Fair Game

By TOM JOHNSON

Cleaning up our beaches, three hours is all we ask!

Tomorrow (Saturday, Sept. 23) is a big day, not only for us, but for the next generations to come. It’s International Coastal Cleanup Day!

It’s a time to keep our beaches safe, clean and pristine, not only for us, but for those following us in this world. So, grab a pair of gloves, a bucket, some water and sunscreen, then head down to Main Beach from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The event is sponsored by the City of Laguna Beach, Orange County Coastkeeper, Laguna Ocean Foundation and the California Coastal Commission.

Remember, our beaches are important to all residents.

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Now, now, now…look who came to town!

Best known for starring in Aquaman and playing Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones, Hawaiian star Jason Momoa stopped in at Pavilions in Boat Canyon this past Tuesday, Sept. 19, to sign bottles of Meili Vodka, the new sustainably produced craft spirit.

Fans, with Meili Vodka bottles in hand, were lined up in the early morning, with Momoa appearing along with his business partner Blake Halvorson from 11 a.m.-12 p.m.

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Photo by Scott Brashier

Fans of actor Jason Momoa and his Meili Vodka, with camera phones raised, crowd the entrance to Pavilions, waiting for their shot

A joint venture between the actor and fashion designer Blake Halvorson (founder of Junk Food Clothing and MadeWorn), Meili is bottled in 100% recycled glass with no two bottles being identical. Produced from natural Montana springs, the grains are sourced from local farms and the finished product is left to “rest and breathe” in the mountain air before bottling.

Now, martini anyone?

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Photo by Scott Brashier

Actor Jason Momoa, encircled by fans, signs bottles of his vodka at Pavilions in Boat Canyon, as business partner Blake Halvorson (backwards hat) looks on

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Mark your calendars, the Pacific Marine Mammal Center this week announced their largest annual fundraising event, Splash!

The new look of this event, limited to only 200 guests, will take place on Sunday, Nov. 5th, from 5:30-10 p.m. at the Festival of Arts.

Here’s the plan: During the cocktail reception, guests can step into and experience a closer view of our world of marine mammal rescue, rehabilitation and release, as well as highlights of PMMC’s educational programs, medical research, water conservation and ocean advocacy.

The PMMC team will work with Chefs Leo Bongarra and Maro Molteni at Terra to bring a most delightful dining experience. During dinner, guests will have the opportunity to bid on exclusive and priceless live auction packages – with details on these specially curated items being released closer to the event.

Then, stay tuned for a new addition…an after-party! That means live music and interactive musical entertainment to make the evening an even more memorable experience!

“I sincerely hope you will join us at Splash,” said Glen Gray, CEO of the PMMC. “This year, we will be elevating our guests' experience; our goal is you will leave enlightened and inspired.”

Remember, this important annual fundraising event helps PMMC to operate and maintain the center, secure the necessary supplies, food, medication and equipment to effectively run their animal care unit, and provide the means to expand the research department and education and outreach programs.

Again, it’s limited in size. To purchase tables and sponsorships, go to https://auctria.events/PMMCSplash2023.

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Courtesy of LB Patriots Day Parade

Local scouting leads the parade last year as it moves through Downtown

Plans are presently underway by the Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade Committee for the 57th Parade, scheduled for Saturday, March 2, 2024.

The committee has chosen “Laguna Heritage” for next year’s theme.

Next month, at the October 24 meeting, honorees will be nominated and selected. Prior to that meeting, the public is welcome to submit suggestions for Grand Marshal, Citizen of the Year, Artist of the Year and Athlete of the Year.

To nominate, donate, volunteer, enter the parade or advertise in the program, contact Sandi Werthe at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The parade is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and donations are welcome.

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Courtesy of LB Patriots Day Parade

Members of the VFW and American Legion, organizing in the LBUSD parking lot, prepare to fly the colors at last year’s parade

• • •

There’s a call out for all conservatives. The Greater Laguna Beach GOP’s Members’ Meeting will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at Mozambique Restaurant.

The event will start with a 5 p.m. social hour in the Shebeen Bar, with the meeting following at 5:45 p.m. in the Boma Room. Attendees can mingle with fellow conservatives and enjoy Mozambique’s wonderful food and beverages.

Because the meeting this month falls on the same evening as the second Republican Presidential Primary Debate, they will live stream it and view it together.

RSVP to www.glbgop.com/upcomingevents.

Senator Janet Nguyen and the City of Laguna Beach unveil Memorial Bridge sign dedicated to LBPD Officer Jon Coutchie

Photos by Mary Hurlbut

Officer Jon Coutchie, an Army veteran and Laguna Beach Police Department Motor Officer, displayed unwavering commitment to his community. Tragically, he lost his life in the line of duty on September 21, 2013, pursuing a recklessly driven vehicle. In recognition of Officer Coutchie’s heroic legacy, Senator Janet Nguyen introduced a resolution designating the Aliso Creek Bridge as the Officer Jon Coutchie Memorial Bridge.

Present at the dedication event on Thursday, Sept. 21 were Senator Nguyen, Assemblywoman Diane Dixon, Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes, Mayor Bob Whalen, Police Chief Jeff Calvert, the Honorable Scott Baugh, the City of Laguna Beach councilmembers and staff, representatives from police departments in Orange County and chamber of commerce and community members.

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Senator Janet Nguyen (R-Huntington Beach) and the City of Laguna Beach dedicated the Aliso Creek Bridge as Officer Jon Coutchie Memorial Bridge, in recognition of fallen Laguna Beach Police Officer Jon Steven Coutchie

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(L-R) Mayor Bob Whalen and LBPD Chief Jeff Calvert

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Chief Calvert shares memories of Officer Coutchie

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Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes

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Laguna Beach Honor Guards

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Pledge of Allegiance

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Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley presents plaque to Luciana Coutchie, Officer Coutchie’s mother

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Assemblywoman Diane Dixon greets Luciana Coutchie

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Fellow officers gather to honor Officer Coutchie

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LBFD Bagpiper David Lopez played at the dedication and concluded the ceremony by playing “Amazing Grace” in conjunction with a flyover by two county helicopters

The Rainmaker reminds us how far women have come, and what unites them across time

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.

Lizzie Zerebko, the lead actress and only woman starring in N. Robert Nash’s 1950s play The Rainmaker, proves the right match for her role as Lizzie Curry. Like the character who shares her name, Zerebko describes herself as a strong and intelligent realist with a bit of a dreamer streak. That might be just the right combination of traits women need to not only endure but find some satisfaction in a man’s world.

Set in the rural Midwest in 1936 during a scalding summer drought, Lizzie Curry’s prospects of finding a husband are about as likely as growing a fertile crop. Despite her skills in the kitchen, she’s a plain and socially awkward woman who fails to attract the attention of men. Her widowed father and two brothers worry more about her withering on the marital vine than they worry about their starving cattle.

Thankfully, as with every good romantic comedy, along comes a man who changes everything. Bill Starbuck, a slick and sweet-talking con man from out of town, brings the promise of rain for the bargain price of $100. He also opens Curry’s eyes, allowing her to see herself in a whole new light.

The play opens this weekend on the Laguna Playhouse stage and runs through Sunday, Oct 8. I spoke with both Zerebko and Director Andrew Barnicle about their take on the play and the timely themes behind this Americana classic, which they hope will both challenge and delight modern audiences.

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Photos by Jason Niedle

(L-R) Jeffrey Markle (seated), Richard Baird, James Taylor Odom, Nick Tag and Lizzie Zerebko star in the Laguna Playhouse production of “The Rainmaker”

Our conversations have been edited for brevity and clarity.

Director Andrew Barnicle returns to the Playhouse stage

Laguna Playhouse fans will well recognize the name Andrew Barnicle, who served as artistic director from 1991-2010. During that time, he produced more than 100 Playhouse shows and directed more than 40 of them. Barnicle returns this season to the Playhouse to both direct and act in The Rainmaker.

Stu News: How would you summarize The Rainmaker?

Andrew Barnicle: It’s a play about what women go through to get by in a world run by men. What’s expected of them. How they can overcome issues they may be having. It’s about a world that wants Lizzie to be cute and flirty and not honest with herself in her approach to men. She needs to find a man who appreciates her for who she is when everybody’s telling her to pretend to be who she isn’t. That’s the basic conflict of the play.

This character Starbuck comes in and, even though he’s a con man, somehow manages to convince her that she’s beautiful in and of herself.

SN: Did you have any relationship with the play before being asked to direct this production?

AB: I played Starbuck in 1974 when I was in summer stock. I was just a kid, starting my undergraduate work.

The movie came out in 1956 with Burt Lancaster and Katherine Hepburn. I really loved that movie. It was based on the play that came out two years earlier. So, yeah, it’s got a long history. I think a lot of people will know of it.

SN: How do you think modern-day audiences will react to some of the perceived sexism in the play?

AB: Well, the play sounds very contemporary. It’s got good humor. We get a chance to see how women were perceived and what was expected of them in the 1950s when the play was written. It’s fascinating for me to see that. I’m old enough to remember being there. But for younger people who aren’t aware of it, I think it’s very informative. It might anger some people. But ultimately, Lizzie is going to find herself and everybody’s going to realize what fools they were.

SN: This is the second play under the new Artistic Director David Ellenstein’s stewardship. Has his vision changed the feel of the Playhouse?

AB: David is very eclectic. He likes all different kind of plays. He likes musicals and Shakespeare. He’s doing a Molière this year (Tartuffe). He loves comedies. He does original work. That’s what an artistic director, in my opinion, should do. Everybody in this community will have at least one play in their wheelhouse. And the die-hard theatergoers will have a whole season of plays to enjoy because they’re different kinds of pieces.

David is also an expert at producing because he’s been the artistic director of the North Coast Repertory Theatre (Solana Beach) for the last 20 years and he’s done more than 100 plays down there. He knows how to talk to people and he’s a very good manager. I’m really glad he’s here.

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City re-initiates Downtown Action Plan, staff shares progress report

By SARA HALL

Laguna Beach recently re-initiated the Downtown Action Plan and city staff shared a progress report on the item at the Planning Commission meeting this week.

At their meeting on Wednesday (Sept. 20), commissioners provided feedback on the draft Downtown Action Plan and asked for guidance from the city attorney on forming a subcommittee to start work on the project. Most of the discussion revolved around the overall approach to the DAP, the process, character of the Downtown, involvement of local experts, and how the plan relates to other policies and projects. Staff and commissioners also emphasized that the process is restarting at the conceptual stage and they haven’t finalized anything yet.

