Commission approves new restaurant at White House, music at Harley, new fine art shop

By SARA HALL

In a trio of hearings this week, a city commission approved launching a new restaurant for the historic White House location, adding live music to another downtown restaurant Harley Laguna Beach, and establishing a unique new fine art gallery.

The Planning Commission voted unanimously on all three items at the meeting Wednesday (September 15) with enthusiastic support for each application. 

The most notable conditional use permit on the agenda was for a restaurant with the service of alcohol, increased seating, outdoor seating, and a 34 percent historic parking reduction at 300-340 South Coast Hwy (formerly the White House Restaurant). The item also included approval of a coastal development permit. 

Commissioners were very supportive of the new restaurant (which will very likely still maintain “White House” somehow in its name) and renovation of the building.

Chair Pro Tem Jorg Dubin noted the long history of White House in Laguna Beach.

“I’ve been in town for 45 years and I’ve broken a few cocktail glasses in that place over that time,” he joked. 

It’s been tired for many years and it’s exciting to see the building get restored and become vibrant again, he agreed with his fellow commissioners. 

“I applaud the effort and we’re all looking forward to seeing that happen,” Dubin said. “It is a prime, front row, center location in town and it’s always a shame to see a place like that just sort of linger, and the more that we can get those places revitalized it’s going to be a plus for the whole community.”

Commissioner Susan Whitin agreed and wholeheartedly support the project.

“It’s a bonus that you’re renovating or restoring the entire exterior, not just…the White House piece, but the entire exterior,” Whitin said. “That is a real gift to the city.”

The property has a 6,600-square-foot, four-unit commercial building that was constructed in 1915. Current tenants include Crazy Shirts, Carats Jewelry Store, the White House Restaurant (closed), and an upstairs office.

Project includes updating/repairing the exterior of the building, enlarging the existing dining patio, and exterior modifications to the K-rated structure listed on the city’s Historic Register. A variance to exceed the maximum building height allowed was also approved to make room for rooftop equipment. 

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Photo by Mary Hurlbut

The currently closed White House restaurant in Laguna Beach

The applicant proposes to establish a full-service restaurant and bar with a total of 143 seats. 

The tenant currently operates other restaurants in the region under the name “Finney’s Crafthouse” in Westlake Village, Santa Barbara, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Burbank, and Porter Ranch.

Although these restaurants share the same name, staff believes that each restaurant has a unique presentation and does not take a formulaic or mass market approach; therefore, the proposed restaurant and existing restaurants are not classified as formula-based businesses.

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

Hours of operation will be from 7 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. daily. Live entertainment was not proposed at this time.

According to city staff, the seat count will increase quite a bit from the previously allowed 90 seats. The applicant indicates that the previous White House restaurant had a similar number of seats, however, city records note that the restaurant was only allowed a maximum of 90 seats.

Local architect Morris Skenderian clarified that the size of building is not increasing, the floor area is still 4,789 square feet. 

However, when they counted, the restaurant had 132 seats plus the dance floor, which will be removed to become an ADA bathroom. So, 143 seats are not much more than the previous tenant.

“It’s a practical increase of 11 seats,” Skenderian said, “so you’re not going to see any physical difference.”

The other key point of discussion was the variance for the rooftop equipment. The new exhaust fan and a make-up air fan will exceed the maximum 18-foot height limit in the downtown.

They are removing a large shed and exhaust and replacing it with smaller equipment, Skenderian explained.

“We’re taking out more than we’re putting back,” he said. 

They also moved the exhaust to the side several feet so it will be a lot less visible and hidden from view from Park Avenue.

Plans for signage and the full name will return to the commission at a later date. Although it will likely be Finney’s at the White House or Finney’s White House.

“But the main White House will stay with the project in some form and visible signage from Coast Highway,” Skenderian said.

The cocktail sign will also remain visible. 

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Courtesy of City of LB/Tom Pulley Postcard Collection

Historic photos of the White House restaurant and building

Keeping the White House name in some way was important, noted Jules Marine, whose father bought the White House in 1959 and ran it through the 1950s and 1960s. 

At the time, it was the place to be, he said. His father later sold the business, but kept the land, explained Marine, who worked at the restaurant as a busboy and dishwasher when he was a teen.

“This is kind of like the jewel of our family properties,” Marine said. 

The former owner and operator had been there for nearly 40 years, Marine said. It started to go downhill, basically turning into a dive bar, he stated.

It closed just before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

“The building definitely needs some new blood and we’ve got a terrific tenant,” Marine said. “I think we can restore it back to its glory days.”

Finney’s specializes in older buildings, Marine said, with three of their locations more than 100 years old.

“They want to do the same thing to the White House as they’ve done to their other properties, and that is to show off all the architectural elements,” Marine said.

Plans include bring back the brick walls back, open up the ceiling and the doors, he said. 

“White House means a lot to me,” Marine said. “I would like to see a super dynamic restaurant there.”

It will be a wonderful asset to Laguna Beach, he added. 

Finney’s will also appeal to local residents during the months without tourists, Marine said. While menu prices do fluctuate, he has no doubt it will be successful in Laguna Beach.

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Courtesy of City of LB/Morris Skenderian and Associates

A rendering of the proposed restaurant at the White House location

Commissioners agreed that the structure is in dire need of restoration.

The building needs a lot of work, agreed Commissioner Steve Kellenberg. It has decades worth of accumulated wires and pipes, he noted. 

“It’s really a strategic location downtown and it really needs to be alive, the building’s really tired,” Kellenberg said. “It needs a serious refresh, so I think this is great.”

The vibe of the place is great, he added. 

Pushing the wall back and extending the patio will really make a difference, Kellenberg said.

The expanded patio will be a nice feature, agreed Commissioner Ken Sadler. 

“It all looks very good to me,” Sadler said, adding that he hopes the rehabilitation of the building is successful.

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Courtesy of City of LB

The performance area at Harley Laguna Beach for the newly approved live music

Also on the Planning Commission’s agenda on Wednesday was an amendment for a CUP for another downtown restaurant. 

Harley Laguna Beach requested adding live music at its location at 370 Glenneyre St. The commission unanimously approved the application. 

Doors and windows will remain closed during live performances. Up to four musicians would be allowed to play daily.

Harley chef and owner Greg Daniels said he’s happy with the staff recommendation.

“I am not trying to push any boundaries by turning this into a live music venue by any means, I’m just looking to accompany the dining experience,” Daniels said. 

They haven’t been able to get the late-night clientele they were looking for when they first opened in 2018, he explained. They cut hours in an effort to control costs, he explained, especially during the pandemic.

“This is an attempt to add an experience to the restaurant that drives more guests,” and create another revenue stream, Daniels said. 

Sadler, who provided the lighthearted disclosure that he loves the restaurant’s fried chicken, said Harley Laguna Beach did a lot to help out locally during the pandemic while they were also struggling.

Dubin likened it to a place where people can go for an after-dinner cocktail and enjoy the music.

“That part of town could use a little livening up, in terms of its nighttime presence,” he said. 

As a musician himself, Dubin said it’s great to have another local place for musicians to perform.

Daniels said he was fine with the 1 a.m. closing, as opposed to the requested 2 a.m. the ABC license allows. 

“There’s not much that happens after 1 a.m. that I want to be part of in the bar and restaurant industry,” Daniels noted. 

Commissioners unanimously supported the modified 1 a.m. closing time and liked the idea of the annual review of the live entertainment portion. 

If there are a lot of complaints or any problems with the later time or loud music, staff will hear about it and review the permit, Whitin noted. 

“It fits a niche, both geographically and in terms of a cultural music niche for a segment of our population,” that would specifically enjoy this type of entertainment, Kellenberg said. 

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Courtesy of City of LB/Suzanne Barber/Gianne de Genevraye/Crystal Lockwood

Art from (left to right) Suzanne Barber, Gianne de Genevraye, and Crystal Lockwood will all be featured at the new gallery

Earlier in the meeting, commissioners also unanimously approved a CUP to establish and operate a fine art gallery at 206 North Coast Hwy (previously Lagona Apothecary). 

The artist-owned and operated gallery will feature Suzanne Barber and a few other local complementary artists. Original works only, including painting and sculptures, will be displayed. 

It will be her first foray into gallery ownership for Barber, currently the gallery director at Signature Gallery on Forest Avenue.

The artwork will be staged with furniture vignettes. 

“This unique presentation would give potential customers an opportunity to visualize the artwork in their homes and may also prompt interior design conversations,” Viera said. 

The guest will be able to “see and feel” what it would be like for the art to be in their own home, Barber added. 

The interior designer’s services would also be offered to customers but would not be on-site. 

Commissioners liked the interactive use of the space, calling it entertainment retail, that it’s a good use of the location, and that it there’s no intensification of use. Whitin said she also liked that it’s a collaborative group of local women.

Police Files

Panga boat washes ashore at Anita Street Beach, investigation ongoing

On Thursday, Sept 16 at 5:10 a.m., officers were dispatched to Anita Street Beach for a report of an unoccupied motorboat washing up on the sand with several drums of fuel still inside of it. Upon LBPD’s arrival, the Maritime Coordination Center (MCC) was contacted, and officers searched for layoff vehicles in that area.

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Courtesy of Louis Weill

The panga was a single-engine, 30-foot vessel with 16 lifejackets and 12 fuel containers. US Coast Guard responded and contacted vessel assist in removing the panga that had already capsized. The panga was removed, and the Laguna Beach PD Maritime team will work with MCC on the investigation. 

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Submitted photo

According to LBPD Lt. Jim Cota, it is believed the people aboard the boat survived. “This investigation is still ongoing,” he stated.

Laguna Beach Fallen Officer Remembrance Ceremony on Tuesday

On Tuesday, Sept 21, LBPD will host its annual Fallen Officer Remembrance Ceremony. The remembrance ceremony honors two Laguna Beach Police Officers who were killed in the line of duty serving the Laguna Beach community – Officer Gordon French (End of Watch, February 13, 1953) and Motor Officer Jon Coutchie (End of Watch, September 21, 2013).

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Courtesy of City of LB

Click on photo for a larger image

Courtesy of City of LB

The ceremony will start at 3 p.m. in front of the Eterenal Legacy police memorial, in front of the Laguna Beach Police Department, and will conclude around 3:30 p.m. 

LBPD will also be dedicating its new K-9 memorial at this time.

A reception will be held following the ceremony.

Laguna business owners and their shop dogs: matches made in heaven

By DIANNE RUSSELL

Photos by Mary Hurlbut

A recent study found that interacting with animals can increase a person’s level of oxytocin – or the happy hormone. To most pet owners, that’s not a surprising discovery. 

For local business proprietors who have shop dogs, not only does having a dog make patrons feel joyful and at home, the dogs get to socialize with out-of-town visitors and faithful regulars. This sounds like the stuff doggie daydreams are made of – and the perfect scenario for everyone concerned. 

The idea for featuring shop dogs originated from meeting Utah, the Vertigo Home resident canine, who has the run of the shop and possibly just falls short of “running the shop.” His owners Chris Oswalt and Martin Ulrich would no doubt agree.

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Utah, our first shop dog

We have since found that there are oodles of local business owners who take their animal companions to work – so many, in fact, that this will be an ongoing feature. So, if you have a shop dog or cat (or other animal) and would like him or her featured, please contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Beasley 

Beasley appears to have no idea that he is now part of one of the founding families of Laguna. Beasley recently joined Randy Boyd of Thurston Boyd Interior Design, who is a third generation Lagunan, and has been in the interior design business in town for 40 years. The Thurston family came here in 1870 from Salt Lake City to homestead. “When my mother was a little girl, she lived on a farm at the (Ranch/Ben Brown’s) golf course and rode a horse into town,” Boyd says. His brother Kelly was mayor of Laguna when he retired in 2017, and their sister lives in England.

Although he’s now living high on the hog, as the old adage goes, one-and-a-half-year-old Beasley didn’t have the best start in life. Yet one would never know from his calm and trusting demeanor. Suffering from puncture wounds in his stomach caused by a dog attack, Beasley (of undetermined heritage) was rescued from the streets of Mexico by Thrive Animal Rescue. Fortunately, he was fostered for four months by a dog trainer, so when Boyd adopted him, he was already trained. 

Unfortunately, there was a bump in the road before Boyd adopted him, but it seems Beasley was destined to be in Laguna.

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Beasley at his best

“Before I got him, he and his street companion Adele were adopted by someone else and then returned because Farmer (Beasley’s former name) was very protective of his friend,” says Boyd.

Boyd recently lost his dog and didn’t intend on adopting another one so soon, but fate has a way of stepping in when you least expect it.

“My 13-year-old dog passed away this past spring, and I didn’t feel I was ready for another dog,” he says. “But one of my clients who knew about Thrive Animal Rescue persuaded me to reconsider.”

Founded by Cece Bloum – the daughter of Jimmy Durante – and Georgia Spogli, Thrive Animal Rescue comes to the aid of abandoned and discarded dogs of all breeds, ages, and situations. By providing medical aid, love, and support their goal is to place them in their final forever home. 

“When I brought Beasley to the office,” Boyd says, “my assistant immediately fell in love with him. Now some people just stop by to see him.”

Due to his background, one would expect him to bark when someone comes into the office, but Boyd admits that Beasley has never barked at anything, not even once.

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A big help in the office

However, it was a little touch and go in the beginning. “On the second day after I brought Beasley home, I left to go to the store,” Boyd recalls. “In the short time I was gone, he escaped by jumping out an open window, and went across PCH to Main Beach. Within 10 minutes a woman had him. I hadn’t gotten a tag for him yet, but luckily he still had a tag from Thrive.” 

