Police Files

Ped struck by car in crosswalk sustains minor injuries

On Friday, Nov 30, at 9:51 a.m., a female pedestrian was standing on the southeast corner of Third Street. She then started running from the east sidewalk to the west sidewalk within the marked crosswalk, LBPD reported. 

According to LBPD Spokesperson PIO Sgt Jim Cota, “As she was about halfway through the marked crosswalk, a white Toyota Corolla collided with her. The female pedestrian’s head and elbow hit the windshield and her back landed on the hood.” 

Sgt Cota said, “The Toyota continued forward for approximately 10 feet and the female pedestrian was thrown off from the vehicle and onto the street. The driver of the Toyota exited the vehicle to rendered aid and realized the vehicle was not in park.” 

The Toyota slowly rolled back for a few feet until it was able to stop. 

Sgt Cota said, “The pedestrian was treated by Laguna Beach Fire. The pedestrian declined being transported to the hospital for further evaluation. She sustained a laceration on her back and visible scratches on her right elbow.”

Local ejected from bike after hitting crack in the road

On Sunday, Dec 1, at 5:14 p.m., LBPD officers responded to the area of Glenneyre Street and Moss Street in reference to a collision involving a bicyclist.

According to Sgt Cota, “The bicyclist was identified as a female Laguna Beach resident. She was traveling north on Glenneyre Street. The front tire of her electric bicycle struck a crack on the edge of the roadway which caused her to become ejected from the bicycle.” 

She was transported to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo and later released.

Sgt Cota said, “She suffered facial injuries and tooth loss.”

Teens with BB rifle gun allegedly shatter patio door

On Saturday, Nov 30, at 8:53 p.m., LBPD officers responded to an alleged shots fired call in 31000 block of Santa Rosa Drive. 

According to Sgt Cota, “The residents were inside when they heard a loud bang and found their patio door shattered. Officers conducted an area search and found a group of teenagers hiding in the backyard and on the roof of a nearby residence.” 

Sgt Cota said, “The kids were found in possession of an airsoft gun and a BB rifle gun. The teenagers said they were shooting trees and did not intentionally aim at any homes.” 

The cost to replace the door was estimated to be approximately $900. 

Sgt Cota said, “The teenagers’ parents were contacted and offered to cover the repair costs. The airsoft gun and BB gun rifle were confiscated and a report was taken.”

Sculptor Stephanie Bachiero Blake: A life story – and art – with many twists and turns

By LYNETTE BRASFIELD

Photos by Mary Hurlbut

Less than eighteen months after a three-story fall that resulted in serious brain injury – rendering then 21-year-old Stephanie Bachiero unable to talk or walk, broken in mind and body – her therapist, watching her progress slowly toward recovery, handed her a Saddleback College catalogue.

“Time to exercise that brain,” the therapist said, or words to that effect. 

Through the fog of her damaged cognitive abilities, Stephanie, determined once again to be self-sufficient, couldn’t have been happier at the suggestion, even though at that point she was barely able to communicate verbally. 

Touch would be her savior.

“At the time of my fall, I had been studying at Boston College, planning to become a lawyer,” she says. “With the damage to my critical thinking skills, I realized I’d have to find a new career. I looked at different courses at Saddleback but most were fully booked – except for a ceramics class. So I enrolled. And I was hooked.”

Sweetly-spoken Stephanie says that sculpting with clay during those classes engaged her mind and hands and allowed her to explore facets of her being that she never knew existed. 

“I had lost my ability to think critically but had gained intuitive qualities and a sense of unfettered optimism,” she recalls. 

Inspiration is followed by nurturing, focus and patience

Subsequently she chose to work with porcelain, a temperamental clay that demands intensive nurturing, focus, and patience – the same qualities necessary to recover from brain trauma as severe as Stephanie’s. 

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Stephanie Bachiero Blake

“The properties of porcelain were a metaphor for my recovery. Art brought me into the light,” Stephanie says. “Sculpting and working with my hands enabled my cognitive abilities. My mind recovered through my hands.”

The sculptor adds wryly, “Porcelain is extremely challenging and unforgiving. If porcelain feels like exploding in the kiln, it will, and more often than not, it will be your favorite work. It reminds you who’s the boss quite often.” 

The art born of Stephanie’s trauma is remarkable. In her sunny canyon studio, she bends and flexes her sculptures into shapes that are ethereal yet at the same time sturdy, that seem to float yet are anchored in reality – and to the wall or floor. 

Now, 15 years after that ceramics course and 16 since her accident, she is internationally known for sinuous sculptures, some of which have been juried into the New York Armory Show and exhibited at the Laguna Art Museum and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. – and, of course, at the Peter Blake Gallery. 

And she’s been flying high since she hired a fabricator who works on stealth bombers for the military. 

“He’s always encouraging me to dream bigger,” she says. “Over the last few years I have turned to casting my works in metal. I’ve also worked with the 3D process where my small sculptures are realized in a scale previously unobtainable. They can be as large as 20 feet tall and wide.”

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One of Stephanie’s sinuous sculptures in her studio

Stephanie’s pieces are generally white, beige or metallic hues, though some spectacular works are cobalt blue. Recently, the City of Newport Beach acquired Pinnacle, which is displayed in the rotating sculpture garden.

Her favorite piece is a work called Push, a word that encapsulates her relentless drive toward full recovery. 

“It’s a very sensual form that appears to be holding up a wall. I love how it projects so much strength and yet is so feminine,” she says.

Music, too, has become vital to her, the soundtrack of her work.

“We [she and her gallery owner husband Peter Blake] don’t have a TV but we do have an incredible stereo and listen to records every chance we get. Despite my hearing loss from the accident, I’ve taught myself how to listen more acutely,” Stephanie says. 

“I’ve learned to hear the difference between MP3, CD, and vinyl. There’s nothing like experiencing music on a great stereo. I love Alt Country, Folk, and 70s rock. There are some contemporary bands I really enjoy as well. I love Ryan Adams! I listen to music all day long.”

Becoming a politician’s wife

Last year brought a new challenge into Stephanie’s life – becoming a politician’s wife after Peter ran for and won a seat on the City Council. Stephanie giggles at the word “politician” being applied to her husband.

“I still struggle to say that word,” she says. “Politician!”

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Stephanie at work in her studio in the Canyon

Stephanie met Peter back in 2007 through a series of coincidences: her best friend was Peter’s dentist’s daughter (got that?), Vanessa Vigoren. Vanessa invited Stephanie to an art opening at Bloomingdale’s. 

“Peter was there. At the time I had no idea who he was. I was intrigued by him. He asked me about my art and invited us to go back to his place for an after-party. He wanted me to ‘see his ceramic collection’ (quite the come-on line). I don’t think I ever left.

“[Going forward] he accepted me for who I was and never judged me. At the time I had not fully recovered socially. He brought me into his world. I suddenly found myself socializing five nights a week surrounded by artists, curators, critics, and collectors. It was a whirlwind. Needless to say, I was forced to recover. I had no choice!”

Stephanie says that she is thrilled to have made new friends outside the art world that normally consumes her as a result of her husband’s newfound politician status.

“The campaign was exhausting but exciting, and it opened me up to a new world. I love going to the City Council meetings. I have so many new friends now.”

The two of them prefer to eat raw vegan meals at home – “though sometimes we cheat,” she admits. 

Stephanie says she rises each day just glad to be breathing. 