After being tabled for more than three years, the 307-page draft Downtown Action Plan is meant to identify existing conditions, evaluate opportunities and constraints, coordinate specific trees, streetscape and other related improvements within the Downtown, and proposes 24 project concepts.

There’s so much information to discuss, Commissioner Susan McLintock Whitin recommended a subcommittee delve into the specific issues and then report back to the full commission in a public meeting. This would allow commissioners to have a more focused way to review each of these projects, she said.

“This is a very big project. We’re just scratching the surface on the project. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done, I think, before we can really have an intelligent conversation about what to do,” Whitin said.

It’s not just that some of the projects identified are already going forward or no longer exist, but also that they need to step back and look at the overall theme. They need to refresh the ideas addressed in the DAP and take a holistic approach to the Downtown.

A subcommittee is a great idea, agreed Commission Pro Tem Steve Kellenberg. They could bring in local experts and voices in the community as part of that process, he suggested, like Ann Christoph and Bob Borthwick. Both are longtime local landscape architects, but, more importantly, they worked on the relevant documents that should be providing guidance to the DAP process, Kellenberg said. It’s an important integration of past policy work.

The subcommittee could definitely ask for input from locals, confirmed Community Development Director Marc Wiener.

“It’s important that it represents what the entire community would like to see,” Wiener said. “I know that there’s always varying opinions on these policy documents, so I think it is important to hear from everybody and hopefully we get some more of that in the public meetings.”

In addition to Christoph and Borthwick, there are also others in town with expertise who could help and would be beneficial to have involved in the process, added Commissioner Jorg Dubin. Although he cautioned about having “too many chefs in the kitchen.” Trying to get everyone to agree to something can result in a project that falls short of its potential.

“Public input is absolutely important, but when you start to get down to finalizing things, if you have too many people trying to hammer out what they think that it should be then sometimes you can end up with something that’s rather mediocre rather than visionary and interesting for the community,” Dubin said.

Ultimately, the commission agreed to form a subcommittee to work on the DAP, but waited to decide on which two commissioners will serve on the panel until the full commission is in attendance (Chair Ken Sadler and Commissioner Steve Goldman were absent at this week’s meeting) and staff checks with the city attorney to determine if a commissioner can serve on this and another related subcommittee (potential for overlap on work on the Promenade on Forest project) is allowed.

Kellenberg also suggested that the subcommittee take a more comprehensive look at all of the projects and overarching ideas to determine continuity in the overall theme before they start jumping into individual projects.

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Photo by Mary Hurlbut

The city has restarted work on the Downtown Action Plan, which aims to coordinate tree, streetscape and other improvements

They spent a lot of time on the initial review in 2020 giving specific feedback on the project areas and focusing on – because it is such a big project – prioritizing “specific pieces of the puzzle” so that they wouldn’t get overwhelmed by trying to tackle this all in one fell swoop, Dubin noted.

Work on the Downtown Action Plan first kicked off in 2019. The city requested proposals in November and by the end of the year were reviewing a concept plan presented by the consultant. It was last reviewed by the Planning Commission on March 4, 2020, before being tabled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this year, at the council’s annual planning workshop on January 28, councilmembers named it as a priority project and directed staff to restart the process.

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The Soul of Jazz: Upcoming Laguna Live! show, starring Grammy-winning artist and powerhouse vocalist, highlights evolution of jazz

By THERESA KEEGAN

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

While changing sunset times reflect the seasons, in Laguna Beach the art offerings mark the passage of time for many. Not only do the art festivals open and close summer, but the celebration of plein air painting defines fall, the Coast Film Fest is a precursor to the holidays and dotted throughout is jazz.

Like its melodic counterpart, the jazz offerings at Laguna Live! swing around, pop up at unexpected times, change their tune and yet, still, consistently please.

So it is that Grammy-winner Bijon Watson is thrilled to be presenting The Soul of Jazz on Wednesday, Sept. 29 at [seven-degrees].

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Courtesy of Laguna Live!

Trumpeter Bijon Watson will lead the Laguna Live! show “The Soul of Jazz” on September 27

“This is one of the special concert presentations that usually takes place in the fall,” said Watson. “It’s a one-off type concert.”

Joining Watson will be the Laguna Live! All Stars and the powerhouse singer Maiya Sykes.

The show will feature work by musicians who have influenced soul and jazz genres for decades.

“We’ll be playing music that shows the way jazz has evolved over the years,” said Watson. “There’s more soul and rhythm and blues in jazz now.”

As 2023’s Grammy winner for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album, it’s evident trumpeter Watson knows a thing or two about his signature music genre. The album that garnered him, and fellow musician Steven Feifke the Grammy, Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra, features both new and established musicians, each bringing individual perspectives and styles to jazz through the years, with a focus on mentorship.

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Courtesy of Laguna Live!

Bijon Watson won a Grammy earlier this year, for an album he produced that celebrated multi-generational performers

“I’ve been at this awhile as a professional musician,” said Watson. “Your career goes through changes as you adapt to the landscape.”

Those evolutions will be heard as they perform selected works by jazz greats such as Bobby Caldwell and Herbie Hancock. Watson is thrilled to be performing Hancock’s “Tell Me a Bedtime Story.”

“It’s an instrumental piece of music that just emulates the time of the early ‘80s, when kids used to play outside and dinner was a family-type thing,” said Watson. “It’s a real chill groove that brings back memories of the time when families weren’t so tied to social media and there was just greater communication.”

Another artist whose work will influence the show is Ronnie Laws. Watson believes the saxophonist, best known for his jazz fusion and smooth jazz songs, is a consummate instrumentalist.

“Before there was smooth jazz, there were these consummate instrumentalists working within the rhythm and blues,” he said. “David Sanborne is a pioneer of the instrumental rhythm and blues. It has so many jazz elements…It’s a lot more melodic than the smooth jazz.”

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Council to consider appeal for mixed-use project at Sweetwater site, network switches for new recreation center, Pacific Symphony concert

By SARA HALL

Laguna Beach City Council has a light, but interesting agenda next week.

At the Tuesday (Sept. 26) meeting, council will hear and/or consider: An appeal of a mixed-use project proposed for the Sweetwater Hand Car Wash site; purchase of network switches for the Laguna Beach Community and Recreation Center; underground utility district in Woods Cove and a free concert in collaboration with the Pacific Symphony at Heisler Park.

Last up on the agenda is an appeal of a mixed-use project proposed for the Sweetwater Hand Car Wash site in the Woods Cove neighborhood.

The Planning Commission voted 4-0 (then-Chair Pro Tem Ken Sadler was absent) on June 7 in support of a conditional use permit, design review, coastal development permit, revocable encroachment permit and variances required to demolish the local car wash and redevelop the site at 1890 South Coast Highway as a retail and residential project.

The June vote also included approval of a determination that the project is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act. Although commissioners added a condition requiring that a soil and groundwater management plan be reviewed by the San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board. A copy of the approval shall be submitted to the city prior to issuance of a building or demolition permit. All appropriate best management practices shall be kept in place throughout the construction phase as required by the approved plan. Soil testing subject to the standards of the WQCB shall be completed prior to permit issuance.

Following the Planning Commission’s approval, two neighboring property owners filed separate appeals for the project. The petitions contend that the commission: Did not make adequate findings for the requested variances; failed to adequately address the reasonableness of the revocable encroachment permit; failed to consider issues related to neighborhood compatibility, design articulation, view equity, public health and safety, General Plan consistency, and construction staging; made a procedural error by eliminating the variance for covered parking without requiring that the project be re-staked; and incorrectly determined that the project is exempt from the provisions of CEQA and specifically assert that the CEQA analysis did not evaluate contamination on the site.

Next week, city staff is recommending the council overturn the approval, remand the project back to the Planning Commission and direct staff to prepare an initial study pursuant to CEQA guidelines. The project applicant agrees with the determination, and intends to work with the city on the preparation of an initial study. If remanded by council, the issues raised by the two appellants would be deferred until the Planning Commission has had the opportunity to review the project based on the additional information provided by the initial study. The appellants have been notified of this development and are aware of staff’s recommendations.

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Rendering by Anders Lasater Architects/Courtesy of City of Laguna Beach

Previous (top from August 2020 and middle from April 2021) and the revised current (bottom) renderings of the mixed-use project proposed for 1890 S. Coast Highway

Plans call to remove the car wash and construct a new two-story, 8,204-square-foot mixed-use building. The design also includes a 5,221-square-foot deck area above a subterranean parking garage.

Following lengthy discussions and feedback from commissioners, city staff and the neighboring residents, the project has been revised several times over the last five years. The most recent proposal lowered the entire building by four feet and added three residential units to the upper level.

At the June meeting, commissioners thought the project should work with their added conditions, particularly as it relates to CEQA, which are sensitive due to environmental issues.

Regarding the CEQA exemption, Community Development Director Marc Wiener explained in June that staff evaluated the project and found that it “checks the boxes” and meets the requirements as described by the state. An initial study wouldn’t likely yield much more information about the site, he said.

The one exception is the potential for the soil contamination, he added, although a report shows that the site has been remediated. The plans are required to go to the San Diego Regional WQCB for approval prior to the final sign off. If there was an initial study under CEQA, the mitigation would likely be what they’re already proposing on doing through the permitting process with that agency, Wiener noted. The South Coast Air Quality Management District also needs to approve projects like this to ensure there are mitigations in place at the time of the permit. There are a number of mechanisms in place to mitigate issues during construction, many which don’t come before the city.

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Guest Column

Katrina Foley

Fifth District, Supervisor

County of Orange

Updates on older adults survey, OCMA programming, SR133 undergrounding, community events and nominating a Veteran of the Year

This month, my office continues to make progress towards our priorities for the Fifth District.

Orange County includes more than 650,000 older Americans living in our communities with projections to double by 2060. 

A recent report in a regional publication discussed the lack of collected, systemic data needed by the county to better serve residents as they grow older. We began the Master Plan for Aging process to collect input to plan for future housing, healthcare, walkability, accessibility, caregivers, transportation, employment, recreation and other needs at all phases of life. The community survey is available to any Orange County resident 55 years and older at www.olderadultssurvey.com.

I invite everyone to participate in our Senior Summit on October 27 at Soka University as an attendee, or if your organization serves seniors, as a vendor for our resource fair. The summit includes speakers related to health, fitness, caregiving, mental health and technology workshops. We will also host public stakeholder events in the district at local senior centers and other community centers to collect information through our county’s survey for the Master Plan for Aging.

