Bead Shop Holds Trove of Local Memories
By Clara Beard | LB Indy
It’s October 1973. The Rolling Stone’s hit “Angie” was number 1 on the charts, Queen Elizabeth II opened the Sydney Opera House and the Oakland A’s beat New York Mets to win the World Series.
Meanwhile, in Laguna Beach, three friends were at a crossroads.
Suzie Milette, Virginia Mason and Analee Dixon were each searching for a new beginning in life. After considering a bookstore, the three decided to pool their money and open a Bead Shop instead. The timing was perfect.
“It was 1973, and a lot of people were in the hippie mode,” said Mason,
90, who now spends her time writing novels and poems. “Especially here in Laguna. People liked beads, and they liked to wear beads. It’s just sort of in your blood.”
The three women officially opened
Wet Weather Prediction Forces Cancelation of Saturday’s Patriots Day Parade
By LB Indy Staff
The 57th Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade has been canceled after rain is predicted this Saturday.
“Our parade committee officers have decided that it is best to cancel our March 2 parade because of the threat of rain,” parade organizer Sandi Werthe said. “We are heartbroken that the step was necessary after six months planning, but feel that for the safety of our entries and all concerned, it is the best possible decision.”
According to the National Weather Service, the chance of precipitation on
Saturday is 60 percent, with rain starting after 10 a.m. Wind speeds will be between 11 and 16 miles per hour, with gusts as high as 26 miles per hour.
This year’s parade was set to honor Grand Marshal Captain Rick Shoemaker; Honored Patriot of the Year Colonel Richard Seitz; Citizen of the Year Karyn Philippsen; Junior Citizens of the Year Elaina Seybold and Tyler Palino; Artist of the Year Mike Tauber and Athlete of the Year Brayden Belden. Parade programs are still available by emailing shworthy@cox.net.
Laguna Beach Veterinary Medical Center Under New Ownership
By Clara Beard | LB Indy
Pet owners rejoice. Doctors and husband and wife duo Mathew Cohen and Roxanne Kruger have recently taken ownership of Laguna Beach Veterinary Medical Center on Laguna Canyon Road and have given the hospital a complete overhaul.
Together, Cohen and Kruger have revamped staff, medicine, care protocols and the hospital’s physical spaces, inside
After a rain event, irrigation systems should be turned off. The rule of thumb is that for every half inch of rain, you can hold off on irrigation for one week.
BEAD SHOP, PAGE 3
Left: Current Bead Shop owner Melissa Leigh Amish (center), stands with managers Yvonne Arellano (left) and Kelly Anderson (right). Clara Beard/LB Indy. Above: Former Bead Shop owner Suzie Milette (left) works with her daughter Jill (right) in the shop’s original location in the early 80s. Photo courtesy of Melissa Leigh Amish.
Veterinarians Mathew Cohen and Roxanne Kruger stand in front of their new practice on Laguna Canyon Road. Clara Beard/LB Indy
Former mayor and 2023 Patriots Day Grand Marshal Toni Iseman waves at the crowd during last year’s Patriots Day Parade. Photo/ Jim Collins
BY Barbara Lebow
The Bead Shop just half a block north of its current location at 899 South Coast Highway on Oct. 15.
Mason said that in the beginning, they learned the business as they went.
“I had a great idea to put the beads in little flower pots and
then abalone shells filled with sand because I liked the idea of the beach theme. That was a nightmare because small beads would get lost in the sand. It was a mess. But we learned by doing.”
With Milette in charge of buying product, Mason focused on shop
design and sales while Dixon took care of the books.
“Suzie was the sparkplug, and Analee was very good with numbers,” Mason said. “We became known in town as the ‘Bead Shop Ladies’. I miss it. I miss the customers, we always knew what was going on in town, and I miss the high school girls who worked with us.”
Traders and Hare Krishnas, some from as far away as Africa, would stop by the Bead Shop once a week to sell their highly sought-after beads and corals, also visiting Virginia Townsend’s clothing shop, known to many as locals “Virginia’s dress shop,” where Billabong now stands on the corner of Thalia and South Coast Highway.
Business was good. Mason, Milette, and Dixon hired local high school girls, some of whom later became Sawdust artists and crafters, to help in the shop. Local Rachel Goberman, now the president of the Laguna Craft Guild, worked for the “Bead Shop Ladies” as did glassblower Nicole McQuaid.
“I remember that the shop never had a cash register, just a drawer,” said Susie’s daughter Jill Milette, who managed the shop up until the 90s.
The three owners then hired
Peggy Smith in 1982, moved the store in 1985, and sold the business to Smith not long after.
Just a touch over a half-century old, The Bead Shop is now in the capable hands of Melissa Leigh Amish, who bought the shop from resident Mary Bryne about three years ago.
Amish, who volunteers for the Assistance League, has lived in Laguna for about 12 years. She said business is booming, with crafters and jewelers (even celebrities) coming in from all over world to buy beads, make repairs or participate in workshops and parties.
“People will come in and say, ‘I wish we still have a store in our area,’” Amish said. “I hear it a lot, which is so sad. But I also hear many great stories from locals who shopped here back in the day. They’ll come in with their grandkids because the place has been here for so long. I always ask people to send me old pictures of their pieces or the shop.”
The Bead Shop is located on 899 South Coast Highway. Learn more about this Laguna Beach landmark at beadshoplaguna.com.