From trauma to bliss

“Technically I ‘died’ so every single day is a blessing for me. I’m super happy and content working in the third dimension. Designing exhibitions at the gallery has become another art form for me. It turns into a large and multi-faceted artwork in and of itself. During my recovery I worked with jigsaw puzzles. Installing shows at the gallery was a natural progression from them.”

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Stephanie Blake with her artwork

She remains eternally grateful for her friends and family.

“I was driven by guilt over the sorrow I had caused them. I couldn’t let them or myself down. I was also fortunate to have gifted therapists who inspired me to rise above my limitations,” she makes sure to note.

And Stephanie is sublimely happy to live in Laguna Beach, where her favorite activities include yoga with Bob Metzler and the simple joys of shopping at Whole Foods and seeing friends.

“Laguna is the most incredible place in the world! It is art. The ocean, hills, light, and weather form the backdrop for my life. I’m never at a loss for inspiration in Laguna,” she adds.

And with that, our interview is nearly over. Stephanie has work to do – the following day, she and Peter would be heading off to Design Miami. 

But she can’t resist reiterating one more time her excitement with her career and her affection for the husband she adores and the gallery he owns. 

“My involvement with the gallery allows me to explore the many facets of running a business so I’m fulfilled in many ways. I love traveling to major cities and representing the gallery and its artists,” Stephanie concludes. 

“There is always that moment when a show opens and the adrenaline kicks in. The months of planning, hard work, and sleepless nights are over and there’s a sense of pride and accomplishment that rivals any high I know. I can’t imagine doing anything else!”

City releases latest advisory on wastewater leak: mandatory beach closures lifted

By DIANNE RUSSELL

The saga beginning with the wastewater leak on Wednesday at Aliso Creek – and the subsequent beach closures – has now been updated. As of this morning, the latest advisory put out by City Manager John Pietig reports:

“The Orange County Health Care Agency has lifted a mandatory closure order on all coastal beaches in Orange County following a sanitary wastewater leak on November 27. The order was lifted today after two consecutive days tested clean to confirm bacteria levels now meet acceptable State standards following the wastewater spill. 

“However, the community is always encouraged to continue to pay close attention to any warning signs posted at the beach for their safety.” 

Background on closures

As stated by the city, last Wednesday, beaches from San Clemente to Crystal Cove were closed due to a sanitary sewer leak that was discovered near the Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. The leak occurred within a city line and was isolated and draining into Aliso Creek. 

In response to the event, co-founder of Laguna Bluebelt Coalition Jinger Wallace says, “Of course all of us are saddened and shocked by the recent unprecedented and massive sewage leak and the unknown impact on our beaches, tide pools, marine life, and public enjoyment of our marine protected areas.” 

The leak prompted the Orange County Healthcare Agency to issue several beach closures as a precaution. State law requires temporary closure and posting at beaches in these situations until the water quality meets State requirements. (As of the date of the closures, it was determined that water monitoring would continue until results complied with State water requirements.)

Wallace says, “Laguna Beach tourism was effectively shut down from Emerald Bay to Three Arch Bay, and we have no understanding yet of the impact of the sewage spill on our MPAs or on the beach once the sewage dries in the sand brought about by recent high tides.”

Progressive updates

On Friday, Nov 29, Pietig announced that the City of Laguna Beach had replaced a valve that was leaking on a 24” sewage pipe, effectively stopping a wastewater leak. The leak occurred near the Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park and was from the city sewage system, not The Ranch Golf Course. 

Jennifer Chapman, Digital Communications Coordinator City of Laguna Beach, reported, “A valve assembly on the main pipeline failed about one-quarter of a mile from the Coastal Treatment Plant in Aliso Canyon along the edge of the golf course. The spill had nothing to do with The Ranch or its operations.”

According to Wallace, “The public deserves to be informed as to how long the valve had been leaking and how the city maintains the whole system including all other valves. All steps should be taken to prevent another such sewage spill.”

As to what caused the leak, Chapman says, “Although the investigation is ongoing, the initial assessment is that a valve assembly failed due to long-term corrosion.” 

“This is a tragic way to be reminded of how important the health of our creeks and ocean waters are to the health of our community,” says Wallace.

“We now need to unite and commit to removing the aging sewage plant from Aliso Canyon and to create a modern, world-class wastewater treatment system.” 

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Photo by Scott Brashier

Residents advised to adhere to warning signs

On Friday, even though the city had previously issued a request to residents to voluntarily reduce water usage through Saturday to decrease impact to the wastewater system while repairs were made to the sewage pipe leak, the city advised all residents and business owners that they may resume normal water usage, effective immediately. 

Residents had been asked to avoid any unnecessary uses of water, including washing clothes, running the dishwasher, and taking baths or long showers. This event did not impact drinking water.

Pietig says, “We want to thank everyone for their patience, understanding, and efforts to conserve water usage while crews worked around the clock to repair the line.” 

Previous reports 

Also on Friday, the city reported that the current estimated wastewater spill volume was 1.4 million gallons, significantly less than the initial estimates of four million gallons. As a result, the Orange County Health Care Agency reduced the beach closures by about six miles. The closure then extended from the projection of El Moro Creek at Crystal Cove State Beach to the southern point of Dana Strands. The affected ocean and bay water areas remained closed to water-contact sports until the results of follow-up water quality monitoring met acceptable State water quality standards. 

Wallace says, “No longer should we take for granted that it is okay to pump millions of gallons everyday of secondary sewage to the ocean at Aliso Beach. Our City Council has voted to explore attaining a Zero Liquid Discharge from our sewage plant and we need to support them.”

Revised spill estimates

As stated in Chapman’s report, the original spill estimates were made by city staff and contractors based on the capacity of the pipe, field observations that were limited due to conditions, and very rough estimates of the time it would take to make repairs. Revised estimates were based on flow meters, pump capacity, pump run-time, and the duration of the spill. One key factor in this event was that more wastewater was being conveyed through the leaking area to the treatment plant than was originally expected. The Orange County Health Care Agency used the initial estimates to conservatively determine beach closures and revised the closures as more information was available. 

Event impact

“It is not just this one spill that needs our attention,” cautions Charlotte Masarik of the Laguna Bluebelt Coalition. “This appalling event must give us pause to reflect on the many contaminants discharged daily as part of secondary sewage to the ocean at Aliso Creek and the inherent risk of building a sewer plant in Aliso Creek and Wood Canyons which cannot and does not remove plastic microbeads nor pharmaceuticals from our urine. These effluents all go into our Marine ‘Protected’ Areas (MPAs).

“The public needs to demand more protection of our environment from the water districts such as the elimination of the Aliso Creek Ocean Outfall which discharges secondary sewage just 1.2 miles offshore. We should request a state of the art sewage treatment facility independent of Aliso and Wood Canyons that better protects us and our MPAs.”

Wallace says, “The health of the ocean determines Laguna’s economic health and the quality of life for those of us in Laguna. Let’s ask for nothing less.”

For more information, go to Orange County Health Care Agency’s website at www.ocbeachinfo.com.

Colors of the rainbow 

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Photo by Scott Brashier

There’s no such thing as an ordinary rainbow

Jade Howson claims two gold medals at ISA World SUP & Paddleboard Championships

Jade Howson, Athlete of the Year for the 2020 Patriots Day Parade, won not one but two gold medals at the Surf City El Salvador ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championships last week (November 24 - December 1). She won gold in the Women’s Sprint – World Title Fastest Sprinter – competing in the women’s division even though she is only 17 years old – and she won another gold medal defending her World Title in the Girl’s Junior SUP Technical Race. (This comes one year after winning the first ISA Gold in Junior SUP Technical Race.)

Jade is a senior at Laguna Beach High School.

