LAGUNA’S GO-TO DESTINATION FOR GROCERIES, DINING, FITNESS, WELLNESS AND MORE
PAVILIONS
REUNION KITCHEN
ASADA
JAN’S HEALTH BAR
ISLAND DENTISTRY
GRAZIE GRAZIE PIZZERIA
ENDLESS QUEST ROASTERS
BOAT CANYON WELLNESS COLLECTIVE
• LIVEMETTA YOGA + PILATES
• KENSHO FITNESS
• INSPIRING MOTION
• LAGUNA BEACH AESTHETICS
SERENITY SKINCARE
EMBODI WORKS
HEALING ARTS
THOMPSON THERAPY
MY HAPPY PLACE
SKINDRIP AESTHETICS
SKINCARE LOVE
KC AESTHETICS
META BROW STUDIO (ONE SUITE AVAILABLE)
+ INDIVIDUAL WELLNESS PRACTITIONERS
Halloween Walk (Continued from page 1)
The Laguna Beach Parents Club’s 13th Annual Halloween Walk took place on Wednesday, Oct. 23 from 4 to 6 p.m. Families and children gathered at Main Beach in Laguna Beach to kick off the spooky season with kid-friendly Halloween fun.
The fun-filled event invited kids and their parents to dress up in their favorite costumes and parade through the heart of Laguna Beach. Local families met at the Main Beach cobblestones and gathered in groups organized by their kids’ birth years, then trick or treated around the shops and restaurants on Forest Avenue. The celebration didn’t end with the parade. The procession turned right onto 2nd Street, walked through the Laguna Beach Presbyterian Church courtyard and ended at the church parking lot on 3rd Street with a lively after-party. Families enjoyed a variety of activities, including barbecue, shaved ice, face painting, games and other kids activities, interactive trucks and police car display, giveaways and free family photos. The event was an opportunity for local families to connect, celebrate and make memories.
mane, Ricki the dog seems indifferent. Spencer Grant/LB Indy
theindypoll
THIS WEEK’S QUESTION: Do you plan on voting in the upcoming election? Yes or No
LAST WEEK’S QUESTION: Do you support the Aliso Creek Estuary Restoration Project?
| 17.5% (33 votes)
Left to right: Hauen Schneider, right, distributes favors outside Melrose Place; At the door of her art gallery, Jackie Whitney has treats for Kai Lichtenberg dressed as a taco and brother Kai dressed as a mushroom. Wearing a lion’s
TOWN CRIER
IN AND AROUND LAGUNA BEACH
Notes for Hope Concert to Benefit Friendship Shelter
More than 100 people attended a concert arranged by local Boy Scout and high school student Sam Sweeney on Oct. 26. With the $2,700 (and counting) that was raised from the performance, Sweeney plans to buy and build outdoor furniture for Friendship Shelter as part of his Eagle Scout project. Needed communal items will also be purchased with the proceeds.
November Art Start at Hotel Laguna
Come enjoy autumn colors at an art reception at Hotel Laguna on Thursday, Nov. 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. This month’s featured artists are Michelle Burt, Rob Gage and Amy Hammond. Saxophonist Jake Brown will provide lively music to enjoy while mingling with the art and enjoying a glass of
wine. The reception will open from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by the Art Walk from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information, visit firstthursdaysartwalk.org.
Women’s Rally at Main Beach
The Laguna Beach Democratic Club will host a Women’s Rally at Main Beach on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Attendees of all political stripes and genders are invited to attend. It is part of a nationwide
Women’s March event day to call attention to the rights of women.
“This gathering is intended to send a loud message that we are not going back in terms of bodily autonomy, equal pay, and general respect for our gender,” said Club Chair Peggy Wolff. “What happens in 2024 and the four years to follow will set the foundation for the next four to five decades. We are intently focused on electing Kamala Harris and Tim Walz as the path to
avoid a potentially dystopian fate for our daughters and sons. The Women’s March is leading the charge to build a feminist, multi-racial democracy that serves us all.”
Rallygoers may bring signs or make their own at the event. Signs or flags with poles or sticks are not permitted. Bring water bottles, sunscreen, and loud voices.
The Laguna Beach Democratic Club’s temporary campaign headquarters at 580 Broadway, Suite 204, will remain open through Election Day. Approximate hours are 11 am to 6 pm. Yard signs are available for Harris-Walz, Sen. Dave Min, and Laguna Beach Democratic Clubrecommended city council candidates Hallie Jones and Bob Whalen. To get to the headquarters suite, enter the open-air parking garage to access stairs to the second floor.
A Talk on Healing and the Science of Christianity
The Laguna Beach Christian Science church is hosting a free lecture by Nikki O’Hagan, a full-time Christian Science practitioner from County
Laguna Beach Democratic Club Voter Guide
Left to right: OCSA students Thomas Song, James McKibben, Sam Sweeney and Ashwin Desai performing at “Notes for Hope: A Concert to Benefit Friendship Shelter” on Oct. 26. Submitted photo
Protecting Laguna Beach from the Suppression of Dissent
Laguna Beach has long been a community where diverse opinions, creativity, and civic engagement have thrived. Our ability to come together and openly discuss differing viewpoints is one of the cornerstones of our local democracy. However, I have noticed an unsettling trend in which some leaders and groups dismiss dissenting opinions by characterizing them as mere grievances. Whether intentional or not, this practice serves to sideline valid concerns and delegitimize the voices of those who disagree. While this may appear to simplify decision-making, it represents a dangerous shift that risks concentrating power in the hands of a few and stifling healthy debate.
When leadership dismisses legitimate concerns as grievances, it creates a culture where certain groups are marginalized, and important feedback is ignored. This is not just
about managing opposition; it’s about weakening the democratic process by avoiding accountability and transparency. Healthy dissent is vital for ensuring that all voices are heard and the best solutions for our community are found. Without it, we risk moving toward authoritarian-style governance, where decisions are made in isolation and without regard for public input.
I want to caution those who engage in this dismissive behavior: you may be risking your reputation by labeling dissent as a grievance. The people will eventually push back as the community inevitably begins to suffer under this concentrated power. This resistance may already be building in this election cycle as more residents recognize the need for change and the importance of electing leaders willing to challenge the status quo and listen to all viewpoints. Laguna Beach is at a crossroads. We must decide whether we want a government that listens to all its citizens
and encourages open dialogue or silences opposition in favor of control. I believe the community is beginning to demand a return to true democratic principles—where leadership is accountable to the people, and debate is welcomed, not suppressed. This election offers a critical opportunity for voters to send a message that we value transparency, inclusivity, and the free exchange of ideas. I encourage everyone to support candidates like Judie Mancuso, who has extensive experience at the state capitol, navigating the difficult culture of dealing with lobbyists representing powerful special interests. Judie is the political wrangler, and we need to call out the dismissive behavior of labeling dissent as grievances. She will work toward restoring the health of our democratic processes and set an example of ethical governance.
CITY HALL MEETINGS: Nov. 4 - Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Committee at 6 p.m. | Nov. 6 - Administrative Design Review Meeting at 3 p.m
HOW TO CONTACT THE CITY COUNCIL:
Sue Kempf Mayor skempf@ lagunabeachcity.net
Alex Rounaghi MayorProTem arounaghi@ lagunabeachcity.net
George Weiss Council member gweiss@ lagunabeachcity.net
Bob Whalen Council member bwhalen@ lagunabeachcity.net
Mark Orgill Council member morgill@ lagunabeachcity.net
Ann Marie McKay CityClerk amckay@ lagunabeachcity.net
Laura Parisi CityTreasurer lparisi@ lagunabeachcity.net
PUBLISHER
Steve T. Strickbine
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Nadine Johnson
EDITORIAL
MANAGING EDITOR
Clara Beard clara@firebrandmediainc.com
DESIGN
DESIGN DIRECTOR
Tracy Powell tracy@firebrandmediainc.com
SALES
ADVERTISING SALES TEAM
Carol Josepher Adrienne Kruse
Joe Rafael
Mara Hertel
PRODUCTION
PRODUCTION MANAGER
• see LETTERS page 14 PUBLISHED BY
DESIGN REVIEW BOARD | SECOND AND FOURTH THURSDAYS, 5 PM LOUIS WEIL: lweil@lagunabeachcity.net | KRISTINE THALMAN: kthalman@lagunabeachcity.net | DON SHERIDAN: dsheridan@ lagunabeachcity.net | JESSICA GANNON: jgannon@lagunabeachcity.ne | TOM GIBBS: tgibbs@lagunabeachcity.net
PLANNING COMMISSION | FIRST AND THIRD WEDNESDAYS, 6 PM STEVEN KELLENBERG, steve@kellenbergstudio.com | KEN SADLER: 616-0517, ken.sadler@cox.net | JORG DUBIN: 497-2618, jdubinart@ cox.net | STEVE GOLDMAN: 203-554-2290, steveg415@ymail.com | SUSAN McLINTOCK WHITIN: 838-6317, whitinsusan@gmail.com
OTHER ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES:
REP. KATIE PORTER, 1113 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515, 202-225-2415
FIFTH DISTRICT SUPERVISOR KATRINA FOLEY, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, CA 92701, 714-834-3550, lisa.bartlett@ocgov.com
OUR LETTER POLICY
Letters strengthen community ties and provide a community forum open to all. Due to space constraints we ask letter writers to limit their topics to local concerns, make their submissions exclusive to the Indy alone and be of 400 words or less. Letters should be submitted by Tuesday, 5 p.m. They may be edited for clarity, length or appropriateness as needed. We decline to publish letters that we perceive as personal attacks, even of public figures. We strive for civil discourse over ideas and issues, not personalities. Letter writers must supply their name and contact information. Published letters will only use the writer’s name and city of residence. E-mail letters
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MAILING ADDRESS: 900 Glenneyre St., Suite B Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Re-Elect George Weiss –The Only Candidate Dedicated To Serving Residents First First
“George is the only Council member who alerts the public of questionable issues that involve taxpayer dollars. His vigilance was key to saving the library.”
– Dr. Vicki Crowe
“I support George because he is the only city council member who does not come to the meeting with his mind already made up.”
– Ted Recas
“Mr. Weiss provides much-needed transparency and is always scrupulously fact based. He calls out questionable city decisions and names names when necessary. He’s a great civic role model.”
– Charlie Zender, UCI Professor
georgeweisscitycouncil.org
“I can see why certain Council members are desperately trying to get rid of George Weiss. He’s the only one opposed to unbridled development, more tourism and increased spending on their pet projects.”
– Jerome Pudwill
“George represents the residents of Laguna. He is slow growth. He is fiscally responsible, and he looks you in the eye. What a concept. He wants your vote along with your opinions.”
– Mace Morse
schools & sports
FALL SPORTS UPDATE
CROSS COUNTRY
Girls ran a competitive run at the Mt SAC Invitational at Mt. San Antonio College last weekend, finishing 51st among the 323 teams competing. Hayden Joseph was the top runner for Laguna with a 20:12 mark on the 3-mile course. The Boys also competed with Zachary Menter, the top competitor for the Breakers, with an 18:46 course time for the 3-mile run. League finals are next Wednesday at Carbon Canyon. For more information, see Girls XCC at lbxc.org and Boys XCC at lagunabeachcrosscountry.com.
FOOTBALL (8-1, 8-1)
It was a tale of two halves as the Breakers awoke in the second half to stun the previously undefeated Dolphins before an overflow crowd at the 68th homecoming game at
Guyer Field last Friday night.
Laguna took the opening kickoff and stalled after a 54-yard drive on downs deep in Dana territory. The Dolphins marched back downfield on a time-consuming drive for 12 plays before Jack Hooper came up with an interception on the Breaker 15. Laguna went nowhere, and Redmond Chesley nailed a tremendous 55-yard punt in the period’s final seconds.
In the second quarter, Dana had no trouble marching down the field and scoring, but the ensuing kickoff gave Laguna their only first-half highlight as Charlie Hunt dashed the sideline 82 yards for the points. Dana added their second touchdown with an 8-play drive, and Laguna’s last possession of the half lasted seven plays for a net of 4 yards. Breakers kicked off for the second half and a Dana fumble put the
• see SPORTS page 28
Love One Another Club Debuts at Laguna Beach High School
BY CLARA BEARD | LB INDY
Under the wing of Just Gather, Laguna Beach’s holistic wellness digital detox nonprofit, Laguna Beach High School has launched the Love One Another Club, designed to cultivate a culture of encouragement, diversity, inclusion and authenticity on campus.
Zoe Bartels, a current LBHS student and star gymnast, has named the club and has taken the helm.
“I feel the Love One Another Club is going to have a huge impact at LBHS,” recent graduate and Just Gather advisory board member Whitney Wineforder said. “I wish it had been there for me. With Zoe Bartels as the leader, I know the club is going to be fun, inclusive and kind. Plus, she sparkles like the glitter hearts and stars we share.”
The club offers love-spreading opportunities and tech-fast breaks for students feeling overwhelmed by
academic loads and screen use. The Love One Another Club invites all students to its first meeting on Friday, Nov. 15.
The club will offer mindful self-care activities each month. Some activities include making gratitude bracelets, positive affirmation hearts, random acts of kindness, thank-you notes and gratitude gifts. Plans are being made for future visual art contests, positive social
impact campaigns, and environmental stewardship. The nonprofit will provide community service hours for participation.