Former Bead Shop owner Virginia Mason stands next beadwork in her Laguna Beach home. Clara Beard/LB Indy;
Patriots Day Parade this Saturday
The 57th Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade on Saturday, March 2, will salute as honorees Grand Marshal Captain Rick Shoemaker; Honored Patriot of the Year Colonel Richard Seitz; Citizen of the Year Karyn Philippsen; Junior Citizens of the Year Elaina Seybold and Tyler Palino; Artist of the Year Mike Tauber and Athlete of the Year Brayden Belden.
The parade starts at 11 a.m. on Park Avenue near Laguna Beach High School, turns right on Glenneyre and again on Forest Avenue, ending just past City Hall.
For information, email shworthy@ cox.net or check the parade website: lagunabeachparade.com.
Women’s Wellness Workshop to be Hosted in Laguna Beach March 9
A women’s wellness workshop will be held on Saturday, March 9, from 1 to 6 p.m. at High Vibe Studio in downtown Laguna Beach.
Discover how self-confidence impacts your day-to-day life and learn five proven ways to boost it. Leading the workshop is Kimberly Spreen-Glick, a wellness educator and coach with over 25 years of experience focused on program creation and teaching on fitness, wellness, yoga and leadership as well as pro-
Town Crier
IN AND AROUND LAGUNA BEACH
fessional and personal development. Email support@theinspiredlifeuniversity.com for more information.
March Art Start at Hotel Laguna Come celebrate Spring with art, wine and hors d’oeuvres at Hotel Laguna on Thursday, March 7, from 5 to 6 p.m. The featured artists this month are Robert Jones, Joshua King and Lovisa Kjerrgren. Saxaphonist Jake Brown will provide lively music to enjoy while mingling with the art. The reception from 5 to 6 p.m. will open the evening followed by Art Walk from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information, visit firstthursdaysartwalk.org.
Laguna Playhouse Presents A Shayna Maidel
LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE presents A SHAYNA MAIDEL, written by Barbara Lebow and directed by Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director David Ellenstein. A SHAYNA MAIDEL will begin previews on Wednesday, March 13 and run through Sunday, March 31 at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Drive.
A SHAYNA MAIDEL (“a pretty girl” in Yiddish) is a touching memory play about two sisters reconnecting after years of separation and a hopeful story about the resiliency of the human spirit.
The play, set in New York City in 1946, explores family, faith, and forgiveness in the pursuit of a better future. Tickets range from $45 to $84 and can be purchased online at www. lagunaplayhouse.com or by calling (949) 497-2787.
Laguna Art Museum events Live! At the Museum: FlucelloSunday, March 3 at 1 p.m. Step into the enchanting world of classical music with “BACH to the Future,” a mesmerizing concert featuring the dynamic flute and cello duo, Flucello, comprising the exceptional talents of Antonina Styczen on flute and Pola Benke on cello. Immerse yourself in a diverse repertoire that seamlessly weaves together timeless masterpieces by Johann Sebastian Bach with more modern gems by composers like Stravinsky and others. Experience the rich tapestry of sound with a unique twist, as the duo explores Reza Vali’s Persian Folk Songs, incorporating unconventional instruments like wine glasses and drums. “BACH to the Future” invites both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers to revel in the beauty of classical music, creating an unforgettable musical journey for all.
Art Walk – Thursday, March 7 at 6 to 9 p.m.
First Thursdays Art Walk celebrates the diverse cultural art scene of Laguna Beach and is free to the public with participation by more than 30 member galleries. First Thursdays Art Walk is held on the first Thursday of every month from 6 to 9 p.m. The featured musician is Nick Yrizarry on guitar and the featured exhibition is Modern Alchemy. Admission to the museum is free on each month’s First Thursday Art Walk.
Artist Walkthrough: Modern Alchemy with Artist-Jeweler Adam Neeley - Saturday, March 9 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Join acclaimed artist-jeweler Adam Neeley for a captivating gallery walkthrough tour, where each piece tells a story of intricate craftsmanship and artistic inspiration. Neeley’s passion for blending traditional goldsmith techniques with modern technology shines through as he unveils the unique narratives behind his stunning creations, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the world of fine jewelry as both art and adornment. The tour will last approximately 45 minutes, with the opportunity to ask questions. Details and ticket information for all events can be found at www.lagunaartmuseum.org/events.
Welcome Spring with art at Hotel Laguna!
Join us for Art Start with wine and hors d'oeuvres from 5 pm to 6 pm at the Hotel Laguna. Featured artists Robert Jones, Joshua King and Lovisa Kjerrgren will be in attendance. Come hear the soothing sounds of saxophonist Jake Brown while perusing the art. Enjoy the rest of the night at Art Walk from 6 pm to 9 pm.
Thursday, March 7th at 5:00 PM
425 South Coast Highway Laguna Beach
Come Meet the Artists
“Shrouded in Mistery” Lovisa Kjerrgren “Horsehair Vase” Robert Jones “Victoria Beach Tower” Joshua King
Letters
LETTERS CAN BE MAILED TO: EDITOR@LBINDY.COM
Replace Gelson’s with Stater Bros
It was good to see our Laguna Beach Mayor Sue Kempf show some concern about the fact that Gelson’s market in South Laguna is closing on March 2. They say the market is leased from the Aliso Creek Plaza landlords. The City Council is responsible for the general welfare of our city residents. They should encourage the leasing of the market to a new fair-pricing operator. So between Trader Joe’s north of us and Crown Valley Parkway, we have two premium-priced stores, Vons and Wholefoods and one fairly priced store, — Ralphs. Some hope Gelson’s is replaced with a Stater Bros.; others have a favorite grocery store they would like to see open. The 72-plus seniors in the Vista Aliso apartments across from Gelson’s have depended on the store as a lifeline, even though it is “pricey” because some use walkers to cross the street walking, and many others have no car. Let’s hope a fair-priced operator comes soon.