Even though Boyd has only had Beasley four months, Beasley has already settled into a routine. When not in the shop, he sleeps wherever he wants at home – on the bed and the furniture. No place is off limits. 

Beasley couldn’t have a more “I’m just happy to be here” manner. When I enter the office, he briefly says “Hi” by sniffing me and then takes his usual spot – according to Boyd – under the table on the cement, foregoing his cozy bed just a few feet away. 

Boyd gestures toward the bed. “There’s his favorite toy, a hedgehog. He also loves riding in the car and his walks around the neighborhood.”

For a dog with such a rough beginning, there’s a lot to love about his new life. Beasley appears to have hit the mother lode – and he clearly deserves it.

Charlie 

Eleven-year-old Charlie, a Goldendoodle, has his own customer base, according to Summer Meek, owner of Soul Project. “People just pop in to say ‘hi’ to him. He loves people and he almost never barks,” she says. “We have customers from all over. People who have vacationed here come back to see him.”

A true Laguna native, Meek went briefly to El Morro Elementary, then to Top of the World Elementary, Thurston Middle School, and Laguna Beach High School. 

In 2011, she started her wholesale business – an artist driven line of shirts – upstairs in Bluebird Centre. She also has her brand in the Ritz-Carlton. “When I started the brand, it became clear that the next natural step would be to go brick and mortar. Soul Project has always been about the specialness of place.” Her most popular items are jogging sweats and sweatshirts, and she carries many unisex items that are be appropriate for all ages. “We carry unique products in addition to our own line with a focus on women-owned business and eco-friendly products.”

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Charlie’s favorite thing is treats from the UPS guy

Meek moved to her present location in the HIP District in 2014, which includes a back patio for Charlie to sunbathe. Prior to the pandemic, Meek held events on the patio, but it also serves another purpose. “It doesn’t happen often, but if someone comes in who is fearful of dogs, I put Charlie out there.”

“I got him when he was eight weeks old,” Meek says. “I picked this breed because they make good therapy dogs due to their temperament, and he did a lot of training with Penny Milne.”

Experts say that well-socialized Goldendoodles love everyone they meet, and the feeling is almost always mutual. In Charlie’s case, this is definitely true.

“He loves children,” Meek says. “There used to be yoga classes held here, 20 kids at a time, and he loved it.”

It appears he mostly serves as the greeter and welcomes visitors as they come in, but Charlie also keeps some of them company. Meek says, “A lot of men come, and they sit on the couch in the back room with Charlie while their wives shop.”

Although Charlie’s personality is laid back, on occasions he has served as a watchdog. “One day a man came to the door and Charlie wouldn’t let him in. My assistant and I decided to respect that assessment, and we closed the shop and the man went on his way.”

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The couch is a popular place to sit

As with most businesses, Soul Project was closed from March 19, 2020-May 2020, but the online business picked up.  Meek offered curbside pickup. “I also delivered locally…and Charlie would go with me,” she says.

Besides being a people person, Charlie knows what he loves – walks in Heisler Park, sniffing everything or “getting the news out” as Meek calls it. He especially adores the treats from the UPS man and hears the truck when it pulls up.  For a diversion, Meek used to give him a treat every time a package was delivered, so he’s kind of primed for those treats. “Even when the UPS guy isn’t making a delivery here, he’ll still stop and give Charlie a treat,” she says. 

Charlie also likes riding in the car with the window down, and a true Lagunan, he’s fond of the beach – even though he’s not a swimmer.

In adhering to Meek’s policy of “keeping it local,” Charlie frequents The Tail Wagger dog groomer and Meeks gets his dog food from Angela at Dog Tub.

It’s Meek’s hope that in the future, the HIP District can put on another celebration with music and festivities like “Old School Days” in 2019. 

You can bet that Charlie will be there to greet everyone.

Darby 

Miche McClendon of Miche McClendon Jewelry brought Darby, an eight-year-old Sheltie, with her when she came from Virginia Beach five years ago. Having a jewelry designer for a mom has its perks. Darby sports a personalized silver guitar pick tag made by McClendon.

McClendon has been designing fine art jewelry for 13 years, and her studio/gallery houses a one-of-a-kind collection of rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Inspired by nature, she specializes in silver and gold. She loves ancient metal work. “In school, I drew and then I just started to play with metal. I received a BFA in metalsmithing from Old Dominion University and was voted Best Jewelry Designer in Laguna Beach Favorites this year.” 

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Darby makes Miche smile

“My passion is creating tiny sculptures from silver, gold, and unusual gems,” she says. “I use ancient techniques while keeping an eye on modern fashion to create designs that are new and timeless.” 

She is also a plein air painter and a few of her paintings are featured in the shop. 

Before moving to her current location, her studio and gallery was located at 241 Forest Ave. Her new studio/gallery next to the post office on Forest celebrated its year anniversary in August.

“It’s been a good summer,” says McClendon, “with a lot of custom work.” 

While she works in the studio, Darby keeps her company and stays alert for anyone entering the space.

Darby loves to greet visitors by barking a welcome. “He follows shoppers around,” says McClendon. “Sometimes if they’re sitting on the couch, he’ll just stare at them as if he’s trying to engage and have a conversation.” 

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Darby is all about engaging with the customers

According to McClendon, Darby is also supportive during photo shoots. “Darby helps when I’m modeling jewelry and being photographed outside the shop,” she says. “I’ll be frowning in the pictures, and then he’ll do something goofy and run by me and make me smile – which looks much better in the photo.”

Like Charlie at Soul Project, Darby has on rare occasions had an adverse reaction to someone who walked in the shop – alerting McClendon by barking excitedly. A small but excellent watchdog.

Being located next to the post office, there is a substantial amount of foot traffic in front of the shop, which of course also warrants a bark if there’s another dog involved.

 Darby is not a stay-at-home. “He goes everywhere with me,” McClendon says. “He has a bunch of buddies in town.”

McClendon used to work in her garage but now Darby is out and about socializing with people in the store and all over the city. As for the beach, she says, “He likes the water a little, he’ll bark and chase waves, but he’s afraid of the sound.” 

“He recognizes the locals and friends,” she says, “and he loves walking around town. Sometimes a friend from National Geographic Gallery comes by and takes him for a walk.”

According to the American Kennel Club, “A Sheltie who is left alone all day without companionship while his people go to work is usually not a very happy little dog.”

Clearly, this is not the situation for Darby. He is almost always with his person, and his cheerful disposition is evidence of that. 

Stop by and visit all these incredible shop dogs, and you might want to bring a treat.

To visit Beasley, go to: Thurston Boyd Interior Design, 1476 S Coast Hwy.

To visit Charlie, go to: Soul Project, 1516 S Coast Hwy.

To visit Darby, go to: Miche McClendon Jewelry, 384 Forest Ave.

To visit Utah, go to: Vertigo Homes, 1550 S Coast Hwy.

Council hears Laguna Canyon Road improvements, defensible space guidelines, idea to prohibit retail sale of tobacco and vaping products

By SARA HALL

City Council has a varied and full agenda next week, including items related to Laguna Canyon Road improvements, defensible space guidelines, an idea to study prohibiting retail sale of tobacco and vaping products, and an update of Design Review Board bylaws.

On Tuesday (September 21), council will consider work on the Laguna Canyon Road Improvement Project. 

If approved, council will:

--Authorize the city manager, or her designee, to approve a contract amendment with HDR Engineering, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $200,000 to revise the Laguna Canyon Road Project Study Report to study a reversible transit lane alternative and resubmit it to Caltrans for approval.

--Authorize the city manager, or her designee, to approve a contract amendment with Caltrans, in an amount not to exceed $25,000, for cost reimbursement to Caltrans for its review of the revised Project Study Report.

--Direct staff to coordinate with Caltrans and the Orange County Transportation Agency to identify funding sources to fund the design and construction of bicycle, pedestrian, transit, and utility undergrounding improvements along Laguna Canyon Road.

--Direct staff to obtain a cost proposal from Southern California Edison to provide preliminary design services for the undergrounding of transmission lines in the Orange County Parks property along Laguna Canyon Road from Canyon Acres to El Toro Road, and authorize the city manager, or her designee, to negotiate necessary agreements for approval by the city council.

--Direct staff to enter negotiations with Caltrans for the acquisition of Laguna Canyon Road through the Caltrans relinquishment process contingent upon the identification of sufficient funding to construct bicycle, pedestrian, transit, and utility undergrounding improvements approved by the city.

--Appropriate $100,000 from the Wildfire Mitigation and Fire Safety Fund to the Laguna Canyon Road Master Plan and Utility Undergrounding Project.

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Photo by Mary Hurlbut

Traffic and utility poles line along Laguna Canyon Road

Since Laguna Canyon Road, or State Route 133, is owned, operated, and under the jurisdiction of Caltrans, council directed staff to pursue state legislation that would allow, but not require, the city to acquire the road. Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris sponsored AB 2172, which was signed into law on September 24, 2020, and provides legislative authorization for the road to be transferred, the city staff report explains. 

The city contracted with HDR Engineering to evaluate the costs and benefits associated with acquiring the road.

“Based on the information in the HDR report, acquisition of Laguna Canyon Road in and of itself is not expected to generate substantial benefits for the city, however, construction of the improvements discussed in this report would result in benefits that HDR concludes would outweigh the costs and risks associated with the acquisition and ownership of the roadway,” the staff report reads.

Therefore, staff recommends the city continue the planning process needed to further study potential improvements to the roadway.

The next step in the planning process is to revise and finalize the project study report the city began in 2019, to further study a reversible transit lane along Laguna Canyon. The final PSR will be returned to council for approval following review and concurrence from Caltrans. 

The project aims to improve traffic flow and public safety, add pedestrian and bicycle improvements, and reduce the risk of wildfire related to above-ground utility lines. 

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Courtesy of LBFD

Emerald Bay during the 1993 fire 

Also during Tuesday’s meeting, council will hear the first reading of an ordinance adopting updated defensible space guidelines for existing structures in the very high fire hazard severity zone.

The Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Committee reviewed and unanimously agreed on Monday (September 13) to recommend the guideline to council. 

The ordinance council will consider will: Establish defensible space zones around existing structures; provide requirements for tree, shrub, and grass thinning; and create a documentation procedure for vegetation compliance. 

If the city does not adopt a local ordinance mandating compliance, then the general state codes must be followed. The city may amend the California Fire Code based on local geologic, climatic, or topographic conditions.

The downside to using the Cal Fire defensible space guideline is that it’s a “catch all” for the entire state. Anything they inspect, which is most of the state, they often require trees and shrubs to be removed, LBFD Fire Marshal Jim Brown said on Monday. They knew that wouldn’t work in Laguna Beach, so they have their own guideline, which emphasizes responsibly trimming, thinning, and maintaining trees and vegetation, keeping in mind the importance of trees in the city.

They tried to word it to meet the needs of everybody in the community, Brown said. 

If approved, the ordinance would return for a second reading on October 5. Per state law, it would become effective 30 days after its approval on the second reading, or November 5.

The guideline will be utilized for defensible space inspections required by Assembly Bill 38 during the home sale process, and as needed for citizen complaints concerning potentially dangerous vegetation on private properties with existing buildings, staff explained.

On July 1, the new requirements for compliance with AB 38 went into effect for residential property sales in the very high fire hazard severity zone. Approximately 87 percent of the city of Laguna Beach is in this zone.

The guideline was revised based on comments received during and after a workshop on July 14. The updated version is very similar to what was presented at the recent workshop, but there are a few changes related to clarification about what’s covered, language, and added flexibility.

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Photo by Mary Hurlbut

Council will consider directing staff to study a ban on the retail sale of tobacco and vaping products 

Last on the agenda is a recommendation by Councilmember George Weiss to direct staff to research, analyze and present for City Council review and action, an ordinance prohibiting the retail sale of tobacco and vaping products within the city.

A majority of council must first vote to direct staff to analyze the issue before any proposed ordinance is drafted or action taken at a future meeting.

Weiss suggests the council consider banning the retail sales of tobacco and vaping products, but that exceptions for the sale of the products within hotels may be made as long as the products are not sold within retail stores located on the property. Other hardship exemptions may also be considered. 

According to the staff report submitted by Weiss, the benefits of a ban include:

--Lessens the likelihood of teens smoking or vaping.

--Lessens the impact of secondhand smoke for the general public.

--Lessens the amount of cigarette butts found on beaches, streets, and trails.

-- Lessens the risk of fire.

--Contributes to making Laguna Beach a healthier community.

There are no reported court cases in California addressing the validity of the prohibition proposed. According to the staff report, in the last two years, the cities of Beverly Hills and Manhattan Beach have passed similar ordinances with deferred effective dates. To date, no litigation has been filed challenging either ordinance. 

Council will also review an amendment to the Design Review Board’s bylaws.

The DRB recently evaluated its bylaws with the assistance of city staff. The bylaws were last amended in 2016 and must be approved by council.

DRB’s bylaws include a code of conduct and meeting procedures intended to assist the DRB in performing its duties.

The most significant change is related to membership and terms, to establish a term limit of no more than four consecutive two-year terms with a mandatory two-year break thereafter before reappointment.

“The DRB feels that this will enhance the community’s opportunity to serve, and will support a more fair and balanced review process in the long term,” the staff report explains.

Other changes include recognizing that meetings may be held virtually and starting at 5 p.m., instead of forwarding approved minutes to council the DRB will endeavor to meet with council annually, and establishing clearer procedures for review of projects at public hearings. 

The consent calendar includes (among other items):

--A contract with Gentry General Engineering, in the amount of $124,070 for Citywide Guard Rail Improvements.

--Award a task order with Willdan Engineering in the amount of $111,366 to develop a Sidewalk Master Plan.