My top priority for Laguna Beach emphasizes public safety and emergency preparedness.

Undergrounding the overhead electric utility lines along Laguna Canyon Road (LCR) remains a top focus. LCR is one of only three routes of access for mutual aid should an emergency require response. I look forward to working closely with the LCR Undergrounding Ad Hoc Committee of Mayor Bob Whalen and Councilmember Alex Rounaghi to realize this vital public safety project.

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Photos courtesy of Office of OC Supervisor Katrina Foley

Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley presents resolution to outgoing Laguna Beach Emergency Disaster Preparedness Committee Chair Matt Lawson to recognize his many years of service on this important committee

I also serve as Chair of the Orange County Fire Authority’s Legislative Committee. My successful addition of language to the Legislative Platform for both the Authority and the county prioritizes undergrounding utility lines. I plan to work with the city to build a regional coalition of stakeholders and put pressure on Southern California Edison to commit a dollar amount. This will help us leverage outside grant funding opportunities. I will do everything in my power to closely collaborate with your council and city staff to make this happen as soon as possible.

Fire safety in Laguna Beach is another critical county-level issue, in view of the city’s extreme fire hazard and potential risks to nearby communities, especially Emerald Bay. With more than 90% of Laguna Beach in the state’s high fire severity zone, I recognize your concern about the ongoing insurance crisis, as homeowners face higher rates and cancellations. I intend to collaborate with Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, our legislators, and our cities to find a solution that fixes this crisis to insure people’s homes. I will continue to advocate for wildfire threat mitigation.

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(L-R) Laguna Beach Councilmember Alex Rounaghi, Sande St. John, Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley and LBFD Captain Thomas Padden at the Laguna Beach Firefighters Labor Day Annual Pancake Breakfast

I look forward to partnering on initiatives to make Laguna Beach – and the county – safer and more resilient.

This September, the Back-to-School season serves as a reminder of the free educational opportunities to appreciate the arts. I encourage everyone to visit the Orange County Museum of Art (OCMA), which offers free admission. I also funded an education grant of $250,000 for school field trips to the museum for a docent-led interactive experience and formal lunch experience. This expands access to lower-income families so they can experience the joys of the museum, which is great for our children’s mental health. My office will continue to support educational programs that increase access to innovative STEM and art opportunities for Orange County students.

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Coast Film & Music Festival early bird passes and tickets now on sale, schedule of events announced

The Fifth Annual Coast Film & Music Festival (CFMF), the flagship event of the nonprofit Coast Film Foundation announced the release of early bird tickets and passes for their 5th Annual Film and Music Festival. The special reduced pricing is available until Saturday, Sept. 30 and available via the website at www.coastfilmfestival.com. The CFMF takes place November 8-12.

–Four-Day VIP Pass (before October 1 - $275). The Four-Day VIP Pass allows access to all ticketed events, including the opening night kick-off at Hobie Surf Shop (Laguna Beach) and exclusive VIP-level perks and privileges.

–Four-Day General Admission Pass (before October 1 - $135). The Four-Day General Admission Pass allows access to all ticketed events, except the opening night kick-off at Hobie Surf Shop (Laguna Beach) and GA-level perks and privileges.

–Single Day Tickets start at $35.

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Photo by Ashley Barker Photography

Ariel Tweto walks movie poster row at Festival of Arts

Schedule of events:

–Wednesday, Nov. 8:

~Opening night film and music at Hobie Surf Shop, Laguna Beach

–Thursday, Nov. 9:

~Mountains and snow films

~NEW! Coast Summit from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Festival of the Arts. The inaugural Coast Summit is a full-day symposium featuring distinguished filmmakers, athletes and environmental experts who will collectively explore the profound influence of storytelling on environmental stewardship and social transformation. Happy Hour with artists Great North Special and an After-Party with music at the Marine Room.

–Friday, Nov. 10:

~Outdoor and adventure films with special guest musical performance at Festival of the Arts.

–Saturday, Nov. 11:

~Ocean and water films with musical performance by Matt Costa and other artists TBA at Festival of the Arts.

–Sunday, Nov. 12:

~#GetOutside mountain bike and dirt films with musical performance by Common Sense.

Highlights of the Coast Film & Musical Festival include:

–60+ documentary and adventure film screenings

–Live music

–Q&As with film directors, athletes and special guests

–Speaker panels and workshops

–Youth filmmaker and environmental stewardship programs

–Art exhibitions and artist signings

–A lively exhibitor village with sponsors, nonprofits and environmental partners

–Networking opportunities with filmmakers, athletes and creators

–Party time with local food, drink and silent disco

Coast Film & Music Festival is proud member of 1% for the Planet and pledges a percent of its sales towards environmental protection and to future filmmakers and projects. To learn more visit www.coastfilmfestival.com, or direct questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Kindness Wall finds new home at Anneliese School

“Kindness Day of 2020 was not our most joyful event. We could not have our usual public event on the beach because of COVID. No Human Connection Challenge (where strangers sit together making eye contact), no meditation and definitely no dancing,” said Shadi Pourkashef, founder/executive director of the Ability Awareness Project and executive director of World Kindness Day, locally. “But that was also the year that the City of Laguna Beach sponsored our first ever Kindness Wall to help celebrate World Kindness Day and to cheer up the community,” she said. Ability Awareness Project is a Laguna Beach nonprofit since 2012 with a mission to build a united interconnected world free of bullying. They conduct school presentations for K-12 as well as for parents, teachers and seniors at senior centers.

According to Pourkashef, Dan Safkow, a volunteer for the Ability Awareness Project, built the Kindness Wall and had it moved to the Promenade on Forest Avenue, next to the stage. Artist Yeggi Watts painted a beautiful canvas with the theme of “Kindness, Catch The Wave” and the city planted beautiful flowers in the designated pots. That year (2020), they celebrated World Kindness Day (which takes place November 13), and six feet away from the wall they live-streamed favorite local musicians, Jason Feddy, Ava August, Blind Melody, among others. “It ended up being so special that none of us will ever forget,” said Pourkashef.

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Photos courtesy of Yeggi Watts

(L-R) Artist/teacher Yeggi Watts, Founder/Executive Director of World Kindness Day Shadi Pourkashef (Anami), Director of Anneliese School Aliso Campus Susan Dillon

The message of the Kindness Wall is simple: You “Take What You Need” and “Pay it Forward.” You take a note that inspires you, lifts your spirit or just simply makes you smile, and you write a kind note for another stranger and hang it on the wall. The Kindness Wall was supposed to be on the Promenade on Forest Avenue for one week but ended up making its home there for a little over three years. It endured severe weather from extreme heat to rain and many storms. The City of Laguna Beach kept fresh flowers on display week after week, as Watts kept on retouching the painting, along with board members who kept updating the tags.

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(L-R) Yeggi Watts and Shadi Pourkashef (Anami) join Huy Nguyen and Garrett Rauch from the City of Laguna Beach

Earlier this year it was moved to the Susi Q Community Center storage in pretty bad shape. Thanks to Ability Awareness Project supporters and Dan Safkow’s hard work, on Wednesday, Sept. 20 the refurbished wall found a new home at the Anneliese School Aliso Campus on Wesley Drive.

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The Kindness Wall at its new home on the Anneliese School Aliso Campus

“We at Ability Awareness Project are so grateful for the ongoing support from the City of Laguna Beach and its dedication to our Laguna Beach Kindness Movement,” said Pourkashef.

This year’s World Kindness Day will be on November 11 on the Cobblestones area at Main Beach from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. with a sunset meditation. The Kindness Award will be presented at 12 p.m. If you know of any Act of Kindness that has happened in our town, please sent your nomination to Ability Awareness Project at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

World Kindness Day is an international observation on November 13 that was introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement, a coalition of nations’ kindness NGOs. Its objective is to highlight good deeds in the community focusing on the positive power and the common thread of kindness for good which binds us.

Meet Rotary’s Student of the Month

The Rotary Club of Laguna Beach recently honored LBHS Senior Mila Rafaty as September’s “Student of the Month” in the field of World Languages (Spanish).

Mila writes, “I am passionate about helping others and engaging with my community through service.” She is deeply interested in language, culture and social change.

Just a few of her scholastic awards include: 2022 Breaker Awards for English Honors, AP Biology and AP Scholar. She was also on the Superintendent’s Honor Roll from 2020-2023. Rafaty also has numerous Model United Nations awards and commendations including serving as Secretary-General.

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Courtesy of Rotary Club of Laguna Beach

LBHS Senior Mila Rafaty

While in school, Rafaty has been the activities coordinator for the Peer Mentor Program, president of the National Honors Society, president/founder of the Social Justice Book Club and for fun, the president/founder of the Cookie Club.

When not on campus, Rafaty volunteers at the Ocean Institute as a “Girls in Ocean Science” committee leader, summer camp counselor and a public programs docent. She also serves on Representative Katie Porter’s Youth Advisory Board.

Rafaty plans on attending college as a Spanish major with a Pre-Law emphasis. She would like to become a law professor and contribute to international human rights organizations. All Students of the Month receive a Rotary Scholarship at the end of the school year.

3…2…1…blast off!

Laguna Beach High School (LBHS) sophomore students enrolled in Integrated Science II have been studying chemical reactions in class. The lesson culminated with a rocket experiment using plastic bottles, magnesium and hydrochloric acid to create hydrogen gas which builds the pressure required to launch the rocket.

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Courtesy of LBUSD

Laguna Beach High School science teacher and a sophomore student prepare a bottle rocket for launch on LBHS’ Guyer Field on Wednesday, Sept. 20

The class is designed to help students explore connections across the four domains of science, including physical science, life science, earth and space science and engineering design.

“Night Under the Stars” gala benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna scheduled for October 14

The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach’s 8th Annual “Night Under the Stars” will be held on Saturday, October 14 from 6-10 p.m. at the Lake Forest Community Center.

Guests will enjoy a scrumptious dinner, wine and craft beer tastings, auction opportunities and dancing the night away.

Join the community in supporting the healthy development of local young people. Funds raised from the “Night Under the Stars” gala will directly benefit Boys & Girls Club programs in the Saddleback Valley community.

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Photos courtesy of Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach

(L-R) Suzy Betz, Terry Anderson, Jim Zakhar, Cheryl Zakhar, Debra Glass and Jeff Glass

The event is chaired by Terry Anderson and Dave Carter, board members and long-time supporters of the Boys & Girls Club.