Roger Carter, Laguna Beach
Hotel Laguna construction should stop until court proceedings are finalized
I am writing to express my concerns regarding the ongoing construction at Hotel Laguna. It has come to my attention that this project has been proceeding beyond the scope of work and has been issued stop-work orders on three separate occasions in the last few months, most recently on Feb. 15 and Feb. 21. This blatant disregard for city development guidelines and procedures is alarming, not only for the immediate downtown but for our community’s standards and expectations regarding development and construction.
It is my understanding that the plans for this development have not been made available to the public,
denying the community the opportunity to review, understand, and provide feedback on the project that will impact our city’s charm and, potentially, its heritage. Per the Jan. 9 letter from Coastal Commission, the lack of coastal attention has brought significant attention to the “disturbing allegations” from the California Coastal Commission regarding the trenching and privatization of the beachfront sand. The Hotel Laguna is “On Notice” regarding rules and conditions for moving forward. This matter has not been formally addressed and poses an outstanding issue for Laguna. Transparency in development projects is crucial to maintaining trust between the city, its residents, and developers. The lack of public access to these plans raises serious questions about the project’s compliance with local zoning laws, coastal approvals, local committee approvals and community acceptance.
Our community is well aware that this property is subject to ownership
LETTERS, PAGE 8
theIndyPoll
LAST WEEK’S QUESTION
Did you plan on attending the Patriots Day Parade?
-Yes, 35.44% (28 votes) -No, 64.56% (51 votes)
TOTAL VOTES: 79
THIS WEEK’S QUESTION
Should the intersection at Thalia and Glenneyre be converted to a roundabout? - Yes - No
March 4 - Emergency and Disaster Preparedness Committee at 6 p.m. March 4 - Citizens’ Audit Review and Investment Advisory Committee at 6 p.m.
HOW
Alex Rounaghi Mayor Pro Tem arounaghi@ lagunabeachcity.net
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.net
TOM GIBBS: tgibbs@lagunabeachcity.net
George Weiss Council member gweiss@lagunabeachcity.net
PLANNING COMMISSION
1ST AND 3RD 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 ASSEMBLYWOMAN DIANE DIXON, 19712 MacArthur Blvd. Ste. 150, Irvine, CA 92612. 949-251-0074 FIFTH DISTRICT SUPERVISOR KATRINA FOLEY
EDITORIAL
MANAGING EDITOR
Clara Beard clara@ rebrandmediainc.com
DESIGN
DESIGN DIRECTOR
Tracy Powell
SALES
ADVERTISING SALES TEAM
Carol Josepher
Chris Mattingley
Dawn Lindeman
Mara Hertel
PRODUCTION
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Tina Leydecker tina@ rebrandmediainc.com
ADVERTISING & CIRCULATION: Tel: 949 715-4100; Fax: 949 715-4106
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS Ti any ompson
MAILING ADDRESS: 900 Glenneyre St., Suite B Laguna Beach, CA 92651 Tel: 949-715-4100; Fax: 949 715-4106 www.lbindy.com
A publication of
PUBLISHER
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Steve Zepezauer
CREATIVE &
MARKETING DIRECTOR
Tracy Powell
PRESIDENT OF SALES & MARKETING
Scott Sanchez
OUR LETTER POLICY
E-mail letters to: Clara@firebrandmediainc.com
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 are preferred.
PLEASE
949-715-4100 delivery@firebrandmediainc.com
Sue Kempf Mayor skempf@lagunabeachcity.net
Bob Whalen Council member bwhalen@lagunabeachcity.net
Mark Orgill Council member morgill@lagunabeachcity.net
Ann Marie McKay City Clerk amckay@lagunabeachcity.net
Laura Parisi City Treasurer lparisi@ lagunabeachcity.net
“Chris
- Sally, Laguna Beach
Sports/Schools
SUBMISSIONS WELCOME BY 5 PM TUESDAY
By Frank Aronoff | LB Indy
SPRING SPORTS UPDATE
BASEBALL (4-3)
Laguna lost a 1-0 nine-inning Newport Elks tournament contest to Tesoro on Thursday, Feb. 22, but came back on Saturday to defeat Orange 6-0 in a non-league game at Skipper Carrillo Field. Noah Neufield hit a home run, and Becker Sybrisky picked up the win, striking out 6. This past Tuesday, Laguna edged Capo Valley Christian 3-2 in a contest played at the high school. Up next is another tournament game on Friday, March 1 at Cerritos and next week, a non-league contest on Tuesday at Sunny Hills. Breakers host Huntington Beach on March 8 at Skipper Carrillo Field.
BOYS GOLF (1-0)
Laguna opened their season with a 210-260 match win over El Toro on February 27 at Ben Brown’s (par 32). Sophomore Trent Beason and freshman Beckett Thompson shot the low scores for Laguna, with each at 41. The other scores for Laguna included sophomore Teddy Hackett (42). freshman Kellinger Frey (43)
and sophomore James Schroeder (43). League play opens on March 26 at Marina.