--Approve the installation of the bronze sculpture Journey by Louis Longi, to satisfy the Art in Public Places requirement for the ArtLofts development located at 20412-20432 Laguna Canyon Rd.

--Convert the LBPD Neighborhood Specialist Position job title to Park Ranger, reclassify an existing Police Corporal position to Police Sergeant, and carry over available appropriation of $75,000 to fund the LBPD Recruitment Incentive Program and salary adjustments.

--Adopt a resolution establishing metered parking and removing passenger loading zones at 278 and 280 Forest Ave. 

--Execute a service provider agreement with Polco/National Research Center, Inc. to conduct two public opinion surveys in the amount not to exceed $32,400, and authorize additional expenditures, not to exceed $5,000 for project related costs such as marketing and survey promotion.

The council agenda is available online here. The regular meeting begins at 5 p.m. 

To participate via Zoom, you may click here from your computer or smart phone. You may also call (669) 900-9128 and wait for instructions. The Webinar ID is 91641723096#. If you have issues getting into the Zoom meeting or raising your virtual hand to comment, you may text the city clerk at (310) 722-5051.

The meeting can be watched live on Cox channel 852 or on the city’s website at www.lagunabeachcity.net/agendas. 

You may also speak in person in Council Chambers.

Comments may be submitted on any agenda item or on any item not on the agenda in writing via mail to the City Clerk at: 505 Forest Ave, Laguna Beach, CA, 92651, by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or by using this interactive form: www.lagunabeachcity.net/comment. Email your comments to the City Clerk no later than 3 p.m. on September 20 (the day before the City Council meeting) in order for your comments to be submitted to the members of the City Council the day prior the meeting, which provides them sufficient time to review the comments. 

You may continue to provide written comments up to 12 p.m. on Sepember. 21 (the day of the meeting). While these comments will be provided to the City Council at 2 p.m. on September 21, council members may not have sufficient time to review them prior to the meeting.

Behind the curtain with Circus Bella 

By MARRIE STONE

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

According to Ernest Hemingway, “The circus is the only fun you can buy that is good for you.” Imagine getting all that good-for-you fun for free.

Circus Bella, a one-ring outdoor circus show, is bringing its troupe to Laguna’s Bluebird Park for two free shows on Saturday, Sept 25 (performances are scheduled for 1 and 3 p.m.). Nineteen performers – including a six-piece live band – will wow audiences with their feats of strength, grace, skill, and showmanship. A perfect family show for audiences ages one to one hundred, the crowd will be treated to clowns and contortionists, acrobats and jugglers, a hooper, a trapeze artist, and a chair stacker. 

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Photo by Daisy Rose Coby

Circus Bella will perform in Bluebird Park on Saturday, Sept 25 at 

1 and 3 p.m.

Humorous, a wholly original show produced and directed by Circus Bella co-founder Abigail Munn, is being offered as a limited engagement. Generally available to Bay Area audiences only, for the first time – though hopefully not the last – the troupe is traveling to Laguna Beach.

“This event has been such a long time in the making,” says Cultural Arts Manager Sian Poeschl. “We started the conversation back in 2019 with the performance originally scheduled for June 6, 2020, and then rescheduled a couple more times. This will be a uniquely Laguna Beach experience, a first-time event that will be well worth the wait. I hope it becomes an annual community tradition.” 

Humorous celebrates the fantastical world we can discover together through the simple act of shared wonder and lots of laughter. It also marks their first show after a challenging and tumultuous year off. 

We peeked behind the scenes to uncover the origins of this incredible troupe, how these talented performers came together, and what they’ve learned along the way. Before you “step right up,” you’re invited to “sit right down” and hear the backstory behind Circus Bella and its modern twist on an ancient tradition.

In the beginning…

For Abigail Munn, Circus Bella’s co-founder and artistic director, an obsession with the circus began almost 40 years ago. Munn grew up in San Francisco, the child of parents who were steeped in the arts. Her father was a lighting designer for operas, her mother involved in art management for nonprofits. 

On a whim, Munn’s parents signed her up for a Saturday class at the Pickle Family Circus when she was nine years old. Back in the 1980s, circus training was unusual, especially for kids. Aerial silks hadn’t been invented yet. Other traditions that have since fallen out of favor – like the Spanish Web and Rolla Bolla boards – were still being taught. “I learned trapeze, juggling, tightrope, rolling globe, Rolla Bolla, and stilts,” Munn says. “A different curriculum than kids learn now. Much more focused on ground skills.” Munn benefited from the instruction of Chinese acrobats, who came to the U.S. to teach at the Pickle Family Circus, elevating her skill set once again.

For Munn, the circus was love at first sight. “This is it,” she told her parents, who today call themselves “circus grandparents.” Indeed, it was. Those early days laid the foundation for a career that’s now spanned more than two decades and counting. 

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Photo by Daisy Rose Coby

Abigail Munn, Circus Bella’s co-founder and artistic director

Circus life before Circus Bella

After studying dance in college, Munn worked as both a dancer and trapeze artist. She began traveling the United States with the Zoppé Family Circus, a 179-year-old, one-ring tent show. In 2006, while working a series of hot and tumultuous three-day shows with David Hunt (Circus Bella’s co-founder), the two conceived of the idea of bringing a similar outdoor, single-ring circus to the Bay Area. “With the Pickle Family Circus, Make *A* Circus, and a few other one-ring shows, it was a familiar style,” Munn says. “And the weather is so good in California. An outdoor circus made sense.” 

Before the circus was even off the ground, they got their first gig. Bella Winery called, saying they’d heard Munn had a circus and asking if it was true. Without an act, or even a name, Munn responded yes. She and Hunt scrambled to put a show together for one of the winery’s upcoming events. When the winery asked for promotional materials, Munn settled on the name “Circus Bella” until a better fit arrived. 

Those first costumes were an eclectic mix of hand-sewn fabrics. Munn collected old relics from the San Francisco Opera. There were six members in the original troupe, who all came with their own acts. Munn borrowed a small ring curb to create a circus stage and painted a tarp. They didn’t have a curtain, but they did have a wine barrel.

That first show was rocky. Without a curtain, off-stage performers stood frozen in the visible background. And although they dropped a few clubs during the grand juggling finale, they came away from the performance with a lot of enthusiasm and the seed money necessary to get off the ground. The name “Circus Bella” stuck, and “the little circus that could” was finally born in 2008. 

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Photo by Daisy Rose Coby

The Circus Bella ensemble

The essential foundations for Circus Bella

Circus Bella may have lacked a curtain and a few performers in the beginning, but its original vision remains unchanged. Retaining the traditions of an old-style circus troupe while incorporating a modernized twist was essential. Munn and Hunt set the tone for the troupe with three guiding principles.

Performing inside a ring was the first key component. “We always perform in the round,” Munn says. This tradition dates to the 6th century B.C., during the Roman Empire’s Circus Maximus. Chariot races, in particular, benefited from the round. London circus performers borrowed this architectural model in the 18th century, which proved especially useful during their equestrian performances. For Munn and Hunt, the intimacy of the ring was important. Having their audience surround them, seeing the show from every angle and blending into the scene felt right. 

The second requirement was that performers bring their own individualized acts to the stage, but also come together during the grand finale for an ensemble act. “Having your own circus act is very traditional,” says Munn. “Doing some ensemble work is where we cross over into a more modern approach. You’ll see that with the grand finale. Everybody in the company passes clubs. If someone can’t juggle, we’ll pass them around that person, but we always do this big ensemble juggle.”

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Photo by James Watkins

Jefferson Freire shows off his juggling skills

The last ingredient – and perhaps the most essential – was live music. “For me, music is really important,” says Munn. “Maybe that’s my opera background. My mom also managed a new music ensemble when I was a kid, so live music was important for me. We’ve always had a live band.”

Strike up the band

There’s a famous saying within Circus Bella: “Be brave, be safe, be funny, be better than the band.” For Munn, a live band was essential for Circus Bella to function. 

Composer Rob Reich has been with Circus Bella since its inception, creating all original musical scores for the shows. “By providing live accompaniment to the circus acts, we are engaging in dialogue with the performers in real time, and that communication helps clear the way for a greater connection with the audience,” says Reich on the website’s blog. “My job as musical director is to keep a constant empathetic eye on the performers, the musicians, and the audience; and provide a musical frame that will encourage everyone to shine.”

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Photo by Ron Scherl

Rob Reich, Circus Bella’s bandleader, composer, accordion player, keyboardist, and glockenspiel artist

The band sets the atmosphere of the show. Is the act creating suspense? Are the clowns acting silly? Is the performance elegant or risky? Music can build tension or help the audience relax. Rob says one of the biggest difficulties is knowing when to leave enough silence and space to allow for an audience’s natural reaction. “Nothing can accentuate a moment quite like a sudden silence,” he says. “Or just letting things breathe for a few moments after a particularly intense act.”

The Circus Bella All-Star Band includes Rob Reich (bandleader, accordion, keyboard, and glockenspiel), Benito Cortez (violin), Ian Carey (trumpet), Kasey Knudsen (saxophone), Michael Pinkham (percussion), and Jonathan Seiberlich (tuba). 

“Playing tuba with the Circus Bella All-Star Band is one of the most fulfilling experiences in my career so far,” says Seiberlich. “The music that Rob Reich composes for us covers a wide spectrum of musical styles and sonic textures. It can be incredibly challenging and incredibly silly, with strict written scores alongside moments of complete improvisation. The whole band is constantly reacting to what’s happening on stage, feeding off the energy of the performers, and creating a wholly unique performing experience. Every year I am blown away by the talented individuals on stage, and every year I look forward to the next opportunity to perform with this incredible troupe.”

Despite whatever financial challenges live performers faced in the past year, Munn insists she’ll never perform without a live band. It was part of her original vision, and one she intends to carry into the future. “In the beginning, I would sometimes book the show without a band in order to cut costs,” says Munn. “But I don’t do it anymore. No band, no Bella. The music is half of what we are as a company. They are a character in the show. I would rather do fewer shows and do them correctly. That’s my choice.”

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Photo by Daisy Rose Coby

The Circus Bella All-Star Band 

Send in the clowns

Munn also puts a lot of effort and consideration into selecting her performers. Each of them comes to the circus with their own act, but personality is just as important as talent. “I’m very particular about who is invited into the show,” Munn says. “There’s a certain kind of personality that’s required to be an artist in our company. My rule is you must be nice to me at 7 a.m. That makes it easier.” 

It takes a village to create a circus. Beyond the six-piece band, there are nine performers and a sizable production crew responsible for making the show happen. Performers include Garrett Allen (chair stacking), Toni Cannon (strong man), Jamie Coventry (clown), Jefferson Freire (juggling and unicycle), Dwoira Galilea (aerial hoop), Elise Hing (contortion), Natasha Kaluza (clown and hula hooper), and Calvin Kai Ku (clown). 

“Clowns may be ‘third responders,’ but our job is no less important,” says Coventry. “We pour our hearts into our art in the hopes that we’ll provide lasting joy for those that spend an afternoon outside with the circus.”

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Photo by Daisy Rose Coby

Circus Bella’s Clowns: Jamie Coventry, Natasha Kaluza, and Calvin Kai Ku

“The Circus Bella experience builds a real familial bond between the company members,” Galilea says. “From weeks of rehearsals and juggling, to setup and tear down, to performing the show itself, we all work together as an ensemble to create this pop-up circus in the park. We are stronger together.”

The Circus Bella production team includes Judy Finelli (juggling director and coach), Autumn Adamme (costume designer), Carlo Gentile (production director), James Touzel (sound engineer), and Jack Weinstock (ring crew). 

“A lot of us have worked together for many years,” says Munn. “I love that connection between the performers when you perform together for a long time. We’re literally standing on each other’s shoulders.”

Beyond the big top: the deeper meaning of circus

Spend only a few minutes at a circus and it’s not difficult to understand its power. Behind the dazzling acts and silly clowns, there’s something more profound happening. For a suspended 60 minutes, both the audience and the performers share a moment of collective delight. They bond over communal experiences, common emotions, and moments of levity. 

One occasion stood out as particularly poignant. “In Washington, the Circus Bella All-Star Band got to play music for a naturalization ceremony where roughly 20 children were becoming U.S. Citizens,” Kaluza says. “It was beautiful, funny, and poetic all at once. And it struck me that the importance of art in culture stretches deeper than we can even grasp. It’s like a tree with roots unseen far below the surface. As we roll into a park, schlepping and hoisting, building our set, placing our equipment, and hustling to create a moment of magic, I imagine that we are planting an invisible seed. A seed that will grow after we are gone, in the hearts and minds of the community, reminding all to persevere, to dance, to play, to find balance, and to lift one another up.”

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Photo by James Watkins

Natasha Kaluza, Circus Bella’s clown and hula hoop artist

Finding our common humanity is something that’s foremost on Munn’s mind. Creating moments that allow communities to come together and let go of the outside world gives her a lot of satisfaction. “I try to stay out of politics because it’s so toxic,” she says. “But there’s more we can agree on as humans than disagree. Maybe we can make some progress if we just sit next to each other and enjoy something together.”

“Sharing unique events like these with our neighbors builds joy within our community,” says Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen. “The circus has always been about making people laugh, which is something we all can appreciate and enjoy right now.”

It’s hard to leave a circus in a bad mood. Everything about it makes you smile. From the bright backgrounds and colorful costumes to the silly clowns and miraculous acts, the whole experience brings out the inner child regardless of your age. 

“I love watching the children in the audience after the show,” says Galilea. “It’s magical to see them cartwheeling through the grass, arching back to put their feet on their heads, and seeing the world with new stars in their eyes.”