For more information and admission and sponsorship opportunities, go here, or contact Michelle Fortezzo at 949.715.7584, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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(L-R) Shane and Jackson, members of the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach

The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach serves more than 3,000 youth per day in the Laguna Beach, Lake Forest, Aliso Viejo, and Mission Viejo areas. For more information, visit www.bgclagunabeach.org, or call 949.494.2535.

Lake Forest Community Center is located at 100 Civic Center Drive, Lake Forest.

Second Annual Citywide Service Day, “Love Laguna Beach,” takes place on October 7

“Love Laguna Beach” is an example of what happens when an entire community comes together to help one another: city government, businesses, faith-based communities, service groups and schools. This year’s citywide volunteer event kicks off at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7 at Susi Q Community Center, where coffee and refreshments will be served, and volunteers will meet their service teams. Afterward, teams disperse to participate on projects throughout Laguna Beach from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Inspired by Love Our Cities and in partnership with this national organization, “Love Laguna Beach” had its first event in November 2022. Love Our Cities originated in Modesto, Calif., with the strong belief that citizens of all ages who want to make a difference in their cities can work alongside one another to make their communities better. Last year’s “Love Laguna Beach” made this goal a reality, as more than 100 volunteers worked on service projects.

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Photos courtesy of Love Laguna Beach

(L-R) Gail Duncan, Event Chair Gail Onodera, Alice Kenaston and Blanche Zelko participating in the “Love Laguna Beach” citywide service day

Once again this year, they have more than 100 volunteer spots open for projects like the following: volunteers can help continue to improve the new Community and Recreation Center (formerly St. Catherine’s), where they will box up the remaining textbooks and do weeding/planting around the property to transform this space for the entire community to use.

Or, they can help restore the native plant garden at TOW Elementary School, or help prep and paint the fence surrounding the backyard of the local Waymakers Youth Shelter. These are just a few examples; there are numerous possibilities for volunteers to join in to continue to make a positive impact on the quality of life and beautification of our community.

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(L-R) Jack, Event Chair Gail Onodera and June Hubbard look forward to volunteering at this year’s “Love Laguna Beach”

“In meeting the specific needs of our city with this type of community-minded approach, ‘Love Laguna Beach’ has become a catalyst to connect members of our community with opportunities to serve together side by side with other individuals who are focused on having a positive impact. A result is the creation of additional civic pride and a collective sense of purpose,” said Gail Onodera, event chairperson. “There is no other event like this in Laguna Beach that so passionately illustrates the love we have for our city and people. ‘Love Laguna Beach’ brings people together to connect, participate, give of their time and serve this beautiful place we are so fortunate to call home.”

Additional ways in which to get involved include identifying a project such as helping a neighbor in need or nonprofit that needs extra help; becoming or recruiting a project leader; event sponsorships or donation of in-kind goods or services and/or volunteering for a project on October 7.

As faith-based organizations like churches and the Interfaith Council, individuals, businesses and organizations like Laguna Beach Rotary work together with the City of Laguna Beach on this incredible citywide service day each year, their hope is that “Love Laguna Beach” continues to grow and thrive. Ultimately, the goal is to contribute to the needs of our community in practical and tangible ways that lead to ongoing, committed volunteer efforts throughout the year that enhance our city and its inhabitants on an ongoing basis.

Visit the website to learn more and to register to volunteer.

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

Susi Q’s wildly successful “Evening with an Author” event attracts 90 readers and writers

Last week’s sold-out “Evening with an Author,” featuring best-selling novelist Lisa See, proved beyond a doubt that the Susi Q is rapidly becoming the place to be for readers and writers (oh, and artists and jazz and opera lovers too!).

During the 90-minute event, attended by 90 guests and preceded by sociable mingling and snacking, an enthralled and enthusiastic audience listened to See chatting with Writers on Writing podcaster and Stu News arts writer Marrie Stone.

The conversation revolved around See’s latest novel, Lady Tan’s Circle of Women, which hit both the New York Times and Los Angeles Times bestseller lists earlier this year.

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Photos by Jeffrey Rovner

Novelist Lisa See with arts columnist Marrie Stone

Stone touched on what she called some of the “cringiest” yet most compelling and important parts of the book – such as the descriptions of foot-binding, which See noted was not only about beauty standards, but also a way to keep women from running away from their husbands.

“What I want people to get from my books is that all people on the planet share common life experiences – falling in love, getting married, having children, dying – and share common emotions – love, hate, greed, jealousy,” See said. “These are the universals; the differences are in the particulars of customs and culture.”

Moderator Marrie Stone is a huge fan of See’s. “I think Lisa’s novels prove so popular because of their ability to transport us to another time and place so unlike our own, and then psychologically bind us to her characters,” Stone said.

“For several hundred pages, we feel like we’re living in another world and leading some extraordinary life we couldn’t otherwise imagine. Lisa always finds unique and compelling subject matters largely left unexplored by other authors. And she allows her readers to fully inhabit them.”

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(L-R) Executive director of Susi Q, Nadia Babayi; novelist Lisa See; “Stu News” arts writer Marrie Stone; writer/fiction instructor Lynette Brasfield and Jo Ann Ekblad, Susi Q’s program and marketing director

Attendee Irina Ensminger said she was so grateful to the Susi Q for what she describes as a “wonderful treat.”

“[Lisa See’s] emphasis on female relationships in her books is what attracts me to her as a writer first and foremost. My first ever female mentor and a role model was my grandmother – an uneducated woman who knew hundreds of prayers by heart and was respected by the whole village for her ability to heal. She belonged to Udmurt ethnic group in Russia which has its own language and traditions.

“For me, hearing Lisa See talk about embracing her roots [and embracing friendships] was the highlight of the night’s meeting.”

Sue Harvey Reese was another fan of the event.

“I have a new appreciation for the gift of storytelling,” Reese said. “Thank you Lisa See and Marrie Stone, your event was a voyage through the mind of an artist, and felt like a two-hour trip to ancient China. I have a newfound appreciation for freedom and the women in my life!”

Next February, the first event of 2024 will feature Hector Tobar, the author of six books including most recently Our Migrant Souls: A Meditation on Race and the Meanings and Myths of Latino, published by MCD/Farrar, Straus & Giroux. He’s also the author of the NYT bestseller: Deep Down Dark: The Untold Stories of 33 Men Buried in a Chilean Mine and the Miracle That Set Them Free. Tobar is a professor of English and Chicano/Latino Studies at the University of California, Irvine.

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Attendees Judy Metez and Irina Ensminger flank arts writer Marrie Stone

“Throughout the years, the Susi Q has brought enrichment to so many through unique programs and services,” said Laguna Beach Seniors Executive Director Nadia Babayi. “Our ‘Evening with an Author’ series demonstrates our commitment to serve the interests of our book- and arts-loving community in Laguna Beach. I am so grateful to the team who put the events together: Jo Ann Ekblad, Marrie Stone, Amy Dechary, Christine Brewer and Lynette Brasfield. What a wonderful evening!”

The Susi Q offers a wide range of educational and fun programs, classes and clubs for older adults – though all ages are welcome. The Susi Q’s Care Management Department provides free consultation, education and practical resources for vulnerable seniors, enabling them to stay safe, informed and independent. For more information on The Susi Q, the portal to access the best of Laguna’s community resources, visit www.thesusiq.org.

Laguna Beach Community Clinic strengthens its whole-person approach to health care

“In recent months, we’ve expanded our services to offer patients direct access to comprehensive care. A few months ago, the Laguna Beach Community Clinic announced the addition of a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist to our staff, and now I’m excited to introduce our latest staff addition. Pablo Padilla, LMFT joined our staff at the end of the summer as our Licensed Martial Family Therapist,” said Dr. Jorge Rubal, CEO & CMO of Laguna Beach Community Clinic.

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Photos courtesy of LBCC

Pablo Padilla, LMFT

Rubal pointed out that these new services, offered by bilingual professionals onsite, have been in high demand, with appointments quickly filling up.

Padilla works with clinic patients of all ages who are experiencing depression and anxiety, as well as helping youth and teens with behavior disorders. My motto is “Renew yourself by transforming your mind!” said Padilla, who enjoys supporting his patients’ aspirations by working alongside them on improved mental health.

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(L-R) Dr. Jorge Rubal with Pablo Padilla

“With the addition of Pablo, the clinic can better serve our patients and help improve the overall health outcomes of our community,” said Rubal. For more than 50 years, the Laguna Beach Community Clinic has provided residents and workers with a medical home, regardless of their ability to pay.

For more information about the clinic, visit www.lbclinic.org.

Laguna Beach Community Clinic is located at 362 Third St., Laguna Beach.

Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade theme announced

The Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade committee has chosen “Laguna Heritage” as the theme for the 57th Parade on Saturday, March 2, 2024.

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Courtesy of Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade committee

Proudly carrying the Patriots Day banner down Park Avenue

At the October 24 meeting, honorees will be nominated and selected. Prior to that meeting, the public is welcome to submit suggestions for Grand Marshal, Citizen of the Year, Artist of the Year and Athlete of the Year.

The Parade is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and donations are welcome so the community event can continue to march.

To donate, volunteer, enter or advertise in the program, contact Sandi Werthe at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Save the date: Pacific Marine Mammal Center announces big changes to annual fundraiser

Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC) is excited to announce their largest annual fundraising event - SPLASH! Join them on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 5:30-10 p.m. at the Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach. This year’s event has a new look, and a new name: Splash! To provide a more personal and informative experience the event will be limited to just 200 guests.

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Photos courtesy of PMMC

Auction winners at the last annual PMMC fundraiser

During the cocktail reception, guests can step into – and experience – a closer view of PMMC’s world of marine mammal rescue, rehabilitation and release, as well as highlights of their educational programs, medical research, water conservation and ocean advocacy. Their team is excited to work with talented Chefs Leo Bongarra and Maro Molteni at Terra to bring a most delightful dining experience. During dinner, guests will have the opportunity to bid on exclusive and priceless live auction packages – details on these specially curated items will be released closer to the event. The most notable change is the addition of the after-party. Live music and interactive musical entertainment will keep those lucky attendees boasting about their memorable experience. You do not want to miss this event!

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Another happy winner at 2022 fundraiser

“This year, we will be elevating our guests’ experience; our goal is you will leave enlightened and inspired,” said Glenn Gray, CEO, Pacific Marine Mammal Center.

