Community mourns LBHS student’s passing after tragic car accident in the Canyon Tuesday
The Laguna Beach community is mourning the tragic death of LBHS student Jasmen Wilkinson, who sadly passed away following a car accident on Laguna Canyon Road on Tuesday morning.
The accident occurred while a family friend was driving Jasmen and her sister to school at approximately 7:47 a.m. LBFD paramedics arrived on scene and extracted the three occupants from the Lexus and transported them to Mission Hospital – Mission Viejo due to serious injuries sustained.
In the days following the collision, Jasmen, a 14-year-old freshman, passed away due to critical injuries sustained as a result of the accident. Her 11-year-old sister, a fifth grader at El Morro Elementary School, is recovering after surgery for broken bones.
The driver of the 2001 Lexus SUV was identified as a 74-year-old male Laguna Beach resident. At the time of the accident, Jasmen was seated in the rear seat and her sister was seated in the front right passenger seat of the SUV when it collided with a parked dump truck.
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Photo by Scott Brashier
A memorial was created in loving memory of LBHS student Jasmen Wilkinson, who passed away after a tragic accident in the Canyon on the way to school on Tuesday
According to LBPD Spokesperson PIO Sgt Jim Cota, “The Lexus was traveling westbound on Laguna Canyon Road, at approximately 50 mph when the driver claimed he suddenly blacked out. He lost control of the vehicle causing it to drift towards the shoulder where it collided with an occupied parked dump truck. The force of the collision caused the vehicle to spin out of control until it collided with a tree in the center median.”
The occupant in the parked dump truck sustained no injuries.
“The investigation remains open,” Sgt Cota said.
Corporal Cornelius Ashton made notifications to both schools and contacted the girls’ mother. Acting Lieutenant Cota responded to the scene of the collision and commanded the incident.
LBUSD Superintendent Jason Viloria sent several emails, including the following email to LBUSD families on Wednesday, the day after the collision:
“We want to provide you an update on yesterday’s serious car accident involving two LBUSD students who attend El Morro and Laguna Beach High School. We are heartbroken to share with you that the high school student died this afternoon as a result of the injuries sustained in the car accident.
We want to let you know that we have resources available to provide immediate support services should you or your child need them. Counseling support is available for any student that needs to speak with a counselor, and we have requested additional counseling support from the county to assist us in providing support. We have included these resources for you should you need them:
--Helping Children Cope with Grief and Loss (click to read)
--Developmental Responses to Grief (click to read)
We know that our community will want to express their care and support to the family impacted by this tragedy. We are honoring the family’s request for privacy. If we receive additional information to share, we will provide you with an update.”
On Thursday, LBUSD Superintendent Viloria sent an additional email addressed to the LBUSD Community:
“As was shared yesterday [Wednesday], a member of the Laguna Beach High School student body, 9th grader Jasmen Wilkinson, passed away from injuries sustained in a car accident on Tuesday.
In our tight-knit community, a tragedy like this is felt by all. At the request of her family, we wanted to share information about her services in the event that anybody would like to attend.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held honoring Jasmen Wilkinson on Saturday, Nov 9, at 12 p.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 682 Park Ave.
All are welcome to attend. Again, our deepest condolences go out to the Wilkinson family and all impacted by this tragedy.”
“Wilkinson Friends” set up a GoFundMe page on Thursday to help Jasmen’s family with expenses.
“We are setting up this GoFundMe page to provide a way for this single mother of the family to pay for hospital costs, funeral expenses, and any ongoing needs she will face. Thank you so much for your support,” states the post on the GoFundMe page for the Wilkinson family.
Please click here to donate.
As of Friday, Nov 8, at 12:29 a.m., 496 generous donors have contributed $53,680 and counting. The heartfelt support exemplifies how the Laguna Beach community takes care of its own with open arms.
-By Suzie Harrison
Carolyn Wood: a legacy of community service
By BARBARA DIAMOND
Laguna’s environmental community is mourning the death of Carolyn Wood on November 1. She was 90.
The announcement of her death was made Monday at the monthly dinner meeting of the Laguna Canyon Conservancy by President Harry Huggins.
Though tiny in stature, Carolyn stood shoulder to shoulder with the late Lida Lenney to found the conservancy in 1986 and served as its president until 2016. She was named President Emerita after she retired from the board.
The City of Laguna Beach named the highest point in Laguna Beach the Carolyn Wood Knoll in recognition of all her efforts on behalf of and contributions to the community – most notably her unwavering efforts to protect Laguna Canyon from development.
Carolyn also served on the boards of the Laguna Canyon Foundation; Orange County Friends of Harbors, Beaches, and Parks; and the Top of the World Neighborhood Association.
She represented the Fifth Supervisorial District on the Orange County Transportation Authority’s Citizens Advisory Committee and has served the City of Laguna Beach as a member and as Chair of the Open Space Committee and the Parking, Traffic, and Circulation Committee.
“It’s hard imagine what the town we have would be like without Carolyn,” said City Councilwoman Toni Iseman, who spoke about Carolyn at the conservancy dinner.
Former Councilwoman Verna Rollinger said Carolyn was dedicated to her family and to the preservation of open space at Laguna’s doorstep.
“She was dedicated to her family and to saving Laguna Canyon, for which all of us in Laguna Beach will forever be grateful,” said Rollinger.
“Though she came in a small package, she had a very big heart,” said Rollinger. “We will miss her and carry her in our hearts and remember her every time we pass that beautiful stretch of Laguna Canyon Road.”
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Submitted photo
Carolyn Wood
Carolyn was honored for her commitment and accomplishments in January of this year by the conservancy.
Then-conservancy Vice President Harry Huggins presented the program honoring the woman at the head of “The Walk,” which he organized.
Huggins was executive director of the singular event, in which an estimated 8,000 people strolled down Laguna Canyon Road to protest the desecration of the habitat. The conservancy was the lead sponsor of The Walk.
Carolyn Martins Wood started her journey through life that eventually led her to Laguna Beach with the benefit of a wonderful, encouraging, and supportive family, according to Huggins.
Her resolve and appreciation for the fortunate opportunities of her youth instilled in her the passion to become a high achiever, far beyond the expectations, he said.
Family support and encouragement carried her from her early years through her college days in Whittier, where she met her husband-to-be, the late Andrew Jackson Wood.
The young couple married in 1950 and began their careers as teachers. They later opened a flower shop.
After moving to Laguna Beach in 1968, Carolyn made it a priority to study the massive development of the late 70s and 80s and she began to organize what became a treasure trove of information regarding those activities.
Carolyn never met a document about the environment or transportation she didn’t like. Her home was stuffed with file cabinets overflowing with documents that she never read – she couldn’t. She was born dyslexic.
But she knew what those documents said. Like many, if not all dyslexics, Carolyn had an excellent memory.
“She had total recall,” said Iseman.
Carolyn monitored and evaluated progress on what was being proposed, approved, and implemented by developers. She shared this information widely during her 22-year career with Laguna Woods Village TV and via any news or media organization willing to air or publish her comments.
Based on her vast knowledge, Carolyn was prescient about the future of the toll road that runs through Laguna Canyon. She predicted early on – to the wrath of politicians who supported the toll road – that it would not pay for itself in the advertised time and become a freeway.
How did that work out for them?
Carolyn is survived by her sister Alma Louise; children Steve, Becky, and Robert; grandchildren Crystal, April, and Andrew; and two great grandchildren.
Services are pending.
June Neptune: death of popular Laguna Beach restaurateur announced
By BARBARA DIAMOND
The death of June Neptune was announced at the November 4 dinner meeting of Laguna Canyon Conservancy, just one of the many nonprofits in Laguna Beach she hosted in the 40-plus years she held the lease on Tivoli Terrace on the Festival of Arts grounds and Tivoli Too! on the Art-A-Fair grounds.
Her generosity to underfunded groups was legendary.
June and her husband Terry were honored in 1998 as the Patriots Day Parade Citizens of the Year for their contributions to the city.
The Neptunes met on the Brooks Street Beach in 1957. Terry lived here; she was a frequent visitor. They married that autumn.
Both had children from previous marriages. Terry had two sons, Peter and Michael. June had two daughters, Lana Bobele and Linda Robson.
June and Terry both were former actors who found they preferred the restaurant business.
June had spent the years previous managing various Laguna Beach restaurants. He had managed Laguna’s first “South Seas-themed” restaurant, Christian’s Hut.
When the Festival of Arts opened bids for the lease of its restaurant concession, the Neptunes went all in.
“They won the bid and a place in the hearts of Lagunans,” wrote Parade President Charlie Quilter in the program.
Tivoli Terrace became a popular site for weddings, receptions, and parties during the Festival off-season. The couple opened the Hacienda restaurant in 1979 in Santa Ana and then the cleverly named Tivoli Too!, which they remodeled at their own expense.
The couple was known as soft touches for Laguna’s struggling nonprofits, including the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter and RUFF, which stands for Rescuing Unwanted Furry Friends.
June also hosted fundraisers for the Community Clinic, the Aids Services Foundation, and the Laguna Canyon Conservancy.
And when it was discovered that she might lose her lease on Tivoli Terrace, the groups rallied to her side.
“I encourage all Lagunans to let the Festival of Arts board know that they should renew the lease of Tivoli Terrace,” wrote Gene Felder, then president of the conservancy urging public support for June. “Tivoli Terrace has been a great member of the Laguna Beach community for many years and should stay.”
Terry Neptune died in 2000, but June carried on – despite a landslide in 1998 that crashed through Tivoli Terrace as she watched from the tennis courts below.
And as she watched, she was making plans to transfer events from the uninhabitable Festival across the street to Tivoli Too!, to make sure no bride’s wedding was ruined.
Stu News Laguna wishes to express its gratitude to the Patriots Day Parade committee, which supplied information about the Neptunes.
LAM’s Seventh Annual Art & Nature Festival celebrates nature-inspired art this weekend
Story by DIANNE RUSSELL
Photos by Mary Hurlbut
Executive Director of Laguna Art Museum (LAM) Malcolm Warner describes the Seventh Annual Art & Nature Festival as “a celebration of art inspired by nature,” and the four featured artists –Thomas Hunt, Laurie Brown, Mildred Bryant Brooks, and Yorgo Alexopoulos – each represent that theme in vastly different ways.
The festival is a multidisciplinary exploration of art’s many and various engagements with the natural world, and this journey continues all weekend through Sunday, Nov 10. For the first time in the event’s history, the commissioned work of art – this year by Yorgo Alexopoulos – will be inside the museum rather than outside and will be on view after Art & Nature weekend through January 5, 2020.