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Photo by Daisy Rose Coby

Aerial hoop star Dwoira Galilea

There are few live performances that are equally satisfying for kids and adults alike. That straddle cultures, languages, and time. That cut across geographical and generational boundaries alike. “What I think is amazing about the circus is that it’s so universal,” says Munn. “A whole family can go to the show and every person in that lineup is going to find something that’s enjoyable about the experience.” 

Circus Bella will perform in Bluebird Park on Saturday, Sept 25 at 1 and 3 p.m. All performances are free, though donations are appreciated. To support Circus Bella and learn more about their organization, visit www.circusbella.org.

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

Mayor Whalen celebrates return of Olympians

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Courtesy of City of LB

Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen joined our 2020 Olympic athletes from Orange County for a recognition parade to celebrate our hometown heroes hosted by Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, 2nd District, along with Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris and other federal/state/local government, business, and community partners on Sunday, Sept 12. Aria and Makenzie Fischer were honored for their Olympic Gold Medal win in Women’s Water Polo.

Committee recommends defensible space guidelines for fire safety

By SARA HALL

In an effort to better protect residents, their homes, and the entire community from a potential wildfire, a local committee this week approved recommending the updated defensible space guidelines for existing structures in the very high fire hazard severity zone.

The Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Committee reviewed and unanimously agreed on Monday (September 13) to recommend support for the updated guideline to City Council. The item is scheduled to be on the council agenda for Tuesday (September 21).

The ordinance council consider will: Establish defensible space zones around existing structures; provide requirements for tree, shrub, and grass thinning; and create a documentation procedure for vegetation compliance. If approved, the ordinance would return for a second reading on October 5. Per state law, it would become effective 30 days after its approval on the second reading, or November 5.

The Fire Risk Mitigation Subcommittee presented the resolution in support of the Laguna Beach Fire Department’s proposed guidelines that the EDPC ultimately approved. The committee provides input and advice on all matters pertaining to disaster prevention, planning, and preparedness, but the council has the final say on the matter. 

It requires proper maintenance of trees and other vegetation in a community with a high fire risk, said EDPC Chair Matt Lawson. It keeps individuals, their families, and their neighbors all safe, he added. 

It’s a misconception that this will change the look and feel of the town, added EDPC member Thomas Gibbs.

“This is not altering the character of Laguna Beach,” Gibbs said. “It’s requiring property owners to be responsible to keep Laguna Beach safe and to protect their neighbors, and themselves, from spreading fires.”

“It requires all of us to govern our own property, to maintain our own property, so as to protect the character of the community and keep us and our neighbors safe,” he added.

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Courtesy of LBFD

North Emerald Bay during the 1993 Laguna Beach fire

The guideline will be utilized for defensible space inspections required by Assembly Bill 38 during the home sale process, and as needed for citizen complaints concerning potentially dangerous vegetation on private properties with existing buildings, staff explained.

On July 1, the new requirements for compliance with AB 38 went into effect for residential property sales in the very high fire hazard severity zone. Approximately 87 percent of the city of Laguna Beach is in this zone.

LBFD Fire Marshal Jim Brown discussed the recent modifications to the guideline at Monday’s meeting. It was revised based on comments received during and after the workshop on July 14. 

Tuesday’s updated guideline is very similar to the version presented at the recent workshop, but there are some changes, Brown said. 

“We got some good feedback in the workshop,” Brown said. 

Staff modified the exclusions to show what it does and doesn’t cover, he noted. 

“There was ambiguity in how, or where, it would be applied,” Brown explained.

It clarifies that the guideline is not going to be used for any type of new construction or major remodel as defined by the zoning code (not the building division), Brown noted. 

It is also not applicable to projects that are or were constructed under the LBFD Landscape/Fuel Modification Standards and Maintenance Program, which requires more stringent fuel management than the defensible space guideline and greatly increases the survivability of a structure during a wildfire.

After some questions regarding what does apply to new construction or major remodel, Brown explained that guidelines for those projects are in the works. 

“That’s the million-dollar question,” Brown said. “I had to walk a real tight rope on this one and you’re seeing it in here.”

If a project is in the FM zone, the municipal code already requires that it comply with the fuel modification standards. And because there is no current mandate to apply the fuel mod guidelines to construction projects outside the FM zone, as the city studies the environmental impacts of that through a California Environmental Quality Act initial study, Brown explained. 

The initial CEQA study won’t be until early 2022, he noted, but they couldn’t wait any longer and had to proceed with the defensible space guidelines they did have ready.

Ideally, this would be a little clearer in referencing how all major remodels and new construction can comply, but it doesn’t say that because they can’t say that just yet, Brown said.

 There’s still a bit of footwork to do, but he feels positive about the general direction, Brown said. He’s very hopeful and positive about the process, he added.

“This is a tiered process,” Brown said, and it’s pretty well laid out. “It’s not guesswork, we’ve got a safety element, it’s coming…The initial CEQA study is very much in process, it’s coming to council. Defensible space guideline is coming to council in a week and a half. This is, in my opinion, phenomenal steps in a really short period of time.”

It might be better not doing it all at once anyway, EDPC member Ernest Hackmon noted. 

“Let’s just get this step and then we’ll work on the next steps as they’re sequenced,” he said. 

This is relatively non-controversial (compared to trying to cover new construction, remodels, and existing structures all at once) and they’ve made modifications to make it more palatable and easier to apply, he said. 

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Submitted photo

A team of experienced hand crews also work in fuel modification zones to clear brush by hand

At the July workshop, they also got a lot of feedback on what it looks like to thin vegetation, specifically shrubs and trees, and there was some confusion about what needed to be done. So, they widened the way in which they could need or use the guideline, to give people a little more latitude, Brown explained.

Under vegetation, for example, ornamental and native shrubs shall be thinned, relocated, or removed to provide no more than 50 percent density and/or coverage and shall be positioned to limit plant continuity and inhibit fire progression.

The “density and/or coverage” was the key change, Brown explained. Before it only said “coverage,” which didn’t sit well with some residents and didn’t fit properly with the fuel modification expansion program (which includes fuel break crews of both goats and people). The hand crew fuel breaks are at 50 percent, but the way they hit that target has some flexibility, Brown explained. 

“So, we tried to do a better job at working that flexibility into this language,” he said. 

He also admitted that by adding that flexibility it also adds a bit ambiguity. 

“We know that, but we figured because every property is so unique, it’s never going to be a cookie-cutter approach no matter what we do,” Brown said. “We would need [that flexibility] whether we put it in the guideline or not, we would need it, we would use it.”

So, they made sure to include it in the guideline. 

It also gives the inspector the ability to make field decisions of what’s best for the site in keeping with fire safety, Brown added. 

Brown emphasized that the guideline will not mandate the removal of trees. Taking the top 10 or 20 feet off will also not be mandated. Although someone can choose to remove, trim, or top it, if they want, he added, it’s left to the discretion of the property owner and, to some degree, the inspector.

“We understand how important trees are to the community,” Brown said. “We’re looking at it more as reducing it somehow.”

The downside to using the Cal Fire defensible space guideline is that it’s a “catch all” for the entire state. Anything they inspect, which is most of the state, they often require trees and shrubs to be removed, Brown explained.

“We knew that would never work here. And we didn’t really think it was necessary,” he said. “We did, and still do, believe that aggressively thinning, in a smart way, can do the job.”

That doesn’t include dead vegetation, which is always required to be removed. They have had a longtime policy regarding dead vegetation, including dead limbs on live trees or vegetation, Brown said. 

“We will not be changing any of that,” Brown said. “We will continue to pursue dead vegetation in the way we always have, whether its part of a defensible space inspection or it’s just dead and somebody calls us up.”

They tried to word it to meet the needs of everybody in the community, Brown said. 

Other changes were minor or clarifying verbiage and updating the zone diagram example. 

Overall, the EDPC members were on board and supported the guidelines, some commented that they need to do more and there needs to be a focus on public education and outreach.

“Even this is not as far as we need to go,” Gibbs said.

They have to go in steps, he said. It’s two-fold: First, there will always be opposition, but they have to present the sensible argument about protecting the entire community; second, they have to educate the community of the importance of defensible space. 

“I think this is a good step,” Gibbs said. “If you add this, plus the effort we’re getting from new construction and major remodel, plus what’s going in the safety element, those are all steps in the right direction. And I’m confident we’ll get there, but we’re not going to get there overnight.”

They don’t want to force people to do anything, Hackmon agreed, the better route is offering resources to help educate the public on prudent ways to make their homes safer and, in doing that, making the community safer.

People are much more aware of it now, Gibbs said; between insurance, buying/selling homes, and the recent wildfires, the public is much more aware of fire safety.

Lawson encouraged his fellow EDPC colleagues to attend and speak up at the council meeting.

“And make our voices heard to make sure council understands that we believe this is important, this is a good thing for the city,” Lawson said. “I think it’s not only the responsible thing to do from the standpoint of public safety and protecting our residents and their homes, I think it’s also a very important thing to do from the standpoint of preserving…our natural environment and preserving our architectural heritage.”

Guest Column

From Laguna with Love: Sisu and Knuckles go for a swim

Story and photos by Miranda McPhee

My friend Kathryn and I joined a small crowd of strangers gathering on Main Beach early one morning where a sense of excitement was quietly filling the air. We had come to watch two patients of the Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC) being released back to the sea, a testament to the work of this extraordinary organization nominated 2021 California Nonprofit of the Year for Assembly District 74 and celebrating its 50th year of ocean and marine mammal conservation.

The invitation-only event that morning was for volunteers and sponsors. Two California sea lions, Sisu and Knuckles, were ready to go home after months of care and rehabilitation at the PMMC on Laguna Canyon Road. The marine life comes in with the ghastly array of injuries, the most common being evidence of human discard and disregard: fishing nets slicing deep into their blubber; fishhooks in their eyes and gullets; and plastic and other garbage in their stomachs. Pup after pup is malnourished, dehydrated, and injured. 

I watched as PMMC volunteers used cones, sticks, and rope to mark out a V-shape between the spot where the patients would be released and the water. A symphony of waves crashed loudly in the background as a volunteer told us about the patients. 

“This female sea lion pup weighed less than 33 pounds when she was rescued three months ago,” the volunteer shouted against the wind. The photo of both rescued pups spoke a thousand words, but were accompanied by current photos of decidedly chubby, healthy, alert-looking animals. 

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PMMC staff and volunteers prepare to release Sisu and Knuckles

“You need to be absolutely silent when the sea lions are released so that all they see and hear is the sea. They are wild animals, and there must be no distractions,” she reminded us. “Don’t worry, we’ll hold up a sign telling you when to cheer!” she added.

The sea lions arrived promptly in carrying crates. A PMMC drone hovered overhead. Everything was checked, the humans stood out of the animals’ line of sight, and the crate doors were opened. We held our collective breath and dared not blink. 

As if out of a starting gate, Sisu and Knuckles shot straight out of their crates, almost tripping over their flippers in their rush to get to the water. As they headed into the oncoming waves, I thought that would be the last we would see of them. But 10 feet out, they turned, bobbing up and down, looked at each other, stared at us cheering on the shore, and looked back at each other. All we could see were sleek heads and long whiskers. I wondered what they were thinking – 

perhaps a pinniped equivalent of, What are they doing on the beach? Why don’t they come in? The water’s lovely and there’s plenty of room. It was a wonderful, emotional moment and I had morning mist in my eyes.

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Sisu and Knuckles head out to sea

“Go on, off you go,” I muttered, willing them to disappear. They were supposed to vanish from sight and head out to sea to find lunch and some old friends in the deep. But instead, they split up and headed in different directions, hugging the shoreline. The PMMC staff watched and waited in case they weren’t ready to go home yet after all and needed to be retrieved. 

We all waited anxiously too, and our small crowd was filled with “Can you see still see them?” and “There, over there!” and “Is that Knuckles? No, maybe it’s a rock.” Eventually, thankfully, we could only see water, and our crowd dispersed, no doubt to share this moment with friends on Facebook.

Not every mammal is as lucky as this pair, of course, and we observers are spared much of the heartache and critical work that goes on behind the scenes. We may not be able to help them all, but one pinniped, one sponsor, and one volunteer at a time makes a big difference. I hope to see Sisu and Knuckles again, this time on Facebook in a photo taken by a drone of a big fat seal basking lazily with friends on a rock, identifiable by a tag on its flipper.

Miranda McPhee is a writer, traveler, lap swimmer, and bookworm who is curious at heart and happiest when she can see palm trees. 

Organized by the Laguna-based nonprofit Third Street Writers, “From Laguna with Love” features personal stories (anecdotes of up to 200 words and longer pieces up to 750 words) and photographs that celebrate only-in-Laguna moments and experiences, whether they’re funny, sad, insightful, or simply a reflection of daily interactions. 

If you or someone you know has a Laguna experience to share, you can submit your story or photo to https://thirdstreetwriters.submittable.com/submit for consideration. Questions? Contact Amy Dechary at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Where’s Maggi?

Where is Maggi wandering now?

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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The Drake’s Tasting Menu is the rarest of treats

By Diane Armitage

The Drake of Laguna Beach has just sailed past her second anniversary and is only increasing in velocity as she continues her graceful cruise. 

Last Sunday night, I opted for The Drake for a post-birthday dinner with one of my best friends. Aside from ordering a couple of takeout dinners during COVID, it was the first time I’d been back to The Drake since my review of its opening back in 2019. 

During their opening week two years ago, The Drake offered up one of the smoothest running and most stellar food events I’d ever experienced during an opening. (Most restaurants are understandably a little shaky on those first few days as they get all the wheels rolling in the right direction.) Fast forward to last Sunday night and they’ve only enhanced their stellar experience. 