Just Gather’s mission is to promote mental wellness and positive mindsets in youth and families. Its goal is to make Laguna Beach a wellness pilot for the nation, using the arts, nature and gratitude as bridges to inner peace.
All LBHS students are invited to join the Love One Another club and Just Gather. In September, Wineforder joined the team as a music lead. On Nov. 16, she will perform her LBHSinspired song “Hide” for Kindness Day at Main Beach. To encourage student leadership, Just Gather welcomes more young people to join its advisory board. To learn more about the nonprofit and the new club, visit Just Gather’s table at the Laguna Beach Farmer’s Market on Nov. 2 and Nov. 9 or visit justgatherwellness.org.
LAGUNA SPORTS UPDATE | BY FRANK ARONOFF | LB INDY
LBHS student Zoe Bartels and Just Gather advisory board member Whitney Wineforder. Photo courtesy of Just Gather
Breaker Defense: Leo Adjemian and Wyatt Degner stop the Dolphins last Friday night while Fletcher Liao, Bob Gardner and Grant Regal look on. Photo by Debbie Vellmure
Friday Night Stars: Big plays from Jack Hooper (above) and Charlie Hunt (below) helped lift Laguna to a dramatic win over Dana Hills. Photo courtesy of Laguna Football.
“Chris
- Sally, Laguna Beach
street beat
FROM POLICE BLOGS
Thursday, Oct. 24
Sexual intent with a minor. A 34-yearold Santa Ana man was arrested on suspicion of contacting a minor with sexual intent, intent to seduce a minor, arranging a meeting with a minor and forging or altering vehicle registration. His bail was set at $140,500.
Failure to appear. A 58-year-old Laguna Beach man was arrested on suspicion of failure to appear on a misdemeanor charge. He was held without bail.
Receiving stolen property. A 45-yearold Laguna Beach man was arrested on suspicion of receiving known stolen property. His bail was set at $500 bail.
DUI. A 46-year-old San Diego man was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. His bail was set at $2,500.
Reckless driving. A 27-year-old Lake Forest man was arrested on suspicion of reckless driving on the highway and carrying a loaded firearm on a person in a public place. His bail was set at $1,000.
Friday, Oct. 25
DUI. A 53-year-old Dana Point man was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and blowing on or over 0.08 percent BAC. His bail was set at $20,000.
Obstruction. A 52-year-old Laguna Beach man was arrested on suspicion of obstructing a peace officer, an outstanding bench warrant, possessing a controlled substance, drunk driving and possessing a controlled substance without a prescription. His bail was set at $4,500.
Saturday, Oct. 26
Bench warrant. A 59-year-old Placentia man was arrested on suspicion of an outstanding bench warrant. His bail was set at $2,500.
Domestic violence. A 49-year-old Laguna Beach man was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence with minor injury. His bail was set at $50,000.
Sunday, Oct. 27
Bench warrant, possession of unlawful paraphernalia. A 25-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of an outstanding bench warrant and possession of unlawful paraphernalia. His bail was set at $1,500.
HOWARD
Proven Public Service Experience and Competence
Proven Compassion for Kids, Families, School Community
POSITIVE
CHANGE MEANS A NEW BEGINNING FOR NEW SCHOOL BOARD
• Empowering kids to thrive in safe schools
• Enhance civic competence in School Board proceedings
• Invest in modernized facilities for current and future students
• Set new standard of fairness and transparency for students, parents, taxpayers, public
• Continue what succeeds, change instead of defending what has not succeeded
• Diversity of experience and occupations on Board to better represent diverse community
- Hosted LBHS Model UN Team, State Department, Washington DC
- LBHS Scholarship Foundation Donor
- LBHS Drama Department Donor
- School Power Donor
- LBHS Girls Soccer Team Boosters
- Thurston Middle School Surf Team Boosters
- Parent Escort-Thurston Middle School Catalina Marine Science Program
- Thurston Middle School Career Day Speaker
BY
Crime Stats in Laguna Beach
We’ve seen several discussions (and even a Reddit chart) about crime data in Laguna Beach. We wanted to take some time to provide more transparency on this important subject. This topic is often misunderstood, leading to misinformation. We hope our article here will provide clarity.
First, there’s been a change nationwide and in California regarding crime reporting. The old way, pre-2021, was called the Summary Reporting System (SRS) within the Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. It included this interesting practice: If one incident involved multiple criminal charges, only
Re-Elect
the most serious charge was included as the crime. The new system, the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), requires reporting and classifying all crimes that may have occurred within that single incident.
Second, NIBRS has taken a while to be universally used. By 2022, in California, just 68% of the state’s reporting entities were reporting under NIBRS. Laguna Beach was part of the lagging 32%. We moved to NIBRS as of Oct. 1, with the implementation of a new records management system linked with a new computer-aided dispatch (CAD) system. The CAD’s implementation is still underway. The new CAD system will have a user interface that allows the public to see the general location of a crime. We hope to launch the user interface online by summer of 2026.
Third, and this is pretty important, we should talk about the process of reporting crime stats to the State and
P FOR SCHOOL BOARD 2024 Jan VICKERS
to the US Department of Justice. Let’s take the category of “aggravated assaults” (which are classified as violent crimes). The State’s website reports 88 aggravated assault cases for our community in 2023 - but our internal review confirms only 19 cases meet the criteria. As noted by our in-house police records expert, “this discrepancy arises from differences in our reporting and classification processes. When we submit data to the State, incidents are reported based on broad, preliminary classifications. For example, an incident may initially be categorized as aggravated assault based on available information. The State then aggregates these preliminary classifications, leading to the higher numbers displayed on their public website. Internally, we conduct a more detailed review after investigations are completed, which can result in reclassifying some cases.”
Here’s a brief example of our internal review and reclassification of crimes, specifically the crime of aggravated assault. In March of 2023, Laguna Beach police officers completed a vandalism investigation involving a suspect throwing rocks at the passenger side of three separate vehicles while he was walking on Laguna Canyon Road. The suspect was arrested for felony vandalism and throwing an object (rocks) at a moving vehicle. In an interview with the suspect, he stated he threw the rocks at the vehicles because they were coming close to him. The department reported three aggravated assaults to the Department of Justice and after the internal review, it was reclassified as a felony vandalism and not three aggravated assaults.
Ideally, and like the three reclassifications noted above, we’d be able to verify historical UCR data to see how many of the 88 cases reported to the State in 2023 should not have been counted in that manner. Still, the US Department of Justice shut down one of its UCR database systems in March 2023. As such, we no longer have access to any historical UCR data submitted prior to that time.
This will not be an issue moving
forward under NIBRS for 2024, but it is an issue for the 2023 data. Again, according to our records expert, “As a result (of our inability to go back and review UCR data after the database closure), the public may continue to see higher numbers on the State’s website for earlier periods, while our internal records reflect a more accurate and precise count.”
Lastly, per capita comparisons can mislead. Just like we don’t have a police department meant for 23,000 residents (we staff for 6.5 plus million annual visitors, too), our crime stats won’t look like the stats of places with (arguably) near-constant populations of 23,000 people (such as, say, Oakdale, Calif. or Granite Bay, Calif.).
This is why the US FBI said this about UCR data (prior to NIBRS): “(this is) sometimes used to compile rankings of individual jurisdictions. These incomplete analyses have often created misleading perceptions that adversely affect geographic entities and their residents. For this reason, the FBI has a long-standing policy against ranking participating law enforcement agencies based on crime data alone. Despite repeated warnings against these practices, some data users continue to challenge and misunderstand this position. Data users should not rank locales because many factors cause the nature and type of crime to vary from place to place. UCR statistics include only jurisdictional population figures along with reported crime, clearance, or arrest data. Rankings ignore the uniqueness of each locale.”
We’ll close by saying this: We have an advanced, thoughtful, well-trained police department with top-tier staff. We use best practices to address crime and quality of life issues at all levels. Yes, we may see more incidents here given our visitor population, but we’re equipped to handle it. The Laguna Beach public should feel confident that “we’ve got you covered” in what is and has been a very safe community. Your understanding of these issues is important to us, so if you have any questions about what we’ve presented here, please ask. We’re happy to discuss this issue further.
LETTER TO THE COMMUNITY
LAGUNA BEACH CITY MANAGER DAVE KIFF AND POLICE CHIEF JEFF CALVERT
A third-generation Laguna native... Bringing solutions-oriented leadership to protect the town we love.
n Preserve our open space and beaches and build climate resiliency.
n Encourage smart development that protects our viewsheds and the character of our town
n Support what makes our community special: our people, our natural environment, and our local artists.
Backed by our community and supported by Laguna’s leaders and first responders, Hallie has been endorsed by four sitting Councilmembers, Supervisor Katrina Foley, the Sierra Club, Laguna Beach Firefighters and more. From
Endorsed by the Sierra Club
Endorsed by Laguna Beach Firefighters
• LETTERS
Cont. from page 6
It’s time to break from the culture of suppressing dissent and to elect leaders who truly serve the people.
Mike Marriner Sr., Laguna Beach
Weiss Looks After Residents
I’d like to share my appreciation for George Weiss’s stewardship of our tax dollars. I’ve been impressed that George consistently raises questions about whether the expensive projects too easily proposed by the council will benefit the residents and be worth the cost. An example was the issue of the downtown library, which multiple council members wanted to sell. In 2017, before George’s 2020 election to council, the city created conceptual plans to replace the library with a parking structure to accommodate 100 cars instead. A video of the 2022 City Council Strategic Planning Session was recorded, and then-Councilman Peter Blake stated that the library could be moved elsewhere so that the location could be a parking garage. George alerted the residents to the issue and spearheaded the groundswell of public support that saved the library for future
generations. I’m not sure how some of these crazy ideas have gotten started, but I’m grateful that George is there to protect our interests. I hope Laguna residents will consider him worthy of their vote in this coming election.
Susan Skinner, Laguna Beach
Response to Monda
Mr. Monda has asked me for proof that there is antisemitism on the political right. There are many instances, but I would refer him to an article in The Atlantic (Sept. 23, 2024), “The AntiSemitic Revolution on the American Right,” written by Yair Rosenberg. Among many examples, this article describes Tucker Carlson hosting Darryl Cooper and their discussion of how Hitler might have gotten a bad rap and why Winston Churchill was the chief villain of WWII. Perhaps Mr. Monda has forgotten about the Unite the Right march in Charlottesville, in which marchers chanted, “Jews will not replace us.” Another example would be Trump’s dinner with Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes. Beyond the issue of antisemitism is the one of hate speech.
LAUREN BOECK LAUREN BOECK
FOR LBUSD SCHOOL BOARD FOR LBUSD SCHOOL BOARD
All we have to do is listen to Trump’s rallies to hear him speaking like Hitler. Trump talks about immigrants “poisoning the blood of our country” and about using the justice department and the military to punish anyone who disagrees with him or mass roundups of suspicious people. In my original letter, I pointed out that Congressmember Elise Stefanik was eager to attack antisemitism at universities as part of a right-wing crusade against intellectuals whose facts make it more difficult for Trump and Stefanik to peddle misinformation and fear. If Stefanik is so concerned about antisemitism, why isn’t she doing anything about the many examples of it on the right?
Mr. Monda says, “No mainstream Republican supports antisemitism.” But, it seems to me that mainstream Republicans have left the party and/or come out against Trump or have fallen silent as MAGA has taken over. Mr. Monda says the university presidents “lost their moral compass” and couldn’t answer a simple question. I wonder what he would say about Trump’s moral compass. How about the moral compass of Stefanik or J.D. Vance, who once saw Trump as a danger but who now follow him blindly, condone Jan. 6 and cannot give the correct answer to the simple question “Did Trump lose the 2020 election?”
Roger Owens, Laguna Beach
Learn the Truth
It feels very uncalled to make a case as a school board candidate on how LBUSD is severely declining. Knowing what is actually taking place on our four school sites and knowing how this is doing harm to our staff at all levels, our administrators, our students and, of course, all the parents who are working with the district as their students go through the grades makes it all the more of stooping to a low level. Many, many students have graduated ready to matriculate to college or a career. If attention has been broader, it is widely known that enrollment in California public schools across the state has seen a significant decline and how challenging it is for schools to meet educational needs with fewer students. It has become apparent that the two candidates can be as harsh as they wish in criticizing the sitting board members and the superintendent in forums, social media, advertisements, emails
etc., but when inaccuracies are pointed out, then they state personal attacks are being made. Providing correct information is not a comment on the person misrepresenting education in LBUSD; instead, it is a necessary response to set the record straight. It is very uncomfortable to know that members of the broader community receive this criticism and wonder if this is the case. I urge anyone who hears or reads these messages to study, ask questions and learn what is real. A few things to think about: Laguna Beach High School offers 23 AP courses, 33 honors courses (including CCA), 16 CTE (Career Technical Ed) pathways, dual enrollment courses at Irvine Valley and 33 course offerings in VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts). In high school athletics, there are 18 unique sports and 33 teams. This year, the high school students sponsored between 50 and 60 clubs in varied areas of interest. This is not a school in decline but a vibrant place with opportunities and choices.
There are many statistics about graduation rates, AP test takers, AP pass rates, and early college credit, but those numbers don’t tell the complete story of how most of our graduates began school here in elementary and at graduation, their enthusiasm and shared joy radiates. Of course, as parents, we know they will face challenges in the years ahead, but they leave here eager and excited to be ready.