On Wednesday, members of the media had the unique opportunity to preview the artists’ works and view the multimedia installation by Alexopoulos –with the added treat of an explanation of the work provided by the artist himself.
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Malcolm Warner explains “The Last Tree” etching by Mildred Bryant Brooks
The works of Hunt, Brown, and Brooks have been on exhibit at LAM since October 13, and each artist has a unique approach to the issue of landscape and environment.
A preservationist, Mildred Bryant Brooks is known for her landscape etchings, many of which depict trees – such as her piece The Last Tree. 44 of her etchings from the 1930s and 1940s are on display.
Warner says, “She often portrayed nature under threat and the danger of it being undermined by development, as represented by the oil derricks in her work Black Mirror.”
Thomas Hunt is best known for his colorful coastal scenes. His exhibit Thomas Hunt: California Modernist features 50 paintings characterized by his distinctive style, which involves broad brushwork and the bold effect of light and reflection. Hunt was an active member of the LB Art Association.
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Thomas Hunt is known for his colorful coastal scenes
Displayed in the museum’s beautifully renovated basement, photographer Laurie Brown’s work depicts mankind’s relationship to the landscape in less comfortable ways, “dwelling in the zones that form a no-man’s land between the man-made and the natural.” Periphery #11, Crystal Cove, Newport Coast, 1995 shows the patterns left by bulldozers on the hillside during the development of Newport Coast.
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Photographer Laurie Brown depicts man-made impact on the natural world
As the riveting centerpiece of the event, Art & Nature presents 360° Azimuth, a specially commissioned work by Alexopoulos for the festival. The site-specific installation is on view inside the museum through January 5, 2020.
A mesmerizing experience, Alexopoulos’s large-scale installation features a two channel video projection with sound and invites the viewer to be part of it. As described, “the landscape symbols become metaphoric ‘characters’ in an animistic meta-narrative where reality and constructs of our collective subconscious seem to co-exist. Using landscape symbolism as a point of departure, he combines Euclidean geometric shapes with a multiplicity of moving images, whether filmed, photographed, painted, or drawn, that unite representation and abstraction into a common aesthetic.”
An American-born artist of Greek descent, Alexopoulos graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and currently lives in Los Angeles. He creates paintings, time-based media artworks, and installations. He often synchronizes multiple monitors or projections in a dynamic ensemble to create an ever-changing immersive spectacle.
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Yorgo Alexopoulos in front of “360° Azimuth”
Alexopoulos says, “Throughout history, nature has been constantly interwoven in religion and other cultural aspects, and I’m sensitive to how humans interact with landscape. Thirty thousand years ago, humans personified landscape/nature, and the sun and other elements became gods. They’re all different methods of landscape as symbol.”
Inspired by various types of landscapes, he says, “It’s not the content or where it was filmed, but how landscape is being presented. Everything was shot at same angle using motorized dollies.”
The photographs are from all over the world and drawn from his collection of 25 years of photography. He adds, “But there is CGI [computer-generated imagery] in the installation.”
Addressing the question of the various landscapes – deserts, oceans, mountains, and streams – in his installation, Alexopoulos says, “The body of work is like a narrative with the landscapes as different chapters. It has open-ended meaning. This is very liberating and experimental, something new and fresh, and I’m part of the pioneer process.”
His work is captivating and shouldn’t be missed.
Activities throughout the weekend
Throughout the weekend, there are many other activities for visitors to experience. There will be a keynote lecture by Professor Alan Braddock; a film screening; a panel discussion; and a free family festival exploring art and the natural world.
Friday, Nov 8:
6 - 9 p.m. – Keynote Lecture: On November 8, Alan Braddock, Ph.D. will give the keynote lecture, From Nature to Ecology: The Emergency of Ecocritical Art History.
Saturday, Nov 9:
11:30 a.m. – Film: LAM screens A Boy’s Dream, a documentary about the artist Theo Jansens, who creates large-scale “beach animals” that move independently, powered by the wind.
12:30 - 2:30 p.m. – Book Signing: Elizabeth Turk signs copies of the recently-published book documenting Shoreline Project, the 2018 Art & Nature commissioned work.
2:30 - 4 p.m. – Art in a Time of Climate Change: Professor Victoria Vesna leads a conversation with Linda Weintraub, the author of To Life!: Eco Art in Pursuit of a Sustainable Planet.
4 - 5 p.m. – Educators discuss how the idea of art inspired by environmental consciousness can be applied in the classroom.
6 p.m. Reception, 7 p.m. Lecture: In Person: Yorgo Alexopoulos: Yorgo Alexopoulos discusses his work, including this year’s Art & Nature commissioned piece.
Sunday, Nov 10 – Family Festival: LAM offers a day of free admission on November 10, plus family yoga with Bala Shala, hands-on art and science activities with partner organizations, and a family-friendly concert by Birdsong and the Eco-Wonders.
10 - 11 a.m. Family Yoga
11 a.m. - 2 p.m. – Hands-on Art & Nature: Art, nature, and science activities by Laguna Ocean Foundation, Laguna Bluebelt Coalition, LB Laureate Lojo Simon, Ocean Institute, Pacific Mammal Center, Newport Bay Conservancy, Center for Art Education and Sustainability, and the Art Division.
2 - 3 p.m. – Birdsong and the Eco-Wonders
Laguna Art Museum is located at 307 Cliff Dr, on the corner of Pacific Coast Hwy and Cliff Dr.
Admission: General admission: $7, Students (18+) and Seniors (60+): $5, visitors aged 17 and under: free, museum members: free.
For more information, click here.
Police Files
Man arrested at Main Beach for alleged criminal threats and resisting an executive officer
On Sunday, Nov 3, at 5:38 p.m., LBPD officers responded to Main Beach in reference to Pejman Zanjani allegedly causing a disturbance.
According to LBPD Spokesperson PIO Sgt Jim Cota, “Zanjani was disturbing the peace of many visitors by calling them derogatory names. He then made serious threats to the officers.”
Sgt Cota said, “Pejman Abdolali Zanjani, 41, was subsequently arrested for criminal threats and resisting an executive officer, both felonies.”
Bail was set at $25,000.
Employee warns guests they were too drunk to drive; they drove off and were arrested for alleged DUI
On Monday, Nov 4, 7:45 p.m., LBPD officers responded to the area of the Surf and Sand Resort, at the 1500 block of South Coast Hwy, in reference to an alleged DUI investigation.
According to police records, an employee reported “a couple of guests are demanding their vehicle be released to them at the valet. The guests were intoxicated and told not to drive.”
According to police records, the guests said they would get an Uber but instead left in their vehicle described as a black Mercedes.
According to Sgt Cota, “Security staff reported that intoxicated guests had retrieved their vehicle from the valet and were driving. Officers located the described vehicle and conducted an investigative stop. The driver was identified and subsequently arrested for DUI.”
Bail was set at $2,500.
Editor’s Note: An arrest contains allegations that a suspect has committed a crime. Every suspect is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
Animal Files
On Monday, Nov 4, at 5:10 p.m., LBPD received several calls in reference to an injured deer at the 28900 block of Top of the World Drive.
According to police records, the “deer was stuck in the fence between slats and had a bad cut.”
A caller was “advised to keep everyone away from the deer because the deer struggled when people were near.”
Animal Services officer John Thompson arrived on scene to extricate the deer. Thompson tranquilized the deer to make it easier to remove it from the fence. He later did a drug reversal.
Unfortunately, according to LBPD Civilian Services Administrator Jim Beres, “The deer did not survive.”
-By Suzie Harrison
30th anniversary of “Walk to Save the Canyon” to protest development on Laguna Canyon Rd
Story by DIANNE RUSSELL
Photos by Mary Hurlbut
At 9 a.m. on Nov 11, 1989, thousands of demonstrators, many holding placards denouncing the Irvine Company, marched up Laguna Canyon Road to protest plans for the Laguna Laurel project, a development of more than 3,000 homes and a golf course in Laguna Canyon.
The proposed project site was just outside the Laguna Beach city limits near the Laguna Greenbelt, a portion of rural landscape separating the city from the rest of the county. The Laguna Laurel project called for 3,200 Mediterranean-style houses, apartments, and condominiums on 2,150 acres in Laguna Canyon two miles from the San Diego Freeway (I-405).
Organizers of the procession said the estimated turnout of 7,000 to 8,000 people sent a message to Bren and the County Board of Supervisors that the massive Laguna Laurel project would not be tolerated in the middle of a huge greenbelt dedicated as open space.
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Sycamore trail in Laguna Wilderness Park
The “Walk to Save the Canyon” was sponsored by the city of Laguna Beach, the Laguna Canyon Conservancy, Laguna Greenbelt Inc., Village Laguna, and the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce.
As reported to the LA Times at the time of the walk in 1989, Harry Huggins, executive director of the demonstration, said, “This is common ground for everyone. Business owners and people of every type have joined together – it’s the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.”
Demonstrators left the Festival of the Arts grounds and walked almost four miles along windy Laguna Canyon Road. The walk ended in Sycamore Hills, a small recess where “The Tell” was located near the Laguna Laurel site. (The word tell is an archeological term for an artifact that indicates what came before.)
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Buckwheat in Laguna Canyon
The Laguna Canyon Project (1980-2010), a long-term environmental art project, used a variety of tactics and techniques to focus attention on Laguna Canyon Road. The project, created by photographic artists Jerry Burchfield and Mark Chamberlain, was a response to explosive growth in south Orange County and especially to the threats of development. What began as a 10-year project lasted for three decades.
In 1989, in celebration of the Orange County Centennial and the Sesquicentennial of the discovery of photography, Chamberlain and Burchfield erected a giant photographic mural in a critical location of the Canyon – the 636-foot-long mural, entitled The Tell.
As this public installation was located across the road from the proposed massive housing development, it became the focal point and catalyst for massive public demonstrations, protesting that project.
Largely as a consequence of months of community involvement in the building of the mural, and the “Walk to Save the Canyon,” the Irvine Company negotiated with the cities of Irvine and Laguna Beach to release that land for public acquisition. In 1990, Laguna residents voted overwhelmingly to tax themselves to purchase the land to keep it as open space.
Laguna Beach Fire Department marks 100th Anniversary
The Laguna Beach Fire Department marks its centennial year in 2019, celebrating 100 years of service in the City of Laguna Beach. On Sunday, Oct 27, current and retired Laguna Beach Firefighters commemorated the Department’s 100-year anniversary with a badge-pinning and gathering at City Hall.