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Photo by Ben Reed

Jade Howson wins gold for Women’s Sprint – World Title Fastest Sprinter 

The ISA has been the organizer of the sole World Championship for SUP and Paddleboard since 2012. The event was first held in Peru. 

According to ISA.com, “USA’s 17-year-old phenom Jade Howson took the gold in the Women’s SUP Sprint, igniting an excellent start for Team USA and showcasing the promising future that awaits her in the sport of Stand Up Paddle Racing.” 

Jade’s mother Kris was in El Salvador to witness her daughter’s gold medal wins. “I do all of the international travel with Jade. My husband stays home with Moorea our other daughter and works.” 

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Photo by Ben Reed

Jade defending World Title in Girl’s Junior SUP Technical Race

Kris says, “I think I feel all the hard work she has put forth, weeks of preparing, hours on and off the water training, balancing school and friends all coming down to this one event. I try to ease Jade’s nerves but I can’t. The nerves in my own body are firing, stomach tight, hands shaking. I just follow her around and am there for whatever she voices she needs. I can’t help her, can’t talk to her, she knows what she is doing. It’s all on her at the start line. Horn blows and I have to let it all go. I pace around the race site and prepare myself for her arrival, good or bad. Either way I am the proudest mom ever!” 

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Photo by Sean Evans

Second Gold for Junior World Title 

After the races, Jade told ISA, “It feels so great. Last year I won sprint bronze and I just really wanted to improve this year. I have the best teammates. We’ve all known each other for a really long time. It’s more of a family than it is a team.” 

Laguna Beach residents can celebrate Jade’s wins during her appearance as Athlete of the Year at the 2020 Patriots Day Parade.

The Gross Family Foundation donates $19.5 million to OC and global nonprofits in 2019

The William, Jeff and Jennifer Gross Family Foundation, the charity founded by Laguna Beach resident Bill Gross and his son and daughter, announced yesterday that it donated a total of $19,500,000 to 45 nonprofits in 2019, including $2 million to the CHOC Foundation in Orange, and $1 million to Harbor Day School in Corona del Mar.

Other local recipients of donations include community services providers such as the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, the Laguna Beach Community Clinic, the Laguna Food Pantry, and the Laguna Beach Senior Center.

“I am pleased to work with Jennifer and Jeff and to identify and support the meaningful and important work of organizations that benefit local and global communities,” said Mr. Gross, the co-founder of PIMCO and a longtime resident of Orange County. “While I previously measured success by business accomplishments, success is now a function of what we can do to benefit and help others around the world.”

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Photo by Mary Hurlbut

Bill Gross

Many of the Gross Family Foundation’s donations continue a tradition of supporting global causes ranging from the Wilcox Health Foundation of Kauai, Hawaii, to Doctors Without Borders in New York City. Other causes include the promotion of practical solutions for sustainable development (the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network), healthcare in the Carolinas (Atrium Health Foundation), and an effort to end life-threatening hunger in 47 countries (Action Against Hunger).

But the local focus of the Gross Family Foundation remains in Orange County, where Mr. Gross co-founded the Pacific Investment Management Company (PIMCO) asset management giant and has lived for most of his adult life. Categories of recipients include the arts and education (Art & Creativity for Healing Inc., Child Creativity Lab, Friends of the Laguna Beach Library, Laguna Radio Inc., No Square Theater); the environment (Ocean Institute, Pacific Marine Mammal Center); and community and support services (Anaheim Community Foundation, Friendship Shelter, Glennwood Housing Foundation, Laura’s House, Sally’s Fund, Seaside Legal Services).

These contributions support Bill, Jeff and Jennifer Gross’s longstanding commitment to provide financial resources to organizations that provide a direct benefit to the communities in which they serve. Mr. Gross has previously announced he is also donating all proceeds from past and upcoming auctions of his world-renowned stamp collection to charity.

LBHS cross country teams finish impressive seasons at the California State Championship

Congratulations to the Laguna Beach High School boys and girls cross country teams on a tremendous finish to their seasons at the California State Championship Meet. Coach Scott Wittkop says, “Racing against 25 of the state’s very best division four programs this past Saturday in Fresno at the State Cross Country Championship, the girls team finished in an impressive fifth place while the boys team earned sixth place honors.” 

Led by an All-State eighth place finish overall, junior Jessie Rose paced the Breakers with a time of 18:12 over the 3.1-mile course. Rose’s time sets a school record for the fastest LBHS girls time on the state course at Woodward Park. 

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Submitted photo

Front row: (L-R) Coco Reed, Sierra Read, Morgan Falkowksi, Jessie Rose, Sydney Schaefgen, Tess Brobeck, Nina Rogers, Isabela Reichel, Melanie Falkowski, Hannah Williams, and Kaitlin Ryan; Back Row: (L-R) Luke Anderton, Will Goodwin, Alex Boyd, Meal Metis, Gabe Neff, Tanner Burton, Logan Brooks, Mateo Bianchi, Chris Drews, and Owen van Es

All-CIF runners Morgan Falkowski (23rd, 18:44) and Nina Rogers (36th, 18:57) followed, placing the Breakers in an excellent team scoring position. 

“Racing on heart and experience, seniors Kaitlin Ryan (100th, 20:16) and Sierra Read (101st, 20:19) made a late charge in the final mile of the race to secure the fifth place Breakers finish,” reports Coach Wittkop. 

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Submitted photo

(L-R) Logan Brooks, Jessie Rose, and Mateo Bianchi, who received All- State honors

Coach Wittkop says, “The boys were outstanding up front once again this week, with two All-State performances from senior Logan Brooks (3rd, 15:24.7) and junior Mateo Bianchi (10th, 15:36). Brooks’ race also set a school record for the fastest time ever at Woodward Park, eclipsing Matt Neev’s 2010 record by less than a second. Bianchi, fresh off a breakthrough second place CIF performance the previous week, smashed the LBHS junior boys course record.”

The Breakers’ scorers were rounded out by Tanner Burton (90th, 16:51), Mael Metis (100th, 16:56), and Chris Drews (101st, 16:57). 

“The program has never had three All-State recipients in a season before. Rose, Brooks, and Bianchi have firmly secured themselves into LBHS cross country record books and lore with their outstanding effort,” says Coach Wittkop.

On storm watch     

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Photo by Scott Brashier

It turns out that seagulls are like barometers. They can sense the small but significant changes in air pressure that indicate a storm is on its way. This amazing ability to tell the weather and move inland for shelter helps seagulls survive storms. 

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Photo by Scott Brashier

In full force…the rising of the storm

Jordan Villwock announces plan to leave city job

By BARBARA DIAMOND

Jordan Villwock announced November 27 on Facebook that he is quitting his job as Laguna’s Emergency Operations Coordinator.

“I am excited to announce that I have accepted a position on the Ontario Fire Department to be their next Fire Administrator Director,” Villwock posted. “Having an opportunity to join an organization that holds such a great reputation is an honor.”

City officials expressed regret that Villwock would be leaving the city, but wished him well.

“I am sad to see him go,” said City Manager John Pietig. “He has done a great job for us.”

Councilwoman Toni Iseman said she knew he was being considered for another job and how important he was to the city.

“I am sorry to lose him,” she said. 

Photo by Mary Hurlbut

Jordan Villwock is leaving his city post after 19 years here

Mayor Pro Tem Steve Dicterow said he sensed what was coming.

Dicterow opined that Villwock’s decision was not about money, but about new challenges.