Mr. Hills has spoken of his youngest daughter and the terrific high school experiences she had, but more recently, if you see Ms. Morgan’s campaign piece on her family, she is proud of the achievements of her four children, the first graduating in 2015 and the last one will graduate this year. I cannot fathom that if the district was in such a sorry state as she claims, her children would have been so successful. To have both of her sons continue to play their sport in college is remarkable. The data tells you the odds of that are small. So, my point is to question the charges being made and learn the truth.
Jan Vickers, LBUSD School Board President and incumbent candidate
Better Communication Needed School board member and candidate Jan Vickers has been making desperate
THE CASE FOR WEISS AND MANCUSO FACT-CHECKED:
POSSIBLY HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN UNBUDGETED EXPENSES EXPOSED! AND WHALEN WANTS LAGUNA ON THE HOOK TO ACQUIRE LAGUNA CANYON ROAD FROM CALTRANS FOR $150M+!
The Gri n Structures Facilities Master Plan has revealed shocking essential, unbudgeted upgrades needed for City Hall, re stations, and other facilities. The looming costs are unfunded. Tax hikes could be on the horizon for Laguna, if the WhalenKempf nancial mismanagement continues unchecked. How does the WhalenKempf Council majority plan to pay these bills without crushing taxpayers?
Stop the Whalen-Kempf political machine from seizing more power with their acolyte Hallie Jones
Jones - relatively unknown politically has amassed a nearly $50,000 political war chest in her rst-ever campaign, coming largely from the Whalen-Kempf political machine’s donors - Approx. 1/3 are real estate developers, major landlords and real estate business interests who also support and donate to Whalen and Kempf. Coincidence?
VOTE 21ST CENTURY SOLUTIONS FOR LAGUNA - NOT MORE OF THE SAME
Fiscal responsibility
Council transparency
A vote for George or Judie and not the other leaves the Whalen-Kempf political machine in power! Don’t “split” your vote!
Voter approvals of Council projects that don’t bene t residents
JUDIE MANCUSO
17 years successful legislative advocate in Sacramento
27 sponsored bills SIGNED INTO LAW
Can leverage clout in Sacramento to bene t Laguna where Whalen failed
GEORGE WEISS
George Weiss Does Not Deserve Your Vote
I have mostly sworn off negative columns, especially as I steward a radio station that is so positively welcoming to all points of view. But I’ve been writing this opinion column far longer than running a station. As a resident, I not only feel entitled to express my opinion but also feel it’s incumbent upon me to help Bob Whalen and Hallie Jones get elected. Hence, we have five thoughtful, cooperative and resultsoriented members on City Council. George Weiss has proven time and again that he lacks the temperament to share the dais with his colleagues or serve our community with decorum, conviction and vision. His tumultuous first (and hopefully last) term is riddled with proof that this man is a walking tinderbox of temper, miscues and chaos. Here are some of his greatest misses:
Jim Lashley, 87, passed peacefully on October 15, 2024. Jim was born April 18, 1937, to General Laurence and Alice, sister Mary and brother Theo. He spent his early years in Japan and went on to graduate from USC. His architecture is unique, drawing from Japanese and Mediterranean influences. He designed The Sawdust Festival and houses all over Laguna. Jim was a
He worked to get City Manager Shohreh Dupuis fired despite voting for her in 2021. It was also disclosed that he consistently harassed and intimidated her, even calling for possible criminal charges over her trying to talk her way out of a cell phone while driving violation. If that’s not bad enough, he also accused her of an “inside job” when her home was vandalized. He claims to be a fiscal conservative but forcing her departure cost taxpayers nearly $450,000. “Paying (Dupuis) roughly $450,000 was the least expensive way for us to get out of a situation that we found ourselves in, which was the threat of litigation and a $3 million claim,” then-mayor Bob Whalen said.
He claims to support subsidized artist and affordable housing, yet questioned publicly whether a prominent planning commissioner should retain his position because he lived in an unpermitted dwelling, putting him at severe risk of eviction.
He betrayed his colleagues after
woodworker, ceramicist, artist and craftsman. He loved running the beaches of Laguna and ran all the beaches in California. He enjoyed hiking, biking and being active. He traveled the world and accomplished much. He loved his boys Ian and Noel and grandchildren Landon, Lucy and Maverick. A celebration of Jim will take place on Nov. 17 at The Whale Statue in Heisler Park at noon.
a closed-door session and disclosed confidential information to the man who has made a sport out of suing the city, costing taxpayers millions in defense and settlements. He was subsequently censured by council for violating the Brown Act and admonished by the DA.
He falsely accused Bob Whalen of inside dealing on discussions with the Presbyterian church, a brazen and wholly inappropriate lie.
He inserted himself with the police department union representatives to attempt to displace Chief Calvert. He called other police chiefs around the county to get their advice. While Chief Calvert actively recruits new officers (like every city in Orange County), George worked against him by attempting to create division in the ranks.
He continues to make the most mendacious claim that he saved our library from being converted into a parking lot—a pure fantasy meant to excite his base. By doing so, he forced
BY
us to sign a beyond-dopey 25-year lease with the county to run it instead of doing the practical thing and exploring whether we could take control and actually update the tired facility with something great.
He harassed people trying to enjoy Music in the Park with his unpopular signature campaign for Measure Q, which would have stripped decisionmaking power from the very elected officials he was chosen to be part of. A wholly inappropriate place for a political stunt.
He complains about needing to keep cars out of town, yet he opposes the Forest Avenue Promenade and wants to replace it with cars. He opposes any parking structures and any repurposing of Laguna Canyon Road to improve circulation, and he has no plan to mitigate our horrific traffic problems. In fact, he doesn’t seem to have a plan for anything except opposing things. He claimed that overtourism is an
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Laguna. What is happening to us? Has the perfect storm blown in and compromised our capacity to work together for the good of this paradise we all love? This summer many residents expressed distress about the overwhelm of our town’s infrastructure with traffic, tourists and trash. Conversations began with, “Doesn’t it seem like this is the worst traffic and overcrowding ever?” Some said, “Yeah, on weekends, we just hunker down at home and don’t go out.” Our secret spots, the beloved special coves, beaches and family gathering spaces enjoyed for generations are now over-run.
And into this hurricane of chaos flew incoming projectiles like undergrounding, weed killer toxicity, 5G cell towers, affordable housing, drone shows, parking structures, the Promenade, school leadership, or purchasing Laguna Canyon
Road. As we move into the fall election season, the perfect summer storm has now increased to a Category 5 intensity. In times of fear and change, the temptation to fall into partisan, divisive, hate-filled rancor and rhetoric is strong. This division and inability to work together at the global, national and state levels is mirrored at home. It seems some residents have lost the will to pursue healthy debate on issues to fully understand one another’s positions. The Socratic method of learning through enlivening debate might just pull us out of our logarithmic social media-driven silos into a more spacious understanding of the complex challenges facing the city. When did it become okay in Laguna politics to bully individuals, to demean, demonize, divide, and target someone’s character rather than focus on issues? In my thirty years here, I do not recall Laguna being mean-spirited. In fact, I recall a city council meeting long ago where so many of us wished to speak that the pros and cons were lined up on both sides of the
aisles all the way to the back and out the door. My dear friends were on both sides of the aisle. Some of my Shaw’s Cove Swim Chicks (or “White Caps” if “chicks” is too misogynistic a term for you) were not standing with me. I remember being surprised to see my girls “over there.” Yet, my opinion of these amazing women and their character never changed, even though we may have strongly disagreed with one another on the issue. Instead, there was an openness and curiosity to understand one another’s position. To continue in respect and friendship regardless. There was no making each other all “bad,” “crazy,” “stupid,” or “corrupt.” There was room for compassion rather than a readiness to ghost someone. Because in our two-mile ocean swims, we Swim Chicks were a fluid pod that would become one at any moment if one got into trouble. When did things change in Laguna? When did the demonizing, bullying, personal attacks on individuals become okay? And how do we shift it?
My doctoral dissertation in social
BY MICHELE MCCORMICK
categorization theory was a two-year project led by USC’s Dean of Social Psychology. Our research informed California public policy in the area of bussing and desegregation. Trends indicated that bussing alone did not significantly impact the goal of racial integration; once kids were in the classroom, they again segregated. Our research incorporated cooperative games teachers used in the classroom to help students work toward a common goal. In so doing, they broke down racial barriers, much like athletic teams work together to win.
Social categorization theory proposes that labeling and stereotyping can lead to prejudice and even aggression when perceived in-group and out-group bias exists. However, if the in-group and outgroup work together toward a common goal, fixed negative perceptions through collaboration shift to positive attributions of the other.
THOMAS P. DAVIS, APC (Tom) is pleased to announce that he has joined Anderson Law Group (Nicole Anderson) as of counsel to the firm. He will continue to handle litigation and transactional matters, including business formation, real estate and business contract review, contract negotiations, and litigation management and avoidance. The firm also serves as outside general corporate counsel on behalf of for-profit and non-profit organizations.
• see MCCORMICK page 24
MICHELE MCCORMICK
Your Elected Officials are Endorsing BOB WHALEN
State Senator Dave Min
Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris
OC Supervisor Katrina Foley
Mayor Sue Kempf
Mayor ProTem Alex Rounaghi
Councilmember Mark Orgill
Your Neighbors are Supporting BOB WHALEN
year
• Laguna Beach City Council - 12 years • Laguna Beach School Board - 10 years,
Laguna Beach Planning Commission - 4 years
Gregg Abel, Kathleen Abel, Thomas Addis, Wendy Aird, Nicole Anderson, John Anderson, Peter Anderson, Faye Baglin, Wayne Baglin, Donna Ballard, Brad Barrett, Liza Barrett, Marlo Bartels, Rick Balzer, Mike Beanan, Bob Beck, Sue Beck, Walter Bell, Kristin Bell, Anne Belyea, Richard Belyea, Jeffrey Benedick, Carolyn Bent, Dr. Tom Bent, Dustin Beutin, Erin Beutin, Jamie Blakely, Barbara Bowler, Kelly Boyd, Michelle Boyd, David Braff, Pamela Broadman, Katharine Brown, Diane Brumbaugh, Mike Brumbaugh, Michael Bryan, Michael Byrne, Tim Carlyle, Lyn Carlyle, Marcia Caruso, Steve Chadima, Dr Janet Chance, Jen Chapman, Jon Chapman, Suzi Chavel, Lisette Chel-Walker, Mark Christy, Leticia Christy, Mary Clifford, Howard Conn, Rita Conn, Sally Coursen, Walt Coursen, Donnie Crevier, Laurie Crevier, Jason deBrettville, Mary DeLuca, Joy Dittberner, Mick Donoff, Sharon Donoff, Ranney Draper, Mark Draper, Jorg Dubin, Jill Edwards, Steve Edwards, Leslie Elliot, Karen Ellis, Leanne Englander, Cody Engle, Deborah Engle, Michael Ervin, Sandy Ervin, Rich Fair, Lynne Fair, Cindy Fletcher, Ben Frydman, Lisa Gallas, Nancy Gibbs, Tom Gibbs, Joan Gladstone, Glenn Gray, Kathryn Burton Gray, Matt Gummow, Jane Hanauer, Joe Hanauer, Dan Haspert, Ashley Hathaway, Lori Hathaway, Tyler Hathaway, Janice Hayden, George Heed, Jerry Hornbeak, Renee Hornbeak, Paula Hornbuckle, Linda Hughes, Marshall Innins, Elizabeth Innins, Angela Irish, Alix Jirard, Bill Jirard, Michael Johnson, Anne Johnson, Marv Johnson, Kathy Jones, Mike Jones, Jan Kaplan, Ken Kaplan, Ellen Kempler, Roger Kempler, Diana Kersten, Cheryl Kinsman, Michael Kinsman, Cherylin Kirby, Ian Kirby, Cort Kloke, Diane Kloke, Pat Kollenda, Cathy Krinsky, David Krinsky, Tom Lamb, Morgan Lamb, Vicki Lamb, Mary Lawson, Matt Lawson, April Lindstrom, Barbara MacGillivray, Greg MacGillivray, Katherine Maeberger, Thomas Magill, Lisa Mansour, John Mansour, Dana Marron, Armando Marron, Rick McIntire, Barbara McMurray, Ken McMurray, Gwen McNallan, Carla Meberg, Jeff Meberg, Gregory Mech, John Meehan, Jeanne Meyers, Angie Miller, Heidi Miller, Penny Milne, Bob Mister, Stephanie Mister, Gary Monroe, Leslie Monroe, Jon Moore, Mia Moore, Joseph Moreno, Brian Muehlbauer, Coby Naess, Janelle Naess, Debbie Naude, Paul Naude, Mike Nelson, Stephanie Nelson, Larry Nokes, Cathy Nokes, Carol Normandin, Barbara Norton, Dora Orgill, Bill O’Hare, Theresa O’Hare, Paula Olson, George Orff, Sharon Orff, Derek Ostensen, Natalia Ostensen, Ken Parker, Elizabeth Pearson, Anne Petronave, Lance Polster, Mark Porterfield, Monica Prado, Cindy Prewitt, Ann Quilter, Chris Quilter, Elliot Quint, Teddie Ray, Kavita Reddy, Jeff Redeker, Suzanne Redfearn, Beth Renner, Bill Renner, Billy Renner, Tommy Renner, Maggie Renner, Molly Renner, Carrie Reynolds, Mike Reynolds, Emily Rolfing, Glenn Rosen, Ali Rounaghi, Robin Rounaghi, Jeff Rovner, Dave Rubel, Ryan Sabol, Ken Sadler, Annie Sadler, Brian Sanchez, Kirk Saunders, Mary Kate Saunders, Ed Sauls, Lisa Sauls, Wendy Schirripa, Dan Scinto, Francine Scinto, Gary Selufsky, Peggy Sexton, John Sganga, Marcus Skendarian, Morris Skenderian, Stephany Skenderian, Ivan Spiers, Sande St. John, Marrie Stone, Lea Stone, Zeda Stone, Linda Supowitz, David Swayne, Cheryl Sykes, Sasha Talebi, Kristine Thalman, Sean Tiner, Diana Tomei, Jeff Tomei, Edie Tonkin, Duane Vajgrt, Lauri Venturelli, Becky Visconti, Jinger Wallace, Chris Weidhaas, Susan Weidhaas, Louis Weil, Kirsten Whalen, Susan Whitin, Ian Winefordner, Mary Jo Winefordner, Kristin Winter, Ralph Winter, Josh Wolff, Peggy Wolff, Deb Young, Robert Zur Schmiede ... and many more Supowitz, Keith
NOVEMBER 5
BY JOE HANAUER
An Investor Rather than a Developer
BY JOE HANAUER
Thankfully, it’s almost over! While I have my favorites in local, state and national races, I’ve refrained from speaking out publicly because there’s enough noise without me adding to it.
