Fair Game

By TOM JOHNSON

The new performance at Laguna Playhouse will “kill it!”

I love golf! Imagine my excitement when I turned this week to see what’s going on at the Laguna Playhouse and came across Murder on the Links. It’s described as “something’s afoul on the private golf course at Merlinville-Sur-Mer – namely the body of Hercule Poirot’s newest client. Acclaimed playwright Steven Dietz brings the famed Belgian detective to life to solve one of Agatha Christie’s most intricate whodunits. Of course, there are the host of usual – and unusual – suspects. A cast of six versatile actors embodies myriad characters as they navigate the twists and turns of this lively and fun new adaptation. You won’t want to miss a thrilling moment of this comic mystery.”

Sounds like fun. The performance runs from next Wednesday, May 31 through June 18.

You may purchase your tickets here.

In fact, while you’re thinking about tickets, how about a Mainstage subscription to the 2023-2024 Season. Here’s what’s on tap: 2P4H – 2 Pianos 4 Hands; The Rainmaker; The Angel Next Door; Ain’t Misbehavin’, The Fats Waller Musical Show; a shayna maidel; Tartuffe and Holmes & Watson.

The fact is, when you subscribe, there are benefits. First off, you get priority seating by having access to the best seats, and if you can’t make one of the dates on the calendar, there’s a free ticket exchange to make it convenient; maybe you have friends you’d like to bring along, the Playhouse makes it easy by allowing you discounts on those additional tickets; and if you want to try something new, like the Youth Theatre performances, they’ll make it easy for you to get tickets.

A little history on what you would become part of should you decide to subscribe: the Playhouse was founded as a community theater in 1920, making it one of the oldest continuously operating, not-for-profit theaters on the West Coast.

And as far as why you should consider supporting their endeavor, the mission of the Laguna Playhouse is to enrich lives through the magic of live theater, to provide educational opportunities for children and adults, and to create experiences that stimulate cultural and social interaction and inspire our community.

That’s hard to argue with.

• • •

Speaking of entertainment, Circus Bella is returning to Laguna Beach on Saturday, June 10 with programs at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in Bluebird Park. This year’s performance is titled Bananas! and is described as “a bombastic ballyhoo and celebration of silliness. Circus Bella offers a modern twist on one-ring circus…overflowing with heart and soul.” In fact, it’s their 14th year of what they call “Free Shows in the Park.”

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Courtesy of Circus Bella

One-ring circus comes to Laguna Beach on June 10

The 60-minute performances include acrobats, aerialists, jugglers and clowns. And it’s backed up by the live music of Rob Reich and the six-piece Circus Bella All-Star Band.

Here’s the deal. It’s free...although they politely suggest a donation of perhaps $20. It’s a group that is presently touring with multiple San Francisco Bay Area performances and Reno, before heading to Laguna Beach.

Because there are no chairs and it takes place in the park, guests should feel free to bring picnic blankets and small folding chairs for their comfort.

The program is presented by the City of Laguna Beach Arts Commission and funded by the lodging establishments and City of Laguna Beach.

• • •

There always seems to be something special going on at the LAM. Take for example this weekend, which begins with Storytime Saturday on May 27 at 11 a.m. You’re invited to bring your favorite little ones up to the Laguna Art Museum for an interactive storytime and art-making experience. “The read-along will be supplemented with mindfulness exercises, art-making projects, or in-gallery activities that promote meaningful connections with caregivers and others.”

This month’s feature is I Am Golden written by Eva Chen and illustrated by Sophie Diao. In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the kids will engage in a read aloud and art-making activity celebrating the book selection.

For ticket info, go here.

It doesn’t stop there, because on Sunday an LCAD Workshop features Amanda Kazemi. Kazemi is a recent MFA graduate from LCAD and she’ll lead a needle-felting workshop. She’ll teach all attendees the basics of needle-felting and help you create your very own seal.

Supplies for the workshop, which is intended for those 8 and older, are included in the ticket price.

Check it out here.