This important annual fundraising event helps PMMC operate and maintain their center, secure the necessary supplies, food, medication and equipment to effectively run their animal care unit, and provide the means to expand their research department and education and outreach programs.

Purchase tables and sponsorships at www.auctria.events/PMMCSplash2023.

Festival of the Arts is located at 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach.

Letters to the Editor

A reasonable pool option

The LBUSD appears singularly focused on approving a $16M expenditure to construct an Olympic-size 50-meter pool, DOUBLING the size of the current shared LBHS/community pool. There are other options that address the needs of students and residents that are HALF THE COST and compatible with the current space.

Some members of district leadership are pushing this effort forward discounting community input, refusing to consider viable options (some put forth by board members), and changing “needs” to fit their predetermined outcome. The district would have you believe there are “a dozen disgruntled neighbors” opposed to this remnant of their massive $150M capital plan that included multi-story parking garages, relocation of tennis courts and oversized administrative facilities.

We believe this is important to every tax-paying resident of the city and have heard from hundreds who share our concerns.

LBUSD originally presented three objectives for aquatic facilities improvements:

1. A pool size to better support water polo home games.

2. The ability to hold two concurrent water polo practices.

3. Allow younger kids’ city recreation league to get home sooner.

There are multiple options to accomplish these goals including improved scheduling as well as a reasonable expansion of the current pool. The district is ONLY evaluating a 40- or 50-meter pool.

The current pool is 25 meters by 25 yards and is the most common size for a neighborhood school like LBHS. Increasing the pool size for the benefit of the water polo programs is a priority for this administration.

We believe that, given the shrinking enrollment of the already smallest district in Orange County, thoughtful spending is in order. The actual needs of the aquatics programs can be met at costs considerably less than what is being promoted.

Some members of the district board insist a 50-meter Olympic-size pool (no high school sport requires an Olympic-size pool) is necessary, based primarily on internal discussions with the school’s aquatic coaches.

Suddenly added “needs” have been included such as THREE concurrent practices and various water polo practice configurations that can only be accomplished with a 50-meter pool. It’s no surprise coaches would ask for the maximum resources for their programs…it’s like asking your kids if they want their allowance doubled!

We look to our elected representatives to measure these “asks” against real demand data, professional non-biased evaluations, industry standards, economic sensibility and spending that has the broadest benefit for ALL students. Water polo is important, but spending $16 million on a narrow band of students, when lower cost options exist, slights the 800 other students of beneficial programs.

A 35-meter pool meets the original objectives of the board at a cost millions of dollars less, with lower operating costs, and with shorter build times where the Park Avenue safety route would be impacted.

To shoehorn a 50-meter pool into the current pool space would be akin to building a residential home with zero setbacks on all sides…it simply doesn’t fit.

While THIS board indicates no CURRENT intent, there is no assurance that an Olympic-size competitive pool will not inevitably draw large events of more than 1,000 people that will strain parking and significantly add to traffic congestion.

Material savings can be achieved by not razing the current bathhouse and it’s quite possible a pool larger than 35M could be constructed without demolishing the bathhouse. To date, the district has refused to even “pencil out” this option.

While we understand that a declining student population may minimally impact the number of student aquatic athletes, we do believe overall spending in a shrinking student population should be carefully considered. Information provided by the school district, city and headcount analytics show the current pool sits empty or underutilized for 75% of available hours.

A sensible expansion to a 35-meter pool and adjusting schedules can easily accommodate ALL reasonable goals of the district and save millions of our tax dollars. This project should not be rushed through without appropriate fiscal oversight – particularly when the city is also moving ahead with a feasibility study for its own modern community pool, that would materially reduce demand at the high school pool.

Gary Kasik

Sensible Laguna

Village Laguna to hold general meeting on September 25

Village Laguna‘s general meeting is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. on Zoom. State Assemblywoman Diane Dixon will discuss how the new ADU laws are working in Laguna Beach.

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Courtesy of Diane Dixon

Assemblywoman Diane Dixon

The state legislature’s recent focus on affordable housing has created something of a building boom in Laguna Beach, which raises serious concerns about the future of the village atmosphere.

Join this conversation about how the new law is working in Laguna and whether there might be a better way to solve the housing problem.

The meeting link is available at https://villagelaguna.org under calendar, or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. All are welcome to attend the Zoom meeting.

JoAnne Artman Gallery presents “Along Comes Mary Too” exhibition

JoAnne Artman Gallery is presenting “Along Comes Mary Too,” an exhibition of new works by Mary Finlayson. A celebration of color, pattern and form, Finlayson’s work has a fresh and unique aesthetic through her use of gouache and vinyl emulsion. Navigating themes of home, memory and self through her still lifes and interiors, her interest in painting interior spaces and still lifes portray how environments reveal identity. The artworks are on display from October 1 through November 30.

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Photos courtesy of JoAnne Artman Gallery

“Sun Room Garden,” gouache on canvas, 40”x48” by Mary Finlayson

Considering interiors as portraits that contain their own narratives, her compositions explore the stories that each space tells about the people who inhabit them. Flattening the perspective of each scene, her still lifes provide a voyeuristic glimpse into each curated space while capsulizing the intimacy of each scene. Energetic lines evoke movement that helps enliven the otherwise stagnant settings and floral arrangements while reduced, simplified forms reveal a complexly structured, distinctive style.

In homage to the iconic works of David Hockney, Henri Matisse and Stuart Davis, Finlayson borrows similar bright color palettes, repetitive patterns and simplified forms. Creating tightly constructed compositions unique to her own style, she combines her backgrounds in printmaking and painting to layer and contrast colors. The creative process includes immense attention to detail and meticulous planning around the composition, as she considers personal attachments and importance of objects, the perspective of each scene and the captured feeling of a space over accurate depiction. Creating environments that are partly real and partly imagined, Finlayson’s ability to craft a story by way of her art is enigmatic.

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“Bookshelf with red chair,” gouache on canvas, 40”x48” by Mary Finlayson

Finlayson lives and works in San Francisco as an artist, teacher and art therapist. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Queen’s University, a Graduate Degree in Art Therapy from the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute and an Arts Education Degree from the University of British Columbia.

JoAnne Artman Gallery is located at 346 N. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. For more information, visit www.joanneartmangallery.com.

This week in Breakers sports

Friday, Sept. 22

7 p.m. – Football vs. Lakeside/Lake Elsinore

Saturday, Sept. 23

TBA – Girls Cross Country at Roy Griak Invitational

TBA – Boys Cross Country at Roy Griak Invitational

Monday, Sept. 25

6:15 p.m. – Girls Flag Football vs. Marina

Tuesday, Sept. 26

3 p.m. – Girls Tennis vs. Los Alamitos

4 p.m. – Boys Water Polo vs. San Clemente

5:45 p.m. – Girls Volleyball vs. Edison

Wednesday, Sept. 27

3:15 p.m. – Boys Water Polo at Newport Harbor

3:30 p.m. – Girls Flag Football at Newport Harbor

3:30 p.m. – Boys Beach Volleyball vs. Capistrano Valley Christian

Thursday, Sept. 28

3 p.m. – Girls Tennis vs. Corona del Mar

5:45 p.m. – Girls Volleyball at Huntington Beach

Friday, Sept. 29

7 p.m. – Football vs. Charter Oak

Saturday, Sept. 30

TBA – Boys Cross Country at Temecula Twilight Invitational

TBA – Girls Cross Country at Temecula Twilight Invitational

10:30 a.m. – Boys Water Polo vs. Carlsbad

Past week’s results

Monday, Sept. 18

Girls Flag Football lost to Huntington Beach, 40-0

Tuesday, Sept. 19

Girls Tennis lost at Corona del Mar, 10-7

Girls Volleyball beat Marina, 3-2

Wednesday, Sept. 20

Boys Water Polo lost to Huntington Beach, 12-8

Girls Flag Football lost to Edison, 46-7

Perfect alignment

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Photo by Scott Brashier

The setting sun reflects almost perfectly off the street’s center stripe

Laguna Food Pantry extends a warm welcome to Concordia College Corp Fellows

Laguna Food Pantry (LFP) is honored to have Edith Osazee and Elize Chavez, two dedicated individuals who are Concordia College Corp Fellows, join their team. College Corps is a California statewide program created to allow students to get involved in their community, earn academic credit and gain professional development opportunities. Osazee and Chavez, both current students at Concordia University in Irvine, will assist in making a positive impact in fighting hunger in Orange County.

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Courtesy of Laguna Food Pantry

(L-R) Edith Osazee and Elize Chavez, Concordia College Corp Fellows join the Laguna Food Pantry team

Osazee, a biology major, is passionate about helping others and chose to work at LFP to be at the frontline of assisting her fellow volunteers and the community. She is motivated by the opportunity to make a positive impact and bring smiles to families’ faces. As a self-described introvert, she is always open to helping others and enjoys listening to problems and finding solutions. Osazee is known for her willingness to assist anyone who asks for help.

Chavez, a mathematics major and music minor, is excited about working at LFP because she wants to strengthen her connection with the community. Last year, she volunteered as an online tutor, but this year, she wanted an opportunity to engage with and help a broader community. As she applies to law schools in the upcoming year, Chavez looks forward to working with and gaining insights from fellow LFP volunteers.

Laguna Food Pantry is open Monday through Friday from 8-10:30 a.m. with a drive-through distribution system. Anyone in need is welcome to visit once a week to pick up free, fresh, nutritious groceries. If you know of anyone in need, please let them know.

To learn more about the Laguna Food Pantry, how to get involved, or ways to donate, visit www.lagunagoodpantry.org. Your donation is greatly appreciated and critical in continuing their mission of ensuring no one goes hungry in our community.

Laguna Live! announces Maiya Sykes to take the stage with Bijon Watson on September 27

Laguna Beach Live! looks forward to the exciting events scheduled for September.

It brings Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Bijon Watson to usher in the fall at [seven degrees].

Zach Churchill at Laguna Beach Library – Tuesdays through November 14

Photos courtesy of Laguna Live!

–Tuesday, September 26, October 3, 10, 7, 24, November 7 and 14, 11:30 a.m.

Live! Music Matters Returns

With thanks to grants from Festival of Arts, Assistance League of Laguna Beach and Laguna Beach Rotary Club, Laguna Live! announced the return of Live! Music Matters, their free interactive music program for children ages up to 6 years with caregiver involvement. The eight weekly sessions, led by local musician Zach Churchill, will run from September 19 through November 14* and will take place at Laguna Beach Library on Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m.