But last week, people called my attention to a hit piece in the Indy on candidate Bob Whalen and promoting candidate George Weiss, which listed me as a reason not to support Bob. It tagged me as what I guess was intended to be an insult as a “developer.” It’s true. I’m guilty as charged. I’m not guilty of being a developer; I’ll deal with that in a moment, but I am guilty of supporting Bob Whalen. Now that I’ve been outed, I might as well explain my reasons.
Just because Bob has served numerous terms on the city council, the planning commission and the school board is insufficient reason to support
him. I want Bob to continue his service because he has done these effectively, tirelessly, ethically, with dignity, and with sincere care for every person in Laguna and the issues that are dear to their hearts. Sure, when you’ve been involved with as many issues and, therefore, council votes as Bob, you will have alienated someone along the way. However, I’ve never seen one vote Bob made because of favoritism and certainly never because of any conflict of interest. It was because he believed that he was acting on the side of right and on the side of Laguna’s best interests.
I’m also supporting Hallie Jones because she has proven she is an effective leader with her long service at the Laguna Canyon Foundation and now at Crystal Cove. She understands how to get things done and how to think and act strategically and objectively. And nearly as important, she has the combination of knowing our town well as a lifelong resident and being relatively young, thereby being
able to reflect the wants and needs of a generation that deserves representation on the city stage.
Regarding Judie, if it were a different slate and a different time, I could consider her because some of her positions are what I believe in. And regarding George, I’ve appreciated his support of housing affordability. However, I want people on the council who can work together, respect one another, and are interested in achieving positive outcomes. Less conflict.
And now, back to the “insult” of me being a developer. In 1991, our state department asked me to go to the former Soviet Union to provide technical assistance as Yeltsin became president. The task was to help them change their constitution to enable private property rights and development capability. Until then, everything related to real estate was under one bureaucracy. Planning, design, construction, building materials, property management, maintenance – everything. With this
kind of system, there was nowhere to go when something went wrong. Every function reported up to the same people, so they were never at fault.
Also, what they didn’t have in their economy were people who saw a market need, had the vision for how to address it, were willing to take the financial and reputational risk and could execute. These people are “developers.” There was no such word in the Russian language. As we worked with our Russian colleagues, our first challenge was to help them recognize how these functions were critical if a society wanted to benefit from private property rights.
Here in Laguna, the people who think “developer” is a nasty word are the same people who have kept sensible progress from our town by pounding the table for more restrictions and red tape so that the talents we need to shake us out of our deteriorating commercial neighborhoods won’t
• see HANAUER page 38
“Moroccan Fishing Boats” Rob Gage
“Color Study 26” Amy Hammond
“Radiance of the Tide” Michelle Burt
Plein Air Painting Invitational Offers Up Artistic Fun in the Fog
BY LB INDY STAFF
The Laguna Plein Air Painters Association (LPAPA) annual celebration of Laguna’s plein air painting legacy that helped establish Laguna Beach as an artists’ colony was a resounding success. The foggy weather did not deter the professional plein air painters during the recent 26th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational, held Oct. 5 to 13, with art sales exceeding last year’s sales revenue which was exciting news because the funds raised not only benefit the participating artists but help to provide the much-needed funds to sustain nonprofit LPAPA’s year-round art and education programs.
This year’s Invitational included 30 invited plein air artists vying for more than $50,000 in cash and prizes that were awarded during the Collectors pARTy hosted at the Laguna Festival of Arts on Saturday Oct. 12.
The weeklong celebration kicked off with the annual Quick Draw Painting Competition, with the 30 invited artists at their easels stretched out along Main Beach and through Heisler Park. The plein air pros had two hours to paint
a masterpiece that was offered for sale in a Silent Auction that followed at the Laguna Festival of Arts. Tennesseebased LPAPA Signature Artist Jennifer Diehl was revealed as the Quick Draw Award Winner during the Collectors Party on Oct. 12 for her nine-by-12inch oil painting titled “Go Time.”
The Laguna Plein Air Painters Association’s Mission includes art education programs designed to inspire budding and emerging artists to carry on the plein air painting tradition and legacy. LPAPA hosted LBUSD students, grades 4 through 12, for the annual Future Generation Paint Out, followed by the Next Generation Paint Out with participating college students from the Laguna College of Art + Design. The Future and Next Generation student artwork is currently exhibited for sale at the LPAPA Gallery to support the students’ schools and the emerging LCAD artists. Four LCAD students received recognition for their work with scholarship awards given to Taryn Chong for 1st Place, Jonathan McHugh for 2nd Place, Anika Verma 3rd Place, and Honorable Mention to Alejandro Velazquez. Taryn and
Concerning City Council
Finally, the longawaited Facilities Master Plan was presented to city council on Oct. 22. It covered 26 facilities in Laguna and assessed the Facilities Condition Index and seismic risks.
The consultant, Griffin Structures, prioritized facilities into immediate, short-term, near-term, mid-term and long-term categories. While our facilities are in good shape overall, immediate needs require $17.1 million for functionality and safety issues. This was primarily for the maintenance of three fire stations, City Hall and the library revitalization, which requires us to spend the $4.2 million purchase price but given back to us by the county by August 2025.
These projects, of course, must be done. The consultant identified questionable projects as Breakaway Projects –
Alejandro received Next Generation awards last year as well.
LPAPA was delighted to collaborate with the Laguna Art Museum who hosted it’s annual “Plein Talks” that
“Breakaway Projects can be defined as those requiring immediate attention due to critical building constraints/ concerns and/or the availability of funds that must be used within a specific timeframe [the library].” These projects include building a new Fire Station #1. In tandem with building this station is the village entrance breakaway project “where the City must balance plans for a new parking structure with the potential development of other facilities at the location, such as a museum.”
With all the other short-term and near-term projects we need to do, why are we discussing building a huge development at the village entrance? Currently, the estimated cost is $13 million. They have already spent over $2.7 million for consultants for a parking structure, yet how often have residents rejected a parking structure at the village entrance? And as studies have shown, building parking structures just invites more day-trippers.
The Community Recreation Center
(CRC), purchased for $23 million in 2022, is now primarily being used as staff offices with limited community usage. Assistant City Manager Gavin Curran claims this is because the site’s limited parking is a problem, and the internet is spotty. He said we can’t have classes with spotty internet. Do art classes need the internet? Dancing classes? Presentations? Civic meetings? But staff offices surely do – we need to guard against a slow creep of city staff to the CRC instead of what residents were told it would be for – recreation.
Ideas for expanding the use of the CRC include combining classrooms for larger meeting spaces, refurbishing rooms for dance classes, creating a senior gym center, and leasing space for an alternative school. Let’s do those first before any more staff moves in.
It was encouraging to hear that all city council members favored expanding usage at the CRC, and all agreed that parking should be solved. It was mentioned that we could build
included a panel of Invitational Artists Monday evening with Suzie Baker from Texas, Brienne M. Brown from
• see PLEIN AIR page 32
BY
a community pool there with parking underneath or, at the very least, rezone the area for increased usage. Councilmembers were unanimous in increasing support for the arts, both here and in other areas of Laguna.
The councilmembers all agreed to refurbish the library. Why wasn’t this done two years ago when we purchased the library, and why did the council ask for a one-year extension on this expenditure?
They all agreed that we need a strategic financial plan to align with future projects so that we can start funding them now. They cited the need to overlay this “future plans” financial plan with the projects we are currently doing. Why has this taken so long? Every major project should be required to have a funding plan when it’s introduced.
Finally, all councilmembers agreed on the need to address seismic and
MICHELE MONDA
GUEST OPINION
MICHELE MONDA
The Kinsman Best Laguna Award went to Ryan Jensen for “Golden Hour at the Courts.”
Photo by Tom Lamb
Sheri Morgan
School Board
I’m running for School Board to bring much-needed change. Our community’s voice has been ignored, and disagreement is treated as a ‘grievance’ rather than an opportunity for improvement. The $150 million Facilities Master Plan, which included an aquatic facility, was initiated without broad community input, wasting taxpayer dollars. Now, with $100 million approved plan, it still misses the mark. We spend $33,000 per student, yet only 21% goes to programming. Instead of investing in learning opportunities, the District has turned away Special Education students while pushing excessive development plans. We need leaders who listen, collaborate, and stand up for what is right.
what must change. Our kids deserve the best. Sheri will be ready on Day One. We need her on the Board”
former Laguna Councilwoman/Mayor
“Our community’s strength lies in its diverse voices. By valuing each perspective, we can work together to find effective solutions.”
BY JEROME PUDWILL
A Response to Billy Fried
The following guest opinion is a counterpoint to “Why George Weiss Doesn’t Deserve Your Vote” by Indy columnist Billy Fried. The article was originally published online on Oct. 25 and can be found on page 17 of this week’s print edition. -Ed
Regarding Billy Fried’s column. In my opinion, it’s bursting with falsehoods, inaccuracies, misrepresentations and lies by omission.
Though he claims he has mostly sworn off negative columns, that has not stopped him from bullhorning his alternate version of reality in a public attempt to smear Councilmember Weiss. Indeed, Mr. Fried’s personal attacks have been ongoing for years.
Mr. Fried’s fabrications and distortions only hold truth in the minds of developers, realtors, retailers and business owners who thrive on tourism . . . such as Mr. Fried.
While he proclaims the attributes of his champion, Bob Whalen, it is noteworthy that when you connect the dots, you cannot deny that the local
• FRIED
Cont. from page 17
unsolvable problem. Is that what we want to hear from our elected officials?
He continues to maintain that we have low fire risk and that we shouldn’t underground the utility poles on Laguna Canyon Road, even though 90% of the city is in the highestseverity fire zone. It’s as if we’ve never had a fire. In fact, he has done nothing for public safety except refuse to spend money on it.
He’s “for the residents” as long as they agree with him. If someone makes a critical comment about George, he goes after them in a public meeting. You never see the rest of the council behave that way. It seems evident why council members don’t want him representing our town.
Finally, you have to wonder about an incumbent candidate’s achievements when the best thing his supporters say about him is that he keeps
real estate industry and developers continue to support the WhalenKempf political machine, which dominates City Council and has little regard for what residents want. Note that Whalen and Kempf have opposed the return of Zoom call-ins during city council meetings.
Whalen (seeking 16 years on the council) also has yet to address the issue of term limits despite widespread support by residents.
The Whalen-Kempf political movement includes City Council member Alex Rounaghi, who presides as mayor pro tem despite having no prior council experience. Rounaghi has been handpicked to continue the mayoral baton toss back and forth between Whalen and Kempf, which they have been choreographing for years. It’s their ball, and they’re not going to share it with anyone else, even though sharing the titles with all council members has been the tradition for decades.
So, who’s funding the Whalen and Jones’ campaigns and the council majority cabal? Follow the money.
In every election cycle since 2016, candidates Whalen, Kempf, Blake, Rounaghi, and now Jones (Kempf’s
them informed with his newsletters recapping council meetings. Terrific. If that’s his superpower, perhaps he should run for city stenographer rather than council.
Folks, we have a chance to make City Council the best it’s been in decades with the election of committed environmentalist, proven leader, and native daughter Hallie Jones and experienced incumbent Bob Whalen. We are at a critical junction, a tipping point when we can enact projects to improve our safety, traffic circulation, and quality of life for future generations, or sit on our hands and disrupt everything while our town erodes into further decay, vulnerability, and an unnavigable mess.
Vote for people who pledge to work together and accomplish meaningful tasks. Our very well-being depends on it.
Billy is the Executive Director of KXFM Radio and CEO of La Vida Laguna, an outdoor adventure company. He can be reached at billy@kxfmradio.org.
protégé) have received one-third of their campaign funding from business interests. Their 460 forms demonstrate this.