Stepping into another city, another time

As soon as you step foot in The Drake, you absolutely feel transported to another city and time. This place is swank old school elegance, thanks to the unique interior design by Ken Ussenko, who’s also designing the Rum Social restaurant in Laguna’s Restaurant Row. 

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Photo by Diane Armitage

The Drake is a sophisticated throwback to the classic jazz supper club

A dream of Founder Alex Glasser, The Drake Laguna Beach experience pays homage to Glasser’s fondest memories of working at The Drake Hotel in New York City as a teenager. While that glamorous edifice has since been demolished, its storied history tells of celebrity across the decades, from Lillian Gish and Judy Garland to Marilyn Monroe, Muhammad Ali, and every major touring musician from Frank Sinatra’s Rat Pack to Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. 

For years, the hotel’s lobby, restaurant, and nightclub rang with the finest jazz, and it’s this memory, too, that prompted Glasser to create a classic jazz supper club in South Laguna.

The only father-son team in South Orange County

I asked to be seated at the Chef’s Bar, which is always my favorite in any restaurant. Sous Chef Nick Gstrein and Line Cook Christian manned the front while Executive Chef Paul Gstrein moved between stations where needed. This is the first restaurant for the father-son team, though Nick spent plenty of time in restaurants with his father as he was growing up.

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Photo by Diane Armitage

In a light haze of grill smoke, The Drake Chefs from left – Sous Chef Nick Gstrein, Line Cook Christian, and Executive Chef Paul Gstrein 

“I was a single dad, so Nick practically grew up in restaurant kitchens with me,” said Chef Paul when he stopped by for a chat. “Nick was a natural; he was always interested in cooking.

“It surprised me that he wound his way back into cooking as a career, but then it didn’t really surprise me,” he added with a cheeky smile. 

Nick chimed in, “I went to UNLV for a degree in Hospitality Management, Food and Beverage, but I didn’t go to a formal culinary school. I just learned by being in the family business for 400+ years. I guess at some point in gets in your genes.”

A Tasting Menu custom built to the individual diner

Even at our 6 p.m. seating (The Drake has two seatings each night at 5:30 and 8:15), the place was already packed with diners, and the main stage was rocking with Jazz Pianist Ron Kobayashi as plate after plate was prepped and plated for delivery. 

Chef Nick recommended the Tasting Menu, which offers a cornucopia of samplings from the main menu. Each tasting can be anywhere from two or three bites to a miniature dish of an existing entrée on the regular dinner menu. This seemed a perfect solution as just the first five minutes of watching the adept team prep and plate their many dishes made me want all of the dishes. 

The Drake’s Tasting Menu is available on request. “The pricing varies a little, too, because I factor in food restrictions and number of courses,” Chef Nick told me. “No two tastings are the same. I tailor them per guest.”

In my experience as both happy indulger of tasting menus and working with kitchen and front-of-house staff when a Tasting Menu is in play, it’s always best to have your entire table order the Tasting Menu. This is only a recommendation from the restaurant, but it’s a great one to follow. Not only does this help with timing of all the dishes arriving to the table at once, but it puts a stop to that one person at your table eating a single entrée and then staring hungrily at the rest of you trying dish after dish on the Tasting Menu. 

Chef Nick started us with an immaculately plated Tuna Tartare Tasting, a hefty dollop atop wafer-thin cucumber and wasabi emulsion with a companion wonton round for scooping. It was fresh, bright, and just enough to have me feeling quite gleeful about what could possibly be next.

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Photo by Diane Armitage

The Drake Tuna Tartar tasting 

Moments later, the Sweet Heat Burrata tasting arrived, a hearty serving of the first peach slices I’ve had this summer topped with Speck prosciutto, parmesan, and a careful dash of Calabrian Chili Oil.

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Photo by Diane Armitage

The Drake Sweet Heat Burrata tasting 

Then, it was on to the most beautiful plating yet, the Smoked Salmon tasting with the star of the show arriving from the Santa Barbara Smokehouse, seated on a lemon blini (a buckwheat pancake that originated in Russia; it’s typically paired with caviar). The crème fraîche was plentiful as it formed artful loops beneath the treat, and it quickly became my favorite of the evening…that is, until more dishes trundled along. 

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Photo by Diane Armitage

The Drake Smoked Salmon tasting 

Having now sipped our way through flutes of rosé champagne, General Manager Matthew recommended a Sancerre, a crisp, light wine from Loire, France, for our next few tastings.

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Photo by Diane Armitage

The Drake Maine Diver Scallops tasting 

The wine whisked in just seconds before the Maine Diver Scallops tasting arrived. Yet another plated wonder, the perfectly seared scallops were crowned with a chorizo sliver that added a smoky, savory bite to the delicate scallop. A sweet corn purée underneath paired quite nicely with a grilled corn cobette. 

Then, one of my all-time favorites arrived: a Lamb Lollipop, which is typically served in a larger appetizer offering. This particular lollipop was so hefty that it could have served as an entire meal for me. Expertly grilled to a medium rare, it was ladled on top of “spiked hummus” and surrounded with bright red pickled teardrop peppers.

After assuring Chef Nick that we were pretty close to being stuffed (understatement), he noted that he had just one more dish arriving – the restaurant’s very popular Venison Loin. Served aboard a Lingonberry compote and goat cheese mashed potatoes and topped with a honey port wine reduction, this venison is smooth as butter and mild as they come. This “stuffed” girl ate every bite. 

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Photo by Diane Armitage

The Drake Venison Loin tasting 

Then it was (at last) on to dessert. While I guessed I might receive one of those complimentary desserts typically doled out to all those people claiming a birthday, the gents knew I was celebrating and made a special effort. They chose what would have been my choice, a Three Chocolate Parfait with plenty of fresh strawberries and piped cream. The Gaufrette wafer served as my edible birthday candle. 

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Photo by Diane Armitage

The Drake’s extra special birthday finale 

It couldn’t have been a more perfect evening. The two-plus hour dining window seemed more than plenty for the restaurant’s diners. Just as everything began to wind down on our “shift,” the 8:15 reservations began to arrive, once again filling the restaurant with laughter and talk as the jazz played on. Their brief respite over, the chefs tirelessly returned to their magic act, as plate after plate of perfection began stirring once again. 

The Drake Laguna Beach is reservations only with live music seven nights a week. Open daily, seatings begin at 5:45 pm and 8:15 p.m. Complimentary delivery and pickup is available daily, and onsite valet parking is available for $7. 

The Drake asks that you either park on Coast Highway or in valet so as not to disturb their residential neighbors. 

Call (949) 376-1000 or go to http://thedrakelaguna.com/ for online reservations. Tell them I sent you! 

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

Laguna College of Art & Design returns to campus stronger than ever

By MARRIE STONE

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

After 18 months away from campus, Laguna College of Art & Design (LCAD) students returned to in-person classes this fall. Like most college campuses, the time away presented some challenges. Art, after all, is a particularly difficult curriculum to teach from a distance. And yet not only did the school adapt, but they discovered a few conveniences that will likely stick. 

The college also returns under the leadership of a new president who arrived on campus this week. Steven Brittan was appointed last month to assume the role from retired president Jonathan Burke. 

Finally, on September 2, the LCAD Gallery welcomed David Harrington in an artist’s reception for the First Thursday Art Walk. The downtown gallery is once again open for public viewing. 

As a new school year kicks off – and LCAD celebrates its 60th anniversary – the college shares lessons learned from the pandemic, some exciting news on and off campus, and how their community is stronger than ever before. 

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Courtesy of LCAD

LCAD students returned to campus this fall for the first time since March 2020

Lessons learned after a year away

When the campus closed in March of 2020, LCAD’s faculty scrambled for ways to continue delivering the same high-quality, personalized education their students expected. While remote learning presented difficulties for every demographic, art and design proved particularly hard. Even elementary school instructors reported that teaching art over a screen posed greater challenges than other subject matters.

“We had to reinvent how we delivered the curriculum in an online setting with art and design – which is obviously something very much associated with being in person,” says Marc Lyncheski, director of marketing and communications at LCAD. “How do you teach a brushstroke online? The resilience, adaptability, and ingenuity shown by our faculty and students was phenomenal.” 

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Courtesy of LCAD

Back inside the classroom for hands-on instruction

Those very obstacles now account for the excitement felt across LCAD’s campus as students return to class. Exercising every precaution – including both vaccination and mask requirements for students, faculty, and staff (with limited exceptions) – there’s good reason to remain optimistic about their ability to stay in person this year.

But the pandemic wasn’t all bad news. Three significant advancements emerged from this past year. Like many schools, remote learning forced faculty and students to adapt to virtual classrooms. Using those newfound skills, students who suffer illnesses, travel, or encounter other obstacles no longer must miss a class. “It’s created new ways of helping both students and faculty stay on top of the curriculum,” Lyncheski says. In addition, LCAD can now offer certain staff members more flexibility to work from home. 

Likewise, while students were forced to exhibit their work in virtual gallery spaces last year, they’re now able to show both in-person and virtual exhibits online. This new capability expands their audience, allowing the inclusion of participants from geographically diverse locations. “It’s added another layer and a larger potential audience to the exhibitions,” says Lyncheski.

New LCAD President Steven Brittan assumes the helm

The college’s new president reported for duty this week. Steven J. Brittan was appointed LCAD’s 14th president by the Board of Trustees in August, following Jonathan Burke’s retirement last year. Brittan spent the past five years as president of the Studio Arts College International in Florence, Italy (where he attended, taught, and served on the board). 

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Courtesy of LCAD

LCAD’s new president Steven Brittan arrived on campus this week

Brittan brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Cape Town and holds a master’s degree in the same subject from Harvard University. He’s served as assistant professor at Harvard, Columbia University, and Rhode Island School of Design. He also benefits from over 30 years of experience in the business field, having worked with several architectural firms.

Lyncheski says Brittan plans to become ingrained both in Laguna Beach and the expanded communities within Orange County and beyond. “Not just within the art world, but also within the business community,” Lyncheski says. “There may be parallel or adjacent partnerships and cross-promotional opportunities that help each organization grow and support each other.” 

As Brittan settles into his new position, further exciting announcements will likely be made in the coming months.

Illustrator David Harrington on display at the LCAD Gallery

In off-campus news, members of the community can once again enjoy the wonderful work on display at LCAD’s Gallery on Ocean Avenue. Now through September 23rd, the public is treated to the incredible illustrations of David Harrington. 

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Courtesy of of LCAD

The LCAD Gallery is located on Ocean Avenue in downtown Laguna Beach

As a freelance illustrator for the past 27 years, Harrington has produced artwork across several industries including entertainment, advertising, publishing, and packaging companies. His work has also been included in numerous children’s books. 

At the LCAD exhibition, Harrington demonstrates his creative process – step-by-step – in a twelve-panel series called Slim Shooter Cowboy. Beginning from a primitive pencil sketch consisting of little more than circles and lines, the series continues to a fully realized, detailed painting. Those early sketches attempt to capture the energy, mood, and emotion of the piece. Then the real artistic work begins. Audiences can easily study the evolution of an illustration.

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Courtesy of LCAD

Opening reception for illustrator David Harrington’s exhibit

“It’s wonderful seeing people in person again, when they can experience the art from a few feet away versus virtually,” says Lyncheski.

LCAD looks forward to showcasing another powerful exhibit next month. The Moulton Family Exhibit opens on October 7th. A reception will be held on the First Thursday Art Walk featuring a Nellie Gail impersonator steeped in Moulton family history. “We’re hoping for an interactive, multi-layered exhibition,” Lyncheski says. More information on that event will be coming soon.

Founded in 1961, LCAD is a dually accredited, nonprofit college located in Laguna Beach. LCAD offers undergraduate degrees (BFA) in Animation, Drawing + Painting, Drawing + Painting with Sculpture Emphasis, Drawing + Painting with Illustration Emphasis, Entertainment Design, Game Art, Graphic Design + Digital Media, Graphic Design + Digital Media with Action Sports Emphasis, Graphic Design + Digital Media with Illustration Emphasis, and Illustration. LCAD also offers Graduate degrees (MFA) in Drawing, Game Design, and Painting. 

LCAD is located at 2222 Laguna Canyon Rd.

For more information, go to www.lcad.edu or call (949) 376-6000.

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

Longtime resident needs help after ALS diagnosis proves debilitating and costly

Marie (aka Bridgette Marie Garcia) is a longtime resident of Laguna Beach and has grown up going through all of LBUSD, beginning with Top of the World Elementary. A 1990 LBHS graduate, Marie carried the true spirit of Laguna Beach through her art and her immense kindness and caring for others, especially for animals. She had been known as a go-to pet sitter and dog walker in the area, until her diagnosis of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as motor neuron disease – MND – or Lou Gehrig’s disease), which has proved debilitating. 

Her artistry has been exhibited in past years at the Sawdust Art Festival. Marie is also the beloved aunt of current 9th and 11th graders at the high school.

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Marie remains cheerful and optimistic despite the challenges of ALS

About a year and a half ago, Marie was experiencing difficulty walking. After extensive testing, she was diagnosed with ALS. Shocked by this news, Marie at first refused to accept that. She felt that surely there must be another explanation.

She sought out a range of tests from Functional Medicine (an approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of disease), holistic practitioners, and herbal and nutritional experts, all in an effort to detox her body and seek an alternative cure. Through it all, Marie never gave up. Her unwavering discipline and optimism have guided her through this incredible ordeal.

Unfortunately, Marie’s condition never improved. Despite all the treatments, it continued to worsen. This last March, her loving husband, Carlomario, was forced to quit his job to care for her full time. But the bills never quit. Their home in the Top of the World neighborhood has gone through many needed ADA/handicap compliant upgrades for accessibility. It seems as if every week there is a need for new equipment and supplies to keep up with this fast-moving and debilitating disease. 