*No session on October 31.

Dates: Tuesdays - September 19, 26; October 3, 10, 17, 24; November 7, 14, Time: 11:30 a.m., Venue: Laguna Beach Library, 363 Glenneyre St., Laguna Beach, Cost: Free.

The Live! Music Matters sessions have been immensely popular with local tots and caregivers alike.

Testimonies from Happy parents:

“Amazing experience for kids and mamas, best part of our Tuesday.”

“We have loved coming every week, our child is only 11 months old, but he has learned how to use the egg shaker and sticks to make a four count!”

“Music class with Zack is the highlight of our week; he has a natural ability to engage with the kids and makes music so much fun.”

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Courtesy of LagunaLive!

Laguna Beach Live! is excited to announce the perfect “End of Summer-Welcome Fall” event: Bijon Watson - September 27

–Wednesday, Sept. 27, 6-8 p.m., doors open at 5 p.m. for drinks and social hour. (Food available to pre-purchase.)

The Soul of Jazz featuring The Laguna Live! All-Stars led by
Grammy Award-winning Trumpeter Bijon Watson

Laguna Live! is excited to announce that powerhouse jazz and blues vocalist, Maiya Sykes, will join Bijon Watson on stage for The Soul of Jazz concert on Wednesday, Sept. 27. Sykes was last seen in Laguna Live!’s crowd-pleaser Shout Hallelujah, when she brought the house down with her magnificent vocals and infectious energy.

Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Watson is a sought after and in-demand lead trumpet player that can be heard on television, in films and award-winning recordings with iconic and world-class artists such as Michael Bublé, Justin Timberlake, Harry Connick Jr., Diana Krall, Arturo Sandoval and Lady Gaga, to name just a few. Laguna Live! is honored to have Watson as their artistic director for jazz and is delighted that he is available to perform after his recent Grammy win.

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Carlos Ordiano

The All Stars:

On tenor sax and flute, Grammy winning writer, producer and performer, Scott Mayo. On guitar the incredible Will Brahm. The astonishing Carlos Ordiano on keys. The outstanding Edwin Livingston on bass and world class drummer Jamey Tate.

Led by Grammy® Award-winning trumpeter Bijon Watson and featuring powerhouse vocalist Maiya Sykes, the Laguna Live! All-Stars will take the audience on a musical journey showcasing the artists that continue to shape, define, and influence Soul and Jazz to this day. Not to be missed!

Venue: [seven degrees] 891 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach

Price: $37.50 in advance, $40 at the door

Tickets for all events are available at www.lagunalive.org, or call 949.715.9713.

R Star Foundation is presented donation

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Courtesy of R Star Foundation

For the 13th year, R Star Foundation based in Laguna Beach, was awarded a gift of $2,557.50 to the San Juan Capistrano Christian Science Church for its outstanding work. R Star Foundation Founder/CEO Rosalind Russell was presented the donation by Carl Symons, church administrator/clerk. This church believes in tithing, and they themselves as a church tithe to 12 recipients a year, voted on by the selection committee. “It is not a given that R Star will be a recipient in any given year, thus this is an honor to be gifted again,” said Russell.

The Plant Man: Gardening can lead to a greater sense of mindfulness

By Steve Kawaratani

“An addiction to gardening is not all bad when you consider all the other choices in life.” –Cora Lea Bell

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Photos courtesy of Steve Kawaratani

Steve Kawaratani

The journey of recovery is often a profound life choice, marked by healing and personal growth. While sobriety begins and flourishes with a dedicated support group, many find that staying sober is by necessity an inside job. The oft-singular act of gardening and caring for plants closely mirrors the steps of recovery and offers a unique bonding with nature within a garden space.

Successful recovery is based on accountability, the foundation of an attainable program, while successful gardening requires a commitment that is established by practice and experience. Defined steps help one replace old habits with healthier choices; the act of growing plants parallels the personal care that must be gifted to oneself and to others.

Gardening represents the aforementioned growth, similar to the steps required for individual change. Planting an Amethyst flower or an Early Girl tomato, and watching it grow into a healthy, flourishing plant is surely symbolic of change and revitalization in one’s life.

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A picturesque sunrise

Gardening may assist an individual towards a greater sense of mindfulness. Gardeners are encouraged to focus on the task at hand, immersing themselves in the art and joy of gardening. Mindfulness is also a key principle of sobriety and life, as it promotes an appreciation for being present. The peace found in the garden can be a powerful remedy to the discontent and irritability often experienced in early recovery.

Like my father, Pete, before me, I find that digging in the soil is fun and therapeutic, an act that can transform stress into a positive activity. And, of course, caring for plants promotes relaxation and a sense of accomplishment. Just for one day at a time, I wish that you might experience the wonder of it all! See you next time.

Steve Kawaratani has been a local guy for seven decades and likes to garden and drive the Baja Peninsula. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 949.494.5141.

Laguna Beach Parents Club planning an online auction to support mom battling breast cancer

Friendships that parents make when their children are young often last a lifetime. And that’s evident of many folks involved with the Laguna Beach Parents Club, who are now gathering to support Allison Sladeck, a parent in need who is now dealing with a cancer diagnosis.

In April, Sladeck, 48, discovered a lump in her breast and was ultimately diagnosed with HER2+ breast cancer.

“I was devastated and scared,” she said. “At first I became an expert in all the terminology, then figured out what was the best (treatment) for me.” At the end of May, she started 12 rounds of chemotherapy, along with taking a targeted drug every three weeks.

Her summer became one of avoiding sun and the ocean as her body’s immune system became vulnerable. Her sons, AJ, age 16 and Jed, age 8, adapted as their once-energetic mom become the first in the family to go to bed at night, sometimes as early as 6 p.m.

“I sleep a lot,” says Sladeck. “I really miss my life.”

She still does an early-morning workout to keep her body active and tries to remain social to keep her spirits up. Her husband, Timothy Glenn, has lost his job in the auto industry, but thankfully is around to help with the kids, said Sladeck.

But there were still many challenges. While she is on Covered California insurance, many items are not covered and deductibles are expensive, said Sladeck. Earlier this summer, the Parents Club created a Meal Train schedule and a GoFundMe campaign to assist their friend.

“We all know Allison personally and she’s done a lot for the club,” said Rachel Rotabi, vice president of the Parents Club.

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Courtesy of Laguna Beach Parents Club

Laguna Beach Parents Club is holding their fundraising online auction from September 24-29 to raise funds for Allison Sladeck as she battles cancer

As Sladeck moves onto the next challenge of her cancer treatment, which includes surgery in early October at UCI Cancer Center, the parents club is hosting a fundraiser to help the family over these new challenges. A silent, online auction will be held from Sunday, Sept. 24 through Friday, Sept. 29.

Many community organizations and businesses have donated services and experiences, valued at more than $15,000, said Rotabi. She credits their support to the fact that many know Sladeck, who has been in the community for a decade, and others just want to help a neighbor in need.

Donations include children’s dance classes, photo sessions, hotel stays and even a voucher for an installation of Christmas lights.

“Many in town know Allison from her many years of involvement with the Laguna Beach Parents Club,” said Jennifer Leonti, also a member of the Parents Club. “I’ve had the pleasure of Allison’s friendship in the big, fun moments of life like snowboarding, group fundraising and girl-gang outings.” But it’s in the quiet moments of friendship that Allison has stepped up, said Leonti.

“A few years back, I shipped my dad’s old car from Southern New Jersey to Southern California. I was stoked to have a piece of him in Laguna Beach and Allison was stoked for me. Without pause, Allison showed up at my house with a pair of fuzzy dice to hang on the rearview mirror. It was something simple but meant a ton to me in the moment I was learning to say goodbye to my dad,” said Leonti.

The diagnosis, chemotherapy and now the upcoming surgery has impacted Sladeck in ways she never imagined.

“It puts everything in your life in perspective,” she said. “You tell everybody you love them and now when I see my friends, I hug them right away. I wasn’t that type of person before all this.”

And the support she’s received has eased her situation, said Sladeck.

“You don’t want attention for this reason, but all the people reaching out and helping is like a silver lining in all of this.”

Information about the auction, which ends September 29, can be found at www.32auctions.com/lbpc.

To contribute items, please reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For more information on the Laguna Beach Parents Club, visit www.lagunabeachparents.com.

Local high schoolers invite community to help clean up our beaches on Saturday, Sept. 23

The Laguna Beach High School Interact Club invites the community to participate in the inaugural Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, Sept. 23 beginning at 9 a.m. at all of the beaches in Laguna…from Crescent Bay to Treasure Island.

The Laguna Beach Interact Club is a local high school club sponsored by the Rotary Club of Laguna Beach. Working in unison with other Interact Clubs throughout Orange County, the local Interact students, led by George Mohammed and Chase Benson, have coordinated with surrounding cities’ high school students to expand this beach cleanup beyond Laguna to clean up a significant portion of Orange County beaches.

Their efforts are supported by Laguna Beach Unified School District Superintendent Jason Viloria, who has suggested that a school board resolution be passed to make this an annual event. Participants in this event include the Laguna Beach Police Department and the Laguna Ocean Foundation, among numerous other groups.

Coastal Cleanup Day on September 23 is being celebrated up and down the California coastline to encourage volunteers to clean up the beaches…so come join in.

Please bring a bag to collect trash and join the students for a walk along the coast, and pitch in to help clean up our beaches and ocean.

If you have any questions, email George Mohammed at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Diana at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Rotary Club car show arrives October 1

Mark your calendars for Sunday, Oct. 1, when the Rotary Club of Laguna Beach presents their 19th Annual Classic Car Show. The event will take place in the city lot across from the Festival of Arts grounds from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.

The car show, which usually attracts more than 125 American and foreign classic cars, will also feature food, beverages, a silent auction and live music.

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Photo by Ward Blackburn

(L-R) Jonny Fotsch with his Sunbeam Tiger, Planning Commissioner Jorg Dubin, Rotarian Nick Clarke, George Nelson (Fawn Memories) with his Tiki bus, Rotarians Mike Mahoney and Julie Hile

Awards will presented in a variety of categories – from American classics to foreign imports, hot rods, muscle cars and more – there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Admission: Adults, $10; under 12, $3; Strollers and Active Duty Military with I.D., free.

To register and for more information, visit www.lagunabeachcarshow.com.

All proceeds from this yearly family event go to support local charities and nonprofits in the form of community grants.