Liberate Laguna (supporter of Whalen, Kempf, Rounaghi, and Peter Blake’s policy decisions in 2000-22) filled campaign coffers with over $ 70,000. Citizens For Laguna’s Future (another big-money PAC) collected $200,000 and spent $185,000 supporting Whalen-Kempf’s 2020-22 policies.
After 16 years of manipulating Laguna Beach policy, this cronyism continues in election after election. And no doubt that it will continue until voters wake up and end it, hopefully starting with this election.
Further forms of cronyism: Most members of the Design Review Board are from the real estate or development industry. The current city council’s appointments should be eye-openers for all residents.
Mr. Fried was a major supporter of the disastrous former City Manager Shohreh Dupuis. His assertion that Weiss cost taxpayers $485,000 is not only false, it’s ludicrous. The former city manager should have been terminated for cause.
• MCCORMICK
Cont. from page 18
Therefore, in Laguna, regardless of the issue and the sides taken over issues, if we step back and see our neighbors as people like ourselves who carry a common intention for Laguna to be an amazing city, then the division and, divisiveness and demonizing of individuals might stop. Some psychological theories posit that it is a sign of health when an individual can hold the good and the bad together without using the defense mechanism of splitting, i.e., making the other “all bad.” When I work with couples in conflict, they may come into therapy viewing their partner as “all bad.” The challenge is to move to a place of being able to hold the good with the difficult and lean into empathy and compassion to truly understand one another, forgive and work collaboratively toward saving their marriage.
Even now, there remains so much good about our town, including the
Mr. Fried conveniently forgets that Kempf, Whalen and Blake – a majority voting block – insisted on choosing Shohreh Dupuis as city manager despite her lacking the experience and superior credentials of the other applicants – their decision, thus dooming her to failure and making her failure theirs as well.
They blame Weiss for Dupuis’ “retirement” when the public’s criticism of her disastrous performance made her a political liability – her mishandling of the Hotel Laguna and 14 West Hotel alone exposed the city to tens of millions of dollars in lawsuits.
Whalen, running for re-election, had to see her go to save his career –negotiating her “retirement” and nondisclosure agreement behind closed doors to hide any skeletons in the closet that might be revealed should her false claims of harassment be exposed.
Notice how keenly Whalen handled the situation by, in essence, accusing Weiss, his future rival, but never formally charging him or allowing him the opportunity to defend himself.
Mr. Fried’s tactics are designed to unseat the only council member
• see PUDWILL page 38
volunteers and leaders who genuinely care. Laguna is a milagro nestled within a cradle of beauty held by the blue belt and the green belt - environmental preserves many in this town worked together to create. Our precious town sits in place like an emerald upheld by the beauty of nature. These natural boundaries hold the city like a diamond set in the perfect place. We love our town with tenacious dedication, loyalty and boundless service. Residents off er countless volunteer hours to make our town all it can be. We can’t take our town back until we take each other back - despite our diff erences of opinion… finding a common ground of mutual respect. We all want what is best for Laguna, which is how we will transcend divisiveness and division.
Michele is a psychologist in private practice. She spins stories about Laguna life with humor, gravitas, while sprinkled with a psychological twist. As a writer she led Laguna’s DimeStories open mic for ten years and currently enjoys the Third Street Writers.
JEROME PUDWILL
GUEST OPINION
November 2 - 11, 2024
Christian Sampson with Volta Collective: Ocean Ions, 2024.
Photography by Monica Nouwens
maintenance issues for fire stations #1, #2 and #3. A new fire station #4 is already going forward in South Laguna.
While all councilmembers favored building a new Fire Station #1, there was no consensus that it should be at the village entrance. It was suggested building it at the Christmas tree lot, at Act V, or a water district property and not part of a parking structure that residents haven’t supported at the village entrance.
Other councilmembers were enthusiastic about supporting the “parking structure” breakaway project but admitted funding and cost were unknowable at this time. How can you support something without knowing the cost, source of funds and resident support?
Again, with other resident-serving priorities needing funding, how can the council even contemplate having residents pay potentially $12 million to build a parking garage that will only
increase tourism?
This was a good first step in a long overdue assessment of maintaining and upgrading our facilities. The council needs to prioritize safety projects and projects that benefit residents, such as the CRC and the library.
With the council contemplating taking over Laguna Canyon Road for $141 million, are residents really going to be asked to fund an unneeded $13 million parking structure at the recently completed village entrance, a new Fire Station #1 for $6 to $8 million, and $4 to $5 million for the promenade?
Residents need to know what this council majority is spending our tax dollars on and ensure us early on that these projects are resident-serving and not for tourists and businesses.
Michèle is a 21-year Laguna resident and actively follows Laguna politics. She is the treasurer of Laguna Beach Sister Cities and is involved with the local arts scene. She can be reached at Michelemonda3@gmail.com.
Local Author Releases First Book with Zip Code Poem Challenge
BY LB INDY STAFF
Laguna Beach resident Blair
Contratto has released her first book, “Laguna Beachwalk.” She’s offering a zip code poem challenge to the Laguna Beach Independent and its residents. Her 80-page photo essay book is small enough to be a souvenir or gift and includes the zip code challenge poem: 92651.
92651
Driftwood, shells and thousands of small blue jelly velellas
What more
Could you ask of our sea
Our Laguna turquoise green serene Home
Contratto encourages residents to submit interpretations of the beloved zip code, 92651, to the Laguna Beach Indy. Entries must follow the poem
challenge format: nine words, two words, six words, five words and one word describing Laguna Beach.
Contratto moved to Laguna Beach in 2019 and began snapping photographs on her daily beach walks to send to friends in Los Angeles and encourage them to visit. The photos fell into themes, and the book took shape.
Local designer Cindy Love helped Contratto format Laguna Beachwalk, and local artist Marc Whitney introduced Contratto to his publisher.
“My book offers Laguna residents the opportunity to share our beautiful community with friends and family. Consider sending Laguna Beachwalk to those you love during the holidays and encourage them to come for a visit,” Contratto said.
Laguna Beachwalk is available at Laguna Beach Books and Tuvalu.
Thin Plastic “Produce Bags” Get a Needed Facelift
Starting Jan. 1, all Californians should see the rollout of a state law Gov. Gavin Newsom signed in 2022 requiring that those thin plastic bags we tear off the roll in grocery stores to bag loose food items — like fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and nuts, grains or candy in bulk barrels — must be certified for decomposing in an industrial composter. The same is true for bags that prevent one food item, like meat or fish, from contaminating others.
Standards for compostables are set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). The Biodegradable Products Institute, or BPI, is the thirdparty entity that verifies that ASTM standards are met.
The good news is that plastic bags stamped with the “BPI Compostable” logo can be discarded in our green ORGANICS curbside waste carts. For decades now, the thin bags that stores provide have been made of petroleumderived plastics, which render them non-compostable as well as non-
recyclable via curbside disposal. They can only be discarded in carts destined for landfills.
Compostable bags are made from materials like vegetable starches. In addition to lightening the burden of conventional plastics on our landfills, compostable bags decrease consumption of fossil fuels, promote soil enrichment, and reduce pollution of the environment from non-biodegradable plastic debris and harmful chemicals associated with conventional plastics.
The new bags are handy too in that they can be used to line countertop kitchen food scrap pails, making it easier and less messy to toss the pail contents into the ORGANICS cart. Other certified compostable bags specifically designed for food scrap pails are available online, too.
An alternative to bagging food waste is to wrap it in a small amount of newspaper and toss that into the ORGANICS cart.
Stores can opt to comply with the new law by offering, instead, recycled paper bags for the same purposes. Note that the new law does not impact items that arrive at the store already in plastic bags — like bagged apples and grapes.
Those bags can still be conventional plastic, so they should be discarded in the LANDFILL cart.
As of this writing, none of the three large chain grocery stores in Laguna Beach — Ralphs, Pavilions, and Whole Foods — have yet switched out their thin petroleum-based bags for compostable ones. The same is true for Mother’s Market in Corona Del Mar. However, shoutouts can go to the Gelsons Markets in Dana Point and Newport Beach to make the shift. The thin compostable bags already in place at Trader Joe’s in the Crystal Court Shopping Center are certified for both industrial and backyard home composting.
Bags certified for home composting carry a separate label, “HOME OK Compost.” They break down in home composters but can also be tossed in the ORGANICS cart. However, dog owners should understand that even if you put dog poop in a home compostable bag, it still should be discarded into the LANDFILL cart.
Big box retail establishments throughout the state, such as Target, Walmart and Costco, will also be required to comply with the new law,
BY SARAH MOSKO
as will smaller entities like convenience food stores and foodmarts.
A separate law affecting shoppers and stores alike will land in 2026. The thicker plastic film carryout bags consumers have been able to purchase at checkout for 10 cents (and considered reusable) will be banned. Only recycled paper bags will be offered to shoppers who neglect to bring their own carryout bags. The hit will still be 10 cents per bag.
The logic for the ban rests, in large part, on the fact that few shoppers reuse the thicker plastic carryouts. They are typically discarded to landfills, just like their thinner, single-use counterparts before them. The intended purpose of offering thicker plastic carryouts, to reduce consumption of conventional plastics, failed.
Genuinely reusable and affordable carryout bags, made of a variety of materials, are sold everywhere. Smaller, reusable produce-type bags, made, for example, of canvas or see-through mesh, are also widely available for purchase in stores and online.
Laguna Beach prides itself on being an
SARAH MOSKO
Let’s keep Laguna
Thanks for all you do,
George Weiss, City Council Member
Beach special.
• SPORTS
Cont. from page 8
Dolphins deep on their 10 yard-line. Laguna’s defense stepped up and forced Dana to punt, but the return was fumbled, only to be recovered by Noah Thompson on the 50.
Behind the running of Redmond Chesley and three catches by Grant Regal, Jackson Kollock guided the team down to paydirt hitting Brady Stringham for the points. Stringham’s second of three PATs was perfect.
The inspired Breakers held Dana to a net minus seven yards and forced a punt. It took just one play for the Laguna to take the lead as Kollock hit Hooper for a dramatic 46-yard score and a 21-14 advantage. Dana followed on a 16-play plus a questionable penalty to try and tie the score. Jack Hooper blocked their point after, and the Breakers led 21-20 with 9 minutes remaining. The teams traded scores the rest of the way, with Laguna’s last possession being the deciding point. The Breakers used nearly five minutes remaining in the game to march to
the Dolphins’ 17 yard line. Three plays later had netted only six yards, giving the Breakers a 4th and four on the 11 with 30 seconds remaining. Kollock found Jack Hooper in the flat with what was hoping to be a first-down play, but Hooper broke the tackle attempt and scored. Two points were earned as Kollock hit Charlie Hunt, who was all alone for the conversion.
Dana had two final pass attempts to end the game, but the Breaker defense overwhelmed any chance of competition.
Laguna just needs to defeat #120
Orange (2-7) at Guyer Field on Friday, Nov. 1 for a school-record fourth-straight league title. Jackson Kollock may take a break from this game to recover from assorted injuries, so expect sophomore quarterback Jack Hurst (undefeated in two seasons of JV/FS football) to guide the squad in a preview of 2025 Also - Leading scorer, receiver, kicker and defender Luke Jolley left Laguna and the team before the
BY TOM OSBORNE
A Second Trump Presidency Could Doom a Livable Climate
The fates of Laguna Beach’s shoreline and greenbelt are closely connected with the fates of our neighboring cities and coasts. The warming temperatures that increase our fire hazard and fire insurance linked our city to Laguna Niguel’s blaze in 2022. The rising seas and unseasonal heavy rains that eroded cliffs in Dana Point imperiling homes and necessitating sand replenishment in San Clemente and other Orange County beach towns impact Laguna’s beaches. At Heisler Park, for example, I photographed evidence of cliff erosion in March 2023.
Our town is not an island unto itself. Instead, it has a shared future with other coastal cities, a fire and slide-ravaged California, a heat-blistered American West, a hurricane and flood-prone America largely east of the Mississippi River, and a planet heating fast and furiously due to carbon emissions.
Yes, there is good news, but it’s not good
enough. We live in a state widely perceived as America’s and the world’s leader in addressing the climate crisis. And we live in a city that, for the most part, has taken effective action to build climate resiliency. Still, we need to adopt Community Choice Aggregation/Energy and join the Orange County Power Authority if we wish to use a cleaner mix of affordable energy and subscribe to “best practices.”
That said, all these commendable efforts seem unlikely to ward off climate catastrophe if Donald J. Trump has a second presidency. Top scholars and governing officials warn that other tragic consequences would follow. Since I write on environmental matters, I’ll comment mainly on the climatic sciencebased implications that experts support with data in the event Trump prevails in 2024.
Since he believes global warming is “a hoax” (Cornell University Chronicle reports a 99.9 percent consensus among scientists that global warming is real and humancaused) and pulled the United States out of the Paris Climate Accord as soon as he could after 2016, we can expect him to do that again if he regains the White House. Repeal
of the most effective climate legislation in American history—the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act—is assured Trump says, if he regains office. Moreover, Trump dislikes California’s more stringent tailpipe emission standards (adopted by at least a dozen other states), so he’ll work to eliminate the right of California and other states to set tailpipe emission standards above those of the Environmental Protection Agency.
True, the climate crisis is not the only important issue in the 2024 election. I’ve already voted for candidates who strongly support reproductive rights, gun control legislation and immigration reform. Even if my candidates win, that won’t matter much if carbon emissions (at 2010 levels) are not halved by 2030, say the worldclass scientists of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Without a livable climate, essential for life itself, what else really matters? My four young grandchildren and the other upcoming generations are totally dependent on voters in the 2024 elections, putting climate first in our voting.