“For 100 years the Laguna Beach Fire Department has sworn to protect the community, taking pride in our history and protecting the City we serve,” said Laguna Beach Fire Chief Mike Garcia. “Our mission is to provide emergency response, prevention, preparedness, and education to residents, businesses, and visitors of our City so they can live safely and prosper in a hazard-resilient community. I would like to thank all of the past and present members of this Fire Department for their unwavering dedication to the City of Laguna Beach over the last 100 years,” Garcia said.
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Photo by Mary Hurlbut
Firefighters during the anniversary celebration
The Laguna Beach Fire Department was started in 1919 with a crew of just 21 volunteer firefighters. The first official fire station was built by volunteer firefighters in 1924 and located directly across from the current Laguna Beach Police Station on what is now Loma Place. At that Fire Station (then called a “Fire House” as depicted in a 1920s photo) the 1921 Model-T Fire Engine was housed.
The department’s 1931 Seagrave Suburbanite Fire Engine, affectionately called “The Seagrave,” is currently in storage in Costa Mesa awaiting restoration. The City bought the engine brand new in 1931 and is looking forward to celebrating its 100th birthday in 2031.
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Photo by Mary Hurlbut
The badge designed to commemorate LB Fire’s 100th anniversary
Fire Department Milestones:
--1948: The Fire Department went from an all-volunteer staffed Fire Department to a paid/career Fire Department
--1968: The Fire Department expanded with personnel and facilities with the addition of the Agate Street Fire Station (Fire Station #2) and the Top of the World Fire Station (Fire Station #3)
--1988: The City annexation of South Laguna resulted in expanding the Department to its present-day four-station configuration
In addition, the Department implemented an in-house Paramedic Program using Laguna Beach Firefighters as dual-function Firefighter/Paramedics. Paramedics were previously provided by the Orange County Fire Department.
There are currently 42 members of the Laguna Beach Fire Department with 37 of those members divided equally into three Platoons/Shifts. Each shift staffs each Fire Station with three firefighters in the rank of Fire Captain, Fire Engineer, and Firefighters. Fire Chief Mike Garcia, the Department’s 21st Fire Chief, currently leads the Laguna Beach Fire Department as it celebrates its Centennial of Service in 2019.
Nearly all of the City of Laguna Beach and its surrounding 16,000 acres of open space are designated by Cal Fire as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone. This designation underscores the significant wildfire risk in the City. The City has a hilly terrain, significant vegetation that is fuel for wildfires and it subject to hot, dry summer and fall seasons, and high-speed Santa Ana winds.
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Courtesy of LBFD
The devastating 1993 El Morro fire
These conditions are frequently involved in the most destructive fires in the region. Due to these conditions in the natural environment, the City has a history of wildfires, the most devastating of which occurred in 1993 when Laguna Beach was struck by a Santa Ana wind-driven fire that consumed over 14,000 acres, caused the evacuation of over 23,000 people, and destroyed 441 homes and structures in less than a day. The City also experienced wildfires in 2015 and 2018 which started in open space.
The City of Laguna Beach is encouraging residents to be better prepared for a wildfire by creating a defensible space and creating a defensible home. You can do this by using fire-safe construction materials and looking for points of entry where embers could intrude into your home or attic during a fire.
Home and property safety preparation should also include creating defensible space around your home by clearing vegetation at least 30 to 100 feet away from your home and using fire resistant landscaping to help stop the spread of wildfire. Residents should also remove all dead or dying vegetation from their yard, roof and rain gutters.
Residents can sign up for a free wildlife consultation by the Laguna Beach Fire Department by clicking here or by calling (949) 497-0700.
Fall off the horizon
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Photo by Scott Brashier
When you stand at the water’s edge and look out over the ocean, how far away is the horizon? The distance to the horizon depends on the height of your eyes above the water. If your eyes are 8 inches (20 cm) above the water, the distance of the horizon is about one mile (1.6 km) away.
11th Annual Sports Swap at Thurston celebrates love of sports, is a rousing success
Photos by Scott Brashier
The 11th Annual Sports Swap was held at Thurston Middle School on Saturday, Nov 2. Sponsored by the Thurston PTA, proceeds from the Sports Swap go directly to the PTA at Thurston Middle School.
Jimmy Azadian, chair of the Sports Swap, says, “It was a privilege to chair this community event, working alongside the many moms and dads who donated sports gear and volunteered their time and talents to making this year’s Sports Swap our most successful Sports Swap yet! It is a one-of-a-kind event – joining together members of the Thurston Middle School family and the Laguna Beach community at large – to celebrate our common love of sports.”
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Sports Swap featured two brand new surfboards donated by Catch Surf
“Whether it be surfers, skimboarders, hockey players, or mountain bikers, Sports Swap has something for everyone. The entire day was filled with happy shoppers and fun-loving volunteers, people who wanted to support our middle schoolers at Thurston. My favorite memory from this year’s Sports Swap was a little girl who found the perfect wetsuit for only $10. She had raised the funds to buy her wetsuit, and she asked me if we could do a Sports Swap every month!” says Azadian.
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Attendees had fun while shopping
“There are many outstanding stories like this one, and I am so very proud of Thurston Middle School and our Thurston PTA for doing the hard work required to put on a community event of this magnitude. And we couldn’t have done it without our awesome sponsors: Catch Surf, Hobie, Laguna Beach Little League, and nbrhd.
“Seeing all of the smiles on the faces of our kiddos and parents was the best reward!”
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Something for everyone
Azadian adds, “Even though it is a fundraiser for our middle schoolers, Sports Swap is really an opportunity to bring our community together for a good cause. It is easy to see why Thurston Middle School PTA’s Sports Swap has been an annual event for over a decade, and I am already looking forward to the next Sports Swap in November 2020!”
The Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach was the recipient of any unsold donated equipment at the end of the event.
During this holiday season “Give It Forward” by supporting food drive for Laguna Food Pantry
Katrina Martino, owner of Hudson Salon & Spa, has partnered with several local businesses to form “Give It Forward,” a collective community effort by Hudson, to support a local food drive for Laguna Food Pantry. The November food drive will continue until November 16, and the drop-off locations are listed below.
Martino will be on KX 93.5 with Ed at 9 a.m. on Monday to discuss the food drive.
Laguna Food Pantry’s nonprofit is an almost completely volunteer-run enterprise that provides free, fresh, nutritious groceries to individuals and families in need who live, work, and attend school in or around Laguna Beach.
Martino says, “Clean out your pantry this holiday season for the Laguna Food Pantry. Your extra canned goods help support local families in need. Bring in your goods for great discounts.”
Food items at the Pantry are purchased from regional food banks and donated by local markets and private donors. The Pantry is funded by generous donors, corporate and private foundation grants, churches, schools, and local government.
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Photo by Lynette Brasfield
Most requested food items
Executive Director of Laguna Food Pantry Anne Belyea says, “We are so grateful to the local Laguna businesses (Hudson Salon & Spa, Art of Fitness, Rhythm Ride, Catmosphere, The Vault Clothing Stores, The Shop, Hobie, Brass Tack, and Yoga Sapien) that are joining together in support of the Laguna Food Pantry with a ‘Give It Forward’ food drive this month! Special thanks to Katrina Martino with the Hudson Salon & Spa for coordinating the efforts. Every weekday, the Laguna Food Pantry collects and distributes over 5,000 lbs. of free, fresh groceries to over 100 families, most of whom have children.”
“This holiday season, give it forward, please support our local food drive, and help support your neighbors in need,” says Martino.
Laguna Food Pantry’s most requested food items are: canned tuna and chicken, peanut butter and jelly, pasta and pasta sauce, rice and beans, and cereal.
The following businesses have partnered to collect donations and will have bins available at their locations, and in some cases, they are offering discounts to those who donate.
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Submitted photo
Look for this flyer on the donation bin
--The Hudson Salon & Spa – Katrina Martino
Drop-off location: 361 Forest Ave, #104
(Offering 30 percent off new services/gift certificates/raffle for facial services.)
--Art of Fitness – Marian Keegan and Fernanda Rocha
Drop-off location: 1080 S Coast Hwy
--The Vault clothing stores – Gila Leibovitch
Drop-off location: 361 Forest Ave
(Gila is offering 20 percent off for customers in her store.)
--Rhythm Ride – Stephanie Chapel
Drop-off location: 100 S Coast Hwy, #209a
(Steph of Rhythm Ride is doing a raffle to win prizes.)
--Catmosphere – Gail Landau
Drop-off location: 381 Forest Ave, Suite 100A
(Starting November 15, offering 15 percent off all retail and logo items in the café.)
--Hobie – Mark Christy
Drop-off location: 294 Forest Ave
--The Shop – Jessica Watson
Drop-off location: 1020 S Coast Hwy
--Brass Tack – Kristin
Drop-off location: 311 Ocean Ave
--Yoga Sapien – Lori Khan
Drop-off location: 610 N. Pacific Coast Hwy, Ste 208
If readers know of a family that is in need, please contact Katrina Martino at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
To donate funds directly to Food Pantry, go to www.lagunafoodpantry.org/give.
Dennis’ Tidbits
By DENNIS McTIGHE
November 8, 2019
Weather is all over the map!
McWeather thought he had some serious mood swings until the swings of the past two to three weeks from the Rockies to the Atlantic Seaboard. The record-shattering searing heat of October has been abruptly replaced by repeated visits from the Polar Vortex with record-breaking cold that is found more in midwinter.
Two weeks ago, Nashville had a high of 98. Tomorrow it will be 29 for the high! Even Florida is getting in on the action with frost warnings as far south as Orlando and Jacksonville at latitudes 28 and 29 north respectively.
The polar vortex is a giant pool of bitterly cold air that covers most of Canada from the U.S. Border to the Arctic Circle. High barometric pressures are off the charts with central pressures as high as 1,050 millibars at 31.00 inches of mercury. In a normal year there will be at least a few visits from this polar influence especially when the northern jet stream is as tweaked as it is now.
When the jet stream is running in mostly a west to east line with gently curving lines, the coldest air is pretty much restricted to points north of the Canadian Border. Normal or above normal temps go even as far north as the Dakotas with high temps in the 40s up there, but when the jet stream is behaving like it has been, temps can sink below zero up there and these cold fronts are plowing as far south as the Gulf Coast and even Florida.
The old weather adage of whatever is going on in the West, the opposite is going on east of the Continental Divide, often holds true. The northern jet stream treks eastward across the Central and North Pacific but when it reaches a point about 1,500 miles west of the U.S., it takes a sharp turn to the left and makes landfall way up in Alaska. Once it crosses over places like Fairbanks, it makes an abrupt turn to the south when it crosses the Rockies and points south, bringing all that frigid air with it – as a very deep low pressure trough develops bringing all kinds of hazardous weather.