Villwock practically grew up in the Laguna Beach Police Department. He began in 2000 as a police explorer, a program for young people interested in exploring a career in law enforcement. He was hired full-time as a Public Safety Dispatcher in 2004. During his tenure as a dispatcher Jordan was responsible for the training program and was later promoted to Senior Public Safety Dispatcher, a positon that did not exist until he filled it.

While employed by the city, Villwock earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Concordia University, Irvine in 2007 and his Master’s Degree in Emergency Service Administration from California State Long Beach in 2012. The same year he earned his master’s Villwock started the Community Emergency Response Team training program.

Better known as CERT, the program educates volunteers about disaster preparedness for the hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations.

“Jordon got the program started and kept it growing,” said Councilwoman Sue Kempf, a graduate of the program. “We are going to miss him.” 

Villwock’s skills were recognized in 2017 when he was named as chair of the Orange County Emergency Organization for 2018.

Under Villwock’s direction, the city’s Office of Emergency Management coordinated the training, planning, and management of major emergencies or natural and man-made disasters. In addition to CERT, Emergency Operations manages the AlertOC Mass Notification System, WebEOC, and the Emergency Operations Center as well as the grants and event planning for the Police Department. The Emergency Operations Coordinator is also the City›s Liaison to the Emergency Disaster Preparedness Committee. 

Villwock’s last day with city will be December 12.

“Leaving the Laguna Beach Police Department after 15 years was not an easy decision,” Villwock said Monday.

On his Facebook page, Villwock described the local department as top-notch.

“I am sad to be leaving some of my best friends and a great group of co-workers,” Villwock posted. “Laguna Beach is a special place and has afforded me many opportunities [for] which I very thankful.”

Children’s palette design contest winners to be honored tonight

By BARBARA DIAMOND

Mayor Bob Whalen will award certificates at tonight’s council meeting to the winners of the 2019 Children’s Palette Contest.

The contest has been an Arts Commission program since 2004. Budding artists, five to 17 years old, are invited to submit a design for a palette like the ones now hanging from lampposts throughout the city. Entries are accepted from fledgling artists residing or participating in Laguna Beach arts programs. The goal is to encourage young talent to become involved in community events. 

This year 115 designs were submitted. Twelve were selected to be exhibited in City Hall throughout December.

Arts Commission Chair Adam Schwerner will introduce the winners and invite them to go to the City Council dais where the mayor will present certificates to each of the young artists.

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Photo by Mary Hurlbut

Children’s Palette Design Contest Winners in 2018

The program is a spin-off from the Palette Contest for adults. Originally, the palettes were replicated silkscreens created by a sign painter. At one point, the palettes were destined for destruction.

However, then-Arts Commissioner Michelle Purcell, wife of Police Chief Neil Purcell, dragged her husband and City Manager Ken Frank to scramble through the dump in Laguna Canyon and salvage the discarded palettes. She refurbished them and the program was saved. 

Since then artists, some of them renowned, have submitted designs for palettes – each as individual as it creator. Those selected are given a 2-by-3-foot palette on which to paint the designs. 

Palettes traditionally are hung by city crews just before or just after Thanksgiving.

Laguna Beach – A Look Back

Courtesy of Laguna Beach Historical Society

In 1920, a group of local thespians banded together to form what they called the Community Clubhouse at 319 Ocean. They called themselves the Laguna Players and the birth of our local theater was complete. 

This circa 1920s photo shows the rich ivy and beautiful cursive font used fashionably in that era.

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Laguna’s original Playhouse

The Playhouse survived fire and flood, not to mention the Great Depression. It was seen as an adjunct to the Pageant of the Masters, and attracted many Hollywood celebrities.

In the late 30s Douglas Fairbanks would bring his entourage down on his yacht, take in a play, and then camp on the sand at Emerald Bay, where he had wood planked tents set up in advance.

During the 40s local resident Bette Davis was a regular, encouraged to attend by her sister Barbara Berry, who had a job working backstage.

Fifteen years before appearing as Hans Solo, actor Harrison Ford appeared in a Playhouse production. M*A*S*H medic Mike Farrell was also “discovered” onstage at the Playhouse.

In the late 1960s the Ocean Street location was demolished when the city put up a parking lot. It moved to its current location on Broadway, named after Nellie Gale Moulton, who had donated $100,000 toward its construction. 

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Callboard near location of the original Playhouse

Today the city leaves a callboard near the location of the original Playhouse, as shown here. May it always serve as a reminder of the vision of the Laguna Players who founded what is now the oldest continually running theater on the West Coast. 

• • •

Laguna Beach Historical Society is located at 278 Ocean Ave. They are open Friday - Sunday from 1 - 4 p.m. For more information, call (949) 497-6834 or visit www.lagunabeachhistory.org.

Dennis’ Tidbits

By DENNIS McTIGHE 

December 3, 2019

How did it get so late so soon?

On December 3, 1958, Laguna’s warmest December day occurred when it hit 86 degrees. That record stood until December 12, 1979, when a new record was set when it hit 88 here in town. Both records were set thanks to some very warm Santana winds that blew in from the northeast.

Here on Sunday, the sun set at 4:44 p.m., only one minute away from our earliest sunset of 4:43 which will happen from December 8th-11th and then it will start moving up a minute or so every other day. The sun won’t set at 5 p.m. or later until January 9th. The shortest day of the year occurs on the winter solstice on December 21st with 9 hours and 54 minutes of possible sun time with a sunrise at 6:54 a.m. and the sunset at 4:48 p.m.

Outside of some cirrostratus cover, it was a nice warm Sunday with a high of 70 here in town after a chilly low of 42. The normal hi-lo for December 1st is 66-44.

A new round of rain and snow is expected on late Monday into Tuesday with an inch or more in the lowlands and an additional 6-12 inches of snow in our mountains above about 3,500 ft., which means another nice payload of powder at all of our resort levels. Did I mention that the Resort at Mountain High collected up to three feet of wonderful powder up there in the San Bernardino Mountains from the last storm? They barely had a total of three feet just two winters ago, so we’re off to a great start after a bone dry fall up to last week.

Our 2019-20 rainy season is now ahead of the curve as we’re up to 2.65 inches on the season compared to a normal to date of 1.98 inches. Now it’s December as we enter our four wettest months of the season normally. December averages about 2.65 inches. Our wettest Decembers were 11.65 inches in 2010 thanks to a five-day intense atmospheric river event flooded Laguna during the week leading up to Christmas. The second wettest December occurred in 1997 with 9.89 inches, with 8.08 of that collected during the weekend of December 6-7. 

January averages about 3.11 inches, with the wettest January and the wettest month ever with a whopping 18.81 inches compliments of an eleven-day heavy series of atmospheric rivers also known as the Pineapple Express. January of 1993 was our second wettest with a total of 12.63 inches and third wettest was January of 1995 with 11.77. 

February’s average is 3.15 inches, our wettest month of the year normally. Our wettest Februarys were 15.02 inches in 1997, followed by 13.68 inches in 1962 and 12.75 inches in 1980. Then we have March with an average of 2.52 inches with the wettest March having occurred in 1983 with 10.40 and the second wettest was 9.92 inches in 1938.

Now it’s December and Laguna’s average high-low is 65-43 degrees. Our coldest December reading was 28 in town and 22 out in the canyon on December 10, 1978. December’s normal ocean temp is 58-60, with the coldest at 53 in 1948 and 1978, and the warmest was 65 in 1972 and 1997.

 And there you have it. Lots of stats this time around. We’ll look at the epic December storms of 1997 and 2010 in the next installment on Friday. 