If we do that, California’s and our local
government’s clean energy initiatives will have a chance to provide us with healthier air quality and ambient temperatures conducive to sustaining, rather than imperiling, life.
This is the most candidate-focused Indy opinion piece I’ve written in my fifteen years as a columnist. I wrote it because never has so much been at stake, certainly in my lifetime and arguably not since the American Civil War. It’s unsettling enough that our Republic, our Constitution, rule of law, separation of church and state, and democracy itself could be replaced by an authoritarian Trump. More important still, the climate crisis of today would likely spiral out of control, portending even more dire consequences unless voters step up and elect a presidential contender and down-ballot candidates who will, similarly, take prompt climate action.
Vote for a livable climate!
Tom Osborne is an environmental historian and author of four critically acclaimed books. With his wife, Ginger, he co-leads the Laguna chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby. tomosborne@cox.net.
TOM OSBORNE
BY
Jones, Whalen for City Council
Nearly two years ago, you entrusted us with serving as City Councilmembers. You now have again the chance to vote for the leadership shaping Laguna Beach’s future. Voting is a fundamental duty for each of us, and we encourage everyone to make their own informed choice. As representatives who previously earned your trust, we felt it important to share perspectives shaped by our experiences over the past two years.
Four candidates are running for two seats this election season, each of whom shares a deep love and commitment to our community. Running for office is not easy. It requires significant time and dedication, especially here in Laguna Beach, where candidates share their ideas and vision in more forums than we see, even in our presidential
election. Healthy political debate, including disagreement, is essential to our civic process. We can make the best decisions for Laguna Beach’s future through open discussion and collaboration.
We don’t always agree with our colleagues—or even each other. However, agreeing is not the point; through dialogue and disagreements, we can reach better outcomes and set policies that lead to a brighter future. An effective councilmember works with others to set a vision that honors our town’s history while proactively planning for the future. Complex challenges require thoughtful discussion and collaboration—quick fixes are rarely the answer.
We are well aware of the many challenges our city faces. Addressing the needs of our community means tackling issues like deferred infrastructure investments, community development, and long-term planning to protect our environment and keep Laguna’s culture thriving. Our city manager is already improving our processes and responding to community needs. The next term will be critical for carrying this momentum forward.
An effective councilmember does their homework, asks tough questions of city staff, sets high expectations, and treats city staff with respect, recognizing their essential role in delivering critical services every day. The best councilmembers are willing to roll up their sleeves and work hard to tackle complex issues. This includes collaborating with outside agencies, researching best practices, and engaging with our community to understand what matters most.
As you prepare to vote, we encourage you to consider candidates who prioritize problem-solving, respect, and hard work and who have a track record of accomplishments. That’s why we are endorsing Hallie Jones and Bob Whalen.
A third-generation Laguna Beach resident, Jones has over two decades of experience in environmental conservation, working to protect our own unique environment and open spaces. As executive director of the Laguna Canyon Foundation, she has successfully collaborated with government agencies like the Laguna Beach Fire Department and CalTrans. Her dedication to public safety and
fire prevention has earned her the endorsement of our Laguna Beach Firefighters alongside Bob Whalen. Whalen’s extraordinary commitment to public service spans our school district and city. He knows how to work with outside agencies on complex issues and consistently advocates for sustainability, water reliability and fiscal responsibility. In 2019, Bob spearheaded the city’s first Wildfire Mitigation Plan, securing a $23 million investment to protect our community from wildfire. Whalen’s continued leadership will be invaluable over the next four years.
Your vote is powerful. By voting, you choose the vision for our community’s future. Let’s select leaders committed to working together to address Laguna’s most pressing issues, including community development, infrastructure investment, and preserving our city’s core culture. Jones and Whalen are dedicated to meeting these challenges and helping our city thrive.
Thank you for your engagement and support. Regardless of how you vote, please make sure you vote. Together, we can continue building a vibrant, resilient community.
Can I Tell You A Secret? LBHS Fall Play “Trap” Captures Audience
BY SOPHIA CALLISTO, SPECIAL TO THE LB INDY
On Thursday, Oct. 24, the lights of the Artist’s Theatre flickered as the Laguna Beach High School Theatre Program opened their fall play, Trap, heralding in the thrill of the spooky season by transporting the audience from Laguna Beach to mysterious Menachap, California and its infamous Oak Box Theatre.
The documentary-style show weaves the haunting tale of the Oak Box as we learn of its past from the residents of Menachap through dramatizations of interviews, news reports, letters and security camera footage. As they teach us about its colorful and chilling history, a truly captivating story begins to unravel, drawing the audience deeper and deeper into its web. With over 30 students in the cast and crew working for the past nine weeks to bring Trap to life, this show is the
newest chapter in the incredible and innovative legacy that theatre program director Meghan Minguez-Marshall is building at LBHS.
“I really enjoy this show because of how fascinating it is. It’s honestly scary to me. I enjoy how the line between what I want to be real and what I don’t want to be real blends together,” said Catherine Jordan, a senior who plays the poised and intuitive Rachel Baynor, “One of my favorite parts is the lines themselves because there is so much hinting in different parts of the show that don’t make much sense in the moment, but when you come back to it, it can make your mind explode.”
Paula Tripodi, a community member who attended the show twice during opening weekend said, “I went to see the show again after loving it on opening night. Excellent performances
ALEX ROUNAGHI
GUEST OPINION
MAYOR PRO TEM ALEX ROUNAGHI AND COUNCILMEMBER MARK ORGILL
MARK ORGILL
The cast and crew of Trap, which is now playing at the Laguna Beach High School Artist’s Theatre. Submitted photo
Dana game, adding additional drama to that contest. He will be missed. Henry Rounaghi was selected as the 21st Homecoming King, while Addie Santini was crowned Laguna’s 68th queen.
NEXT WEEK: Friday, Nov. 8 – CIF!
CIF pairings will be announced on Sunday, Nov. 3, at cidss.org at about 10 a.m. The Breakers are expected to qualify for the 23rd time in their 90 seasons of competition. This year’s playoffs are based on the actual regular season rankings on calpreps.com, where the Breakers are # 59 this week out of 373 schools. Depending on the results versus Orange, Laguna could face a very competitive opponent in either Division 4 or 5 out of the 14 playoff groups. Breakers are 24-20 alltime in the Southern Section playoffs.
Cal Preps Website for ratings, schedules, scores etc. – calpreps.com Game video highlights are posted on Max Preps at maxpreps.com/ca.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL (9-25, 3-5) –
SSCIF D7 Playoffs
Laguna d. Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary 25-10, 25-21, 25-11 – Oct. 24 at Dugger Gym
The Breakers opened the D7 playoffs with an easy win over the Cardinals (14-12) from Montebello. Laguna played the entire squad, with Jordyn Flynn leading in kills with 9, Blake Borgquist with 7, and Zoey Bond with 6.
Laguna d. Barstow 25-21, 25-21, 25-22 – Oct. 28 at Barstow High School
Laguna traveled the two-and-ahalf-hour bus trip to the high desert to defeat the Aztecs - 17-11, Desert Sky League Champs.
Ivy Bianchi and Layla Kollock led the team in kills with 8, while Sadie Holmes had three blocks and three kills. On defense, Kollock had 14 digs and Sienna Utge with 11 plus a team-leading 14 assists. Laguna trailed both the second and third sets but rallied behind tough serving by Sienna Utge ( 5 aces on 24 serves) and Sienna Lee, who ended the match with a perfect ace.
Laguna d. Apple Valley 25-15, 2624, 25-17 – Oct 30 at Dugger Gym
The Breakers swept the Sun Devils in their first meeting since the 1996
playoffs. Jordyn Flynn (Fr) led the team with 15 kills and Laguna recorded 12 service aces. The win puts Laguna at Paraclete (Lancaster) on Saturday, Nov. 2, tentatively at 6 p.m. The Breakers advance to the semifinals for the 29th time in 48 playoff appearances. Finals are Saturday, Nov. 9 at a site yet to be announced. The Breakers have also qualified for State which will be announced on Nov. 10 at cifstate.org. Schedules and results can be found at cifss.org.
BOYS WATER POLO
(16-14, 6-0)
- CIF
Breakers scored twice in the second overtime period to defeat Sage Hill for 3rd in the Pacific Coast League carnival on Oct. 23 at Woodbridge High School. Sam Skendarian and Lucas Rose each scored three goals for Laguna. Portola defeated Irvine 12-8 for the league title.
Laguna qualified for the SSCIF D-1 playoffs, the second division of six playoff groups in Water Polo behind the 12-team Open Division. The Breakers opened the playoffs this past Thursday against Los Alamitos (4th Place Sunset) at Sage Hill’s full-size pool, substituting for the Laguna home court. The winner advances to the quarterfinals on Nov. 6 against either Downey or Mira Costa. Breakers have qualified for the SSCIF playoffs for the 37th consecutive tournament and the 41st time in the 61 water polo seasons at Laguna.
Scoring leaders after 30 games: 93 – Dylan Willams, 67 – Max Sauers, 39 – Sam Skenderian, 35 – Gavin Goode, 27 – Dane Seybold, 23 –Lucas Rose.
Skipper Carrillo Update
Laguna’s all-time fan Skipper Carrillo has been ill recently and missed the exciting homecoming game but is in good spirits following the Dodgers run this fall. Mr. Uniform is a Laguna treasure, and always remember to have a “Home Run Day” for Skip.
Have a note on Laguna high school sports? Email Frank at frank@ twometer.net. Looking for 2024-25 High School schedules and scores? Check Laguna Beach High School on the Max Preps website or the schedules tab on the athletics website at lbhs.lbusd.org/ athletics/schedules. To get scores on the school site – select the sport and level, click year and move the “show older events” toggle under the 2024-25 year.
11/01 @ 9:00 PM OZZY OSBOURNE TRIBUTE BY MR. CROWLEY 11/02 @ 9:00 PM FLEETWOOD MAC TRIBUTE BY TWISTED GYPSY 11/03 @ 12:30 PM TRUST 1 AND THE SUNDAY GOSPEL BAND 11/03 @ 7:00 PM BIG MOUNTAIN REGGAE NIGHT 11/06 @ 7:00 PM 133 BAND SPECIAL WEDNESDAY SHOW! 11/07 @ 7:00 PM KOKO & FRIENDS FEAT. BLONDIE CHAPLIN
11/08 @ 9:00 PM EARTH, WIND & FIRE TRIBUTE BY KALIMBA 11/10 @ 7:00 PM THE ITALS REGGAE NIGHT SPECIAL EVENT 11/14 @ 7:00 PM KOKO & FRIENDS FEAT. BLONDIE CHAPLIN
11/15 @ 9:00 PM SLAPBAK / B.I.G.
11/16 @ 8:00 PM ADELE TRIBUTE BY ALWAYS, ADELE (ALL AGES SHOW) 11/17 @ 7:00 PM JAHGUN AND JUSTIFYAH REGGAE NIGHT
11/22 @ 9:00 PM DAVE MATTHEWS BAND TRIBUTE BY FAKE MATTHEWS BAND
11/23 @ 9:00 PM THE POLICE TRIBUTE BY THE POLICE ACADEMY 11/24 @ 7:00 PM MASSIVE MCGREGOR REGGAE NIGHT
AIR
Cont. from page 22
Pennsylvania, Kathleen B. Hudson from Colorado, Joe Mancuso from Torrance, California, and Michael Obermeyer from Laguna Beach. The artists shared about their artistic journeys and inspirations. Brienne and Joe were competing for the first time and Michael has been invited for twentysix consecutive years. The renowned panel of art experts for the Wednesday Plein Talks included the Laguna Art Museum’s Executive Director
Julie Perlin Lee, Mr. Jean Stern, Art Historian and Emeritus Director of The Irvine Museum, James Irvine Swinden, Chairman and Co-Founder of The Irvine Museum Collection at UCI, and Eric Rhoads, publisher of Plein Air and Fine Art Connoisseur Magazines, who shared their thoughts on the past, present and future of plein air painting and the importance of collecting and supporting the artists.
This year’s Laguna Art Museum Award was presented to Jason Li for his painting “Rocky High Tide.” The Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational Art Show, which began in 1999, continued at the Laguna Art Museum through 2012. LPAPA is grateful for the museum’s continued support and collaboration.
The annual Laguna Plein Air After Dark Nocturne Paint Out, has become a favorite with locals gathering for a “Just Plein Happy Hour” celebration as the sun sets with the artists capturing the beauty of the quickly the fading
light.
Over $50,000 in cash and prize winners were revealed during Saturday’s VIP Sponsor Reception and Collectors pARTy, with the top prize being the highly coveted $10,000 “Best in Show” being awarded to Minnesota artist Carl Bretzke for his painting “Violet Sky Over Cliff Drive.” Bretzke is well known nationally for his nocturne paintings and his award winner wowed the Best in Show panel of judges that included Jean Stern, emeritus director of The Irvine Museum, Eric Rhoads, publisher of Plein Air and Fine Art Connoisseur Magazines and Dr. Sean O’Harrow, president of the Bowers Museum. Bretzke was previously awarded the Laguna Invitational “Best in Show” prize in 2021.