While all this madness is going on back there, it’s all quiet on the Western Front with sunny skies day after day and generally above to well above temps as a huge high pressure ridge remains anchored over the entire region – with no signs of going anywhere anytime soon. At this time, long range models going out 10-14 days see little or no precipitation from British Columbia to the tip of Baja.
With no North Pacific storms even getting close to wearing down this huge ridge of high pressure, the surf really suffers along the entire Pacific West Coast. I checked out four different webcams today including Mavericks, Santa Cruz, Point Arena, and a place called Lincoln City way up in North Central Oregon where it’s usually 8-10 feet or bigger almost daily by this time of year.
All four spots revealed one to two-foot dribblers at the most with no relief in sight. The Southern Hemisphere is not cooperating either so it’s all about ankle snappers and shin splitters for everybody. I’ve never seen a flat spell like this one, at least in my lifetime. King Neptune must be on an extended vacation.
Have a nice weekend, ALOHA!
Where’s Maggi?
Where is she now? If you think you can name this spot, let Maggi know you’re onto her!
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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Guest Column
Escape the vape: Laguna Beach schools tobacco/vaping prevention education
By Dr. Jason Viloria, Superintendent of LBUSD
In 2017 and 2018, vaping use skyrocketed in the United States and led the U.S. Surgeon General to declare e-cigarette use among youth as an epidemic. Moreover, in 2018, data from the CDC and FDA showed that more than 3.6 million youth – including one in five high school students and one in 20 middle school students – used a vaping product within the past month. The CDC’s most recent data, published in October 2019, indicates that there have been 1,604 cases of e-cigarette, or vaping, product use associated lung injuries reported from 49 states, including 34 deaths.
According to a California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) in the 2017-2018 school year, 29 percent of the Laguna Beach Unified School District’s (LBUSD) 11th grade students reported using an e-cigarette (vape) within the past month. The reported average recent use across Orange County for 11th grade students was 13 percent. To better understand specific aspects of student perceptions of vaping, including access, perceptions of harm, perceptions of use among peers, and more, LBUSD staff incorporated custom questions into the 2017-2018 CHKS. The survey findings help guide anti-tobacco/vaping education within the district and provide important information on program outcomes.
There are three primary components of the anti-tobacco/vaping education in LBUSD. These are aligned with best-practice public health models for reducing harmful risk behaviors and include: 1) Increase awareness of the science of addiction, the chemical hooks in nicotine, and vaping, and short and long term health impacts; 2) Increase awareness of the influence of marketing, including social media, targeted marketing toward youth, and how to resist common marketing tactics; and 3) Healthy decision making and refusal skills to avoid initial experimentation. A fourth component involves providing cessation and support resources to students and families already impacted by nicotine addiction.
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Photo by Mary Hurlbut
Superintendent of LBUSD Jason Viloria
Public health prevention data tells us that students’ perspective of the rate of peers’ use is highly related to how culturally acceptable vaping is among youth. The CHKS findings revealed that students’ perceptions of others’ vaping were very high when compared to self-reported use in the last month, indicating a mismatch between reality and perception. Specifically, among 7th graders, students estimated that 66 percent of other students vaped at least once a month; among 9th grade students, they estimated that 93 percent of other students vaped a least once a month; and among 11th graders, students estimated that 97 percent of other students vaped at least once a month.
Accordingly, one method that the district uses to combat misperception of vaping rates among youth is to share corrective norming information gathered from the CHKS with students, staff, and families in a variety of settings. This corrective norming work is also a foundation of the broader alcohol, tobacco, and other drug prevention efforts championed by LBUSD’s partners in the Laguna Beach Community Coalition. When students have accurate information that reflects the reality that the majority of students do not use alcohol, tobacco/vape, or other drugs, they are better equipped to utilize their refusal skills in the moment to avoid experimentation or initial use.
At Laguna Beach High School and Thurston Middle School, Tobacco-Use Prevention Education (TUPE) site leaders run multiple awareness campaigns that are youth-driven to increase disapproval of vaping among students and to link healthy lifestyles with clean air and lungs. Activities include anti-vape and healthy lung messaging on T-shirts, advertising within the Brush and Palette student newspaper and around campus, and delivering the evidence-informed instruction within middle school physical education and 9th grade health classes.
Prevention and intervention is a community-wide effort. We work locally with teachers and staff to increase students’ awareness of the harm tobacco products in all forms cause to a healthy lifestyle. In partnership with the Laguna Beach Community Coalition, a multi-agency stakeholder group, public health campaigns (Raising Healthy Teens and Strengths in Numbers OC) and youth leadership development have been a cornerstone of prevention efforts. Two Laguna Beach High School students spoke at the Laguna Beach City Council meeting on September 17, at which the Council voted unanimously to explore expanding Laguna’s current no-smoking ordinance to include an additional local ordinance to ban the sale of flavored vaping products within the city limits.
We believe strongly that our collective multi-agency efforts, in partnership with parents, policymakers, prevention experts, and student leaders, will eliminate the e-cigarette public health epidemic among our youth.
Note: Dr. Michael Keller, director of social and emotional support, contributed to this report.
Barbara’s Column
Preaching to the choir
By BARBARA DIAMOND
Congressman Harley Rouda knew he was speaking to the choir Monday night at the Laguna Canyon Conservancy dinner – and he received a standing ovation from the choir.
Rouda, a Laguna Beach resident and a Democrat, unseated Dana Rohrabacher in 2018 to represent the 48th Congressional District.
“A lot of credit for my election belongs to people in this room,” Rouda said. “It was a true team effort.”
Rouda wasted no time in pursuing his goals as a member of Congress.
“I am proud of the fact that I have passed more measures in Congress than any other freshman,” said Rouda.
He has introduced 28 measures, 16 of which passed, and co-sponsored 279 measures.
Rouda sits on the House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit and the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
He serves on the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, for which he chairs the Subcommittee on Environment.
“It is rare for a freshman to have a gavel,” Rouda said.
The subcommittee has oversight jurisdiction of global climate change, public lands, endangered species, air and water quality, the ocean, and much more, said conservancy President Harry Huggins in his introduction of Rouda. These are the issues dear to the hearts of conservancy members.
Rouda made his position clear at the dinner on what he considers the administration’s disregard for the rule of law.
[Presidential advisor] “Kellyanne Conway, brought up the campaign while acting in an official capacity,” he said. “Ten times.”
“That violation happened twice in in the Obama administration,” Rouda said.
“One resigned and the other said it would never happen again.”
He also cited ranking Republicans’ refusal to be questioned about the administration’s alleged flouting of the law.
“But we (House) still got things done, “said Rouda.
He also disputed the administration’s declaration that climate change is fake news.
The broad narrative on climate change has three parts, Rouda said: the past, the present, and the future.
In the past, he said, people built homes and farmed based on the weather. A switch in temperature and 200 million people were on the move to find a better place to live.
“At present, we are trying to determine the economic cost,” said Rouda. “But doing nothing is more expensive than doing something.”
Rouda said a second question being asked is why America should do anything about climate if China and India don’t.
As for the future, he said the world has two roads: Apocalyptic and Nirvana.
“We can get to Nirvana,” said Rouda. “The best way is having America leading the way instead of fighting it.
“We are supposed to be leaders,” opined Rouda.
Rouda then invited questions.
Asked about the storage of spent fuel at San Onofre, Rouda said there are actually places that are willing to take it and that is where it should go, not to Nevada which has no nuclear plants.
He addressed the impact of climate change on rising seas with information about federal grants to fortify cities like Laguna against the encroaching depth of the ocean.
Weaknesses of Democrats in 2020?
“Getting the voters out,” said Rouda. “Fifty-four percent will not vote.
“In California, we could run a rock against Donald Trump and the voters would elect the rock. It is the swing states we must carry.
“We must register voters and get the right candidate for the right position.”
Asked who he would support as the Democratic candidate for the presidency, Rouda said, “The one who can beat Trump by the biggest margin.
“If it’s Biden (former Vice President Joseph Biden) then I want Biden. If the polls change, then I want that person.”
He opined in response to a question that the Electoral College will never be abolished
“It’s an amendment to the Constitution,” he said.
However, the states could reapportion the votes, from winner takes all to splitting the votes between the two candidates, based on votes cast for each of them.
The conservancy dinner was the middle one of three events Rouda attended that night. He came to the dinner directly from a gathering at Skyloft.
“He was wonderful,” said Betsy Jenkins, who attended both functions.
As Rouda headed out the door on his way to the third event, he took the time to shake some hands, including Barbara and Greg MaGillivray’s, founders of One World One Ocean.
But the dinner was far from over when he left.
Huggins had the sad task then of announcing the deaths of conservancy President Emerita Carolyn Wood, whose activities on behalf of the city and the environment are legendary, and June Neptune, who hardly ever met a nonprofit organization that she didn’t like, offering them a venue for fundraisers at cut-rate costs.
Huggins also announced that the conservancy is looking for a new place for its dinner meetings.
Diners were handed a flyer from Laguna Residents First that invited them to a meeting at 7 p.m. on November 13 at the Susi Q. Reservations can be made at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Cox Conserves’ representatives attended the meeting to present a $10,000 check to Jinger Wallace for her campaign to clean up the runoff from of Aliso Creek to the beach.
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(L-R) Cox Communications Public Affairs Manager Adriana Galdamez, Charlotte Masarik of Laguna Bluebelt, Jinger Wallace, state winner for Cox Conserves Heroes), Mike Beanan of Laguna Bluebelt, and Cox representative Casey Haack
She was named the California 2019 award winner.
Fifth District Supervisor Lisa Bartlett stated that through Wallace’s efforts in collaboration with the supervisor’s office, new signage was installed at Aliso Beach warning the public about the toxic runoff.
Bartlett’s Community Relations Advisor Sergio Prince presented Wallace with a certificate of recognition for her efforts to reduce the runoff by 50 percent.
“I am so honored and grateful to receive this award,” said Wallace
Wallace was one of tree Gingers – well two Gingers and one Jinger – at the dinner: Besides Wallace, Ginger Osborne was there, as was Ginger Fitzpatrick.
On the guest list: Councilwoman Toni Iseman, Joan and former Public Works Director Terry Brandt, former Councilman Neil Fitzpatrick and Bonnie Hano sans Arnold, who is recovering from a broken disc in his back.