• • •

The Blessings of the Artists Ceremony will take place Sunday, June 4 at 4 p.m. at St. Catherine of Siena Church (1042 Temple Terrace). 

According to Gail Duncan, “All are invited to attend this beautiful non-denominational prayer service, bringing together those in our community who keep the reputation of Laguna Beach as a City of Art alive. It recognizes the talents and gifts the artists share with prayer and blessings, especially now as we enter our Summer of Art.”

An outdoor reception will follow.

Questions should be directed to Angela at 949.510.6930.

Budget highlights flexibility, new services; councilmembers focus on housing fund, facilities, committee work

By SARA HALL

City Council last week gave feedback on the proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year and focused on creating an ongoing funding source for a housing fund, working on a plan for facilities and some interesting ideas for committee work.

On May 16, councilmembers heard the proposed budget for FY 2023-24 and provided specific direction to city staff during the meeting. The budget will return for final review and adoption on June 13.

Over the last several years, the council’s financial decisions have positioned the city to manage the uncertainty of a pandemic, rising inflation, a possible recession and the impact of global events on the local economy, City Manager Shohreh Dupuis said during the meeting. However, despite the continued economic growth, any uncertainty makes long-term financial planning difficult, she noted. Therefore, they proposed a one-year budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

“This approach would allow us to remain flexible and responsive to changes in the local and global economy while maintaining our commitment to financial responsibility and sustainability,” Dupuis said.

In a note included in the draft document, Dupuis said the economic outlook for the city is cautious, considering the possible recession looming. Revenues are performing slightly better than budget estimates, but projected to experience minimal increases between 3%-5%. The fallout from record inflation, higher interest rates, higher construction costs, and continued struggles within the labor market for key positions will continue to impact revenues and expenditures for the upcoming year, Dupuis explained.

Councilmembers commended staff for their work on the budget.

“It’s a lot of work and it’s obvious that you’ve been spending a lot of time working on this,” said Councilmember Mark Orgill.

Most of the councilmembers suggested direction was regarding a housing fund, the facilities master plan and a proposed emergency operations center, acquiring or utilizing a parcel in South Laguna for a dog park, and work from the Heritage and Beautification committees.

Mayor Bob Whalen and Councilmember George Weiss mentioned the housing fund during last year’s budget discussion but it didn’t quite translate the way he remembered it, Whalen said. He suggested directing staff to develop an ongoing revenue stream for a housing fund. They have a housing element and they know they need to generate housing, he said.

“I think that’s the only way we’re going to get money set aside,” Whalen said. “I want it to be crystal clear that it needs to be something you develop in going forward with budgets.”

Weiss supported Whalen’s suggestion, and reiterated his proposal from last year’s budget meeting to redirect all or a portion of Transient Occupancy Tax from short-term lodging to an affordable housing program.

“We’ve all been talking about housing for many, many (years) – a long time – so I of course support that,” Orgill agreed.

Mayor Pro Tem Sue Kempf agreed with the focus on housing. As she has at previous meetings, Kempf again suggested looking into converting second-story office buildings into housing. It’s an easy way to start to get some traction on tackling the issue, she said.

“We don’t have to build a thing, we just have to change our zoning,” Kempf said. “I’d really like to get going on that.”

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Photos by Mary Hurlbut

A recent budget workshop focused on new services and a facilities master plan, both of which include the recently acquired Laguna Beach Community and Recreation Center (the former St. Catherine of Siena School campus)

Regarding the facilities master plan, Whalen noted that while the idea was to fund the emergency operations center at the mid-year modifications, he suggested they fund a portion of it now and get an EOC plan in place.

“I think we really need to emphasize the importance of moving forward with that plan quickly,” Whalen noted.

They should definitely fast-track the plan for the EOC, Orgill agreed.

Staff doesn’t have a complete plan for it yet, but they’re working on it, Dupuis noted. There is also an issue at the location, she added, since there is no backup generator at the site. They need to look at the generator for the facility closely, she said, which will likely be $1 million or more of an investment. They are already assessing the other equipment to see what they can use, she added, so they should have a complete plan by mid-year.