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Marie’s family, all Laguna Beach locals: (L-R) Cam Hamil, Michelle Garcia, Hank Garcia, Lenelle Hamil, Ty Hamil, Barbara Garcia, Jett Hamil, Avalon Bencz, Carlomario Lewis, and Bridgette Marie Garcia (seated)

Financially as well as emotionally, it’s a costly battle; the out-of-pocket expenses keep increasing. We’ve all heard about this awful disease – how arbitrary it can be – and now it has struck close to home. If ever there was a time to step up and help a neighbor, this is it. Consider contributing to the GoFundMe campaign to help Marie and her family at https://gofund.me/e2f9ea4b.

Your contribution will be used towards paying past and current medical bills, and for the necessary supplies and equipment needed to keep up with and help improve Marie’s precious quality of life. This life-altering illness has been deeply devastating for all who know Marie. 

The Garcia and Hamil families wish to thank everyone who has shown their goodwill, and they humbly accept any and all financial and/or prayer support to aid Marie during this difficult time. Marie has exhibited immense bravery in facing this disease and sends her deep love and appreciation for all your help.

Ukulele master Andrew Molina holds workshop and concert on September 23 

The Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center (LBCAC) is proud to present new, world-class acts at its downtown location on the Forest Avenue Promenade. Proceeds will benefit the LBCAC. 

“Although our doors reopened just recently, we are already beginning to realize our vision of creating an accessible and affordable epicenter for entertaining, thought-provoking art,” said Rick Conkey, Founder of the Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center. “I’m so excited for our audience to enjoy these two world-class artists.” 

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Andrew Molina to host ukulele workshop and concert on September 23 

On Thursday, Sept 23 from 6-9 p.m., Andrew Molina will host a ukulele workshop and concert. Maui native Andrew Molina is one of the most talented ukulele virtuosos touring the world today. His love and passion for the ukulele truly shows in his song composition and performance. 

Audience members, regardless of skill level, can bring a uke and learn through the master’s exclusive workshop and then stay to be moved and amazed by Andrew in concert later the same evening. The Four Stringerz, Laguna’s very own ukulele quartet, will open the night. 

Tickets for the Ukulele Workshop are $15, the Andrew Molina Concert is $25, and both can be purchased for $30. 

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Grammy-nominated reggae legend Pato Banton to perform on September 25 

On Saturday, Sept 25 from 8-10 p.m., Grammy-nominated reggae legend Pato Banton and the Now Generation will perform. This intimate Pato Banton event is a must-see, exclusive experience not to be forgotten. Pato Banton is a Grammy-nominated reggae legend that has recorded and toured the world with The English Beat, Steel Pulse, UB40, and Sting, just to name a few. A British-born reggae singer, known for his uplifting messages, Pato Banton is known around the world for hits like “Go Pato,” “Never Give In,” and “Stay Positive.” With his signature charismatic energy, Pato and his killer band deliver an uplifting show that features upbeat sounds mixed with conscious lyrics. 

VIP tickets can be purchased for $50 and General Admission tickets can be purchased for $30. 

Throughout the ages, civilizations have been judged by their artistic and creative expressions. The LBCAC is harnessing the power of the arts for the benefit of the community, creating artivists and growing the hearts and minds of our youth. This epicenter of art is located along the Forest Avenue Promenade in Laguna Beach, the heart of Southern California’s premier art colony. The LBCAC supports the health and wellness of its audience members, performers, crew, and house staff. So, proof of vaccination or a mask will be required. 

For additional information and to purchase tickets, visit www.lbculturalartscenter.org.

Dennis’ Tidbits

By DENNIS McTIGHE

September 17, 2021

The fickle science of weather

On this date in 1997, local ocean temps peaked at 77 degrees, the warmest of that record summer when there was an incredible run of 70-degree plus water temps that ran from April 5th all the way to November 20th thanks to the mega El Nino event of 1997-98. It’s doubtful we’ll see that record surpassed any time soon. Seventy-seven degrees is Hawaii’s normal water temp. We weren’t anywhere near that this summer with an average of only 66.2, our coolest average since 2010. We’re definitely due for an El Nino as we haven’t had one since 2015. Even that one didn’t behave like a typical El Nino outside of some 75-degree water in August of that year.

We’re coming off our third driest season on record and who knows what’s in store for the upcoming campaign, as we’re now in pretty much a neutral zone where just about anything can happen as far as rainfall is concerned. It’s a real crapshoot when it comes to predicting next season’s output. The last so-called mega El Nino where all weather agencies were calling for drenching downpours across all of California failed to materialize. The 2015-16 totals came up really short with only about 50-60 percent of seasonal normal water tallied up on June 30th of 2016. That’s the last day of California’s rainy year which is also the state’s fiscal year. It was the first time that rainfall amounts were way below normal for an El Nino event, weak or strong.

Even crazier, La Nina events historically have always been associated with very dry years. That held true until the 2017-18 La Nina when Laguna accumulated nearly 20 inches, just falling short at 19.96. The 2020-21 La Nina held true to its form, and we had our third driest season on record. You can see how hard it is to speculate on what that fickle jet stream is gonna do over the course of the winter to come. That’s the thing about the science of weather, there’s always a new surprise.

Wildfires continue to ravage the Far West but there is some relief on tap for areas of the Pacific Northwest as a strong moisture-laden low is setting its sights on that region. Beginning on Friday, there are some promising and pretty impressive rainfall amounts – when all is said and done. They predict anywhere from one up to three inches in western Oregon and western Washington – also up to a foot of snow in the Cascades above about 8,000 feet. 

However, it looks like most of California won’t be getting in on the action. Like Johnny Carson said in one of his monologues way back in 1978: “California has four seasons: fire, flood, earthquake, and drought.” Ain’t that the truth!? It seems that every year there’s one or more of those events going on out here. 

Let’s face it, there is no fire season anymore. Just pick a month! Here in 2021, we’re in the throes of two of those events: fire and drought. Does anybody think that’s going to make me move to a place like Fargo? Ain’t gonna happen. I’m here until I check out of this hotel. Like Don Henley of the Eagles sang in 1976: “You can check out…but you can never leave!”

Have a wonderful weekend here in Lotusland and stay healthy and safe, ALOHA!

PMMC invites the community to celebrate the life of co-founder John Cunningham on Saturday

Pacific Marine Mammal Center invites the community to join together on Saturday, Sept 18 to celebrate the life of PMMC co-founder John Cunningham during a special day of remembrance.

The event is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Picnic Beach at Heisler Park. Attendees are welcome to join a group that will be paddling out into the ocean to spread John’s ashes. Afterwards, there will be a picnic, great company, and a sharing of wonderful memories.

“Like many fledgling groups, we were unsure of what would happen or what was really needed to make the center a reality. Our foremost goal was to save marine animals that had been hurt from natural causes or had run afoul of the 20th century,” said Cunningham, a marine biology teacher at Laguna Beach High School, during an interview about the nonprofit published in the LA Times in 1988.

“We wanted to rehabilitate, then release, our patients back to the sea in a healthy, playful condition. These are wild animals, not pets, and part of the natural resources that contribute to the beauty of Orange County,” he added.

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Courtesy of PMMC

John cleans up during the early days

John, who co-founded the nonprofit with Jim Stauffer, continued to be intimately involved with the organization. He was honored at the PMMC “Call of the Sea” Gala in September of 2019. The fundraiser served as an opportunity to reflect on his contributions to the organization and the greater community over the years. The event kicked off with a tribute video and as reported, there wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd as they gave him a standing ovation.

On PMMC’s 50th anniversary in February 2021, John said, “In 1971, Jim Stauffer, Dr. Rose Ekeberg, and I started a small group known as the Friends of the Sea Lions. With the help of a handful of Laguna Beach high school students, our mission was to rescue, rehabilitate, and release sick and injured seals and sea lions along the Orange County coast. Today, 50 years later, I am so proud to still be a part of what’s become a world-class nonprofit now known as the Pacific Marine Mammal Center.”

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Courtesy of PMMC

John and his wife Stephanie in 2019 at Aliso Creek Beach

“John was such an inspiration,” says PMMC Chief Executive Officer Peter Chang. “He made an overwhelming and lasting impression with everyone that he touched. He was always so thankful to the entire Pacific Marine Mammal Center family for carrying on something that he was so extremely passionate about. He left an incredible legacy. In fact, a great deal of what we do today is a result of what John instilled into the fabric of our culture and operations. Although he’s moved on, he will never be forgotten. He is someone that will be missed dearly.”

Kelly Perkins sponsors blood drive at Main Beach on September 22

On Wednesday, Sept 22 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Kelly Perkins, the founder of The Kelly Perkins Moving Hearts Foundation and author of The Climb of My Life, is sponsoring a blood drive at Main Beach. Members of the Laguna Beach Fire Department will attend.

The Red Cross bus will be located at the Cobblestone area. All donors will receive a special treat for their participation. Identification is required to donate. To find out if you are eligible, contact the Red Cross Donor Support Center at (866) 236-3276. 

The backstory to Kelly’s charitable foundation and annual blood drive began in 1992, when she was just 30 years old. Life as she knew it came to an abrupt stop when she found herself in the hospital diagnosed with virally induced idiopathic cardiomyopathy. After an intense life or death three-year struggle, her heart lost its battle with congestive heart failure. On November 20th of 1995, at 34 years old, she was the fortunate recipient of donor heart and donor blood. 

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Kelly climbing El Capitan at Yosemite

However, this life-changing event didn’t hold her back. With her husband Craig by her side, she went on to climb mountains around the world to inspire others and promote organ and blood donation. She became the first ever heart transplant recipient to scale some of the most iconic peaks including Africa’s Mt. Kilimanjaro, Switzerland’s Matterhorn, and the faces of El Capitan and Half Dome in Yosemite, just to name a few. 

In 2017, Kelly went back to Africa where she was the keynote speaker for the 50th Anniversary of the first heart transplant, which was performed in 1967 by Dr. Christiaan Barnard at the Groote Schuur Hospital in South Africa. 

Transplantation has come a long way since her surgery; Kelly is nearly 26 years out, which is remarkable given the first recipient only lived 18 days. During her speech Kelly emphasized there was a lot to celebrate, as her being there to share her accomplishments served as a living example of the success of medical professionals who worked tirelessly to make giant steps towards the survival and promising future of people like her. 

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Kelly with husband Craig at 2019 blood drive

Kelly is a seasoned and respected realtor with Compass here in Laguna Beach. Never a day goes by without deep gratitude for her donor. Kelly lives each day to make sure she is “worthy” of the gift of her heart as it could have gone to someone else. 

Kelly said, “I carry her with me and with that comes a big responsibility. There is no ‘pay back’ to a donor or their family, so the only way is to ‘pay it forward’ with promoting organ, tissue, and blood donation.”

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Heidi Miller donating blood in 2019 

Kelly would not be here today without her donor heart, and as important, donor blood. Had the blood not been available, it would have been two lives lost, the donor heart and Kelly. That pretty much sums up the importance of blood donation. It can be and often is the difference between life and death. 

So, Kelly asks, “Please sign up today to donate.” 

You just roll up your sleeve, relax in a cool bus, eat some snacks, and earn a free T-shirt. But most of all, you will feel the huge satisfaction of knowing you did something out of the kindness of your heart that will make a positive impact for a complete stranger in need. 

To schedule an appointment, click here or contact Kelly at (949) 310-3754 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Streamline the donation experience and save up to 15 minutes by visiting www.redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to complete pre-donation reading and health history question on the day of the appointment.

Laguna Live! celebrates 20 years of music in the community 

Twenty years ago, three locals (Joe Byrne, Sam Goldstein, and Cindy Prewitt) formed a nonprofit to bring more music to Laguna. They started with free monthly chamber music at the Laguna College of Art & Design, followed by the cabaret performance of Sally Kellerman (“Hot Lips” from the movie Mash) and the Laguna Beach Music Festival in collaboration with the Philharmonic Society of Orange County. 

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Laguna Live! and LAM partner monthly for Live! at the Museum

Prior to the pandemic, Laguna Live! had grown to presenting more than 30 concerts annually from the monthly Live! at the Museum series, the multi-day Music Festival, to the Summer and Winter Jazz Series. Special concerts sprinkling the year included Bluegrass, Gospel, Blues, Big Band, and Pop. 

Strong supporters of music education, free outreach programs have been offered to Laguna Beach Boys & Girls Club, Laguna Beach public schools, the Susi Q Senior Center, and Glennwood House.

Laguna Live! says it is eager to get this all going again plus add a few things they experimented with during the past year. “One of the best silver linings to the lockdown,” says Cindy Prewitt, President of Laguna Live!, “Has been the introduction of Beth’s Tuesdays, a monthly singer/songwriter showcase.”

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Laguna Live! hosts community concerts at the FOA during the summertime

Prewitt also said, “The time was used for a birthday redo, that included a new website, a new logo, and a nickname. So, you know Laguna Live! or Laguna Beach Live! is all about music and you can find out what’s going on at either address.” Board members include Dan Haspert, Betsy Jenkins, Rick Malcolm, Danny Melita, Elizabeth Pearson, Cindy Prewitt, Steve Wood, Sam Goldstein, Rob Schlesinger, Susan Davis, and Steve Wood.

For more information on Laguna Live!, visit www.lagunalive.org.

Newspaper donations needed at the Animal Shelter 

The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter is currently in need of newspaper donations. The donations will be used to help line cages, litter boxes, and for runs. Nancy Goodwin, shelter director, is hoping that anyone who can help with this request will drop off newspaper donations to the shelter as soon as they can. 