Also on hand: Karyn Philippsen, Ashley Johnson, Anne and Ryen Caenn, Marion Jacobs, Johanna Felder, Eric Jensen, Sandi Caine, Charlotte Masarik, Trudy Josephson, and Leah Vasquez.
Folks were greeted at the door by Janine Robinson, Jackie Gallagher, and Lorene Laguna, all conservancy board members, along with Carey Stombotne, Gayle Waite, Liza Stewart, and Gene Felder.
But wait – there’s more. You will find advance notice of all the fun and interesting stuff for visitors or residents to do in Laguna by reading StuNewsLaguna.com. Contributions are welcomed.
Ruby red and amber reflections
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Photo by Scott Brashier
Golden light turns the trees into stark silhouettes
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Photo by Scott Brashier
Veins of scarlet in the metallic water
Thomas Studios features unique artists and artisans including owner Shaun Thomas
By DIANNE RUSSELL
Thomas Studios opened its doors in August of 2018, showcasing not only the works of three talented artists, Casey Parlette, Erik Skoldberg, and owner, designer, and featured artist Shaun Thomas, but several other artisans and designers of modern and mid-century lighting, vases, and furniture.
The organically growing “Thomas Collection” has quickly become a style guide sought after by many clients and collectors for their homes and businesses. From the moment visitors walk in, they immediately get a sense of the unique, coastal, and warmer contemporary style.
Thomas says, “The positive feedback has been amazing and so fulfilling. It really helps motivate and push my creativity in both my artwork and ideas that I want to pursue, adding to the ever-changing gallery experience. I have truly found what I love to do, and I can’t get enough of it.”
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(L-R) Thomas’ “Sun and Moon,” Skoldberg’s surfboards and vibrant painting, and Parlette’s “Old Timer” lobster sculpture on table
Growing up in Rancho Santa Margarita, most days Thomas could be found down in San Clemente surfing. As a graphic designer, he had years of experience branding companies, creating and designing their online presence and printed material.
Thomas says, “I had a good track record, always surpassing my client’s needs and expectations. It’s the perfectionist in me that established a high standard and style as a designer. It’s not until I moved to San Clemente five years ago, that I first started creating my own artwork to fill empty walls that needed some love. Merging my passions for surfing and for graphic design, I created my own recognizable signature style of artwork.”
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Shaun with his “Nautilus Shell”
However, creating art and opening up a gallery are two different endeavors.
Thomas says, “For the past few years, making a name for myself as an artist, I kept running into an issue with customers and collectors on where to send them if they wanted to see my work in person, purchase a piece, or talk about a custom commission. Having a location with a variety of different pieces to view in one spot is so important in the art world, especially my work as the pieces are multi-layered and images don’t do it justice.
“If I was going to take this art venture seriously, I really needed to go all in. I began driving around Orange County in search to possibly open up a location and found myself, more often than not, talking to a lot of business owners about their experience with their business. You cannot rely simply on ‘tourist season’ or ‘busy season’ anymore. Selling average products or services just doesn’t work.”
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Upstairs at Thomas Studios
On the search for the perfect gallery location, Thomas drove up and down the local coast, eventually stumbling upon a location in downtown Laguna.
According to Thomas, with his popular Wood Wave Sculptures being collected in surf or beach towns all over the world, opening up a gallery in Laguna seemed like the perfect spot.
“After my first visit to the vacant space near downtown, which used to be the Drizzle Pop Art Studio, I immediately began visualizing ideas of what type of gallery I wanted to build. The place needed a lot of work, but I could see the potential.”
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Casey Parlette’s “Limited Resources”
“Knowing I had to create something unique and different from the traditional art gallery, I began selecting designer furniture, lighting, and decor items that I thought fit my style and complemented my work. I decided to add to the experience two other artists that I have been a personal fan of for a couple of years.”
Thomas admits that both Parlette with his coastal-inspired wildlife sculptures and Skoldberg with his vibrant and energetic contemporary paintings, have helped create an amazing collection of work.
“Teaming up with these talented designers, creators, and artists that are truly passionate about their work has been such an amazing experience. It’s what keeps fueling my passion.”
Thomas Studios is located at 550 S. Coast Hwy #5.
Showroom hours are Thursday - Sunday, from 1 to 7 p.m.
For more information, go to www.ThomasStudiosLaguna.com or call (949) 274-9023.
Coast Film Festival hosts nature hike with REI and Laguna Canyon Foundation on Saturday
As part of the Coast Film Festival, all are invited to enjoy a guided hike with representatives from REI and Laguna Canyon Foundation (LCF) on Saturday, Nov 9 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., meeting at the James Dilley Preserve.
The hike will be a fun one with lots to experience: the smell of sage, beautiful vistas, and Barbara’s Lake. Each hiker will be entered to win prizes from REI and LCF.
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Hike the beautiful James Dilley Preserve on Saturday
The hike will be a four to five-mile hike over steep and uneven terrain (650-ft. elevation gain). It is for ages 16 and up. Hikers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent. Attendees are advised to wear appropriate attire, shoes, and sun protection, and also to bring plenty of water.
The hike will begin at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, James Dilley Preserve.
For more information, click here. Parking is $3 per vehicle.
Laguna Beach Police Department awarded traffic education and enforcement grant
Laguna Beach Police Department has received a $104,975 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a year-long enforcement and education program. The money will fund various activities intended to reduce deaths and injuries on California roads.
The grant-related activities are for the 2020 federal fiscal year, which runs from October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020.
The funding from the OTS will be used for numerous programs, including:
--DUI/driver’s license checkpoints
--Patrols specifically looking for suspected alcohol and/or drug-impaired drivers
--Patrols targeting violations of California’s hands-free cell phone law
--Patrols targeting the primary causes of crashes
--Patrols specifically looking for seat belt and child safety seat violations
--Creating “Hot Sheets” identifying repeat DUI offenders
--Officer training to identify suspected impaired drivers and conduct sobriety tests
“Getting in a vehicle remains one of the most dangerous things we do,” OTS director Barbara Rooney said. “We must continue to work with our partners in law enforcement to shift that realization and make traveling on our roads safer.”
Funding for this program is from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
TOWNA urges preparation at meeting at Susi Q on Nov 20
The Top of the World Neighborhood Association (TOWNA) will hold its next General Meeting, including election of the Board of Directors, at the Susi Q on Wednesday, Nov 20 from 6 to 8 p.m.
The meeting’s program will be conducted by Jordan Villwock, the Emergency Operations Coordinator of the Laguna Beach Police Department, discussing the emergency alert system, warning, and evacuation during natural disasters. In addition, Laguna Beach Fire Chief Mike Garcia will discuss the fuel modification program along with answering questions.
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Laguna’s Fire Chief Mike Garcia will speak at Nov 20 TOWNA meeting
Attendees will learn the different alert systems utilized as well as evacuation plans including neighborhood specific evacuation maps. A family emergency kit and planning ahead is recommended.
TOWNA relies upon voluntary dues of $10 per year per household. TOW neighbors can send dues checks to TOWNA c/o Mark Mani, 2798 Temple Hills Drive, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 or bring payment to the General Meeting. The meeting is free and open to the public.
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Nov 20 TOWNA will be conducted by Jordan Villwock, LBPD Emergency Operations Coordinator
The TOWNA Board will be elected at the meeting. Current board members on the ballot are Duane Allee, Chris Brazelton, Carol Buss, Gene Felder, Sandra Lucidi-Azera, Mark Mani, Karen Schwager, Carey Strombotne, Tim Templeton, Piero Wemyss, and Scott Woodard.
Other TOW neighbors interested in serving on the TOWNA Board, which meets every other month, should contact TOWNA President Gene Felder at (949) 939-7257.
The Susi Q is located at 380 Third St.
LBHS girls cross country wins first place in Sunset League race
The Laguna Beach High School girls cross country team won first place honors in the Sunset League race last Saturday in Huntington Beach. The Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Frosh/Soph teams all competed in three-mile races.
In Varsity, Jessie Rose won the race with a time of 18:00.7 (to beat out Kaho Cichon of Fountain Valley at 18:02.3). Third place went to Morgan Falkowski of Laguna Beach at 18:02.7. Also scoring for Laguna were Nina Rogers, Kaitlyn Ryan, Sydney Schaefgen, Sierra Read, and Coco Reed.
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Combined Varsity and Junior Varsity cross country teams
In the Junior Varsity race, Melanie Falkowski came in fifth with a time of 20:13.5.
In the Frosh/Soph race, Isabella Reichel came in first with a time of 19:53.4
and Isabella Rivault came in second at 19:56.7.
Guest Column
October Chamber news
By J.J. Ballesteros, President LB Chamber of Commerce
As we concluded October, the Chamber remained busy following our successful Taste of Laguna Food and Music Festival. It truly was a night to remember and both the Chamber and KX 93.5 FM look forward to providing Laguna Beach with something bigger and better in 2020.
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Chef Craig Strong receiving Taste of Laguna award from J.J. Ballesteros
The Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce its newest Board Member, Chef Craig Strong from Ocean at Main Restaurant. Craig has a passion for Laguna and wants to see all of our businesses and restaurants succeed. We look forward to having his creative ideas and energy assist us on our initiatives and programs. If you have not already been, please stop by and enjoy a delicious meal at Ocean at Main. You will not be disappointed.
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Ribbon cutting at Ballesteros Real Estate Group’s new office
The Chamber had two Ribbon Cutting events, at Harley Laguna and at the Ballesteros Real Estate Group’s new Laguna Beach office. Thank you to everyone for coming out and supporting these events.
The next two Chamber sponsored events are Small Business Saturday on November 30th, and Hospitality Night on December 6th. We strongly encourage everyone to shop in town on November 30th and beyond! On Small Business Saturday, visit us on the cobblestones at Main Beach to pick up our special passport. Everyone who completes their passport will be entered to win a two-night stay in a two bedroom cottage suite at The Ranch at Laguna Beach, including breakfast or lunch for four.
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Ribbon cutting at Harley Laguna
Hospitality Night is shaping up to be one of our best yet. Along with our city partners, we will have entertainment on the main stage by Anneliese School and a Laguna favorite band, The Farm. And, of course, Santa will be there to light the tree!
The Chamber has one Board position available. Please keep an eye out for our Tuesday Tip-Off for more information. If you or anyone you know is interested, there will be an opportunity to submit an application for the open position.
The Chamber’s work with the Urban Economist firm is progressing. A survey will be out soon in the Tuesday Tip-Off as well as by mail and hand delivery. The survey will be part of the data that will be submitted to the City for recommendations for revisions to the Downtown Specific Plan. We encourage everyone who receives a copy to take a minute and share your opinion on a few key items relating to the Downtown. We look forward to having the Urban Economist’s final results by the end of November.