GIRLS LACROSSE (3-0)
Coach Paul Storke’s recap of the victory over Mission Viejo on Feb. 27: Laguna dominated the Diablos with Ruby Samson, six goals, Summer DiMaggio, three goals, and Piper Halpern, three goals, leading the charge on offense. Defender Alice Mitsuka played stellar defense and even notched a goal on a full-field run. Cailin Mulvaney dominated on the draw circle and Tess Smialowicz led all players from both squads with eight ground balls.
GIRLS
BEACH VOLLEYBALL (1-2)
Laguna narrowly dropped a non-league match at Huntington on Tuesday, Feb. 27. Breakers will face Corona del Mar at Big Corona on Feb. 29 and will host Newport Harbor on Main Beach, March 5, in a Sunset Surf League match. Match #3 Feb. 27 at Huntington Beach – Beach Blvd/PCH CourtsLost 2-3
SPORTS, PAGE 17
litigation. It’s public knowledge that MOM Group and Mo Honarkar have a pending case with the Orange County Superior Court to determine if MOM Group frauded Mr. Honarkar. If the City of Laguna Beach were to intervene and push through a property in current litigation, the city would open itself to significant lawsuits. This would not be beneficial for the city or the residents of our charming town.
Given these issues, I strongly believe that further development at Hotel Laguna should not be allowed to continue until the court proceedings are finalized.
Blake Nenn, Laguna Beach
It is possible
On March 12, the City Council will discuss options for improved aquatics in Laguna. Rather than work with the city on a solution that meets the needs of both residents and students, Laguna Beach Unified School District approved and funded a 50-meter $16 million pool on the site of the current 25-meter pool. A poor use of resident property taxes.
The city funds nearly 97% of the total pool operations cost because they carry all staffing costs and the 70/30 city/school cost sharing. By
approving the Olympic pool, without participation from the city, the district will increase student availability by nearly seven times, from 30% of a 25-meter pool to 100% of a 50-meter pool! An extreme overbuild.
The district is trying to force the city to participate in a pool of their design, size, cost, and location by moving forward without city consent. LBUSD gets $.26 of each property tax dollar and the city gets $.25. The city and the school district, taking half our taxes, should leverage services and facilities in support of ALL residents. So other than complain what can residents do?
-Ask the city to reject the demand by LBUSD as it doesn’t meet resident needs (no “wading” pool, for example), doesn’t address program goals, and is not neighborhood-compatible.
-Ask the city to formally object to the independent LBUSD plan as unnecessarily impactful to the community and fiscally irresponsible
-Ask the city to prioritize the construction of a dedicated community pool
-Ask LBUSD to resize their pool to 35-38 meters saves $8 million, exceeds all CIF requirements and accommo-
Let’s Go Bowl’ing GUEST
By Billy Fried
In the last six months, we’ve experienced a significant upgrade in the cultural fabric of Laguna. Starting, of course, with the magnificent Rivian theater and their benevolent twice-weekly community movie screenings. Now that Seahorse is gone, it’s become our unofficial
clubhouse, a place to meet and hang with friends. At least until the permanent Forest Promenade is built. Then they’ll be siblings.
Right after that, we were gifted the magnificent Honarkar Foundation gallery space, which promises to augment our museum with stellar and hopefully challenging exhibitions, starting with the inaugural retrospective of the prolific figurative genius of local artist Jorg
Dubin. And next up is a vast survey of the seminal California artist and abstract sculptor, Tony DeLap.
And have you also noticed the significant upgrade in coffee shops to keep you caffeinated for all this exciting content? Let’s get this party started.
It’s all admirable stuff, but what about the other five days of the week, ten months a year, when our cultural scene is largely moribund? You know, when the Festival of Arts and Sawdust Festival are dark. Well, thanks to the work of your Mayor Sue Kempf and Mayor Pro Tem Alex Rounaghi, we may be on the path to swing just a little bit more. They are our two representatives on the Irvine Bowl Policy Committee, and they met last week with board members of Festival of Arts (FOA) to discuss ways of activating the event spaces, which everyone agrees are tremendous yet vastly underutilized civic assets.
The meeting was fast, productive, and an example of solution-based collaboration between the city and their tenant and operating partner, FOA, to encourage the use of the grounds all year round. And by grounds, they mean the whole enchilada – the art and events area known as the Festival grounds, Terra restaurant, the intimate 230-seat Forum Theater, and the granddaddy of them all, the sublime 2600-seat Irvine Bowl.
For as long as I can remember, fellow residents have wondered why our amazing amphitheater wasn’t being used for anything outside of Pageant of the Masters. One only needs to venture to Santa Barbara’s Bowl, the Hollywood Bowl and Greek Theater in LA, or Humphrey’s By the Bay in San Diego to know that outdoor venues significantly enhance the cultural life of a town.
So why not here? We learned in the meeting that impacted neighbors above the Bowl have, in the past, voiced issues with the noise at Terra, but not with the Pageant – not recently - due to upgrades in sound baffling. And really, should a few residents who recently moved into homes above a city-owned, 80-year-old public venue have sway over whether they can stage concerts? It’s actually written into the deed restriction (with the Irvine Company back in 1947 when they gifted us the land) that the property be “used in perpetuity for public entertainment and recreational purposes.” Otherwise, land ownership would revert back to the Irvine Company. So it’s in our actual charter to use the facilities as much as possible.