ALOHA!

Majestic mountains   

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Photo by Scott Brashier

Santiago Peak with its communication towers   

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Photo by Scott Brashier

San Bernardino mountains blanketed in snow

Laguna Beach Fire Department is participating in Spark of Love campaign

The Laguna Beach Fire Department, in partnership with Southern California Firefighters and ABC7, is again taking part in the annual Spark of Love Toy Drive. 

The campaign collects new, unwrapped toys and sports equipment for underserved children and teens in Orange, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura, and Riverside counties. Toys collected in the respective counties are distributed locally. 

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Courtesy of LBFF Instagram

The number of toys generously donated in 2018 is a testament to our wonderful community

This year marks the 27th anniversary for the Firefighters’ Spark of Love campaign, which will run through Tuesday, Dec 24. The Laguna Beach Fire Department has been involved since the program’s inception and each fire station will serve as drop-off sites for new, unwrapped toys or sports equipment. 

Drop off your new, unwrapped toys or sports equipment to any of Laguna Beach’s four fire stations. There will also be donation bins at Hospitality Night on Friday, Dec 6. 

Drop off toys or sports items at these four Laguna Beach Fire Stations:

--Fire Station 1, 501 Forest Ave

--Fire Station 2, 285 Agate Str

--Fire Station 3, 2900 Alta Laguna Blvd

--Fire Station 4, 31646 2nd Ave

Toy Request/Family Referral sheets are available at all Orange County fire stations. 

For more information on the event, contact Firefighter Pat Cary at (949) 497-0700.

Where’s Maggi – the answers!

Maggi chalked this one up on our readers’ column of wins. Several folks were onto her whereabouts with this week’s photo challenge.

Beth Johnsen got it first, followed by Nancy Wade, Janet Bescoby, Nancy Milby, Cathy Bosko (who checked in from Hilton Head, SC), Jeffrey LaVal, Judy Barry, Ann Cristoph, Lisa Staight, and Steve Hoffman (who said he loves to hang out under these “Road Blossoms”). Thanks for checking in, all! 

Look for the next challenge coming up on Friday.    

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Sculpture downtown, on Ocean Ave at Beach Street

Donations to PMMC today on #GivingTuesday help prepare for upcoming rescue season

Giving Tuesday, often stylized as #GivingTuesday, refers to the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. It is a movement to create an international day of charitable giving at the beginning of the Christmas and holiday season.

Pacific Marine Mammal Center Events and Public Relations Coordinator Krysta Higuchi says, “Giving Tuesday on December 3 is a very important fundraiser for us.” 

“During what’s become an abbreviated ‘off season,’ our animal care team has been purposefully preparing for a potentially dismal year for marine mammal strandings. We are hoping for the best, but planning for the worst,” reports Peter Chang, CEO at PMMC. 

“In 2019 PMMC to date has rescued 187 marine mammals. From endangered Guadalupe fur seals, harbor seals, and dolphins, this year has been unusual to say the least,” says Higuchi.

PMMC is asking for help in preparing for the upcoming season. Higuchi says, “We’ve already rescued three California sea lion pups, normally not seen until February. Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving and that generosity can be contagious.

As word spread about another warm water blob similar to the one in 2014, PMMC is now preparing for a busy coming season. 

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Submitted photo 

Yoda, a very malnourished sea lion pup rescued on Nov 27 (along with two adult females also rescued that day)

According to www.fisheries.noaa.gov, about five years ago, “the Blob” of warm ocean water disrupted the West Coast marine ecosystem and depressed salmon returns. Now, a new expanse of unusually warm water has quickly grown in much the same way, in the same area, to almost the same size. 

The warm expanse building off the West Coast stretches roughly from Alaska south to California. It ranks as the second largest marine heatwave in terms of area in the northern Pacific Ocean in the last 40 years, after “the Blob.”

“It’s on a trajectory to be as strong as the prior event,” said Andrew Leising, a research scientist at NOAA Fisheries’ Southwest Fisheries Science Center in La Jolla. He developed a system for tracking and measuring heatwaves in the Pacific Ocean using satellite data. “Already, on its own, it is one of the most significant events that we’ve seen.” 

NOAA Fisheries is focusing additional monitoring on the new heatwave, designated the Northeast Pacific Marine Heatwave of 2019. Given this disheartening news, it’s even more important to support PMMC for the upcoming season.

Now is the time to donate. Participating in #GivingTuesday can inspire others to join in! 

To donate on the PMMC Facebook page today for a chance for the donations to be doubled, click here. 

Or go directly to www.pacificmmc.org/donation/giving-tuesday.

LagunaTunes presents free “Holiday Lights” concert on Dec 15 

LagunaTunes, a 50-member community chorus, announces a free

holiday concert on Friday, Dec 15 at 4 p.m. in the Artists Theatre at Laguna Beach High School. 

The music in Holiday Lights reflects the many kinds of light that celebrate the season. A lavishly decorated house, strings of Christmas tree lights, menorah candles, the Star of Bethlehem, a glowing fireplace, or the twinkle in a child’s eyes anticipating Santa…light is a recurring holiday theme.

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Submitted photo

LagunaTunes members (L-R) Patti Jo Kiraly, Ed Hanke, Regina Hartley, and Francine Harrigan check out concert props

Holiday Lights has something for everyone: Ugly Christmas sweaters, a decked-out house, people staring at cell phones. Toe-tapping holiday favorites, beautiful choral music, and, it’s rumored, a visit from some guy in a red suit. 

It’s short, free, and family-friendly. Holiday Lights is guaranteed to lighten your mood and warm your heart.

LagunaTunes, a no-audition chorus, welcomes singers of all training and experience levels. Some members read music, some do not, age levels cover a broad range, and all are united by a love of music. Emphasis is on fun, learning, improving performance skills, and the joy of group singing. 

LagunaTunes gives two concerts a year, one in December and one in June. New members are welcome; rehearsals for the June concert begin in February.

The chorus is led by Bob Gunn, popular director of Orange County’s MenAlive chorus and Laguna’s St. Mary’s choir. Gunn’s entertaining choral productions are well known throughout southern California and in international

concerts.

LagunaTunes is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides choral singing to everyone with no auditions. Funding is by the Festival of Arts Foundation and The Lodging Establishments and City of Laguna Beach.

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

In this wild world

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Photo by Scott Brashier

A moment of solitude for this splendid beauty

Ruby’s Diner donates percentage of sales to Laguna Food Pantry through Dec 8

Ruby’s Diner Laguna Beach is partnering with Laguna Food Pantry to donate a percentage of Ruby’s sales from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. all week – through Sunday, Dec 8. 

Patrons can come dine in or order take-out from Ruby’s Diner and 20 percent of all food and non-alcoholic beverage sales will be donated to Laguna Food Pantry. 

Laguna Food Pantry is an almost completely volunteer-run enterprise that provides free, fresh, nutritious groceries to individuals and families in need.

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From archives

Sgt Jim Cota at Ruby’s during the annual Tip-a-Cop fundraiser

Laguna Food Pantry collects and distributes 5,000 lbs. of food every weekday, serving 500+ families a week in South Orange County, and more than half the shoppers have babies and children to feed.

Ruby’s Diner is located at 30622 So Coast Hwy. For more information, call (949) 497-RUBY (7829)

The fundraiser is good on all purchases for dine-in and to-go orders.  Excludes the sales on alcoholic beverages. 

Please mention the promotion when ordering.

For more information about Laguna Food Pantry, go to www.lagunafoodpantry.org.