For any questions on events or any other items please contact Ashley von Gremp at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call us at (949) 494-1018.
Thank you for a great October and hope everyone has a wonderful month of November!
Local Laguna environmental activist Beth Leeds holds 11th hour call to action on Monday
Local activist Beth Leeds will be holding an “11th Hour Call to Action” on
Monday, Nov 11 regarding the San Onofre nuclear waste issue. Beth first presented the proposal for “The Walk to Save Laguna Canyon” on September 15, 1989. The Laguna Beach City Council approved it and the rest is history. Ten thousand people walked from Main Beach Park to Sycamore Flats in 1989 and Laguna Canyon was saved from 3,500 housing units, eight stoplights, gas stations, golf courses and high-end malls.
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Photo by Mary Hurlbut
Beth Leeds will host call to action at Main Beach on Monday, Nov 11
Thirty years later, Beth and supporters will be at Main Beach Park on Monday, Nov 11 at 11a.m. for an 11th Hour Call to Action. “The Canisters of San Onofre” will be the focus of Beth’s Emergency Call to Action. She is asking that the loading of defective Holtec thin wall canisters be stopped and investigated. There will be a letter to Governor Newsom for attendees to sign, and a Human Wave will be filmed for media and YouTube
For more information, go to www.SanOnofreSafety.org.
Farewell Tommy Bahama
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Photo by Rich Harkey
“It was sad saying goodbye to everyone. We have made a lot of lifelong friends here. A lot of past servers/managers showed up. It was like a family reunion.” –Rich Harkey
Guest Column
The habit of listening to find our purpose
By Dr. Vidya Reddy
“Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead your astray” –Rumi
Hello this week, I welcome you to the Purposeful Corner with Dr. Vidya.
Nowadays, our lives are so filled with busyness and effortful distraction that we have no space to actually listen to what life is calling us to do.
I urge you to consciously think about your day so far, and your day yesterday – how much of it was spent in busy-work and distraction or diversion? Messaging, social media, Netflix, watching news, reading favorite websites, answering emails and doing errands, replying and reacting.
I want you to stop and reflect, do you in the middle of this madness, ever have space for silence? For creation, contemplation, reflection? And for a practice that I think we do so little of most of the time – listening.
The active practice of listening is about creating a little space for silence, and then listening to what you need to do right now:
--What have you committed to doing that you’re not doing?
--Why is what you’re doing now important?
--What do you need?
--What do the people you care about need?
--What are you being called on to do?
--What would be the most impactful or meaningful thing you could do right now?
--How do you want to spend the next month of your life?
--What do you care most deeply about? Are you willing to commit yourself to it?
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Photo by Johnny Antezana
Dr. Vidya Reddy
These are the kinds of questions to ask in this purposeful listening practice. But more important than the questions is how you listen:
--Create some space by taking a break from devices and busyness. Stop and get somewhere where you can have stillness – a walk in nature, dropping into sitting meditation, dropping into child’s pose on the floor, having a cup of tea, sitting out on your porch, finding a bench in a park.
--Now just find silence and stillness and ask a question. You can ask any of the questions above, or whatever feels important for you right now. One of my favorites is, “What am I being called to do right now?”
--Keep yourself in that stillness and silence and listen for the answer. Breathe deeply. Feel how your body feels right now. And then listen to the answer that comes up for you. Your gut has an answer. Maybe it’s not the perfect answer, but it’s something to start with. Listen until you have clarity.
It’s that simple. Pause in a moment of stillness and silence. Ask a question.
Listen for the answer.
This can be used in all areas of your life: your relationships, your health, your finances, your work, your meaningful contribution to humanity.
How can you practice this throughout the day?
I created the Naturally Happy podcast as tool to help as a reflection exercise and for building spirit muscle. Please listen to it at https://naturally-happy.com/podcast/. Use the podcast guide to find episodes to create some catharsis in your life.
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Photo by Pieter Baetens
Listening for Our Calling
The voice of your own soul
Purpose: The Practice of Listening for Our Calling. When you take the time to draw on your listening, on imagination, you will begin to hear this gentle voice at the heart of your life. It is deeper and surer than all the other voices of disappointment, defeat, unease, self-criticism, and bleakness. All holiness is about learning to hear the voice of your own soul. It is always there and the more deeply you learn to listen, the greater surprises and discoveries that will unfold. To enter into the gentleness of your own soul changes the tone and quality of your life. Your life is no longer consumed by hunger for the next event, experience, or achievement. You learn to come down from the treadmill and walk on the earth. You gain a new respect for yourself and others and you learn to see how wonderfully precious this one life is. You begin to see through the enchanting veils of illusion that you had taken for reality. You no longer squander yourself on things and situations that deplete your essence. You know now that your true source is not outside you. Your soul is your true source and a new energy and passion awakens in you.
Don’t aim at success. The more you aim at it and make it a target, the more you are going to miss it. For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side effect of one’s personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself or as the byproduct of one’s surrender to a person other than oneself. Happiness must happen, and the same holds for success: you have to let it happen by not caring about it. I want you to listen to what your conscience commands you to do and go on to carry it out to the best of your knowledge. Then you will live to see that in the long run – in the long run, I say! – success will follow you precisely because you had forgotten to think about it.
The central task of the religious community is to unveil the bonds that bind each to all. There is a connectedness, a relationship discovered amid the particulars of our own lives and the lives of others. Once felt, it inspires us to act for justice. It is the church that assures us that we are not struggling for justice on our own, but as members of a larger community. The religious community is essential, for alone our vision is too narrow to see all that must be seen, and our strength too limited to do all that must be done. Together, our vision widens and our strength is renewed.
In Peace, Love and Gratitude.
‘Til next time.
Dr.Vidya Reddy, ND, AMS, DAC, CLC
Observant Osprey
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Photo by John Thomas
Osprey on the outlook for a fish
Laguna takes part in 12th Annual National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month
The City of Laguna Beach is proud to announce its participation in the 12th Annual National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Month. During the month of November, this event brings awareness to the Laguna Beach community about people who are hungry and homeless in our community, our county, and our nation.
Proclaimed by the City Council and organized as a public service by the Housing and Human Services Committee, the purpose of Laguna Beach’s Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month is to enhance community awareness of the issue in our society, our own hungry and homeless in Laguna Beach, and the community organizations that assist with these concerns in Laguna Beach and Orange County.
During the entire month of November, there are nine different ways residents can participate:
--Volunteering Time at the Friendship Shelter:
Friendship Shelter’s vision is to end homelessness in southern Orange County, one person at a time. Each night, 166 individuals sleep safe and are cared for in one of our three housing-focused programs. Friendship Shelter is proud to have permanently housed 100 vulnerable individuals last year and is on track to repeat this success in 2019. Friendship Shelter’s primary need is for volunteers to provide, prepare, and help serve hot, healthy meals for its residents. Guest chefs of all ages are encouraged to volunteer their time and recipes, and make a positive difference in the lives of residents. To volunteer, call (949) 494-6928 or email office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
--Waterman’s Wall 5th Anniversary Art Expo:
Join the Laguna Beach Networks Fundraiser (hors d’oeuvres, dessert, live music, and “the man behind the wall” artist Randy Morgan’s silent auction) on Friday, Nov 8 at 5:30 p.m.
Purchase tickets at www.lagunahungryandhomeless.com.
Special guest speaker Tim Storey presents “Time to Turn Your Setbacks into Comebacks.” Proceeds will benefit the Laguna Beach Networks – Helping Hands from the Homeless Work Program. The event will be held at the Laguna Beach Cultural Arts at BC Gallery, located at 235 Forest Ave. For more information, contact Faye Chapman at (949) 280-2885 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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Artist Randy Morgan (on left) and guest speaker Tim Storey will appear at the 5th Anniversary Waterman’s Wall Art Expo on Friday, Nov 8
--Exclusive Laguna Beach Kitchen Tours:
Peek into the well-appointed kitchens of some of the most beautiful homes in Laguna Beach on Sunday, Nov 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. This self-guided tour of selected homes will help fill the Laguna Food Pantry’s shelves and refrigerators so that no one goes hungry. The event is sponsored by the Mike Johnson Group.
For tickets and additional information, click here.
--Recommended Film Screenings:
The following suggested films reveal the struggles of those experiencing poverty and homelessness in America:
The Florida Project (2017) – “Set over one summer, the film follows precocious six-year-old Moonee as she courts mischief and adventure with her ragtag playmates and bonds with her rebellious but caring mother, all while living in the shadows of Walt Disney World.”
Dark Days (2000) – “Marc Singer’s documentary about the homeless population who live in the underground tunnels of New York City – haunting and uplifting in equal measures.”
To view movie trailers, click here.
--A Day of Kindness:
Join the Ability Project’s Public Awareness Event in the cobblestone area of Main Beach in Laguna Beach on Saturday, Nov 9 from 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Activities include music, sunset meditation, and featured artist Ava August. Shadi Pourkashef, who is the founder of the Ability Awareness Project and Goodwill Ambassador of World Kindness for Laguna Beach, promotes anti-bullying education and empowerment. The City of Laguna Beach declared support for a kinder world and to place World Kindness Day, occurring each year in November on the City’s calendar.
--Winter Clothing Drive:
During the month of November, gather up your gently-used winter clothing and drop it off at the Laguna Exchange, located at 995 S. Coast Hwy (corner of Anita Street and South Coast Hwy on the ocean side of the street), open from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday
--The Annual Laguna Beach Community Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner:
Join Friendship Shelter and the Neighborhood Congregational Church for Laguna Beach’s Annual Thanksgiving Community Potluck on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov 28 at 12 p.m. An estimated 600 to 700 meals will be served buffet style, with food and supplies provided by individuals, churches, and community groups. Everyone is invited to bring their favorite dish for the potluck buffet, which is available to all members of the community, including many homeless clients.
Donations of prepared and cooked turkeys and food are needed and will be accepted beginning at 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day at the church at 340 St Ann’s Dr. To donate turkey, contact Mary LaRusso at (949) 497-5641 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The feast begins at noon. For more information, or to volunteer, contact Friendship Shelter Marketing Director Kristin Points at (949) 494-6928 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
--The Laguna Food Pantry’s Annual Food Drive (Month of November):
Sponsored by the City of Laguna Beach and Waste Management, the food drive benefits the Laguna Food Pantry, which provides free, fresh groceries to more than 300 local families in need each week. Located at 20652 Laguna Canyon Rd north of the dog Park, the Pantry is open from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. New volunteers are always welcome. Most needed food items include: peanut butter and jelly, canned tuna, cereal, macaroni and cheese, pasta and pasta sauce, and rice and beans.