So why not here? Well, when asked if there was any kind of moratorium on renting the facility
Street Beat
EXCERPTS FROM POLICE LOGS
Wednesday, Feb. 21
DUI. Raymond Scott Reid, 56, of Buena Park, was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and blowing on or over 0.08 percent blood alcohol level. He was held on $5,000 bail.
Thursday, Feb. 22
Flash hold. Feinai Saipani Eli, 48, of Anaheim, was arrested on suspicion of a felony flash incarceration due to a violation of his conditions of post-release supervision. He was held without bail.
DUI, possession of a controlled substance. An 18-year-old Ladera Ranch man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. He was held on $2,500 bail.
Disorderly conduct. John Cannon Green, 56, of Southlake, Texas, was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct. He was held on $500 bail.
Friday, Feb. 23
Bench warrant. Jamison John Laufenberg, 50, of Laguna Beach was arrested on suspicion of an outstanding bench warrant. He was held without bail.
Saturday, Feb. 24
Tampering with vehicle. Emily Marie Vollert, 26, of Mission Viejo, was arrested on suspicion of tampering with a vehicle. She was held on $500 bail.
DUI. Michelle Kyong Kwon, 60, of Laguna Hills, was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and blowing on or over 0.08 percent blood alcohol level. She was held on $5,500 bail.
Sunday, Feb. 25 No arrests reported.
Monday, Feb. 26 No arrests reported.
Tuesday, Feb. 27 No arrests reported.
Wednesday, Feb. 28
Possession of a controlled substance. Jason Lyons Pierce, 43, of Mission Viejo was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance. He was held without bail.
Disorderly conduct. Winston Lewis Payne, 26, of Santa Ana was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct due to alcohol. He was held on $500 bail.
dates all home games -Ask the city and school district to work together for residents and students.
Given 100% use of a 35 meter pool that fits in the current space, the district would materially increase student availability, and the city could accommodate the increasing demand from city programs at the new community pool. Sharing “unused time” between the two entities could continue; there would be ongoing redundancy with two pools, and, assuming coordinated construction, there would be no downtime.
This approach requires compromise and cooperation between the city, the school district, and residents. It’s happened before, and I’d like to think it is possible. Speak up.
Gary Kasik, Laguna Beach
Affordable Housing by Executive Directive
Los Angeles is building 16,150 affordable housing units to satisfy a State housing mandate, and Laguna requires 400 units under the same mandate. Those requirements are very consistent in proportion to resident populations. In 2022, the obstacles to affordable development were addressed by an executive directive
executed by LA Mayor Karen Bass, ED-1 shortened the approval process from a year to 60 days. The LA ED-1 streamlines affordable housing, defined as five or more units at 80% Area Medium Income or HUD, and there is a 20/80 percent provision for mixed housing also. The LA directive targets eligible neighborhoods that can meet the AMI/HUD specification. In 2017, Laguna’s commercial vacancy rate was 7%, whereas the county was 2.5%. Laguna could also address affordable housing by Executive Directive, targeting those vacant businesses with a proposal for reuse as mixed AMI/HUD housing.
Les Miklosy, Laguna Beach
Swimming Forward Together
The March 12 city council meeting is around the corner, where a discussion of a city-owned Community Pool is scheduled to occur.
While it doesn’t make sense for the city to join the mega Olympic competition pool project pushed and approved by the school district, other good options would be better for both entities, benefit taxpayers, make more water available for aquatics overall, keep the baby pool, and fully support the kids and residents of Laguna Beach.
for concerts, the FOA Board said no, but in reality, the barriers to entry are significant. First, there are the very restrictive noise levels, availability and curfews. Also, the FOA offers no staging, sound or lighting equipment, meaning the promoter has to bring everything in. But here’s the real kicker: renters of the venue have to be non-profits. Which leaves a pool of about none. But that’s all about to change with the leadership of Kempf and Rounaghi. They have instructed the City Attorney to investigate ways of eliminating the non-profit requirement. After all, Terra is a for-profit entity on the very same grounds. And the city will consider funding the acquisition of staging, sound and lighting equipment, the cost of which would quickly be recouped (and eventually become a profit center) by renting it to the promoters. And that way we can easily control the sound decibels as well.
This should be great news for the Festival, who reported lower attendance this year than in the past. Is it really any surprise? We all love the Pageant, but with all due respect, it’s dated and redun-
dant, and locals should be offered non-tourist programming in such a stunning venue.
Even though there’s a perception that the FOA controls the grounds, they are just the gatekeepers. We own it, but we’ve never exerted any influence on policy because, well, that’s just the way it’s been. But not no more. Not with young council people like Alex, who, instead of asking why, is asking why not. There’s a hunger for new programming to keep us relevant and vital as an arts community. Art is what has defined our community since its founding. But it can never be stagnant in its essential role to reflect back on the times in which we live. Tradition and progress are not mutually exclusive. We can honor the unique traditions of Tableau Vivant and Plein Air art without becoming an anachronism by embracing the full spectrum of modern performing and visual arts. We have the venues to do it. Now it looks like we have the will as well.
Billy is the CEO of La Vida Laguna, an outdoor adventure company Email: billy@lavidalaguna. com.
Laguna Beach Historical Society Receives Community Service Award
By LB Indy Staff
At its February meeting, Laguna Beach’s Patience Wright Chapter of The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution issued its first 2024 Community Service Award to the Laguna Beach Historical Society to honor its outstanding community service.