The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter adoption procedures are designed to make sure that both the potential family and the animal adopted are in the very best situation possible. Due to their approach to adoption, the shelter’s return rate is five percent as compared to the national return rate of 50 percent.

The LB Animal Shelter is located at 20612 Laguna Canyon Rd. For information on adoption procedures, call (949) 497-3552 or go to www.puplagunabeach.org/our-pets.php.

The Ranch named #5 in Travel + Leisure World’s Best “Top 15 Resort Hotels in California”

Travel + Leisure announced the results of their prestigious World’s Best Awards 2021, ranking The Ranch at Laguna Beach #5 in the category titled “The Top 15 Resort Hotels in California.” 

The coveted list has recognized the top hotels, islands, cities, cruise lines, airlines, spas, and more around the globe for 26 consecutive years, and is an essential, trusted source for inspiration and guidance as travelers once again make plans to set out on trips around the globe.

Spread among 87 acres, the boutique coastal ranch is spectacularly located in the majestic Aliso and Wood Canyons in the heart of Orange County. As sustainability sets the foundation, the property hosts a variety of strategic initiatives to create a positive environmental impact and appeal to the eco-traveler. After last year’s recognition as #10, the property successfully rose into the top five resort hotels in California this year, showcasing their ever-evolving qualities.

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The Ranch was named #5 in Travel + Leisure World’s Best “Top 15 Resort Hotels in California”

“This amazing recognition is of course a validation of our work in creating this very special place, but more importantly a reflection of the incredible team that makes The Ranch what it is,” said General Manager, Kurt Bjorkman. “This is for our team who make our little slice of heaven shine.” 

The World’s Best Awards 2021 are featured in the October issue of Travel + Leisure, on newsstands September 17. To view the final rankings for each category, and specifically “The Top 15 Resort Hotels in California,” visit www.travelandleisure.com/worlds-best. 

For the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2021 readers’ survey methodology, visit www.travelandleisure.com/worlds-best/survey-methodology.

For more information or reservations for The Ranch at Laguna Beach, visit www.theranchlb.com/.

Local Michelle Highberg takes over as Chief Relationship Officer at the Boys & Girls Club

The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach (BGCLB) has announced that local Michelle Highberg has taken over the position of Chief Relationship Officer. Highberg, who most recently served as Director of Development for Discovery Science Foundation, officially began her new role in May.

According to Highberg, “As a mom of three children born and raised in the LBUSD, I bring a new perspective to the Club. I am honored to work in partnership with Chief Relationship Officer Pam Estes and Chief Development Officer Michelle Fortezzo during this unparalleled time of growth. This pandemic has created new socio-emotional and academic gaps. Our Club is equipped with stellar staff who help every child thrive, from both my hometown and beyond, with inclusion, diversity, equity, and access.”

The Highberg family’s giving scope includes children, education, wellness, the arts, and environmental stewardship which perfectly align with core values presented at the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach. As she understands that giving in any form is transformational, a philanthropy club has emerged since her arrival. Members often appear at her office door sharing their daily acts of kindness.

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Michelle Highberg

According to BGCLB Board Member, philanthropist, attorney, and PTA peer Jimmy Azadian, “I cannot tell which of Michelle’s qualities defines her. Whether it is her unmatched enthusiasm, deep care for the kiddos of our community, or her true gift of friend-raising. After getting to know her better, I now believe each one of these qualities defines her. Her vision is to help our kiddos (and staff) reach their dreams. I warmly welcome her to our Club and look forward to the outstanding work she will do to help us prepare our future generations with lives of purpose to achieve their every goal.” 

Highberg has also been working closely with the Board of Director’s Philanthropy Leader Phyllis Phillips, who shared, “It has been a pleasure working with Michelle her first couple of months. I am excited she has joined Pam Estes and Michelle Fortezzo on the executive team. As they all possess different yet valuable talents, I can only imagine what the future may hold. Based on increased needs for the services we provide for kids and families, our leadership matters.”

Highberg’s professional career began in fashion as an assistant buyer in New York City after graduating from the University of Wisconsin in Madison where she majored in French and Art History. Although she had never been to California (raised in Larchmont, N.Y.), she fearlessly accepted a new job in Laguna Beach when she was twenty-one. Born into the nonprofit sector – her artist mom taught in the inner-city schools, and her social worker dad’s last full-time job was Managing Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City – to Highberg, fashion felt fun, but not as fulfilling as helping people. 

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Michelle and friends at Boys & Girls Club’s Come Together Gala

As she had worked for the Alumni Association as a college student, Highberg continued fundraising as a volunteer when her children began preschool at Laguna Presbyterian. In 2005, she felt a deeper call to action during the Bluebird slide when she joined forces with Mayor Elizabeth Pearson, the City of Laguna Beach, and the MTV show producers who collaborated on a fundraiser at [seven-degrees] to assist families in need. Highberg’s eldest son Zachary is now a junior at Berkeley, Morgan a sophomore at UC Santa Barbara, and her daughter Melanie is a senior and star runner at Laguna Beach High School. 

A gift she has identified from her new role has been to increase her compassion, acceptance, and ability to understand different perspectives. 

“Immediately, I recognized unique integrity and leadership in our stellar board of directors and CEO. However, more recently, I have been humbled by the extended family at the Club, led by Hans, Krissy, Danny, and our brilliant leadership. Every child who enters our doors gets to play, learn, smile, and be a kid. I feel for these digital natives who crave meaningful relationships. I only wish I knew of all the magic when mine were little. It is one of my goals that more Laguna Beach parents get to understand it, and soon.” 

The Club is undergoing expansion and enhancement to help all kids thrive. 

To learn more about the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, visit boys&girlsclublagunabeach.org, or to get involved, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Guest Column

Reflection: Sitting with your inherent goodness 

By Dr. Vidya Reddy

Hello and welcome to the meditation corner. There is a part of us, in all of us, that worries that we’re not good enough. Not good enough to succeed, to handle the chaos of life, to be loved.

It’s the reason we get anxiety and stress – if we’re not good enough, what will happen when everything collapses and we can’t handle it? It’s the reason for social anxiety – if we’re not good enough, what will happen when people find out? It’s the reason for attachment to social media and constant distraction, for procrastination and unhealthy habits, and much more.

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Photo by Johnny Antezana

Dr. Vidya Reddy

What if we trusted that we are good enough, that we don’t have to do anything to prove it, that we don’t have to worry about that anymore?

We could be at peace. Completely present with the moment in front of us. Completely focused on the task before us. Completely open to the people around us. Completely in love with the world as it is.

The way to build this trust is to meditate on our basic goodness.

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

The inherent goodness in each of us

We each have, at our core, a goodness that we are born with, that is our basic nature. We just have learned not to trust it, and to see faults in ourselves.

Our basic nature is primordial, a nature that is before thought, free from concepts, connected to everything, pure experience. It’s easier to experience than explain, so I recommend meditation as a way to practice with it and learn to trust in it.

This basic goodness is always there, and because of that, no matter what chaotic things are happening around us, we can count on it. We don’t need to prove it to anyone, or worry that we won’t be good enough. It’s freeing.

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Photo by Pieter Baetens

Feel the goodness in your tender heart

You can feel it right now: feel the goodness in your tender heart, as a sensation in your chest. This is just a piece of it, but you can feel it. This is present all the time, but we forget that it’s there. We become blind to it.

The answer is to wake up to it. To sit with it. To learn to trust it.

A meditation on inherent goodness

I’ve recorded a meditation that you can practice daily, that I believe will help you to start to see and trust in your basic goodness.

Here’s the basic process:

--Start by taking your seat and dropping your awareness into your body, then your breath.

--Start to notice each breath, as if it’s the first time you’ve ever felt a breath. Bring curiosity to each breath. The same kind of freshness of experience as if you smelled fresh laundry for the first time ever.

--Then bring the same fresh beginner’s mind to your tender heart, that is always there, that feels the pain and sadness and stress of the world, that feels the love and joy in the world. Start to trust in this basic goodness.

--Bring the same fresh, open experience to every sensation, with a wide-open awareness that is as vast and unconstrained as the blue sky.

--Practice this fresh awareness throughout the day, and learn to trust in this basic goodness, this tender heart, this wide-open consciousness.

Keep meditating͕, keep trusting. 

In Peace, Love and Gratitude. 

‘Til next time.

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

www.Naturally-Happy.com

Village Laguna announces virtual September 27 meeting topics

September’s Village Laguna general meeting will revisit the Save Laguna Summit of a couple of years ago that drew over 200 participants, except that this one will be virtual. All Laguna Beach residents are invited to participate in an interactive meeting to discuss three of Village Laguna’s most important topics: historic preservation, environment, and overdevelopment. 

The purpose is to bring a wide variety of ideas and gather information that will help us move forward as a community. Anne Caenn, President of Village Laguna, states, “Participants will assess where Laguna stands two years later and talk about our shared future.” 

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Photo by Merrill Anderson

Laguna’s environment will be discussed during September 27 virtual meeting

The three presenters, Catherine Jurca, Bob Borthwick, and David Raber, will each give a 10-minute overview on their topic, followed by an opportunity for clarifying questions. 

Catherine Jurca is a professor of film and American literature at Caltech and has published extensively on Classical Hollywood and urban and suburban fiction. She led the effort to create the Niodara Drive Historic District in Glendale and has been active in historic preservation for a decade. 

Bob Borthwick is a landscape architect and planner who has lived in Laguna Beach since 1974. He has served on various City committees and prepared the award-winning urban design plan for the City of Avalon on Catalina Island.

David Raber, a co-founder of Laguna Residents First, has served as the Vice-Chair of the City’s Historic Preservation Task Force and has been actively involved in many civic projects. 

Participants will then transition to breakout sessions in small groups to discuss the three topics with a facilitator. Notes will be taken, and each group will report out the highlights to the meeting at large.

 The evening will end with a raffle. The prizes are gift certificates to the fabulous Nirvana Grille. No purchase is necessary, but you must be present to win.

All are welcome on Monday, Sept 27 at 6 p.m. via Zoom. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by or before 5 p.m. on the day of the meeting for the link. 

Village Laguna was founded in 1971. It is a nonprofit mutual-benefit community organization. Fifty years ago, in 1971, concerned citizens opposed the construction of high-rise buildings along the Laguna Beach coastline and later helped create Main Beach Park, our “Window to the Sea.”

Village Laguna’s mission statement is to preserve, enhance, and celebrate the unique village character and cultural heritage of Laguna Beach; to foster community spirit and address social needs; and to work toward restoring and protecting our ocean and coastal habitats. 

For more information about Village Laguna, visit www.villagelaguna.org.

Greater Laguna Beach GOP to hold membership meeting on September 22

On Wednesday, Sept 22, the Greater Laguna Beach GOP will host a membership meeting at Mozambique restaurant. Social hour starts at 5 p.m., and the meeting begins promptly at 6 p.m., following the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. 

Participants will enjoy Mozambique’s wonderful food and beverages. At the beginning of the meeting, Greg Raths, a candidate for the Orange County Board of Supervisors representing the 5th District, will speak. Raths retired from the U.S. Marine Corps as a colonel and was elected to the Mission Viejo City Council and served as its mayor. 

Attendees will hear why he is running for office and what he has to say regarding the current state of our Board of Supervisors, the recall campaign, and recent actions impacting residents of Orange County. Additional speakers may be announced. The meeting’s agenda includes a review of the statewide gubernatorial recall election focusing on Orange County and Laguna Beach results, and, most importantly, a discussion about preparing for the 2022 elections – local, state, and federal. Now is the time for residents to engage, and get educated and involved.   

The Greater Laguna Beach GOP is a nonprofit organization 501(c)(4) social welfare organization (status pending) formed for the purpose of promoting, engaging, and educating politically conservative and independent minded persons who share conservative based values and ideals, including: (1) promoting economy, efficiency, and fiscal restraint in public affairs; (2) urging upon administrative and legislative agencies having jurisdiction over local communities such measures as will advance the general welfare of the local communities, and to resist any legislation or course of action which place unnecessary or unreasonable tax burdens on taxpayers or restrictions on individual rights, including rights of property owners, businesses, and free speech. 

The GLBGOP provides public relations education programs designed to educate the general public on the purposes and principles that promote the organization’s purposes and educate its members and the public on local ballot measures and issues, as well as voter mobilization and “get out the vote” activities.

The GLBGOP and its members take pride in our great nation and its flag, and support the Constitution. They believe less government is better government. They believe in lower taxes and good fiscal stewardship of the tax dollars our government does collect. They believe in minimal regulation on businesses and property rights. They support our troops and our police. They believe in voting integrity. They believe in legal immigration and enforcement of our laws. They believe in free speech. They support equal opportunity for every man, woman, and child. 

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

For more information, go to www.glbgop.com.

Laguna Beach Books named among America’s best by USA Today

Laguna Beach Books, Laguna’s local bookstore, was named one of the best bookstores in America in USA Today’s study of leading stores around the country. 

In commenting on their study and describing the winners, USA Today said, “Connecting authors with audiences and helping readers discover new books, independent bookstores contribute greatly to the literacy and culture of the United States. From improving literacy or helping get books to children in need, many of these shops are cultural hubs of their communities. The value of indie bookshops cannot be duplicated online, although many of them wisely started offering online events and book deliveries during the pandemic.”

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The iconic Lifeguard Tower stands proud in Laguna Beach Books

In commenting on the national recognition, Jane Hanauer, owner of Laguna Beach Books, said, “This is such a thrill for us. Our staff and I do what we do because we not only love reading but love discussing what we like with our customers and learning what they’re reading. It goes full circle.  Our customers learn from us, and we learn from them, which in turn after we’ve reviewed, we recommend. Our customers feel like they’re part of our family. Often, discussions are no different from what they might be at a dining room table (for those who still dine in dining rooms).”