For more information, call (949) 497-7121 or visit www.lagunafoodpantry.org.
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Photo by Lynette Brasfield
Food Pantry’s Annual Food Drive – Month of November
--Girl Scout Toiletry Drive (November 1 - 18).
Made possible by the Laguna Beach Girl Scouts and the Laguna Beach Community Clinic, the community can participate by donating unused toiletry items and socks which benefit our city’s Alternative Sleeping Location (ASL), which provides the homeless temporary nightly housing and other services year round.
For a list of drop off locations, contact Missy Palino at (949) 322-0470 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The following items are most in need: new socks (adult sizes preferred), sample sized shampoo and conditioner, individually wrapped bars of soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, and sample sized toothpaste, sunscreen, small bottles of lotion, lip balm, disposable razors, feminine products, small tissue packages, BandAids, washcloths, and brushes/combs
To learn more about Laguna Beach’s Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Month, visit www.LagunaHungryandHomeless.com.
Laguna Beach Business Club announces Mo Honarkar as speaker for Nov 21 meeting
The Laguna Beach Business Club is proud to announce Mo Honarkar, the founder, CEO, and president of Honarkar Ventures, as speaker at the group’s November 21 meeting.
The LBBC holds a breakfast meeting the third Thursday each month at 7:30 a.m. and hosts speakers that discuss topics valuable to achieving success in your personal and professional lives.
The topic of Mr. Honarkar’s discussion will be “good to great.” Mohammad “Mo” Honarkar is founder, CEO, and president of Honarkar Ventures, which oversees a diverse portfolio of businesses and investments, including Laguna Beach Company, Laguna Creative Ventures, 4G Ventures, and The Honarkar Family Foundation.
Honarkar has invested heavily in his beloved hometown of Laguna Beach, and is currently overseeing development projects including the renovation of Hotel Laguna, a landmark jewel on the Southern California coast, as well as The Cleo Hotel and The Heisler Project, an art-infused and inspired hotel meant to complement the community and the neighboring museum.
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Photo by Mary Hurlbut
Mo Honarkar standing next to historic photo of Hotel Laguna
In addition to the hotels, Honarkar seeks to develop affordable housing and mixed-use projects, with the goal of reviving revenue to local businesses and ensuring that artists, students, and local employees alike can continue to call Laguna Beach home.
Born and raised in Tehran, Iran, Honarkar moved to the U.S. in the late 70s to study and earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics from University of California, Irvine. After working as a software engineer for Toshiba, he discovered cubicle life was not for him. A people person with an entrepreneurial spirit, he opened his first business in the early 90s – a successful line of high-end men’s clothing stores called “Chez Lui.”
Shortly thereafter he founded GSM Wireless, Inc., a groundbreaking retail agent of PacBell, Cingular Wireless II, LLC and later AT&T Mobility. Within 10 years, GSM experienced exponential growth and expanded from two to more than 180 wireless retail stores across the Western U.S.
In 2006, Honarkar founded 4G Wireless, Inc., a Verizon Wireless premium retailer, which he spearheaded as chairman, CEO, and president. By 2016, when the retail stores were sold, it had become one of the largest Verizon Wireless retailers in the region with approximately 160 stores and 1,200 employees across five states.
Honarkar lives in Laguna Beach, has two adult daughters and a grandson he adores. He enjoys fitness, spending time on the ocean, travel, and has a passion for the arts.
Club meetings begin with a buffet breakfast and brief networking roundtable. Meetings are hosted at Seven7Seven. Non-members are welcome! The non-member guest fee is $30, payable in cash or check (payable to the Laguna Beach Business Club) the day of the meeting.
For more information about the LBBC or to register to attend a meeting, visit www.lagunabeachbusinessclub.com or contact Pamela Knudsen at (949) 285-3730.
Seven7Seven is located at 777 Laguna Canyon Rd.
American Legion Auxiliary celebrates 100-year anniversary
The American Legion Auxiliary, founded on November 10, 1919, celebrates its 100-year anniversary. As the world’s largest women’s patriotic organization, its goals are to provide assistance to the American Legion, to our veterans and military, and to make our communities a better place to live.
The Auxiliary’s theme is “Service Above Self.” Last year, the National organization’s volunteer hours had an impact of over $1 billion.
The Auxiliary’s main source of income is its poppy fundraiser when red paper poppies are exchanged for donations. Poppy fund projects of Laguna Beach Unit 222 include donating supplies to Camp Pendleton schools and supporting numerous projects including Fisher House at Long Beach V.A., the Gary Sinise Foundation, Pets for Vets, and many others.
The Unit sponsors high school juniors for the “Girl State” program and creates and fills handmade Christmas stockings with goodies and ships them to our troops overseas.
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Photo by Scott Brashier
Laying of a wreath made of Poppies in honor of our veterans last year
Auxiliary members assist American Legion Post 222 with events including the Easter egg hunt at Laguna Beach High School, Memorial Day service at Heisler Park, the Veterans Day ceremony, and organize the Post’s monthly dinner socials. In November the club decorates a Christmas tree for the Sawdust Winter Fantasy.
If you are not currently an Auxiliary member and are related to a veteran or active duty military, as a mother, wife, daughter, sister, grandmother, granddaughter, or great-granddaughter, you are welcome to join Unit 222.
Auxiliary Unit 222 appreciates the community’s support. Your membership counts when the American Legion goes to Washington, D.C. to lobby for veterans’ bills.
For more information, contact Sandi Werthe at (949) 494-6016 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
12th Annual Laguna Hero Festival will take place on Nov 16
The 12th Annual Laguna Hero Festival will take place on Saturday, Nov 16, from 4 - 6 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach. This family-friendly program will feature live performances, art activities, and screenings of short films.
This year’s festival coincides with the International Day of Tolerance, designated by the United Nations. Audrey Azoulay, director-general of the UN’s educational branch UNESCO, said, “Tolerance is an act of humanity, which we must nurture and enact each in our own lives every day, to rejoice in the diversity that makes us strong and the values that bring us together.”
To honor the day, MY HERO is calling for local nominations of heroes who are working for peace and tolerance. Nominations can be made by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
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Photo by Mary Hurlbut
The 12th Annual Laguna Hero Festival will take place on Nov 16 at the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach
The MY HERO Project, a Laguna Beach-based organization with a mission to celebrate heroes from all walks of life, is working with students and staff at the Boys & Girls Club to prepare special presentations for this event. Media Partners for the event include Stu News Laguna and our local radio station KX 93.5.
MY HERO Media Arts mentors will work with students to create unique artwork and music and dance presentations. Rapper/hip-hop dancer and choreographer Trey Carlisle will help students at the club develop an original performance.
Support for the Laguna Hero Fest comes in part from The City of Laguna Beach, the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, and The FOA Foundation.
To RSVP, click here. Tickets are free and donations are welcome to support the ongoing work of The MY HERO Project.
The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach is located at 1085 Laguna Canyon Rd.
Light Up a Life at Mission Hospital honors loved ones and caregivers on Saturday
Every year, Mission Hospital offers an opportunity for families to remember their loved ones, and to honor their friends and the caregivers who have left an impact, at the Light Up a Life celebration in support of palliative and spiritual care services.
On Saturday, Nov 9 at 3 p.m., honor your loved one by dedicating a message that will be placed on a lighthouse, symbolizing the way forward on the journey to healing, and enjoy an uplifting program with a harpist, choi, and refreshments.
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Submitted photo
Mission Hospital Laguna Beach hosts Light up a Life event on Saturday
With each gift, your generosity will enhance palliative and spiritual care services to those who entrust Mission Hospital with their care.
To make a gift in honor or memory of someone special, visit www.mission4health.com/LUAL or contact Mission Hospital Foundation at (949) 364-7783 for information.
Mission Hospital Laguna Beach is located at 31872 Coast Hwy.
Live! at the Museum presents Parnas Herlin Duo on Nov 14
On Thursday, Nov 14 at 7 p.m., Laguna Beach Live! is partnering with the Laguna Art Museum to present a night of elegant music and fine art featuring the Parnas Herlin Duo.
As an artist founded at the complex intersection of musical heritage and unprecedented innovation, American violinist Madalyn Parnas Möller secures her place on today’s concert stage by bringing inimitable style and artistic vision to every performance.
A passionate chamber musician, Ms. Parnas Möller’s recent engagements include recitals at the Kennedy Center, New York’s Subculture, San Francisco Performances, the Minneapolis Museum of Russian Art, and the San Francisco Academy of Achievement International Summit as a 2014 delegate.
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Submitted photo
American violinist Madalyn Parnas Möller
Praised for her “impressive artistry” and “wonderful bowing technique” (San Francisco Classical Voice), French cellist Juliette Herlin has performed throughout Europe, the U.S., and Asia.
As a soloist, chamber musician, and recitalist, she has appeared in prestigious venues such as the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, the Musée du Louvre and the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Alice Tully Hall in New York, the Zhuhai and Chongqin Grand Theaters in China, as well as at the Minsk Philharmony in Belarus.
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Submitted photo
French cellist Juliette Herlin
Live! at the Museum, a special collaboration of Laguna Beach Live! and Laguna Art Museum, takes place the second Thursday of each month from 7 - 8 p.m. The concert is free to museum members and to non-members with museum admission.
Pre-reservations are available online through the Museum’s website, or at (949) 494.8971 ext. 203. These seats are held until 6:50 p.m. Additional seats are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
For more information about the series and other concerts, visit www.lagunabeachlive.org or call (949) 715-9713.
Real Talk Laguna Beach presents “Different Faiths Common Ground” workshop on Nov 14
On Thursday, Nov 14, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Real Talk Laguna Beach presents a “Different Faiths Common Ground” workshop at the Susi Q Community Room. Ray Zimmerman, a licensed mediator and Saddleback professor, will be leading the event.
What do people of faith have in common and what can they learn from each other? While differences between the world’s religions should be understood and respected, it’s increasingly important to recognize similarities.
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Submitted photo
Real Talk workshop presents Ray Zimmerman, a licensed mediator and Saddleback professor
In this Real Talk workshop, participants will talk about common beliefs and practices among people of faith, discuss ways of supporting and encouraging each other’s spiritual growth, and consult on strategies for interfaith worship, collaboration, and service.