The Society’s focus on historic
preservation, education, research and public service are key components of this award. This all-volunteer organization oversees the 1923 Murphy Smith Bungalow located on Ocean Avenue, which is open to visitors on most weekends. The historic society offers tours and student field trips and is the depository of significant historical items and materials.
The Vault
LAGUNA BEACH
LAWYERS
After 15 years of dedicated service at Davis Toft Law we bid farewell to esteemed partner Nicole Toft as she embarks on her journey to establish Toft Law Group. With a wealth of experience and a commitment to excellence, Nicole will continue her passion for justice, specializing in litigation, corporate counsel, real estate, and estate planning. We wish Nicole the best as she ventures into this exciting new endeavor.
Joey Kelly - Regent, Patience Wright Chapter and Karen Lagrew, President, Laguna Beach Historical Society. Photo courtesy of the Laguna Beach Historical Society
BUSINESS OF THE WEEK
A Step Back in Time:
Laguna’s Go-To Shop for Rare and Vintage Timepieces, Restoration and Repairs
Owned and operated by Arthur Martinez,
A Step Back in Time, founded in 1975, has established a reputation as one of the leading watchmakers in our area. Today it stands as the only Laguna Beach watchmaker to be recommended and approved for vintage watch and clock repair and restoration.
Our collection consists of rare and vintage timepieces, fine jewelry, and rare vintage clocks – mostly American and some European, particularly from Switzerland, France, and Germany. We also offer a very extensive line of fine leather/metal watch bands. Arthur Martinez comes from a family of jewelers three generations deep and is a Master Jeweler and designer with more than 40 years of experience in the jewelry industry. As a Master Jeweler, he has designed and crafted custom jewelry pieces for many fine jewelers and private clients.
A Step Back in Time’s excellent connections within the industry, and vast collection of new and genuine vintage parts, allow them to provide servicing and repair for most of the famous Swiss brands; Specializing in Rolex, Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, and Cartier, as well as Audemars Piguet, Omega, Longines, Jaeger
GUEST OPINION:
LeCoultre, Breitling, IWC, Breguet, and a wide range of complications; including repeating pocket watches.
From their purpose-built, state-of-the-art premises; A Step Back in Time offers complete watch restoration, servicing, and repair, conducted by highly trained watchmakers and using the latest high-specification equipment and technology.
A Step Back in Time’s vast experience in vintage watch restoration enables us to investigate the authenticity, both internal and external, of all the watches on our site. And those that are sent for Repair and Restoration.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Chronometer Ref. # 114300 Description / Condition: All watches have been professionally scrutinized and serviced prior to being offered for sale. Superlative, fine condition. Manufacturer: Rolex Model: Rolex Oyster Perpetual Chronometer Ref. # 114300 Year of Production: 2018 Gender: Men Dial: Bright Blue Crystal: Sapphire Reference #: 114300 Case number: 465Mxxxx Movement: Automatic Case: Stainless Case Size: 39 mm Strap / Band: Rolex Stainless Steel Water resistant: Yes
Concerning the Closing of Gelsons
By PAUl FreemAn
What a great site for affordable housing. Naturally, it would help if there were a willing seller. Or a landlord offering a reasonable longterm lease. Or a tax-advantageous way to structure a transaction so the owner/ landlord is more likely to engage in positive and productive negotiations. There may be
MONDAY - SATURDAY: 11am-4pm 332 Forest Avenue, Suite 8 Laguna Beach, California 92651 (949) 494-1711
an opportunity here for a broadly beneficial outcome. Ideally, the city could play an honest broker role, if not a more assertive role. It would help if, in addition to displays of support for affordable housing, there was now concerted, demonstrable support shown for developing the Gelsons space for low-cost housing. City leaders can recognize that, in the life of a city, such options as this rarely materialize — after all, here’s a pre-developed site largely obscured from public view, yet sitting on the city’s main transit line, with no reasonable beef about views; and, a really big bonus, here’s a ready-made underground (i.e., unseen) parking structure. How many units? For what parts of the population? I don’t know. Were only local or private funds used, the city could maximize its flexibility regarding preferences for locals or, seniors or artists or, teachers or hospitality workers or city employees. The critical path is to focus on the property and to argue about devils in the details later. Maybe this notion is prohibitive for plenty of good reasons of which I’m unaware. Or maybe this is a test: do Lagunans care about affordable housing? If so, how much? As a last resort, state
law provides for eminent domain, whereby government can take private property only for public purposes and by paying fair market value. If all else fails, if all earnest and good faith efforts are tried and exhausted, no court would deny the City’s acquisition of this sort of commercial property, even if by eminent domain, even if ultimately developed and/or operated by some private housing interest — provided it’s all done for a legitimate public purpose, such as below-market housing. Yes, there are numerous deserving projects chasing precious few public dollars. In making investments, a city necessarily must consider the compared-to-what of how dollars are spent, who benefits, and who pays. On the other hand, I can’t be the only one weary of all the big talk about affordable housing, year after year, and with nothing, really zip, to show for it…hardly ever. Just sayin’. So, what say you, Laguna Beach?
Paul Freeman is a former Laguna Beach Mayor.
GUEST OPINION: GREEN LIGHT
Sustainability in Food, Clothing, and Shelter
By Tom osBorne
On a cool February evening at the Laguna Art Museum, an audience of a hundred or so attendees were treated to a spirited emcee-led discussion directed expertly by Karen Kariuki, featuring three dynamic, accomplished and youngish female business leaders. They were knowledgeable, articulate and intent on aligning their business success with what is good for the natural environment. All three tied their inspiration to California’s can-do and, at times, edgy, outside-the-box ethos
of “I see possibility, let’s give it a try.”