LPAPA’s $5,000 Award of Excellence was presented to Tennessee-based plein air artist Jennifer Diehl for her painting “Stop and Enjoy the View,” and Florida-based artist Manon Sander was presented with the $2,500 Jean Stern Distinctive Merit Legacy Award for her painting “Landlubber.”
The $2,000 inaugural Heritage Award, sponsored by the Meriam Braselle family, was presented to Colorado-based plein air artist Kathleen B. Hudson for “Top of the World.” Braselle has supported LPAPA since its establishment in 1996 and is passionate about supporting LPAPA, the artists and bringing attention to and preserving Laguna’s natural environment.
Mayor Sue Kempf attended the Collectors pARTy to accept LPAPA’s 2024 Art Patron Award in recognition of LPAPA’s gratitude for the support it receives from the city of Laguna Beach through grant funding opportunities and community support, which has allowed the Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational to continue twenty-six consecutive years of celebrating the plein air painting tradition and legacy.
LPAPA Signature Artist Debra Huse was recognized with the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award for her dedication to teaching and producing an extraordinary body of work and the contributions she has made to the art community and LPAPA over the years.
LPAPA’s Vice President Celeste Gilles, who has volunteered for more than a decade to support LPAPA, its plein air mission, the LPAPA Gallery and the artists, was recognized with LPAPA’s 2024 Lifetime Member Award.
The annual collectors gala, hosted in the evening “plein air” at the Festival of Arts, received rave reviews from artists and guests.
LPAPA’s mission, as a nonprofit art organization, is dedicated to preserving
Laguna’s rich artistic heritage, established by early plein air artists more than a century ago. This is done by bringing plein air painters from near and far to Laguna Beach to preserve its beauty and spirit on their canvases and continue the Laguna Plein Air Painting Tradition and Legacy.
To learn more about nonprofit Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, visit LPAPA.org or visit the LPAPA Gallery located on Gallery Row at 414 North Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Monday and until 9 p.m. the first Thursday of each month for First Thursdays Art Walk.
• “TRAP”
Cont. from page 30
by the cast in a uniquely interesting story with great timing by both cast and crew. Fun to see a thriller on stage.”
Another audience member said, “Outstanding! The production value of this show is outstanding. I was so surprised. Don’t miss seeing it. You won’t be disappointed.”
With unnerving twists and exhilarating turns, Trap brings a psychological thriller to the stage in a way that you’ve most definitely never experienced before.
So can I tell you a secret? There are still four more chances to experience Trap at the LBHS Artist’s Theatre–Friday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 3 at 2 p.m.. Tickets can be purchased via GoFan.co
Please note that Trap contains content that may be frightening for viewers under the age of 12. The show depicts multiple deaths and mental health struggles, including a death by suicide.
• PLEIN
“Stop and Enjoy the View” by Jennifer Diehl took home the Award of Excellence.
Winner of the Irvine Museum Award, “Legacy” by Debra Huse. Photo by Tom Lamb
• CRIER
Cont. from page 4
Kildare, Ireland, on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 10 a.m. Advances in science have brought paradigm shifts to our ways of understanding existence. Is it time for another major paradigm shift – a shift that would include God as the center of all existence? O’Hagan will address this question and the transforming, healing power it can hold. Her talk is entitled, “The science of God and its power to heal us.” It will be preceded by a piano recital by Melissa Murphy starting at 9:30 a.m. It will be held at First Church of Christ, Laguna Beach at 635 High Drive. Childcare provided.
Public Invited to Rivian Electric Vehicle Donation
The city is hosting a special event at Main Beach Park on Nov. 4 at 4 p.m. to celebrate the donation of two Rivian R1S electric SUVs from the California-based automaker to the city. The donation initiates the city’s transition to zero-emission fleet vehicles, moving away from gaspowered options. The Rivian R1S
electric vehicles will be incorporated into the Marine Safety Department’s fleet for a trial period of three years, allowing the city to assess their performance in critical operational environments, such as beach patrols and emergency response. The donation also includes collaboration with Rivian to outfit the vehicles with emergency response gear and city decals. A reception will follow at Rivian South Coast Theater, located at 162 South Coast Highway.
Free Ride to the Polls
Older Laguna Beach voters who prefer to vote in person or hand-deliver their ballots to the official box outside the Laguna Beach library may get a free door-to-door ride from Sally’s Fund, the local nonprofit that provides transportation services to Laguna’s older adults and disabled individuals.
“We want to do our part to ensure that every voter can cast their ballot in a timely manner,” Sally’s Fund Executive Director Rachael Berger said. “If transportation to a polling
place is a barrier, we are here to help. We can help people figure out which is the closest polling station to them and get them safely there and back at no cost.”
Voters may contact Sally’s Fund for a lift by calling 949-499-4100. Votes must be cast on or before Tuesday, Nov. 5. The polls close at 8 p.m.
A View from the Bridge at Laguna Playhouse
LCAD Student Art Market
LCAD is hosting an art market on its historic Main Campus, 2222 Laguna Canyon Road on Nov. 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The LCAD Art Market provides an opportunity to discover artwork from current Laguna College of Art + Design students across all majors.
The Student Art Market is a program designed to empower aspiring artists with the knowledge and skills needed to sell and merchandise their artwork successfully. Geared towards students and emerging artists, this series covers various aspects of the art market, providing valuable insights and practical tips.
Shoppers will have the opportunity to support the new era of creatives and purchase paintings, prints, pins, jewelry, totes, and more.
Laguna Playhouse presents one of the greatest dramas ever written by one of the most celebrated American playwrights of all time, A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller and directed by David Ellenstein. This stunning Tony Award-winning drama delves into the complexities of family, love, and justice. Set in a tightknit Italian-American community in 1950s Brooklyn, the play explores the lives of its characters with raw emotion and powerful storytelling. A View from the Bridge will preview on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 31, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 1, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and run through Sunday, Nov. 17 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Drive.
Cont. from page 14
statements lately. Perhaps she has forgotten several key points or omitted them purposely. When talking about no voice, they refer to the district developing a $150 Million Facility Master Plan without regard to the CDE (CA Dept. Ed.) guidelines and recommendations for FMPs about including the public up front. In September 2022, Superintendent Viloria stated it was too early when asked to include community members on the FMP committee. Months later, he organized phony “workshops” with no one to answer questions. Checking the box about public participation. Keeping all board members from hearing the public outcry in person by wrongly claiming a possible Brown Act violation. (There are clear exemptions called out in the BA, allowing for exactly those types of gatherings) You state the Brown Act saves our democracy. In this case, it was used to stop democracy and once again quiet the voices of the people from getting to board members. Next is your repeated claim of allowing people to speak at board meetings. Three minutes only and not a second more. Those three minutes are one-sided, non-discussion or no feedback exercises. We know showing emotion is not allowed. Even if someone comes to speak on a nonagenda issue, it’s like talking to a wall. Even though bylaws state a board member can ask questions and make comments about the comment given, it is frowned upon. During an agenda item, you have public comment before staff or outside presentations, unlike city council meetings. Lastly, inhibiting board members from having contact with the community and constituents, hiding behind an arcane interpretation of Bylaw 9200. The one that says board members cannot “solve problems” for their constituents but must send them all to Viloria. Just the opposite of what people really think should happen. Even though you always say you have Gmail and phones, you forget to tell people that you can’t do anything for them. By silencing board members, you are again silencing the public by taking their voice. Go to SensibleLaguna.org for proof of abuses.
Steve McIntosh, Sensible Laguna
We’re Better Than This I believe most will agree that the amount of negative advertising in this
election exceeds what we have seen in prior years. Some say it is a sign of the times and something we must learn to live with. Hopefully not, but perhaps it’s true.
What I find most disconcerting is the unfounded character assignations. It demeans us as a society. Policy differences are fair game. No matter how disagreeable one finds the character, unsupported character attacks shouldn’t be tolerated.
I’m talking specifically about those who assert that Councilmember George Weiss cost the city $450,000 by forcing the former city manager from office, in part due to accusations of intimidation, harassment and actions that created a hostile work environment. These allegations have been around for over a year now, and it is unfortunate that they have not been definitively put to rest one way or the other.
Leading up to the Nov. 7, 2023 council meeting, numerous letters to the editor, op-eds and public comments asked for additional transparency related to these events, particularly the role played by Councilmember Weiss. I sent a letter to council before the meeting calling for release of the complete unredacted final investigative report into Weiss’ conduct, concluding that the people had a right to know so that they could form their own opinion, preferably before the next election. Weiss also asked for the release of the full, unredacted report so he could clear his name. The council voted 3-2 not to release even a redacted version. It explained it didn’t have the investigative report at the time of its deliberations on the city manager’s departure. Council reasoned that because it didn’t have the report, it couldn’t have relied on it, and therefore there was no need for the public to see it. Council never explained what, if not the alleged claims against Weiss, the basis was for its decisions regarding the departure.
The mayor said the council did not come to a conclusion about guilt, and the press release did not blame Weiss. The mayor believed the discussion at the meeting provided the transparency the public was looking for. Yet here we are now at election time, rehashing the same old issue, still with insufficient
11/21
11/1 OINGO BOINGO FORMER MEMBERS 11/2 VENICE
11/3 THE WINEHOUSE EXPERIENCE
11/8 COMMON SENSE 11/9 TYRONE WELLS
11/13 JOHN HIATT
11/14 THE SWEET 11/15 RONSTADT REVIVAL
11/16 JOSHUA RADIN & RON POPE 11/21 JEREMY PIVEN
11/22 SPACE ODDITY (
11/23 RUFUS WAINWRIGHT 11/24 CTRL +
11/26 LEONID & FRIENDS
11/27 LEONID & FRIENDS (
11/29 THE PLATTERS 11/30 LEE ROCKER of the Stray Cats 12/4 LIVINGSTON TAYLOR and LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III
12/6 WHICH ONE’S PINK? (P
12/7 WHICH ONE’S PINK? (P
12/8 SANDRA BERNHARD
12/11 DAVID BENOIT (XMAS TRIBUTE) 12/12 THE RAT PACK
12/13 ABBA Holly Jolly Christmas 12/14 THE HIGHWAYMAN SHOW
12/15 THE GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA 12/18 SAMANTHA FISH ( s hake e M ’
J on S pencer , c edric B urn S ide
12/19 A VERY WHITNEY CHRISTMAS 12/20 A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS
12/21 AMBROSIA (HOLIDAY SHOW)
12/22 GARY HO-HO-HOEY
12/27 BEATLES VS STONES
12/28 DRAMARAMA
12/29 L.A. GUNS
12/31 THE ENGLISH BEAT
1/3 QUEEN NATION
1/4 QUEEN NATION
1/12 BURTON CUMMINGS
1/17 DADA
1/18 DSB (J ourney T ri B u T e )
1/23 PAT TRAVERS
1/24 GENE LOVES JEZEBEL & BOW WOW WOW
1/26 WHAT’S NEW PUSSY CAT? (T o M J ones T ri B u T e )
1/30 CANNED HEAT
1/31 DESPERADO ( e agles )
2/1 DESPERADO ( e agles )
2/2 RICKIE LEE JONES
2/7 DAVID COOK
2/8 LED ZEPAGAIN
2/16 INCENDIO
2/22 FAST TIMES
JEREMY PIVEN COMING SOON
2/23 ALWAYS ADELE
2/26 HUMMEL HARP BLOWOUT 2/27 VANESSA COLLIER
3/6 ALTAN
3/7 COCO MONTOYA & RONNIE BAKER BROOKS
3/8 MARC COHN
3/9 MARC COHN 3/13 SONS OF CREAM f T k ofi B aker , M alco M B ruce , r o B J ohnson
3/14 THE FENIANS
4/6 HERMAN’S HERMITS STARRING PETER NOONE 4/11 DON CARLOS 4/19 KEVIN NEALON 4/25 TOM GREEN ( h o M e T o T he c oun T ry ) 4/26 PIANO MEN: GENERATIONS 11/14 THE SWEET 11/15 RONSTADT REVIVAL 11/1 OINGO BOINGO FORMER MEMBERS 11/2 VENICE 11/8 COMMON SENSE
1/10 TOMMY CASTRO & THE PAINKILLERS 1/1 1 AC/DC vs OZZY
3/26 RUSSELL HOWARD 3/28 KIDS OF CHARLEMAGNE 3/29 SUPER DIAMOND
3/30 COLIN JAMES 4/1 JORMA KAUKONEN 4/5 HERMAN’S HERMITS STARRING PETER NOONE
Cont. from page 35
information and with some accusing Weiss of something for which no proof has ever been offered.
We’re better than this.
Mary Locatelli, Laguna Beach
Careless Comments Send Troubling Message
As Laguna Beach’s Chief of Police, I am compelled to address recent, unfounded public comments by City Councilmember George Weiss questioning my honesty and decision-making and, by extension, the integrity of our entire police department. I’ve dedicated over 30 years to law enforcement— 28 here in Laguna Beach and the last three and a half as your chief. I’ve served and led with an unwavering commitment to our community’s safety, and any statement attacking my character is both unwarranted and disappointing from a city leader.
commitment to transparency.
In a private meeting with Mr. Weiss and City Manager Dave Kiff on Oct. 17, Mr. Weiss offered a private apology for his comments. However, he refused to make a public retraction, which speaks volumes - particularly given that his remarks were made openly in a public forum, defaming my character and the outstanding work that every member of our police department is doing.