Ray Zimmerman is a professor at Saddleback College where he leaches English and Humanities. A licensed mediator, he is also a member of the OC Sherill’s Interfaith Advisory Council and an advisory board member for Chapman University’s Interfaith Center. He received an NAACP award for education.
This is a free event with limited seating.
RSVP to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The Susi Q Community Room is located at 380 Third St.
City Manager’s Updates
Veterans Day Transit Service – Laguna Beach Transit will be modifying service on Monday, Nov 11 in observation of Veteran’s Day. Only the Coastal Services will be running from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. that day with no neighborhood services.
This will affect Top of the World, Bluebird Canyon, Arch Beach Heights, North, and South Laguna neighborhoods. Regular service will resume on Tuesday, Nov 12. For more information, visit www.lagunabeachcity.net/trolley.
Holiday Street Sweeping Schedule – On Monday, Nov 11, only non-residential areas will be swept. Residential street sweeping will not occur, and parking restrictions will not be enforced.
Laguna Canyon Channel Repairs – Between November 12 and November 22, the Orange County Flood Control District (OCFCD) will be making temporary repairs by installing a brace to Laguna Canyon Channel next to Forest Avenue.
The majority of the work will be done within the channel and in the adjacent City parking lot (Lot 12). A portion of the parking lot will need to be closed to accommodate the work. Minor traffic impacts to Forest Avenue may occur intermittently.
For questions, contact Project Director Thomas Perez at (949) 464-6688.
E-Waste and Paper Shredding Event on November 16 – Residents and businesses are invited to celebrate America Recycles Day by participating in the annual free E-Waste drop-off and Paper Shredding event on Saturday, Nov 16, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The event will be held at the City Maintenance Facilities, 1900 Laguna Canyon Rod.
For more information, including a detailed list of acceptable E-Waste items, visit the City’s website at www.lagunabeachcity.net/recycling or contact Senior Public Works Analyst/Solid Waste Program Coordinator Liz Avila at (949) 497-0344 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
SCE Pole Replacement – On Tuesday, Nov 12, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Southern California Edison (SCE) will be replacing a utility pole located at 1233 Gaviota Drive. A portion of Gaviota Drive will be closed between Brooks Street and Cress Street. Residents and commercial customers are advised to remove their vehicles from the affected portion of the street during the work hours.
For questions or concerns, contact SCE’s Customer Service number at (800) 655-4555.
Southern California Gas Company Concrete Repairs on Coast Highway – Southern California Gas Company (SCG) will be working in two areas of town next week.
For questions or concerns, contact SCG’s project coordinator Jorge Hernandez at (714) 989-5147.
--31831 Coast Hwy – On Wednesday, Nov 13, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., the southbound lane closest to the curb on Coast Highway will be closed between Seacliff Drive and Circle Drive. SCG’s contractor will be performing asphalt repairs associated with previous gas line work.
--2425 South Coast Hwy- On Thursday, Nov 14, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., the southbound lane closest to the curb on South Coast Highway will be closed between Moss Street and Rockledge Road. SCG’s contractor will be performing asphalt repairs associated with previous gas line work.
Evacuation Time Survey and Outreach Event – In July, the Laguna Beach City Council unanimously approved a Fire Mitigation and Safety Subcommittee Report and approved moving forward with its recommended action items.
One of these recommendations was to conduct a comprehensive evacuation time estimate study. The City awarded the contract to KLD Engineering, a firm that specializes in evacuation time estimates including those communities with wildfire risk.
The City invites the public to take an online survey created by KLD Engineering that will help capture specific information from our community needed for the study.
The survey can be found at www.lagunabeachsurvey.kld.engineering. Additionally, KLD will be at various locations around town through November 16 if you would like to take the survey in-person. The public is also invited to attend the City’s next Evacuation Outreach event on Sunday, Nov 10, from 9 to 10 a.m. at Fire Station 4, located at 31646 2nd Avenue.
Download your neighborhood specific evacuation map at www.lagunabeachcity.net/evacuation. For more information on where you can take the evacuation time survey in person, contact Jordan Villwock, Emergency Operations Coordinator, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (949) 497-0389.
Emergency Kit Backpacks Available for Purchase – A Laguna Beach-specific Emergency Kit Backpack is now available to residents and business owners for purchase. Each red backpack features an official City of Laguna Beach Seal, light sticks, a 4-in-1 gas and water shut off tool, bio-hazard bags, nitrile gloves, N95 mask, 54-piece first aid kit, duct tape, emergency poncho, solar blanket, AM/FM radio with flashlight and cell phone charger, and a personal hygiene kit.
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Submitted photo
Emergency Kit Backpacks are available for purchase
Additionally, it contains emergency plan guides and disaster-specific information. You can now purchase a Laguna Beach-specific Emergency Kit Backpack for $50 on the City’s website at https://bit.ly/2DlnFGy. No profits are being made from the sale of this backpack.
12th Annual National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Month –
During the month of November, this event brings awareness to the Laguna Beach community about people who are hungry and homeless in our community, our county, and our nation.
The purpose of Laguna Beach’s Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Month is to enhance community awareness of the issue in our society, our own hungry and homeless in Laguna Beach, and the community organizations that assist with these concerns in Laguna Beach and Orange County.
To learn more about Laguna Beach’s Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Month and ways to get involved, the community is encouraged to visit www.lagunahungryandhomeless.org.
LBPD Holiday Food Basket Program – Last year the Laguna Beach Police Department, Laguna Beach Unified School District, and the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach teamed up to collect food donations to help families in need during the holidays. With the help of the community the teams collectively were able to donate 38 meals to Laguna Beach families during the holiday season. Thank you to everyone who participated.
For the Thanksgiving holiday, the teams will again be accepting donations from November 5 - November 21. Non-perishable food items, canned goods, apple cider juice, and grocery store gift cards are accepted at the Laguna Beach Police Department.
For questions about the program, or how you can contribute, contact Community Services Officer Natasha Hernandez at (949) 497-0382 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Laguna Beach Police Department Awarded Traffic Education and Enforcement Grant – The Laguna Beach Police Department received a $104,975 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) for a year-long enforcement and education program. The money will fund various activities intended to reduce deaths and injuries on California roads.
The funding from the OTS will be used for numerous programs, including but not limited to DUI/driver’s license checkpoints, patrols specifically looking for suspected alcohol and/or drug-impaired drivers, creating “Hot Sheets” identifying repeat DUI offenders, and officer training to identify suspected impaired drivers and conduct sobriety tests. Funding for this program is from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Police Beat Primer
Compiled by Suzie Harrison
Police Beat derives from information in the daily police and arrest logs published on the City of Laguna Beach’s website and required under CA Government Code Section 6254 (f). Additional information is obtained through communication with the Laguna Beach Police Department’s Public Information Officer.
Information in the logs is deemed reliable and Stu News Laguna is not responsible for any mistakes made available as public record by the Laguna Beach Police Department.
Any person arrested is innocent until found guilty in a court of law.
Incident Reports
Tuesday, Nov 5
S Coast Hwy | 100 Block | Violating Parole
7:51 p.m. Michael Patrick Cohen, 48, was arrested for violating parole. No bail was set.
Sleepy Hollow Lane | 600 Block | Disorderly Conduct – Alcohol, Obstructing/Resisting an Executive Officer
2:08 p.m. William Edward Manzagol, 56, was arrested for disorderly conduct related to alcohol (bail was set at $500) and obstructing/resisting an executive officer (bail was set at $500).
Catalina St | 2000 Block | DUI with 1 Prior, Possession of Controlled Substance Paraphernalia
2:09 p.m. Jonathan Ross Aguilera, 30, was arrested on suspicion of DUI with one prior (bail was set at $10,000) and possession of controlled substance paraphernalia (bail was set at $500)
Cliff Drive | 1300 Block | Animal Calls
8:51 a.m. LBPD received a report in reference to a “dead cat outside in the backyard killed by a coyote.”
Laguna Canyon Road | 20600 Block | Possession of a Controlled Substance, Warrant
4:43 a.m. Justice Thomas Long, 26, was arrested for possession of a controlled substance ($500) and on a warrant for robbery (no bail was set).
Monday, Nov 4
S Coast Hwy | 1500 Block | DUI
7:45 p.m. A 30-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of DUI. Bail was set at $2,500.
S Coast Hwy | 500 Block | Disorderly Conduct – Alcohol, Violating Parole
4:17 p.m. Amy Diana Dobson, 47, was arrested for disorderly conduct related to alcohol (bail was set at $500) and violating parole (no bail was set).
Broadway St | 300 Block | Warrants
1:50 p.m. Katherine Lynn Nhantumbo, 60, was arrested on a warrant for loitering (bail was set at $5,000), on a second warrant for loitering (bail was set at $2,500), and on a third warrant for loitering (bail was set at $2,500).
Broadway St | 300 Block | Warrants
1:48 p.m. Michele Moreno, 33, was arrested on an unknown warrant (bail was set at $2,500) and warrants for vehicle theft and recklessly evading a peace officer (no bail was set).
Broadway St | 300 Block | Loitering
4:00 a.m. John Andrew Wilson, 60, was arrested for loitering. Bail was set at $500.
Forest Ave | 300 Block | Trespassing
1:41 a.m. Nathan John Turner, 39, was arrested for trespassing. Bail was set at $500.
Sunday, Nov 3
S Coast Hwy | 100 Block | Obstructing/Resisting an Executive Officer
5:38 p.m. Pejman Abdolali Zanjani, 41, was arrested for obstructing/resisting an executive officer. Bail was set at $25,000.
Cliff Drive | 300 Block | Disorderly Conduct – Alcohol
4:59 p.m. A 50-year-old woman was arrested for disorderly conduct related to alcohol. Bail was set at $500.
Broadway St | 300 Block | Contempt of Court, Possession of Controlled Substance Paraphernalia, Warrant
1:34 p.m. Joshua Tyrone Webster, 42, was arrested for being in contempt of court (no bail was set), possession of controlled substance paraphernalia ($500), and on a warrant for possession of controlled substance paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance (bail was set at $25,000).
Forest Ave | 200 Block | Animal Calls
8:57 a.m. LBPD received a report in reference to a “hawk stuck inside the rafters.” According to police records, a pigeon was removed but the caller needed help removing the hawk.
S Coast Hwy | 100 Block | Warrant
9:34 a.m. Gary Aaron Allen, 61, was arrested on a warrant for trespassing. Bail was set at $1,500.
N Coast Hwy & Irvine Cove Drive | Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance
1:43 a.m. A 32-year-old woman was arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance. Bail was set at $500.
