in your body. Then take a deep breath. Breathe into that space in your body. Honor the feeling, honor the thought. That’s the first step. 

Forgive the thought 

The second step is to forgive yourself for getting caught in the thought – and forgive the thought altogether. 

You may be thinking, “Why do I need to forgive myself for having a thought about something that’s real?” 

We want to forgive ourselves for getting hooked into the obsessive ideas, panic, and catastrophizing. (For example, maybe we’re completely healthy, but we’re constantly thinking about being unwell.) So just forgive yourself for going there. You can simply say, “I forgive this thought.”

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Photo by Pieter Baetans

Forgive the thought 

Forgive the fear-based thought 

A belief is just a thought you keep thinking. If you have a thought on repeat, and you’re repeating it over and over again, then you’ll start to believe that thought is your reality – that it’s who you are. Yes, there is a pandemic going on and it is our reality. But you can choose how you perceive your situation. You can choose the how of your experience. 

We can release our thoughts by forgiving them. 

Choose again 

The third step is to choose again. This is a very powerful technique of lifting yourself out of that hole of that fear-based thought. Maybe the thought is something like: 

--“I’m going to get the coronavirus and I’m terrified.” 

--“I’m scared because somebody was coughing.”

--“I can’t sleep because of these stories.” 

Whatever the thought is, once you’ve witnessed it and forgiven it, you then want to reach for the next best feeling thought. The best-feeling thought, in this case, can be something very simple, like: 

--“I’m healthy right now.” 

--“I’m taking proper precautions.”

--“I have what I need in this moment.” 

One by one, reach for the thoughts that make you feel better. Whatever it is that helps you to feel good, keep reaching for those thoughts and guide yourself out of the chaotic state. 

If we keep perpetuating the fear-based story, what happens is that it builds up a lot of momentum. And frankly, it absolutely already has. It’s already built up a tremendous amount of momentum, and that momentum is just getting stronger.

As people on a spiritual path, as a community, we have the ability to change it. We can undo the negative momentum and start to create momentum into a higher vibration energetic state that feels better. We want to be seeking solutions rather than creating more momentum around problems. Let’s continue to bring positive energy to this issue. 

In Peace, Love and Gratitude 

‘Til next time 

Dr.Vidya Reddy, ND, AMS, DAC, CLC 

www.Naturally-Happy.com

Cloud reflections 

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Photo by Scott Brashier

Ocean mirror

Bev Elwell wins first place in the Kit-Lit Writing and Fe/Line Art Contest in the adult category

Stu News is delighted to have the exclusive honor of publishing the winners of Catmosphere Laguna Foundation’s recent Kit-Lit Writing Contest. 

Today we’re publishing Bev Elwell’s The Case of the Persistent Pummeler, the winner in the Kit-Lit adult category.

“I am thrilled to have been awarded two top prizes in Catmosphere Laguna’s Kit-Lit and Fe/Line Art Contests! I owe this honor to three cats: Puddy (The Persistent Pummeler), Mystery (the inspiration for my sculpture Anticipation), and Carolyn (my current housemate),” says Bev. 

“They were all rescues that nobody wanted. Each one rescued me – from boredom, loneliness, and self-absorption. I’m grateful to them for the joy of their companionship and to Catmosphere Laguna for encouraging people to get rescued [by a rescue cat].”

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Submitted photo

Bev Elwell with current housemate Carolyn

Judge Rebecca Lyles, editor, author of From the Errors of Others, and writer for Lagunatics, explains what she enjoyed about Bev’s entry.

“The Case of the Persistent Pummeler is a well-written David and Goliath True Crime story in which the unlikely suspect is a black and grey tabby. Humans discussing a serious matter while stifling giggles!” Lyles says.

“The quality of the work in general was clever and imaginative, and clearly demonstrated how much people love their feline friends,” she adds.

Entries were judged anonymously.

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Submitted photo

On the right, judge Rebecca Lyles, with guest Amanda Rabinowitz

“We were thrilled to receive a combined 70 entries for the Kit-Lit Writing and Fe/Line Art Contest,” said Gail Landau, owner and founder of Catmosphere Laguna. 

“In addition to celebrating the wonderful world of cats, the contests also gave us the opportunity to remind people that Catmosphere Laguna’s mission is to save the lives of rescue cats and find them loving homes. As a nonprofit foundation, we depend on the support of the community.

“And our Vegan Cafe is the ‘purrrfect’ vantage point for viewing the kitties at play in our Cat Lounge,” she adds.

The Case of the Persistent Pummeler

By Beverly Elwell

It was 1974. Around 11 a.m. I heard a knock on the door of our apartment. When I opened it, I was surprised to find a police officer. My hand went to my throat. Did something happen to my husband?

“Mrs. Elwell?” he said somberly.

“Yes. Is something wrong, Officer?”

“I’m Officer Mike Markel. I’m here to investigate a complaint registered by a Mrs. Kimberly K. Krause. I’d like to ask you a few questions. Do you have a cat? A black and grey tabby?”

“Yes, I do. What’s all this about?”

“Does she have any other distinguishing characteristics?”

I turned and pointed to Puddy, perched on the couch. She was twisted into one of her pretzel-like poses, grooming her nether parts, one hind paw scratching the air. She hesitated for a second and indifferently blinked at us, but her paw remained pointedly up.

“As you can see, she has a white bib and four white paws.”

“She fits the description of the assailant,” he muttered, taking notes on a tiny pad.

“The assailant?!  What are you talking about?”

“Yesterday, Mrs. Krause was walking her son’s dog, Odin, when, according to her, your cat raced out from behind a bush, pummeled Odin on the nose, and then took off.”

“Well, she couldn’t have hurt him,” I responded, “Because she was declawed before we adopted her.”