Public support is essential to effective policing, and we work passionately to exceed your expectations. Careless comments like Mr. Weiss’s send a troubling message to those we serve, as well as the men and women dedicated to ensuring your safety.
I sincerely hoped Mr. Weiss would set the record straight at the Oct. 22 City Council meeting. When that didn’t happen, I felt it necessary to clarify these facts. I stand firmly with the men and women of our department. Their dedication deserves respect, not baseless accusations that erode the community’s confidence in our work.
with George on ecological restoration projects through his leadership in the Transition Laguna Beach movement and other issues important to our Village by the Sea. His passion for our community and commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development/management have been apparent in all his efforts.
George is a person of deep integrity and strong ethical values. He approaches every project with dedication and brings a unique ability to collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Whether working with community groups or in professional settings, George listens thoughtfully and fosters an environment where all voices are heard. Yet, when leadership is required, George is not one to shrink from difficult conversations or uncomfortable truths. He understands that effective leadership sometimes demands standing firm and making decisions that others may shy away from, and I have seen him do this with grace and courage.
of our community. He is passionate about preserving the unique character of Laguna Beach while addressing the complex challenges we face, from environmental sustainability to responsible development.
My family and I have been part of this community for more than 30 years and are the owners of Bluebird Canyon Farms, which we have developed and have continuously operated for nearly 15 years. The Farm is a place that has become an icon in Laguna Beach for promoting land stewardship, conservation, and resiliency. Through this work, I have seen firsthand the importance of having leaders like George, who understand the value of preserving our natural spaces, encouraging sustainable growth, promoting ethics in our city government and upholding the rule of law. His leadership aligns with these principles, and I trust his continued service will benefit all residents of our community.
Recently, at a City Council election debate, Mr. Weiss suggested that I am not truthful and questioned my decision-making. This claim is baseless and also undermines the public’s trust in me and our department’s
Jeff Calvert, Chief of Police and community member
I’m Voting for George Weiss
I am pleased to endorse George Weiss for Laguna Beach City Council. I have had the privilege of working closely
The Hat Maker’s Big Show
We’d abandoned a dreadful cruise and found ourselves marooned on Mykonos, only slightly less dreadful than the cruise, where my longterm girlfriend Kim Bowen and I invited Stephen Jones and his husband Craig to come hang with us. We’d vacationed together many times, and I’ve always enjoyed Stephen’s dry, English, lowkey and occasionally bitchy sense of humor.
I knew Stephen made hats, and on each trip, he miraculously produced pristine titfers for us. One afternoon, we descended into the port of Mykonos, and attempting to avoid the heat/crowds we stopped in the requisite whitewashed restaurant for an Aperol spritz.
Before we had taken a sip, Stephen
was approached by the first of what, over the next few days, would be several women begging to be photographed with him and gushing over his hats. And I thought, Stephen? Famous? Huh?
Cut to…Paris, Thursday, Oct. 17, three weeks before the American election. Kim and I are at an opening of a special exhibit of Stephen’s work at the Palais Galliera, a museum devoted solely to fashion. In its own words, “For the first time in over forty years at the Palais Galliera, an exhibition is being devoted entirely to an accessory, the hat, treating it as a work of art in its own right. The exhibition focuses of Stephen Jones’ creative process…and the inspiration behind his pieces.”
The exhibit was the museum’s most expensive ever and featured about 400 of Stephen’s pieces set in some twenty different ‘rooms,’ all painted midnight blue with the hats displayed in cabinets created solely for the exhibition--a lot
As a Marine Corps veteran, George served our country honorably, and that same sense of duty carries into his service for our city. His first term on the Laguna Beach City Council has been marked by strong leadership and a commitment to the well-being
I wholeheartedly support George Weiss for Laguna Beach City Council and am confident his leadership will continue to strengthen and protect the Laguna Beach we all love.
Scott Tenney, Laguna Beach
38 • LETTERS
BY MICHAEL RAY
of cabinets in each room--and under expert little spotlights where the hats were set off like jewels.
That evening, Kim donned sky-high heels that killed her, but on she strode, wearing tight black pants and a vintage Dior frilly black jacket (Stephen has been Dior’s hat designer for nearly thirty years). On her head sat a sort of cowboy hat, very shiny and very black, which Stephen had created for her years before. I say “sort of” because take a cowboy hat and imagine it on LSD, insanely crazy and insanely great.
Kim met Stephen when they were students at St. Martin’s School of Art, the European equivalent of the Harvard of Fashion and Design. Along with a group of ridiculously talented other students, they squatted in an abandoned row house on Warren Street, electricity gained by tapping into a next-door building, but no heat.
Their main social activity was attending a nightclub called The Blitz,
the London equivalent of NYC’s famous Studio 54 (think Mick Jagger and Bianca). The criteria for entry was looking fabulous; being rich or famous was inconsequential. To his shock, Mick Jagger was turned away at the door of the Blitz by its owner, Steve Strange, for “looking like an old hippie.”
Kim credits Stephen for making her “Queen of the Blitz,” as she is known in lore about the place, due to the hats he made for her. And one fact became certain: people immediately begged to know who made them.
Within little more than a year, Princess Diana was wearing his creations.
During the night of Stephen’s exhibit in Paris, it was raining cats and dogs. No matter. Some 1,200 people waited in line with their umbrellas t0o see it. Kim and I had VIP access (of course,
MICHAEL RAY
GUEST OPINION
BY
Pig Tales
I was brought up in New York, and looking back on my upbringing, I must admit that some of the parenting messages were hardcore. My father was famous for one-line zingers when he was displeased with my behavior.
One of his favorites was: “You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.”
As a teenager, I vaguely wondered why anyone would want a silk purse and who would be so sadistic that they would think of using a sow’s ear to make a purse in the first place.
I did know one thing, though; it was not a compliment. When my dad used the phrase, it had a finality to it. When disgusted with my behavior, he would turn to my mother and proclaim: “Well, Peggy, you can’t make a silk purse...”
End of discussion. Dismissed. Erased. Banished to the land where useless sow’s ears go.
In retrospect, that statement has had a profound influence on me. Despite the evidence, I would staunchly maintain that the person or situation I was involved with could, or should, any minute now, show up as a silk purse. All that was needed was a little more caring, effort, commitment, concern and energy, and then everything would be wonderful.
A little moisturizer and that sow’s ear would shimmer like silk in no time.
I would negate my intuition, stay too long in less-than-nurture or life-giving situations, and hold on to the naive and misguided notion that I could change another person. As I look back, the motivation was a misguided attempt to cheerlead someone else into taking the risks, responsibilities and growth steps I wanted to take.
Since I had been compared to a sow’s ear and knew how terrible it felt, I never wanted to give up on anyone. I would decide, instead, that I would simply help to develop their hidden potential with or without their permission.
Now, what is my point in telling you about this little flash from my past?
It is to invite you to check in and see if you are wasting any of your present life energy trying to ignore, sugar-coat or dress up damaging situations instead of taking responsibility and authority for your own life. Here are some questions that may assist you in pinpointing areas where you may be wasting energy.
Are you habitually disappointed with another? If so, why? Are you frustrated or confused about how a person who is important to you is treating you, but you keep making excuses for their behavior?
Do you repeatedly enter into business deals or personal relationships that are difficult, hard and problematic? Does it feel like you are in a three-legged race with a partner that refuses to move in tandem but you insist on dragging him or her kicking and screaming to the finish line?
Assess your particular situation and tell yourself the truth. That is the first step.
Kindly but firmly acknowledge that it is your discomfort and, therefore, your responsibility is to make the necessary changes to satisfy yourself.
When you find yourself seduced into thinking your way is the only correct way, evaluate your motives. Are you trying to force, coerce or manipulate someone into changing their behavior for their own good? Remember that no one sets aside their old ways to seek the new unless and until they feel the need for it.
If, after you assessed the situation, you discover that you have been trying to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, here is another worthwhile slogan you might want to ponder.
“Don’t try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig.”
Susan presents ongoing small group seminars on how to unleash the power of your intuition. Her book “Beyond Intellect: Journey into the Wisdom of Your Intuitive Mind” is written as a self-help guide. beyondintellect.com.
SUSAN MCNEAL
VELASQUEZ
GUEST OPINION: WISDOM WORKOUT
SUSAN MCNEAL VELASQUEZ
• PUDWILL
Cont. from page 24
who puts residents first – not profits. Without Weiss, there would be no guardrails to defend residents from the free-spending, businesses-firstdominated city council. Without Weiss, there would be no one to alert the public of the council’s backdoor power plays, such as their attempt to turn the library into a parking lot.
I appeal to all voting residents to reject cronyism, reject the developers’ interests, reject the real estate industries’ pay-for-play, and reject the WhalenKempf political machine. It is time to take back our town. Please vote for George Weiss on Nov. 5.
Jerome is a former City Council candidate and 38-year Laguna resident with a background in advertising and marketing consultation.
• MOSKO
Cont. from page 26
environmentally conscious community. Hopefully, these new bag laws will help us lucky residents of Laguna to be better stewards of our beautiful environment.
Sarah is an environmental journalist and psychologist living in Laguna Beach with a background in basic science research. She is passionate about caring for the environment and writes about contemporary environmental problems and solutions.
• RAY
Cont. from page 36
darling), walked straight into the show, and found that Kim was prominently displayed as Stephen’s original muse, with photos of her wearing his hats.
Later that night, Stephen and Craig joined the rest of us at our temporary apartment for dinner, to be delivered by DoorDash. That never happened. Instead, Kim made pasta, and Stephen and Craig helped with the dishes. Like always.
No one mentioned American politics.
Michael has founded many nonprofits in Orange County and is semi-retired. Kim, who heavily edited this column, is a Hollywood stylist and costume designer whose most famous current client is Pink.
• HANAUER
Cont. from page 20
come near Laguna. Remember the failed Measure Q? It was intended to institutionalize stagnation.
Back to me being called a “developer.” I’ve always considered myself an investor in Laguna rather than a developer because development isn’t my long suit. I get by, but there are many people far better at it than I, and someday, I hope we’ll entice them back to add value to our town. Sure, we want to maintain constraints such as height limits, scale and density. Don’t change these. But, not constraints of unnecessary red tape, process delays and public outrage every time something is proposed that interferes with the status quo. These need to go.
Joe owns multiple Laguna Beach commercial properties where he’s completed multiple major renovations and remodeling. Among them is the Old Pottery Place and 580 Broadway.
• STREET BEAT
Cont. from page 10
Monday, Oct. 28
Bench warrant. A 39-year-old Santa Ana man was arrested on suspicion of two outstanding bench warrants. His bail was set at $2,960.
DUI. A 61-year-old Laguna Beach woman was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. Her bail was set at $2,500.
Tuesday, Oct. 29
No arrests recorded.
Wednesday, Oct. 30
Firearm possession. A 44-year-old Laguna Beach man was arrested on suspicion of an outstanding bench warrant, possessing a firearm as a felon, owning prohibited ammunition and manufacturing a leaded cane. He was held without bail.
Firearm possession. A 48-year-old Laguna Beach woman was arrested on suspicion of obstructing an officer and disobeying a court order. She was also arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm as a felon, owning prohibited ammunition and manufacturing a leaded cane. Her bail was set at $80,000. Disorderly conduct. A 32-year-old Ontario man was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct. His bail was set at $500.
Cont. from page 36
I’m Voting for Bob Whalen
I have lived in Laguna Beach for the past 46 years and have known Bob Whalen for over three decades. He has coached youth sports, was on the board of SchoolPower, was president of the Laguna Beach School Board and has been a city council member for the last 12 years.
I don’t know anyone who has worked as tirelessly and unselfi shly to make Laguna the great city that it is today as Bob Whelan.
During the COVID-19 crisis in 2020-2021, Bob was mayor and worked day and night with the county, state and local organizations to guide the city through the many challenges of the epidemic. When residents formed the COVID Relief Fund to help local workers, Bob got the city to donate $300,000 towards the million raised. Th is money provided nearly 1,900 of our citizens with much-needed funds to help them.
I have been saddened by the recent ads and childish cartoons that have falsely targeted Bob for anything some folks haven’t liked about the city council’s decisions during the last several years. Many of the people behind these disgusting attacks are the same people who tried to get the city to vote for Proposition Q during the last election. Th is measure was rejected by 65% of Laguna voters. During the next four years, there
will be many complicated issues that our city must deal with. No one knows better than Bob Whelan on how to solve them. All three of the city council incumbents who have worked with Bob are supporting him in the upcoming election. I hope you will as well.
Bob Mister, Laguna Beach
Support for Laguna Police
I am writing in support of Jeff Calvert and the Laguna Beach Police Department. I understand George Weiss, who is running for reelection to City Council, did not double-check crime statistics and did not accurately convey them. I really appreciated the courteous and informed response from Jeff Calvert. He clearly studies those statistics carefully and takes them very seriously. I think that fact-checking is essential in this day of misinformation, especially when criticizing anyone or anything. Moreover, it feels as though police offi cers are often put in impossible situations. Th e contact I have had with the Laguna Beach Police has been somewhat limited, but when I do need their help, they are there. I have seen them in situations requiring a careful approach, and their response has been amazing. So I say thank you - I truly appreciate our Laguna Beach Police force and specifi cally Jeff Calvert.
Lianne Mech, Laguna Beach
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