Hanauer commented further, “Getting this kind of recognition is what encourages us to stay in the battle against the online and discounting lions.  Recognitions like this and comments we get from locals of course but also from visitors. Year after year people from all over the world come into the store and tell us their first stop and their last stop in Laguna is the bookstore where they stock up on interesting titles to take home with them.

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Laguna Beach Books offers a wide selection of books for all audiences 

Jane Hanauer opened Laguna Beach Books in 2007 never having owned a bookstore nor for that matter having owned or run a business. Her love of reading came from a family of avid readers. Her father, John Boyle, had been chief of foreign correspondents for Time magazine and a gifted writer, so her earliest days were surrounded by books her mother and father devoured. 

Therefore, a lifelong desire to have a bookstore was realized when her husband Joe Hanauer did the historical renovation of the Old Pottery Place. Her lease was the first lease he signed at the iconic property and as he describes it, the most difficult negotiation he experienced.   

For more information on Laguna Beach Books, visit www.lagunabeachbooks.com. 

Laguna Beach Books is located at the Old Pottery Place at 1200 South Coast Hwy.

Laguna Beach Troop 35 celebrates four new Eagle Scouts

Four new Eagle Scouts – Zachary Chestelson, Vincent Ewing, Jared Hammett, and Elliott Leeds – were just welcomed to Laguna Beach Troop 35. Some of the boys were honored in front of many of their fellow scouts, family, and friends at the Laguna Beach Troop 35 Eagle Court of Honor on Sunday, Sept 12 at the Laguna Presbyterian Church. 

The boys earned their Eagle Rank earlier in the year during the pandemic and the Troop was delighted to be able to celebrate their accomplishments last weekend. 

Many scouts in attendance were Eagle Scouts themselves and stood to recite the Eagle Scout Pledge and Eagle Scout Challenge, which charges them to live the scouting way of honor, respect, and integrity. Among the scouts in attendance were some of the newest scouts in Troop 35, including many members of Troop 35’s new Girl Troop. 

On the road to Eagle Scout, the boys learned and lived by the Scout Law to the best of their ability by achieving ranks of Scouting: Scout, Tenderfoot, 2nd Class Scout, 1st Class Scout, Star, Life, and finally Eagle Scout – “A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.”

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(L-R) Elliott Leeds, Jared Hammett, and Zachary Chestelson (not pictured – Vincent Ewing)

They also, to the best of their ability, lived by the Scout Oath: 

“On my honor, I will do my best, to do my duty, to God and my country, and to obey the Scout Law, to help other people at all times, to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”

Scouts must demonstrate proficiency in outdoor skills, service, citizenship, and leadership at multiple levels before achieving the Eagle Scout rank; fewer than four percent of Boy Scouts achieved this hard to earn rank in 2020. Each of the young men needed to complete a final project to earn the Prestigious Award of Eagle Rank. 

Vincent Ewing created a nature-based program and interpretive materials for the public to enjoy at the Nix Nature Center in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park with the guidance of Park Interpretive Specialist Laura Cohen.

Zachary Chestelson’s Eagle Project was refurbishing the Presbyterian preschool playground. This included proposing, planning, and leading scouts in constructing, painting, and repairing several supply cabinets and cubbies on the playground and sand cleansing. 

Jared Hammett built a 8 ’x 2’ x 6’percussion storage unit for the Laguna Beach High School Band and Drum Line. The unit includes two carpet-covered shelves to place six snare drums and four bass drums, four hooks to hang marching harnesses, and space below to store a marimba. 

Elliott Leeds’ Eagle Project was to make 15 durable, collapsible music stands for the Laguna Beach Jazz Band, for student musicians of Laguna Beach High School and Thurston Middle School. 

For more information about Scouting ages 11-18, go to https://lagunabeach35.mytroop.us.

For Cub information about Cub Scouting Ages five and up, go to https://lagunabeach35.mypack.us.

FOA announces exclusive membership offers to 2022 Pageant of the Masters

The world-famous Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach is inviting families, art enthusiasts, and entertainment lovers alike to sign up for a Festival of Arts membership for the upcoming 2022 season. 

In addition to securing early access to purchase tickets to the Pageant of the Masters for next summer, members may look forward to members-only programs, discounts, special gift packages, and much more. 

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FOA memberships are available now

Pageant fans can now elevate their experience at the Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters with special discounts, perks, events, and more. Not only does membership offer first access to tickets to the 2022 Pageant performance in early October before they go on sale to the public, membership also grants unlimited entry to the fine art show, special events, and music performances all summer long. 

Other membership perks include:

--Bring a guest for a behind-the-scenes peek of the Pageant during Membership Day

--Receive an invitation to the Festival of Arts Annual Meeting

--Save big with discounts on Festival of Arts merchandise

--Stay up to date with the digital member newsletter

--Member recognition, gift packages, special invitations, and more!

A membership enables patrons to experience all that the Festival of Arts offers while helping to support the art exhibit, Pageant of the Masters, scholarship and art education programs, special events, and more. A portion of each membership is tax-deductible and helps fulfill the mission to promote and produce events that encourage the appreciation of the arts. 

Be the first to secure your seat to the 2022 Pageant! Next summer’s theme, Wonderful World, will be a kaleidoscope of international art spotlighting distant lands, cultural celebrations, and fascinating moments in world history. The 2022 Pageant show will run from July 7 to September 2, 2022.

To purchase your tickets to the 2022 Pageant of the Masters in October, before they go on sale to the public in December, become a member by visiting www.foapom.com/support/membership. Gift memberships are also available. 

To stay up to date on all things Pageant of the Masters and Fine Arts Show, visit www.foapom.com or follow @FestivalPageant on social media. To support the Festival of Arts, visit www.foapom.com/supportnow.

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

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

This week, September 8-14, there have been 19 new cases in Laguna Beach and no new deaths, bringing the overall totals to 1,112 cases reported to date and six deaths.

During the past week, the county reported a total of 3,171 new cases, raising the total to 291,772 to date. The death totals for the county were 46 for the week, bringing the overall total number of deaths to 5,316.

As of Tuesday, Sept. 14, Orange County has performed a cumulative of 4,855,145 tests to date. There are 372 current cases of hospitalized patients in Orange County, of which 105 are in ICU.

For questions about the data presented by the County, call (714) 834-2000 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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

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

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Data courtesy of OC Health Care Agency

Surf & Sand Resort will host free vaccine clinic with OC Health Care Agency on September 24

Surf & Sand Resort will host a free vaccine clinic on Friday, Sept 24 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the Sand Castle Ballroom. The clinic will offer both Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. 

Throughout the day, attendees can also enjoy tasty treats from the Ruby’s Diner Food Truck for purchase.

While doses will be reserved for those who pre-register for the clinic, walk-ins are also welcome. For more information, call (760) 576-6489.

Surf & Sand Resort is located at 1555 S Coast Hwy.

“Art in Public Places” – The Love That Binds by Rude Calderón and Roberto Delgado

By DIANNE RUSSELL

Photos by Mary Hurlbut

This is the 26th article in our weekly series featuring Art in Public Places. Since there are over 100 pieces of public art scattered throughout Laguna, it will take a while to cover them all.

Some of the art you see around Laguna Beach is the result of two city programs: “Public Art and Murals” and “Art in Public Places.” The goals of the Public Art and Murals and Art in Public Places (adopted in 1986) initiatives are to create diverse art installations of the highest quality that will, over decades, reflect the city itself and its citizens, and improve the quality of life; and to be a source of pride to all Laguna Beach residents. 

The Love That Binds, a travertine and tile bench created by Rude Calderón and Roberto Delgado, was installed in Crescent Bay Point Park in North Laguna in 2016.

Funded by Norman Powell, it celebrates the “50 years of love” he shared with his late wife Armena. Powell was part of the city’s open space committee that zoned the area as the site for a potential public park in the 1970s.

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“The Love That Binds” benches celebrate Norman Powell’s love for his late wife Armena

“Norman wanted to gift funds for a public art piece in memory of his wife, but he wanted to experience the piece himself and see others enjoy the installation, which he has been doing,” says Cultural Arts Manager Sian Poeschl. “Making a donation to public art and enjoying it during your lifetime is such a gift.

“Currently we are undertaking a review of the Public Art Ordinance and Policy and will be considering approaches and addressing donations for the future. This study should take 8 to 12 months and will provide comprehensive review and policy for future permanent and temporary art installations.”

Artists

Calderón is known for his stone carvings and Delgado for his hand-painted tile and silk screening techniques.

Calderón was born in San Jose, Costa Rica, where he spent the first seven years of his life. His family immigrated with him to Los Angeles in 1964 where he has remained all his life. His father apprenticed and worked in his uncle Manuel Zuñiga’s sculpture studio, creating religious sculpture in the Spanish baroque tradition. His deep respect for materials and craftsmanship is rooted in this family history.

Delgado says, “My work evolves from the reality of the photo. I was born and raised in the Koreatown area of Los Angeles, did my time in the U.S. Army, and UCLA’s graduate MFA program. I spent most of the 70s and 80s in Chiapas State, Mexico, where I honed my skills in murals and public art.” 

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The benches overlook the ocean view from Crescent Bay Point Park

Both artists were inspired by their surroundings and translated that into their work. Delgado’s hand-painted tiles are reminiscent of the vibrancy and history of Mexico City, and Calderón’s use of stone reflects the intrinsic beauty of nature.

“In 1985 I was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship and lived in Mexico City, working on large monotypes and murals,” continues Delgado. “I saw the influence of Mexican-American-Chicano barrio realism on the Mexico City art world first-hand, with young artists discovering the gritty streets of their own city.” 

“Stone as a medium inspires my appreciation of its dynamic and intrinsic natural beauty, and its perpetual place in human history,” says Calderón. “The materials and methods used are those that resonate most with my own nature and thoughts; my lifelong interest in geology, sculpture, and mystical philosophy stirred my vocation in art. It’s a living natural material that provides me with the dynamics required for concepts that ponder and question our state of consciousness and the essence that unites us as human beings.”

Crescent Bay Point Park is located where Cliff Drive intercepts North Coast Hwy.

For a map of Art in Public Places (not every piece is listed), click here.

To apply for the Arts in Public Places program, click here.

Laguna Live! welcomes The Latin Jazz Syndicate on September 23

Laguna Live! is looking forward to welcoming guests to hear the acclaimed Latin Jazz Syndicate on Thursday, Sept 23 at the Woman’s Club. Following the lead of other arts organizations in OC, Laguna Live! is requiring people to wear a mask and provide proof of vaccination (or negative test within 48 hours). They are also reducing seating to two-thirds, deleting intermission, and plan on having all the doors open.

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World-renowned trumpeter Bijon Watson 

Led by world-renowned trumpeter Bijon Watson, The Latin Jazz Syndicate is a group of all-star musicians that have performed and recorded with the likes of Arturo Sandoval, Poncho Sanchez, Jose Rizo’s Jazz on The Latin Side All Stars, and Luis Miguel, to name a few. 

The group pays homage to America’s indigenous music Jazz while maintaining the rhythmic and harmonic authenticity required of a variety of ethnic styles. The Latin Jazz Syndicate’s unique sonic flavors, infusing Afro Cuban, Latin Soul, and World Rhythms, as well as the ensemble’s dedication to performing with unsurpassed passion and energy, combine to create an unforgettable musical experience.

To purchase tickets, visit www.lagunalive.org or call (949) 715-9713. 

Laguna Live! regrets that Adonis Puentes will not be able to perform as he lives in Canada and COVID restrictions are keeping him at home.

LOCA arts challenge celebrates fall

LOCA Arts Education invites everyone to engage in seasonal arts challenges on Instagram. Creative types can get inspired by sharing their photos, and photos of their artwork, that follow fun and easy themes. 

“We want everyone to be involved,” said artist and LOCA board member Lisa Mansour. “This is a fun, easy way to express one’s creativity!”

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Courtesy of LOCA

“Fall Tapestry” is the theme of LOCA’s current Instagram challenge – Art by Sandra Jones Campbell

The newest challenge is “Fall Tapestry,” featuring images of colors such as golds, oranges, and browns throughout September and October, and patterns and textures in November.

All mediums are invited including collage, drawing, printmaking, painting, photography, and sculpture. To participate now, post photos or images of artworks, with fall colors, to Instagram and be sure to tag @locaarts and use the hashtag #locaartschallenge. 

For more information, visit @locaarts on Instagram or www.locaarts.org.

Messy Church returns on Sunday

Messy Church resumes from its summer break with a trip to Lang Park this coming Sunday, Sept. 19, between 4 and 6 p.m. Attendees will meet in the parking lot of Laguna Beach United Methodist Church on Wesley Drive and walk to Lang Park.

People of all ages are welcome to attend the interactive and spiritual exploration group, led by Barbara Crowley of LBUMC. “We will be talking about all the ways there are to be strong. We’ll have activities that will test, strengthen, and help us grow in body, mind, and spirit,” she says.

Meals are also returning to Messy Church get-togethers. A picnic meal will be served, having been prepared observing COVID protocols. Masks are optional for children and vaccinated adults. A donation of $5.00 per family is suggested and reservations are helpful but not required. For information and RSVPs, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Messy Church is an international organization, which encourages hands-on and creative exploration of Bible stories appropriate to any age. Gatherings are offered once a month by LBUMC during the regular school year, September to June.

Laguna Beach United Methodist Church is located at 21632 Wesley Dr, up the street from the Gelson’s shopping center. It is a Reconciling Congregation. For more information, visit www.lbumc.org.

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.