The adventure begins tomorrow at the Laguna Playhouse with Peter Pan and Tinker Bell: A Pirates’ Christmas

Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham, Executive Director Ellen Richard, and Lythgoe Family Panto (LFP) are thrilled to announce that Lincoln Clauss (Broadway’s Bat Out of Hell) will star as “Peter Pan,” Dakota Lotus (Disney’s Coop & Cami Ask The World) will star as “John Darling,” Bryce Charles (Pasadena Playhouse Ragtime, The Book of Mormon) will star as “Wendy Darling,” Ben Giroux (Back to the 90s, Nickelodeon’s Henry Danger) will star as “Smee,” and Clarice Ordaz (So You Think You Can Dance) will star as “Tiger Lily” in Lythgoe Family Panto’s Peter Pan and Tinker Bell: A Pirates’ Christmas, written by Kris Lythgoe, with choreography by Kitty McNamee, musical direction by Doug Peck, and directed by BT McNicholl. 

They will join the previously announced TV and Broadway actor John O’Hurley (Seinfeld, Dancing with the Stars, Broadway’s Chicago) starring as “Captain Hook” and Ashley Argota (Laguna Playhouse’s Beauty and the Beast: A Christmas Rose) starring as “Tinker Bell.” 

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Submitted photo

“Peter Pan and Tinker Bell: A Pirates’ Christmas” opens at the Playhouse tomorrow (Dec 4) 

Peter Pan and Tinker Bell: A Pirates’ Christmas will begin performances on Wednesday, Dec 4 and run through Sunday, Dec 29, with a press opening on Thursday, Dec 5 at 7 p.m. at the Laguna Playhouse. 

Peter Pan and Tinker Bell: A Pirates’ Christmas is a singing, swashbuckling adventure performed in the high-flying style of a British holiday Panto. Take off on a wild quest with Tinker Bell, Wendy, and Peter Pan as they try to put a stop to the plot of some dastardly pirates who plan to kidnap Peter as a present to Captain Hook. Filled with big laughs, magic, dancers, and contemporary songs by everyone from Taylor Swift to The Bee Gees, this family show has a little bit of something for everyone.

Performances are Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 7 p.m, and Saturdays and Sundays at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. 

There will be added performances on Thursday, Dec 12 at 11 a.m. and Saturday, Dec 14 at 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 7 p.m.; Sunday, Dec 22 at 11 a.m., 3 p.m., and 7 p.m.; Monday, Dec 23 at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.; and Thursday, Dec 26 and Friday, December 27 at 3 p.m.

Tickets range from $41 - $76 and can be purchased online at www.lagunaplayhouse.com or by calling (949) 497-ARTS (2787). Group discounts are available by calling (949) 497-2787 ext. 229. Prices subject to change.

Laguna Playhouse is located at 606 Laguna Canyon Rd.

Officers from LBPD visit Waymakers to serve Thanksgiving Dinner

Several officers from the Laguna Beach Police Department visited Waymakers Youth Shelter on Thursday and served Thanksgiving dinner to the kids in residence.

Founded in 1972, Waymakers came into existence when a University of California, Irvine professor, a few of his students, and a Costa Mesa Police Department captain recognized the need to provide diversion counseling for delinquent youth and their families. 

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Submitted photo

Officers Radel and Meyer

As pioneers working within local law enforcement agencies, their efforts led to the creation of a new nonprofit serving at-risk youth in Orange County.

Sgt Jim Cota of LBPD said, “Officers visit Waymakers Youth Shelter every Thanksgiving. It’s a great opportunity to spend time with those who are away from their families during the holidays.” 

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Submitted photo

(L-R) Officers Harari, Meyer, Radel, and Kraus

Waymakers is a nonprofit resource building safer communities by helping people find their way. Whether redirecting youth offenders, helping sheltered children get back on track, unifying troubled families, resolving community conflicts, or empowering victims of violence, Waymakers clears the path so clients can advance beyond crisis

“There was a wonderful Thanksgiving spread which was donated to the house,” says Sgt Cota. “The officers really enjoyed their visit to Waymakers – the memorable conversations with the kids over dinner, and hours spent playing the guitars and a board game with them. It was refreshing to have today’s youth see law enforcement in a different light.” 

 For more information about Waymakers, go to www.waymakersoc.org.

Annual Friendship Shelter and NCC Thanksgiving gathering

Photos by Scott Brashier

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 Neighborhood Congregational Church Pastor Rodrick Echols and Mary LaRusso, The Turkey Lady

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 An army of volunteers prepare the food and organize the Thanksgiving feast 

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Long buffet tables hold culinary contributions by almost every individual or family who attends. An estimated 200-300 meals are served and another group of volunteers prepare bag lunches for guests to take home.

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 Turkey Lady Mary LaRusso and diner

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Sharing Thanksgiving feast

Wine Gallery’s Tasting Tuesdays offer great tips with tastes

Story and photo by Diane Armitage

For several months now, Wine Gallery’s Chris Olsen has been uncorking great wine-oriented events called “Tasting Tuesdays.”

Normally scheduled a couple times a month, “Tasting Tuesday” offers inexpensive entrée into a generous flight of lesser-known wines. And, just as any wine tasting at any winery, if you like what you try, there are bottles available to buy. 

Neighborly, chatty fun

It’s always a fun, chatty evening as locals tend to dominate the seats. The restaurant’s full menu is available, but the staff is happy to help with suggested food pairings and Chef Josh always drums up a few spectacular specials for the evening. And, although you always have a printed menu of what wines are to come, Olsen still moves from table to table, explaining each selection for that evening’s theme. 

Last week’s Tasting Tuesday focused on the best wines to choose for your Thanksgiving table. As an added Thanksgiving bonus, well known Master Sommelier Michael Jordan played host…and played the guitar, too. (Who knew we had a Singing Somm?)

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Tasting Tuesdays at Wine gallery offer great, inexpensive tastes of lesser-known wines

Hollywood tends to profile sommeliers as somewhat stuffy or arrogant. Michael Jordan is the furthest thing from it. He ambles to the various tables, tells great stories about wine and grapes and where their dirt resides, and breaks off to sing another set of songs as he plays guitar. 

At Tuesday’s Tasting, we enjoyed six of Jordan’s top picks, two of which hailed from my favorite Willamette Valley in Oregon. (My family lives there, so I might be slightly biased.) Nearly three hours later, I said my goodbyes to my Wine Gallery buddies with Thanksgiving-designated bottles tucked under my arm.   

December’s dates still pending

With just a tiny window of options for Tuesdays in December, Chris says that he hopes to put at least one Tasting Tuesday in place, but the date is still undecided. The events will definitely return in January, so check in at www.winegallerylaguna.com and RSVP well in advance as Tasting Tuesdays are gaining significant momentum!

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

Council to get first glimpse of proposed Downtown Action Plan

By BARBARA DIAMOND

The look and feel of downtown Laguna Beach is on the City Council’s agenda for Tuesday’s meeting.

It is titled the Downtown Action Concept Plan and is intended to coordinate specific street trees, streetscape, and related improvements in the downtown and ready them for entitlement – provided the council approves the concepts to be presented by SWA Group.

The council is asked to provide conceptual direction after the public weighs in on the proposed plan.

Council directives will be folded into the preparation of the first draft of the plan. 

SWA Group was hired in April to work with staff on the plan.

The presentation will include a project overview, an analysis of existing conditions, proposed strategy, and proposed projects.