Chef and restaurateur Camilla Marcus grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business before earning her law degree and MBA at NYU. While qualified to work in a corporate board room or courtroom, her preferred work sites include the kitchen, farmers’ markets and organic gardens.
Marcus said her business, West-Bourne, was carbon neutral. The business sells food products, like avocado oil, and gifts curated to help the planet while providing healthy foods.
In this time of a warming planet, she told us that agriculture was the area “where we can make the biggest impact” on reducing carbon emissions. “Composting is really important.” What Marcus said about the ubiquity of plastics in our society is unprintable in a column like this. “We consume a credit card of plastic each week,” Marcus warned. She’s writing a book on foods and hopes Berkeley’s famed Alice Waters, owner of the equally famed Chez Panisse French restaurant, will consider writing a Foreword. I suspect this determined food entrepreneur will get what she wants from Ms. Waters.
Los Angeles architect Sharon Johnston, a founding partner of the firm Johnston
and Marklee, reminded us that “architecture is one of the most polluting businesses in the world,” given the short life of structures before they’re remodeled or torn down and replaced. Interiors of commercial buildings sometimes changed every two years, Johnston lamented. She aims for “adaptive reuse” of structures and materials, to minimize waste and carbon emissions. Moreover, “knowing when not to build something,” was environmentally conscious. Sometimes, it’s best “to let nature do the work,” she said. In other words, at times greenery and the outdoors can add an aesthetic dimension to structures that is unsurpassed by more built space. Stanford and Harvard educated, she praised California’s “on the edge” culture and, as a Southland resident, described our climate as “remarkable.”
Shilpa Sharma, similarly, hails from southern California. After graduating from and earning an MBA at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, she started her own fashion company, Cuyana, in the Bay Area. I went to the company’s website and learned that it has seven “brick-and-mortar” locations and employs more than 150 workers.
She described her business philosophy tersely as “fewer, better.” “I like products that power the modern woman,” she said. Customers should buy fewer and
higher-quality clothing products, said the CEO of a luxury fashion business. My mouth dropped open when she informed us that it took 2,000 liters of water to make one t-shirt. Sharma told us that she does her best to work only with manufacturers whose employees do not labor under sweatshop conditions for meager pay. Even if you can save money, “don’t buy your clothes on sale; check your impulse,” she said because it usually means garment workers labored under sub-standard conditions. While motivated by a high ethical standard, Sharma nevertheless reiterated that her efforts have “to make business sense.”
Writing the last two chapters of a book on the Golden State’s environmental leadership, I especially appreciated panelist Camilla Marcus’s comment that “California is the greatest think tank on sustainability.” The evening’s entire program was affidavit of that. Wow! My mind is still abuzz with the energy and possibilities of what I heard and learned. Kudos to the Laguna Art Museum for sponsoring this most stimulating event.
Tom Osborne is writing his fifth book, Greening the Golden State: Environmental Leadership and the California Dream, 1850s -2020s. With his wife, Ginger, he co-leads the Laguna chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby. tomosborne@cox.net.
• ROOFING REPLACEMENTS/REPAIRS
• BALCONY DECK STRUCTURAL RECONSTRUCTION
• ROOFING WATERPROOFING
• EXTENSIVE DRY ROT/TERMITE REPAIRS
• SHEET METAL FOR HARSH COASTAL ENVIRONMENTS
• IN DEPTH SPECIFICATION/STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
• INTERIOR DAMAGE REPAIRS
• BALCONY RAIL SYSTEM DESIGNS/GLASS/CABLE
• PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES
• DOOR & WINDOW REPLACEMENT
• STUCCO/PLASTER RECONSTRUCTION
• RAIN GUTTERS/CHIMNEY CAPS
• SKYLIGHTS/ATTIC VENTING SYSTEMS
OBITUARY:
Obituary: Matthew Gorry
February 13, 1933 - February 18, 2024
Matthew Gorry, 91, died at home peacefully with his daughter, Susan Gorry, by his side.
As the son of a naval officer, Matt lived in many places, from Iona Island to Key West to San Pedro to Alexandria to Cuba, to name a few. He mastered the skill of frequently moving around and making friends. In 1971, Matt became a part of the Laguna Beach community. Locals might know him as the guy who walked the hill from the top of Arch Beach Heights down Summit to PCH and back, or as a member of the Over the Hill Gang in the slow pitch softball league for 22 years, or as a devoted fan of Laguna Beach High School’s football, basketball and baseball teams. Matt was proud to be a part of Skipper Carrillo’s Laguna Beach High School football team’s “chain gang” for over 25 years.
He was the son of William A. Gorry of Southington, Conn., and Margaret Walsh Gorry of San Pedro,
Calif. and the grandson of Southern California’s distinguished yachtsmen, boat designer and builder Matt J. Walsh. Matt had two sisters, Margaret Murphy and Dorothy Gorry. Matt was the family historian and a storyteller. As an 8-year-old in 1941, he clearly remembered the onset of World War II while living in Key West, Florida. As a teenager living in White Sands Proving Grounds in New Mexico, multiple conversations with Charles Lindberg impressed upon him lessons that he would carry into his future work.