Councilmember Alex Rounaghi suggested that a portion of the $750,000 earmarked for the facilities master plan, which was not only to develop the plan but also to be used on the actual facilities, could be used as a downpayment on the EOC project.

They are going to have to invest a lot of money into the city facilities, including the aging infrastructure and the recently acquired Laguna Beach Community and Recreation Center (formerly the former St. Catherine of Siena School campus), Kempf said.

“I want to be very thoughtful in terms of what monies we have available and how we spend it going forward,” she said.

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Visitors on the 48th Annual Laguna Charm House Tour get a glimpse of Laguna’s heritage

Photos by Mary Hurlbut

Those who attended the Laguna Charm House Tour, presented by Village Laguna, on Sunday, May 21, experienced a taste of the heritage of Laguna Beach as they toured houses in neighborhoods dating from the early 1900s. Visitors toured cottages and bungalows, a working artist studio, art in the tradition of the early plein air painters and houses related to families that formed some of the community’s landmarks, in addition to a church.

Styles ranged from early California Monterey revival, summer cottage and early 20th century bungalow to period revival and mid-century modern. Most were located in historic North Laguna, an area that grew from an empty 1906 subdivision to a quiet neighborhood of tree-lined streets and gracious, enchanting homes.

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Weeping Elm

First property: Weeping Elm

Entering through the Dutch doors of this 1937 board and batten Beach Cottage, guests are greeted with the light, open, airy, carefree charm of a quintessential Laguna summer beach home. Purchased by the Satterthwaite family in 2017, Weeping Elm Cottage reflects the aesthetics and sensibilities of original beach cottage culture of early 20th century California, built modest in scale with simple, box-plan construction. The property was listed on the City of Laguna Beach’s Historic Register in 2018.

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Hummingbird Bungalow

Second property: Hummingbird Bungalow

Walking into Hummingbird Bungalow was a step back in time. Built in 1913 on the edge of Boat Canyon, the house is owned by Betsy Woltz and is one of the earliest remaining cottages in the neighborhood, part of the 1906 Cliff Drive subdivision of Howard Heisler and L.C. McKnight. The house has one bedroom, one bathroom, with a bungalow-style enclosed porch, living and dining area, kitchen, basement and loft. The property was listed on the City of Laguna Beach’s Historic Register in 1991.

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Hummingbird Bungalow (on left) behind the Christian Science Church. Betsy Woltz and her late husband Robert met and worshipped there.

Third property: The First Church of Christ, Scientist

Prior to 1916, Christian Scientists in Laguna Beach gathered in private homes. As interest grew, meetings moved to several larger locations until a permanent church, designed by Laguna architect Aubrey St. Clair, was built on the corner of Glenneyre and Legion streets in the 1930s.

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Reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie architecture style, that philosophy seems to have prevailed in this church designed by Los Angeles architect Paul R. Hunter. The rectangular stained-glass windows suggest Wright influences.

A new church site was purchased in 1950, and construction began in 1951. The church was formally dedicated in 1956. A Moller pipe organ was installed in 1961. The distinctive wooden beam, wood paneling and chandeliers in the main auditorium were added in the early 1970s. The auditorium church plan modeled on a lecture hall with congregants gathered around a dual pulpit is an American Christian Science approach to church design.

Aldeita Court “Little Village

A graceful archway spans the Mediterranean Revival Aldeita Court and connects the buildings and Laguna’s pioneering families with the town’s artistic past and future. The property features house and apartments in a U-plan around a romantic brick courtyard with a tiled fountain.

Local historian and Laguna native Jane Petty Janz said that the original house on the property was built in 1908 by Oscar and Lee Farman. The Farman house was moved off the land in 1939 and their son-in-law (married to their daughter Thelma) built three apartments and an upstairs home for Lee.

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Pacific Marine Mammal Center holds celebration to kick off “Catch the Wave” capital campaign

Photos by Mary Hurlbut

On Saturday, May 20, Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC) welcomed more than 300 guests from across the community to celebrate and kick-off the “Catch the Wave” capital campaign.