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Photo by Mary Hurlbut

Downtown Action Concept Plan on agenda for Tuesday’s council meeting

A slideshow will illustrate the presentation that will cover details and recommendations regarding hardscape, street furnishings, street lighting, visual inspection, and documentation of existing trees and tree wells to aid planning for future sidewalk and street improvement, locations for new public art installations and pedestrian gathering spaces, landscape design, and project phasing and implementation.

The plan builds on the policies established in the Scenic Highway Element and Resource Document, among other long-range planning studies. Studies included the enhanced Mobility and Complete Streets Transition Plan and the city’s Cultural Arts Plan.

SWA was instructed to consult the studies but was allowed the leeway to inject new ideas into the discussion, including expansion of the recommended tree list where it was deemed appropriate. 

“The documents represent a vision of the Laguna Beach of the future, according to the staff report. 

A completed first draft of the plan will be presented to the Planning Commission in the first quarter of 2020.

Solitary sailboat

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Photo by Scott Brashier

Solo sailor on the blue sea

Local artist Kate Lyons to be featured for Artwalking on KX 93.5 on Thursday

Laguna artist Kate Lyons Landry is to be the featured guest this Thursday, Dec 5 on Artwalking radio on KX 93.5. Lyons will be sharing her interests working with children, art, and environmental issues.

 As a graduate of College of the Holy Cross, Kate holds a Master’s of Education and is a seasoned art educator. She has taught both abroad and locally in the public and private sector. She graduated from LCAD with a Master’s of Fine Arts. 

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Submitted photo

Tune into KX 93.5 on Thursday to hear Kate Lyons on Artwalking 

Recently Lyons traveled to San Jose del Cabo as an artist in residence sponsored by the Laguna Beach Sister Cities Association, working with the local Mexican students from San Jose del Cabo. 

The project is the largest bottle cap mural in Mexico intended to decorate a wall of a new youth center built on the remains of a trash dump. Kate is passionate about community driven art and recently returned from a “Surfboard Repurposing” project there where students designed and painted discarded boards.

Arwalking is co-hosted by Leah Vasquez, artist and creative editor, with Craig Cooley, and is sponsored by Coastal Eddy a Gallery. 

To download podcasts of this and prior interviews with Laguna’s extraordinary creative talent, visit www.artwalking.art. Listen in live on Thursday on the air or at www.kx935.com. 

Barbara’s Column

Laguna Beach life / past / present / future

By BARBARA DIAMOND

The Laguna Beach Historical Society will present a history of early homesteaders from the 1870s at 7:30 p.m. on December 4 at the Susi Q.

Carol Viebeck Lloyd is the great, great, great granddaughter of Henry Rogers, who brought his family to Laguna Beach in 1874, a year after he arrived in California. She will share stories of her family’s history in Laguna Beach, other homesteaders, and the town’s origins researched by her mother, the late Beryl Wilson Viebeck, who unearthed the homestead records of all 40 early Laguna landowners. 

Rogers’s son, George, purchased 155-and-one-half acres of the downtown village in 1881. He subdivided the area into 310 lots, recorded at the county courthouse in 1888. 

The large original homestead map created by Viebeck will be displayed at the program and copies will be for sale. Proceeds will benefit the society, honoring Viebeck’s wishes.

All programs presented by the society are free. The goal of the all-volunteer society is the collection and preservation of the city’s historical documents and the dissemination of these materials to interested individuals. Several programs are presented every year, with speakers that have included board member Eric Jessen, former board member Gene Felder, and former Police Chief Neil Purcell. 

Currently, documents are stored in a vault – which is not open to the public – in the Wells Fargo Bank.

“My dream is to find a place where people can come and use the material,” said society board member Anne Frank.

Frank has been involved with the society since its formation, following a meeting at the Laguna Federal Savings and Loan on the site now occupied by Wells Fargo. The meeting was held to determine if there was enough interest and support to start a new society.

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Courtesy of LB Historic Society

The old ranch house that was built by Carol Viebeck Lloyd’s great-great-uncle George that sits on the site that is currently City Hall

Michael Onorato and Richard Ayotte were prime movers in the new group, said Jane Janz, historian and a native of Laguna, whose grandfather Nick Isch ran the Laguna Beach post office, a grocery store, and a livery stable in Laguna’s early days.

It was not the first historical society in Laguna. 

“The previous society had struggled for years and folded overnight, its archives scattered,” said Janz. “There is no connection between the two societies.”

However, Janz and Ayotte managed to recover some of the historic articles.
Frank was a member of the first executive board of the new society, in office in 1991 to 1992. “She served as the first president of the fledgling society,” according to Janz.

Board member Glenna Matthews also has deep roots in Laguna Beach. Her father, Glen Engles, was editor of the South Coast News and later the Laguna Post, which were subsequently merged by the late Vernon Spitaleri into the Laguna News Post.

Ed Storke, a retired academic, is the president of the board. Board members include directors Doctor Gregg DeNicola, John Hoover, Jessen, Diane Keplinger, Jeff Loge, Laurie Sanders, and Heidi Miller, owner of Tight Assets and the World Magazine Stand on Ocean Avenue.

“I joined the board because I love history,” said Miller. “I have lived in Laguna for 40 years, and I am still fascinated with our history. We had the ‘Laguna Woman’ [or at least a piece of her skull, found on St. Ann’s Drive in 1933, believed to be 8,000 to 17,000 years old].” 

Nelda Stone is the board secretary. Johanna Ellis responds on behalf of the board to all questions and emails and Karen Lagrew edits the society’s monthly newsletter.

The Murphy-Smith Bungalow on Ocean Avenue serves as the society’s headquarters. The bungalow was built for the Murphy family in 1923. It is listed in the city’s historical inventory and is described as “a builder’s bungalow” with a box plan, multi-gabled roof, and clapboard siding. Wide wood posts support the porch gable. The main door has sidelight windows and French doors open onto the bedroom.

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Courtesy of lagunabeachhistory.org

Murphy-Smith Bungalow built in 1923 

It also has a cellar where Mr. Murphy stored illegal booze during Prohibition. 

Lottie Evaline Clapp, known as Eva, purchased the bungalow in 1935 and later sold it to her daughter, Blanche Clapp. 

During WWII, Blanche rented one of the bedrooms to service personnel and their wives. She married in the early 1950s, becoming Blanche Clapp Smith. 

Mr. and Mrs. Smith moved to Los Angeles but returned to their Laguna Beach bungalow in 1953 when he became ill. Mrs. Smith was a familiar figure, often seen working in her garden and sweeping the porch and was known for her daily walks to Main Beach. 

She lived in the house until her death in 1991 (born in 1901). The bungalow is now owned by Wells Fargo Bank.

 “We’d like to find a place to display more of our archives, but real estate in Laguna Beach is very expensive,” Storke wrote recently. 

And the price is right for the bungalow, which is adjacent to the bank, which leases it to the society for a nominal fee.

The Murphy-Smith Bungalow is open to the public most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. It will also be open on Hospitality Night on December 6. The public is invited to come and enjoy the festive decorations, music on the porch, and holiday cheer. 

Docents staff the bungalow, which is furnished and decorated in the period. 

“We welcome new members and we really need docents,” said Miller. 

Two spots are open on the second Sunday of each month and the fourth Friday.

 Frank serves as a docent one Friday a month and is always delighted to share her store of information with people curious about the old days in Laguna, and that includes a surprising number of locals, said Frank. 

“The most common request we get is people looking for a historic picture of their house,” said Storke. “Sometimes we have it, but we don’t have a picture of every home. We try to alternate our exhibits so people can see different things.” 