LBCAC celebrates Laguna’s place in the history of Hippiedom with “The Gathering”

The Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center (LBCAC) is looking forward to these upcoming events as summer turns to fall. LBCAC has also added a screening and discussion of the documentary AlphaGo.

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Courtesy of LBCAC

"The Gathering" – from September 22-October 5

–Thursday, Sept. 22-Thursday, Oct. 5

"The Gathering"

“The Gathering” celebrates Laguna Beach’s place in the storied history of hippiedom. From the innocence of youthful artists, musicians and poets seeking enlightenment to the alleged societal crimes of Timothy Leary, the colorful past of our art colony is worth gathering to remember.

–September 22 | Hippie Dance Party

–September 23 | Trevor Green in Concert

–September 24 | The Fantastic Fungi | Film Screening

–October 5 | Hippie Art Show & Closing Night Concert

Concert will be performed by rock virtuoso James Clay Garrison.

Get your tickets today, space is limited, click here.

–Thursday, Oct. 26, 6:30 p.m.

Documentary AlphaGo and discussion of film

AlphaGo is a critically acclaimed 2017 documentary about the AI program that beat the world’s top Go player while 150 million people watched.

Paul Freeman will introduce the film and Jeff Rovner will lead a discussion of the movie – and what AlphaGo suggests about AI and its potential prospects and problems for us.

Freeman, formerly Laguna Beach mayor and a strategy and project management consultant, is a ranked amateur in (and obsessed with) Go. Rovner, a Festival of Arts exhibiting photographer and attorney, is a nationally recognized expert in the application of AI to the practice of law.

Cost is $25. For tickets, click here.

Note that the second-floor Center is not currently ADA-accessible from the street level.

LBCAC has installed a Patriot Air Purification System to ensure a virus free environment.

Grant funding was made possible by the lodging establishments and the City of Laguna Beach.

LBCAC is located at 235 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach.

For tickets and the LBCAC calendar, go to www.lbculturalartscenter.org.

LBCAC has installed a Patriot Air Purification System to ensure a virus-free environment.

Grant funding was made possible by the lodging establishments and the City of Laguna Beach.

Laguna Beach Master Community Calendar

The following are calendar links for regularly scheduled meetings and events in Laguna Beach:

City of Laguna Beach meetings & events calendar

www.lagunabeachcity.net

Laguna Beach Public Library – everything at the library calendar

www.ocpl.org/libraries/laguna-beach

Laguna Beach Unified School District news & events calendar

www.lbusd.org/calendar

Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce community events calendar

www.lagunabeachchamber.org/events/calendar

Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach preschool program announces open enrollment

The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach licensed preschool program is now open for 2023-2024 school year enrollment. The preschool is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., with additional extended daycare available from 12:30-3:30 p.m.

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Photos courtesy of Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach

Learning is fun at the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach

The program provides an opportunity for your child to learn, grow and share in a structured environment, while preparing for kindergarten. Preschoolers cultivate their curiosity, develop language and social skills and learn through the power of play.

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Preschoolers take a field trip to the aquarium

The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach preschool teachers are required to have 24 units of Early Childhood Education/Child Development studies, including core courses and 16 GE units or a Preschool Teacher Permit from the California Commission on Teaching Credentialing.

The program tuition costs $225 per week. For extended care, there is an additional $30 fee per day, or a total fee of $300 a week (including the $225 tuition). Breakfast and lunch are included in the fees. Parents can sign up here.

For more information, contact Jonathan Navarrete, Early Childhood & Family Services Director, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call 949.494.2535, ext. 7812.

The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach serves more than 3,000 youth per day in the Laguna Beach, Lake Forest, Aliso Viejo, and Mission Viejo areas. For more information, visit www.bgclagunabeach.org.

Meet Pet of the Week Ariel

        This sweet black and tan Doberman is super friendly. She’s 2 years old, spayed and is good around other dogs. Ariel will require a home without a lot of stairs as she is missing a real leg. This certainly does not slow her down but sometimes it can make her clumsy. She is a very loving dog.

Nancy Goodwin, shelter director, is hoping to have Ariel adopted as soon as possible.

Courtesy of the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter

Meet Ariel, a loving Doberman waiting for adoption

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, their return rate is 5% as compared to the national return rate of 50%.

The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter is located at 20612 Laguna Canyon Road. Call 949.497.3552, or go to the website for information on adoption procedures, www.puplagunabeach.org/our-pets.php.

Fall Grief Group offered at Laguna Presbyterian Church available to all in the community

Those who love will inevitably experience grief. Have you experienced the loss of a loved one? Do you find yourself sad, confused and isolated, wondering if these feelings will ever end? Everyone experiences grief differently. Some are immobilized by it. Others seem fine initially but are hit by waves of suffering later.   Shock, depression, anger, hopelessness, insomnia, lack of energy and sometimes physical issues are all common.

At any given time, many people in our community may be grieving the loss of a loved one. That is why Laguna Presbyterian Church offers a Grief Group. A Grief Group is a place to engage your grief, to be comforted, find answers and to find your way to hope.

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Courtesy of Laguna Presbyterian Church

(L-R) Rev. Jon Moore, Parish Associate Deborah Sakach and Phyllis Wilson

Laguna Presbyterian’s Grief Group is led by Rev. Jon Moore, Parish Associate Deborah Sakach and Phyllis Wilson. All are experienced with grief, and the Grief Group is open to all members of the community.

The Grief Group begins on Monday, Sept. 25 from 4-5:30 p.m. in the Brides’ Room at Laguna Presbyterian Church, just off the Rose Garden near the fountain. It meets every Monday from September 25-October 23 from 4-5:30 p.m. 

If you are struggling with your grief from a recent loss, or one from several years ago, they invite you to join this group and find your way to hope. There is a $20 materials fee, but scholarships are available.

To register, click here or contact the church office for more information at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or call 949.494.7555.

Laguna Presbyterian Church is located at 415 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach. For more information, visit www.lagunapreschurch.org.

Laguna Art Museum unveils 11th Annual Art & Nature on November 2

Laguna Art Museum (LAM) will present the 11th Annual Art & Nature, an immersive journey into the symbiotic relationship between art and the natural world. The Art & Nature initiative addresses the environmental situation through a creative and unique lens – the artist’s perspective. Beginning November 2, this transformative multidisciplinary event will converge art, science and nature on a grand scale. Art & Nature is the museum’s largest public program of the year, bringing together thousands of participants to foster a love of nature, raise environmental awareness and discover cross-sections between science and the arts.

At the heart of Art & Nature 2023 stands Cristopher Cichocki, the visionary artist whose outdoor installation Rising Inversion will debut at Laguna’s Main Beach on November 2-5. Rising Inversion harnesses oceanic and planetary elements engaging in direct dialogue with the surrounding natural landscape of Laguna Beach. From dawn to dusk, this transformative installation morphs from a sprawling arc of sand and barnacles into a luminescent orb rising over the Pacific shoreline. This synergy encircled within the elements of water and light will illuminate throughout the night in a phosphorescent glow powered from the residual energy of the sun.

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Photo by Lance Gerber

Cristopher Cichocki in his studio

Cichocki is a trailblazing multidisciplinary artist renowned for exploring the cyclical patterns of decay and rejuvenation within the intricate tapestry of human-nature interactions. His trajectory of work spans the realms of painting, land art, sound art and natural science – encompassing eras from ancient oceans to present-day deserts.

“The 11th Annual Art & Nature unites us all in celebrating the profound connections we can make to understanding the natural world through creativity,” said Julie Perlin Lee, executive director of Laguna Art Museum. “As a testament to our museum’s unique heritage as a center for the appreciation of artistic sensibility towards nature, the events of Art & Nature honor our commitment to embracing environmental awareness through contemporary art, our desire to present immersive and though-provoking programming for all and to support bold artistic experimentation to create a better world.”

Art & Nature will include Cichocki’s Circular Dimensions, a multi-sensory audiovisual performance that will activate onto Rising Inversion on the evening of Saturday, Nov. 4. Running concurrently to Rising Inversion from November 2-26, Cichocki will present: Primordial Water, a solo exhibition of the artist’s latest work showcased at Laguna College of Art + Design’s LCAD Gallery located near the museum. Additionally, a new decade of Art & Nature is being ushered in with a dynamic schedule of events including the annual free Family Festival.

Multidisciplinary artist Cichocki encapsulates the cycle of decay and renewal through examining relationships between humankind, the natural world and industrial mutation. The scope of Cichocki’s self-defined New Earth Art underlines the increasingly toxic global environment confronting our planet in the new millennium. Within his site-responsive practice, Cichocki generates new ecosystems configured between organic and synthetic materials and sounds. His aesthetic invokes opposites; the desert is submerged underwater, while macrocosms enter the view of a microscopic lens. All of these elements culminate into Circular Dimensions – Cichocki’s ever-evolving series of audiovisual performances showcased within the framework of live performances and multi-sensory installation environments.

Cichocki attended CalArts and Yale Norfolk School of the Art. Hailing from the Coachella Valley, he has explored the depths of the California desert over the past three decades, while generating exhibitions and performances throughout North America, South America, Asia and Europe that include the Museum of Image & Sound (São Paulo), Biennale Urbana (Venice), Casa França Brasil (Rio de Janeiro), Platforme (Paris), Museum of Photographic Arts (San Diego), Museum of Moving Image (New York) and the Coachella Music and Arts Festival (Indio). His work is held in many permanent and private collections including the J. Paul Getty Museum, Palm Springs Art Museum and Lancaster Museum of Art. In 2014, Cichocki founded the curatorial platform Epicenter Projects that has recently partnered with the Paris-based Fondation LAccolade - Institut de France to create THE ELEMENTAL, a contemporary center for the arts located in Palm Springs focused on building intersections of art, science and environment.

Continuing Laguna Beach’s legacy as a center for the arts, Art & Nature provides a unique opportunity for the Southern California community to come together for a festival of art and ideas, to inspire artists and enhance the appreciation of nature as a place that inspires awareness about the environment we share.

For more information, visit www.lagunaartmuseum.org.

Laguna Art Museum is located at 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach.

Cultural arts announcements and September Sunset Serenades

 The winners of the Juried Fine Art Exhibition will be on display beginning September 25. Don’t miss the September Serenades Series this Friday, Sept. 22 featuring Pacific Opera Project.