“The dog is not the injured party – Mrs Krause is. Odin took off after Puddy, jerked the little lady off her feet, and in the process, her arm was broken.”

“Oh, no,” I started to exclaim, then, ”Wait a minute. He named the dog Odin?  Isn’t that the Norse god of war or death or something like that?”

“Well, it might suit the dog, he’s a big boy,” Mike responded.

“How big? How much does Odin weigh?” 

“I’d guess about 110, 120, maybe more. He’s a Great Dane.”

“And how much does Mrs. Krause weigh?”

“Maybe 95 soaking wet.”

“She should have been riding him, not walking him. Clearly the dog pulled her down. How’s my cat implicated in this?”

“She’s the alleged assailant. Puddy provoked Odin by deliberately and viciously pummeling him.” 

Mike was trying to remain professional, but a smirk was tickling the corners of his mouth. “I shouldn’t conjecture, but I’m guessing Mrs. Krause is expecting you to cover her medical bills. Good day, Mrs. Elwell.”

I closed the door and sank against it. Across the room, Puddy had curled herself into the shape of a butter biscuit and settled in for a nice nap. She looked so innocent, but I knew she was guilty. I’d witnessed her cat and dog game before – lurking behind the azalea bushes, waiting for some goofy mutt to come lopping along.

Then with her tail snaking back and forth with the excitement of the kill, she’d leap out and powder-puff the startled mutt with her fluffy white paws, then race off towards the trees hoping to draw him into a chase. Her usual targets were Scotties and Pugs, and everyone laughed. But this time she had bigger game in her green-eyed sights. If the God of War hadn’t been lugging Mrs. Krause by her pencil-thin wrist behind him, he might have caught up with her and turned her into a Puddy burger. Endgame for our crazy cat.

***

A few days later another knock came at our door. A well-dressed man smiled while removing his hat.

“Mrs. Elwell, I’m Frank Earnest, your insurance agent. I spoke to your husband a few days ago regarding the pummeling incident.”

I said, “Hello, Frank” and held my breath.

With a wry smile he said, “We have notified Mrs. Krause that the Company will cover her medical expenses, since your cat was somewhat involved in the injury. However, we denied her additional requests for a dog walker and cleaning services until she completely recovered. We feel that her son, Odin’s owner, should pay for that. By leaving her to deal with that unwieldy beast, in a sense, as they say in the military, he ‘screwed the pooch.’ Have a good day, Mrs. Elwell.”

I turned from the door to spy Puddy on the windowsill, looking out, tail snapping, probably planning her next siege. Slowly she turned to me, and I could swear she winked.

City of Laguna Beach commends county for closing parking lots to slow spread of COVID-19

On Tuesday, March 24, the Orange County Board of Supervisors took action to close public parking lots at all County beaches, trails, and parks to slow the spread of coronavirus, effective immediately. 

Orange County Parks is implementing the closures to reinforce social distancing and reduce large public gatherings. These measures are in line with recommendations from federal, state, and local health agencies. 

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Courtesy of City of Laguna Beach 

Public parking lots at all County beaches close 

Affected South Laguna Beach locations include the closure of parking lots at Aliso Beach and the pedestrian stairs/access points to Thousand Steps Beach, Table Rock, Camel Point, West Street Beach, and Treasure Island Beach. 

The County parking lots at the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Aliso & Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Nix Nature Center, James Dilley, Willow, and Big Bend are now closed. Restrooms, playgrounds, exercise equipment, and shelters at all County parks and beaches are also closed.

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Courtesy of City of Laguna Beach 

Newly placed signage shows beach closures 

“The City of Laguna Beach sincerely thanks Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett for her efforts to ensure closure of parking lots and narrow pedestrian access points connected to our County beaches and parks to protect the public.  These closures would not have happened without her leadership on this issue,” said Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen. “Closing these access points will lessen overcrowded conditions at our local County beaches and trails and help slow the spread of COVID-19.”

To protect the public and reduce the potential spread of the virus, the City of Laguna Beach closed all City beaches, adjacent parks (including Main Beach, Heisler, Crescent Bay and Treasure Island Parks) and area trailheads Tuesday. All City basketball, tennis and volleyball courts, along with all children’s playgrounds are also closed. 

Governor Newsom’s stay at home order permits outdoor activity as long as a safe social distance of six feet is maintained from people who are not part of the same household. 

For more information on COVID-19 from the City, go to www.lagunabeachcity.net/coronavirus.

Kids and seniors benefit from grant to LOCA

LOCA Arts Education announced that it received a major grant from the FOA Foundation, based at the Festival of Arts. The grant will enable LOCA to continue its free and affordable programs throughout Laguna Beach in fall 2020 and spring 2021.

  LOCA serves hundreds annually in all age groups including those aged 50 and up at the Laguna Beach Community and Susi Q Senior Center. Recent classes included clay plaques with Kate Cohen, watercolor portraits with Sandra Jones Campbell, and artisan greeting cards with Joy Vansell.

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Submitted photo

Student Graham thanks LOCA for program 

Preschool and kindergarten children at the Boys & Girls Club enjoy a variety of LOCA workshops including printmaking with Noel Lashley, and collage valentine cards. Carol Swanson recently taught kids about tide pool creatures. Children drew groupings of the undersea life with wax crayons and added blue watercolor washes. Youth of all age groups benefit from LOCA’s Arts in Schools combined learning programs.

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Submitted photo

Children at Boys and Girls Club enjoy LOCA classes every month

“We thank the FOA Foundation for enabling us to continue educating our entire community,” added LOCA President Carla Meberg.

To learn more, request a free e-newsletter from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., find out more on membership at www.locaarts.org, or visit LOCA Arts on Facebook and Instagram.