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PMMC CEO Glenn Gray spoke about the next wave and needed funds

This public kick-off culminated years of collaboration with city and county officials and meticulous planning to build a revamped Center that can meet the growing needs of both their animal and human communities.

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A few of the PMMC board members (L-R): Dr. Dan Haspert, Tom Hale, Phil Shuluk, John Kinney, Jeff Meberg and Lisa Locklear

PMMC CEO Glenn Gray and board members addressed the crowd sharing that, “$6.2M of the $14M project cost has been raised to date and we are looking for leaders in the community who inspire to make a difference with us to help complete the funding.”

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Stephanie Cunningham (second from right) with her daughter Laura Cunningham (far left) and granddaughter Bella with Laguna Beach Lifeguard Michael Chapman. Stephanie’s husband, John Cunningham, was one of the founders of PMMC (then called “Friends of the Sea Lion”) in 1971.

Gray also shared that, “Eighteen months from now you may not recognize the little red barn in the canyon. The capital campaign we are celebrating today is not about funding an expansion, it’s about funding a transformation. Our hospital protocols, educational programs, visitor experience and our water savings will transform what we do and how we do it.”

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“The Dream” expansion project

The expansion doubles the square footage allocated to those and other educational programs, which already serves 35,000 students per year.

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Ed Steinfeld, KX FM morning host, served as “Catch the Wave” MC

Additional patient units and pools will improve patient care and increase capacity, better preparing the hospital for busy periods and “unusual mortality events,” years in which conditions so deteriorate for marine mammals that patient occupancy can quadruple from its normal numbers.

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PMMC CEO Glenn Gray with Chair of the Ocean Club Marilyn Green

The expansion will add cutting-edge treatment rooms for surgeries, endoscopy, ultrasound, radiographs and other medical needs. A dedicated necropsy space will improve the facility’s research capacity, facilitating improved collaboration with other institutions.

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PMMC board members, Dr. Alissa Deming (second from left), staff and friends pose with Center mascots

According to PMMC’s Vice President of Conservation Medicine and Science Dr. Alissa Deming, “The expansion provides the opportunity to grow the marine mammal teaching hospital and facilitates training the next generation of veterinarians and researchers dedicated to marine mammals and ocean health.”

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Kathryn Burton Gray (Glenn Gray’s wife) with Laguna local Greg MacGillivray, co-founder of MacGillivray Freeman Films

They have designated space at the main entrance as the Founders Courtyard to highlight John Cunningham and Jim Stauffer, their founders more than 50 years ago. They also wanted to include the rich history of the artesian community at PMMC.

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Laguna Hills High School cheer squad welcome guests to the event

PMMC commissioned artists Casey Parlette and Mike Tauber to bring this idea to life and their contributions will be enjoyed by generations to come.

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Artist Casey Parlette with his son talking about the Founders sculpture he designed for PMMC

Parlette designed and built the Founders statue, a work in bronze and steel depicting a sea lion swimming in kelp to reach his dinner of silver fish. When installed, this statue will stand nearly 18” tall and greet every guest who visits.

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(L-R) Dr. Dan Haspert (PMMC board member) with artist Mike Tauber with design for bench for the PMMC fundraiser

Also in the Founders Courtyard will be a ceramic tile mosaic view of sea lions and marine creatures created by artist Mike Tauber that will frame the statue along a 30’ wall.

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Iconic Ornaments Co-founder Jackson Collins, who along with his brother, Sawyer, launched their company in 2021, and have their glass creations such as the Laguna Lifeguard Tower and Trolley, for sale in the PMMC gift shop

Tiles are available with a $1,000 donation and gives you the opportunity to paint the tiles with Tauber.

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Youngsters are learning about caring for injured sea lions

For more information on the project and to learn how you can participate in this historic opportunity, contact Debra Finster, vice president of philanthropy at 949.929.7297, or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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

Overcast skies

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Photo by Mary Hurlbut

With no sun, the beaches of Laguna are virtually empty