New members are welcomed. Memberships range from $1,000 for Historian Platinum/corporate status to $25 for a single person. Memberships provide almost all of the society’s operating funds, Storke wrote in the November newsletter. 

Donations are also welcomed and tax-deductible. The Laguna Beach Historical Society is a Section 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Payments can be made by PayPal or credit cards on the society’s website at www.lagunabeachhistory.org or by mailing or dropping off a check to the society at 278 Ocean Ave. 

Artifacts can also be donated.

Just recently, the society received a painting by Lucy Jencks, portraying the beach south of Sleepy Hollow. 

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

But wait – there’s more. You will find advance notice of all the fun and interesting stuff for visitors or residents to do in Laguna by reading StuNewsLaguna.com. Contributions are welcomed.

Laguna Beach Books hosts Holiday Party & Customer Appreciation event on Thursday

Laguna Beach Books is hosting a Holiday Party & Customer Appreciation event on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. The community is invited to join in the festivities. 

The bookstore’s favorite publisher reps will attend to tell guests about their top picks of the season. Discuss your favorite book club title, get insight about what to read in 2020, and mingle with other book lovers.

Guests will be treated to light appetizers, beverages, and lots of holiday cheer. Free parking is available. Check in on Facebook at the event or bring a gently used children’s picture book to donate and you’ll be entered into a random drawing for a $50 Laguna Beach Books gift card.

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Photo by Stacia Stabler

Laguna Beach Books invites the community to Holiday Party on Thursday

Laguna Beach Books is an independent bookstore in Laguna Beach that strives to create a community-enriching environment with a superb selection of books for adults and children, exciting author events and readings, and friendly, knowledgeable staff. Laguna Beach Books is owned by Jane Hanauer.

Laguna Beach Books is located in the HIP (Historical and Interesting Places) District. It stretches along Pacific Coast Highway from Thalia Street to Bluebird Canyon Road and includes numerous boutiques, 16 art galleries, 19 restaurants, several coffee shops, wonderful hotels, florists, jewelry, home décor, spas, beautiful beaches, and much more.

For more information, visit www.lagunabeachbooks.com. 

Laguna Beach Books is located at 1200 South Coast Hwy.

Double delight 

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Photo by Scott Brashier

Secondary rainbows are caused by a double reflection of sunlight inside the raindrops, and appear at an angle of 50–53°. As a result of the second reflection, the colors of a secondary rainbow are inverted compared to the primary bow, with blue on the outside and red on the inside. The secondary rainbow is fainter than the primary because more light escapes from two reflections compared to one and because the rainbow itself is spread over a greater area of the sky.

Laguna Beach Live! announces Jazz Wednesdays Winter Series lineup

Laguna Beach Live! is pleased to return to [seven-degrees] for Winter 2020 and to present another great line up of outstanding artists. Tickets are on sale now to members and to the public.

Kicking off the new decade is the acclaimed John Jorgenson Quintet on January 22 with some dynamic Gypsy Jazz and 21st century world music. 

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Submitted photo

The John Jorgenson Quintet kicks off Laguna Beach Live!’s Jazz Wednesdays Winter Series on Jan 22

Jazz Wednesdays Winter Series runs from January 22 through April 15, featuring some special favorites and some exciting new groups.

On February 12 is Grammy Award-winning drummer Peter Erskine Trio, followed by Black Market Reverie on February 26 and Jazz & Blues legend Barbara Morrison on March 11. 

Celebrated Latin Jazz flutist Danilo Lozano performs on March 25 and renowned trumpeter Bijon Watson and acclaimed vocalist Meloney Collins pay tribute to Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong on April 8. The series ends on April 15 with critically acclaimed vocalist Kathleen Grace Quartet.

Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door, and $180 for the full season.
Concerts are at [seven-degrees] 891 Laguna Canyon Rd and are from 6 to 8 p.m. Doors open at 5 and a full bar will be available. [seven-degrees] is offering a choice of different delicious dinners at each concert that is available online by pre-sale only. 

To purchase tickets, visit www.lagunabeachlive.org or call (800) 595-4849.

Meet Pet of the Week Chickie Niece

Chickie Niece is currently taking over Pet of the Week. She is a three-year-old terrier mix who is neutered. Chickie Niece is one of the sweetest dogs out there. She loves to run, jump, and play as much as she can. She will do well in a home with other animals, and since Chickie Niece is so small she is the perfect lap dog that will want to cuddle all day long. With a name as unique as hers, you will be in for an adventure. Nancy Goodwin, shelter director, is hoping to have Chickie Niece adopted as soon as possible. 

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Chickie Niece is the perfect cuddle dog

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.

Fundraiser purr-ty on Thursday benefits Catmosphere’s rescued cats and kittens

Catmosphere Laguna Foundation invites the cat-loving community to its First Annual Fundraiser at GG’s Bistro to benefit Catmosphere’s rescued cats and kittens. On Thursday, Dec 5, from 6 - 9 p.m. during First Thursdays Art Walk, attendees will enjoy delicious and heart healthy Mediterranean cuisine, and GG’s will generously share 15 percent of all food purchases with Catmosphere Laguna Foundation, for the benefit of its rescued cats and kittens. 

A $20 voluntary donation at the door further supports Catmosphere’s spay/neuter and vaccination programs and assists the foundation in defraying veterinary costs and ongoing wellness care. 

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Photo by Mary Hurlbut

Cat waiting to be adopted at Catmosphere

Catmosphere Laguna is both a community café and a foster home for adoptable cats and kittens. The nonprofit’s mission is to save cats and kittens from euthanasia, increase feline adoptions, and provide improved lives and futures for homeless cats. Catmosphere Laguna serves as a foster home for healthy cats and kittens with the goal of placing them in loving, forever homes.

One hundred percent of adoption proceeds benefit the medical care, treatment, and well-being of Catmosphere Laguna’s cats and kittens. Catmosphere Laguna is a 501(c)(3). 

Founder of Catmosphere Gail Landau hopes to, “See MEW there!”

GG’s Bistro is located at 540 South Coast Hwy, adjacent to @avranfineart

For more information on Catmosphere, go to www.catmospherelaguna.com.

Laguna Canyon Artists will hold holiday open studios and art sale this weekend

Dozens of artists who work in the studio spaces at Laguna Canyon Artists will open their doors for conversation, refreshments, and sales of original art on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Dec 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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Submitted photo

Painter Judi Smolin is among featured artists 

Visitors are invited to stroll through 27 art studios to talk with artists and view their works that represent a wide range of mediums: drawing and painting, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, photography, assemblage, and more. 

Admission and parking in the building’s courtyard are free. Most of the artists accept credit cards as well as cash and checks.

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Submitted photo

Artist Tom Swimm will also be featured 

Artists opening their doors for the weekend include: Elizabeth Bridy, Cynthia Britain, Lyn Burke, Bruce Burr, Hedy Buzan, Sandra Jones Campbell, Marianne Champlin, Elaine Cohen, Lani Emanuel, Michael Ervin, Shelley Evans, Adrienne Fayne, Paul Gardner, Vicki Gumm, Teresa Hill, Phillipe Horvath, Kathy Jones, Michael Obermeyer, Lorraine Passero, Sheryl Smith Seltzer, Betty Shelton, Michael Situ, Judi Smolin, Tom Swimm, Cheyne Walls, Wendy Wirth, and Karin Worden.

Laguna Canyon Artists is a creative collective of private studio spaces where artists can work and interact as a community. Follow Laguna Canyon Artists on Facebook for updates.

Laguna Canyon Artists is located at 3251 Laguna Canyon Rd.