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Courtesy of Arts Commission

Winners of Banner Contest

–Banner Winners Announced

The Arts Commission has selected four designs to replace the hand-painted banners displayed in the City Council chambers. Congratulations to Bill Atkins, Carole Boller, Erika Bradberry and Al Esquerra, on having their designs selected. The completed banners will be unveiled and the artists recognized at an upcoming City Council meeting.

This program is funded by the lodging establishments and City of Laguna Beach.

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Photo by Scott Brashier

Heisler Park was thoroughly rocked last Friday evening by Lead Singer/Guitarist Brad Wilson and his band playing the classic rock songs that we all grew up to and loved

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Photo by Scott Brashier

A beautiful evening for Brad Wilson’s concert on September 15

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Photo by Scott Brashier 

Fun was had by all, and it was hard to not want to get up and dance!

–Sunset Serenades, 5:30-7 p.m.

–September 22 – Pacific Opera Project

Fridays in September

Heisler Park Amphitheater

Come enjoy free live music performances Friday evenings in September at the Heisler Park Amphitheater featuring:

–September 29 – Las Colibri (Mariachi)

–October 6 – Pacific Symphony

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Las Colibri performs on September 29 at Heisler Park

Call for artists:

–Holiday Palette Competition

Deadline: October 2

Honorarium: $700

For details on competitions, click here.

–Artistic Innovation Grants for Artists

Deadline: October 9

Grant amounts: $5,000-$20,000

–Children’s Holiday Palette Exhibition

Deadline: November 20

The Arts Commission invites artists to apply for its exhibitions, grants and programs. These programs are funded by the lodging establishments and City of Laguna Beach.

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Photos courtesy of City of Laguna Beach

Melody Nuñez, “Motherhood: VOID,” 2022 Juried Fine Art - First Place

The deadline for the annual Juried Fine Art exhibition has passed. Elected works of the Juried Fine Art exhibition will be displayed at Laguna Beach City Hall from September 25 through November 16.

This program is funded by the lodging establishments and City of Laguna Beach.

LPAPA’s 25th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational Catalog Art Show continues at the gallery

LPAPA’s 25th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Invitational Catalog Art Show opened online with a virtual gallery Art Catalog and silent Preview Auction, showcasing original works created en plein air and in studio by their invited Artists and Founding Members.

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Courtesy of LPAPA

The show opened on September 7 during Art Walk

The show opened at the LPAPA Gallery on Thursday, Sept. 7 and continues through Monday, Oct. 16, with artwork that was unsold at the auction still available for purchase, at the full gallery price.

The Catalog Art Show represents a showcase painting from each of the 35 Invitational Artists participating in LPAPA’s 25th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational plus a showcase painting from each of LPAPA’s Founding Members for their Silver Anniversary celebration. The art will be featured in this year’s published Invitational Art Catalog (2023 Collectors Gala guests, Catalog Art collectors and auction winners will receive a complimentary copy of the printed catalog).

Proceeds generated through the sale of artwork supports the artists and the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association (LPAPA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit art organization.

The 25th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational will be presented October 7-15 with the Annual Collectors Gala on Saturday, Oct. 14. Learn more about the Invitational here.

The LPAPA Gallery is located at 414 North Coast Highway on Gallery Row between Jasmine and Myrtle streets. Gallery hours are Thursday through Monday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and by appointment.

Sawdust Art Festival classes for September and October

Although the Sawdust Art Festival has concluded for the year, there are still classes being offered.

–Saturday, Sept. 30, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

–Sunday, Oct. 1, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

–Saturday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

–Sunday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Glassblowing

Encounter the magic of glassblowing with one of their master Sawdust glassblowers! In this truly unique experience, you will be taken through the glassblowing process step-by-step in their famous glass demo booth. You will receive individual, one-on-one instruction to create a beautiful piece of artwork.

They are happy to accommodate another day/time during the week. Please reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to coordinate.

Cost: $300

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Photos courtesy of Sawdust Festival

Pottery Wheel Experience, September 16 and 30

–Saturday, Sept. 30, 1 p.m.

Pottery Wheel Experience with Robert Jones

Robert Jones will take students through the process step-by-step, allowing them to gain confidence so that, with his help, attendees will make their own pottery pieces on the wheel. Each student will make approximately three to four pieces that he will then fire and glaze in his own studio so that you will end up with a beautifully glazed mug or bowl which you can truly call your own. Please note, the firing and glazing time will take approximately three to four weeks before pieces are ready to collect. If you wish your items to be mailed, there will be an additional cost to cover postage and packing.

Absolutely no experience is necessary to take this class, however closed-toe shoes and casual, comfortable clothing is recommended. All materials are included in the cost.

Cost: $100. To register, click here.

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Intro to Mosaic Art, October 7 and 14

–Saturday, Oct. 7 and 14, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Intro to Mosaic Art with Ron Shearer

A two-day workshop over two weekends.

The ancient art of mosaics is one of the most beautiful and oldest in the history of mankind. Working closely with Ron Shearer, participants will create a mosaic that not only will they be proud to display, the class will open a whole new world of creativity where participants can easily continue on your own. Step-by-step, Shearer will take you through the process of design, materials, cutting techniques and then carefully guide you through the application, initially using glue for positioning. You’ll have a little bit of fun “homework” to do between classes. When you return to the second workshop, you can really focus on the fine details and finishing your artwork. A wonderful, informative and creative workshop, and one that Sawdust has had many requests for. This workshop is suitable for absolute beginners or those who want to fine-tune their skills. All materials are provided including supplies from WitsEnd Mosaics.

Cost: $350 per student, which is fully inclusive of six hours of intensive tuition over two weekends, and all materials including a pair of nippers that you can keep, mosaic glass tiles, design and backing board. Maximum 10 students per class – if you are a larger group, contact the Sawdust directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

To register, click here.

LAM adds more to the great line-up for October and announces 11th Annual Art & Nature

Many exciting exhibitions are on view at Laguna Art Museum (LAM) and the museum has added more public programs, including a talk by costume designer Holly Poe Durbin about fashion history and an interactive event by Third Street Writers. The opening of the 11th Annual Art & Nature on November 2 is a highly anticipated event.

–Laguna Art Museum unveils 11th Annual Art & Nature on November 2

Laguna Art Museum (LAM) will present the 11th Annual Art & Nature, an immersive journey into the symbiotic relationship between art and the natural world. The Art & Nature initiative addresses the environmental situation through a creative and unique lens – the artist’s perspective. Beginning November 2, this transformative multidisciplinary event will converge art, science and nature on a grand scale. Art & Nature is the museum’s largest public program of the year, bringing together thousands of participants to foster a love of nature, raise environmental awareness and discover cross-sections between science and the arts.

–October 14, 2023-January 7, 2024

Breaking the Rules: Paul Wonner and Theophilus Brown

Laguna Art Museum (LAM) announces Breaking the Rules: Paul Wonner and Theophilus Brown, on view from October 14, 2023, through January 7, 2024. This remarkable showcase pays tribute to the pioneering artists Paul Wonner and Theophilus Brown, renowned for their contributions to Bay Area Figuration. Throughout their artistic journeys, they fearlessly explored new styles and subjects, from captivating landscapes featuring classic bathers to Baroque-inspired still lifes adorned with everyday objects, animals and flowers. Breaking the Rules is an immersive experience with a rich collection of 75 paintings, watercolors and drawings, offering an in-depth exploration of these trailblazing artists’ exceptional talents.

New exhibition is now open and runs through September 30

–Continues through September 30

Brand Spanking New: Freshly acquired Artwork at LAM

Though Laguna Art Museum traces its roots back to 1918, it did not begin developing a permanent art collection until 1940. Today, the collection spans nearly every historical period of California art from 1835 until present day. This exhibition of 14 recently acquired artworks expresses unabashedly Californian ideas including excess, optimism, irreverence and perfection. Many embrace experimentation, environmentalism and social change.

Artworks are by Joseph Birren, Elanor Colburn, Albert Contreras, Scot Heywood, Sandow Birk, Don Bachardy, Tom Wudi, John Baldessari, William Griffith, Buena Johnson, Edward & Nancy Reddin Kienholz, Francis De Erdely, William Wendt and Gunnar Widfoss.

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Storytime Saturday - September 23

–Saturday, Sept. 23, 11 a.m.

Storytime Saturday

Bring your little ones to Laguna Art Museum for an interactive storytime and art-making experience unlike any other. Read-alouds will be supplemented with mindfulness exercises, art-making projects, or in-gallery activities that promote meaningful connections with caregivers and others.

This Month’s Session

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, kids will engage in a read aloud and art-making activity featuring El Cucuy Is Scared, Too!, written by Donna Barba Higuera and illustrated by Juliana Perdomo.

Cost: Museum members: $7, Non-members: $14

All children receive free admission. Tickets are required for accompanying adults only. For tickets, click here.

Third Street Writers: Paint a Picture with Words - September 23

–Saturday, Sept. 23, 6 p.m.

Third Street Writers: Paint a Picture with Words

Third Street Writers is proud to present an ekphrastic writing workshop on the work of Joseph Kleitsch. As well as an exclusive tour of the current Laguna Art Museum exhibit of Kleitsch’s work, they will guide you through techniques and approaches to creative writing about art, whether as poetry, prose, or personal essay. In this intensive but supportive environment, their goal is for you to come away with an original work of literature centered on your responses to the work of this important American artist. After the workshop, they invite all participants to join an open mic. Writing supplies provided.

Please arrive early to enjoy the museum’s exhibitions, social time and light refreshments.

Advance tickets are recommended. Laguna Art Museum members: $20 per person, Non-members: $30 per person. For tickets, click here.

Holly Poe Durbin - September 14

–Sunday, Sept. 24, 11 a.m.

Fashion History with Costume with Holly Poe Durbin

Costume designer Holly Poe Durbin takes us back in time through an exploration of fashion history inspired by the closing exhibition Joseph Kleitsch: At Home and Abroad in Old Laguna.

Although his landscapes preserve California in its historic state, the people in Kleitsch’s paintings wear fashions that capture the rush toward Modern California. Joseph Kleitsch’s career spanned roughly 1907-1931, recording the very years that modernism emerged and setting the stage for California to become a defining force in American fashion. This gallery talk will highlight fashions from the paintings and use real examples to explore these important years.

Advance tickets recommended. Laguna Art Museum: $20 per person,

Non-members: $30 per person. For tickets, click here.

For more information about Laguna Art Museum exhibitions and programming, visit www.lagunaartmuseum.org.

Laguna Art Museum is located at 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach.

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.