Matt graduated in 1952 from Gunnery School in Washington, Conn., and in 1957 from Lehigh University with a degree in chemical engineering. He was proud of being “a good C student” and being a problem-solver. Matt initially worked for Reaction Motor Inc. in Denville, New Jersey, on components for X-15, Atlas and prepackaged liquid rocket systems. Then, at Aerojet General Corporation in Sacramento, Calif., he worked on components for Titan Engine systems and the Gimbal actuator for the third-stage rocket engine in the Apollo Program. After the successful Apollo moon landing in 1969, Matt co-founded an electroplating company. In 1975, he joined the Fluor Corporation, staying there for 24 years. Matt was a versatile mechanical engineer working on numerous projects, including coal gasification, chemical petrochemical refineries, pump stations in Alaska, and even modifying the Skippy Peanut Butter facilities in L.A. Matt received a Mechanical Engineering master’s degree from Cal-Poly Pomona and a California Professional Mechanical Engineering
License. While at Flour, Matt gained extensive experience in water desalination, ion exchange, RO, electrodialysis, and multi-stage distillation systems. When Matt first moved to Orange County in 1965, he became an active member of the 20/30 Club and Orange County Ski Club. During these adventures, he made lifelong friends and met his wife, Joanie Walp Gorry. He was a devoted family man, creating many wonderful memories and experiences with his wife, daughter, nieces, nephews, and friends, such as going on camping and skiing trips. Matt and Joanie also famously hosted many parties, ranging from dinners with the gourmet club to annual Christmas brunches and Christmas Eve dinners. Each gathering was always filled with joyous laughter and memories. Matt and his daughter have continued these experiences together since the death of his wife Joanie in 1993. An avid skier, Matt hit the slopes up to 70 days a year in his 70s with passes in Mammoth and Aspen. Matt continued to be a caregiver for his great aunt Helen and his mother, often visiting the other occupants of the nursing homes they lived in. He was always willing to engage in a conversation to learn about others. Matt created a community in every place he graced. During his time at Fluor, when a new employee would join, he would spend a couple of hours showing them around, as he knew what it was like to be the new person. After retirement in 1998, Matt didn’t want to sleep in, so he started going to daily 8 a.m. mass at St. Catherine of Sienna. He found he could help his new friends in a variety of ways,
including providing rides to church and doctors’ visits or attending local games. Matt was happy to help bring Skipper Carrillo to Laguna Beach High School’s football, basketball and baseball games. Skipper named him The Duke, after Duke Snider of the Dodgers. Matt recently shared he missed the community tables at restaurants, as he really enjoyed talking to any person near him. He made friends everywhere, during a hot chocolate break while skiing at Mammoth or on the Laguna Beach boardwalk. Matt wanted to thank everyone at Adolfo’s for the wonderful food and service over the years.
Matt was devoted to helping others and making them feel welcome. Even while in hospice, he found ways to make meaningful conversations and connections with family and friends via FaceTime, the phone, or in person. These visits were filled with stories, laughter, gratitude and some ended with tears. Matt’s example of entering the last portion of his life with deep faith and sharing life-long connections with family and friends was a gift. Matt wanted to thank all the nice, wonderful people with whom he has been associated. He loved all of you.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, March 16 at 11 a.m. at St. Catherine of Siena in Laguna Beach, Calif. Following the service, family and friends are welcome to gather at his home. In lieu of flowers, Matt asked for you to donate to the organization of your choice, selecting something you feel embodies Matt’s spirit or passion for helping others.
and out.
“We gave absolutely everything, from the outside planters to uniforms, a facelift,” Kruger said. “We wanted to put our best foot forward.”
The duo, who became owners in August of 2023, has expanded the practice’s services to include urgent care and emergency services. The hospital also offers pro bono service to local non-profits, Unconditional, a senior and special needs dog rescue and Blue Bell Foundation for Cats, a cat retirement sanctuary.
“We go to Blue Bell maybe twice a month to do blood work for their 40 or 50 cats, like a maintenance check, and if they have emergency issues, we’ll take them in,” Cohen said.
Cohen, a UC Davis graduate with a master’s degree in Animal Biology, draws from his extensive background in holistic veterinary practices and environmental sustainability. His
medicine for optimal patient care. His vision as the medical director emphasizes client communication, exceptional care, education and mentoring the next generation.
Kruger, a native of Southern California, earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Western University of Health Sciences. She received specialty training at VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital and VCA West Coast Specialty and Emergency Hospital, where she developed a passion for emergency medicine and urgent care.
experiences include collaboration with Temple Grandin to enhance animal welfare.
“Our goal is to have this place be like a one-stop shop,” Cohen said.
CERTIFIED IN VETERINARY
Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, Cohen integrates Eastern and Western
“We have a cardiologist that comes here, an internal medicine specialist, a surgeon. We’re a general practice on the outside, so to speak, but we offer a little bit of everything.”
“We feel so blessed, honestly,” Kruger said. “We’ve had such a positive, welcoming embrace from the community. It’s been really great.”
To learn more about the Laguna Beach Veterinary Medical Center, visit www.lagunabeachvet.com. The practice is located at 1855 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Front row, left to right: Veterinary technicians Sierra Gramme and Cassie Juncaj. Back row (left to right): Veterinary technicians Salina Banh, Liz Iniguez, Dr. Kruger, Dr. Cohen, Irene Sainz and Chelie Kolano. Clara Beard/LB Indy
Consider that the city already pays 97% of total operating costs at the current pool and handles staffing, scheduling, maintenance and management. While the school district pays 30% of some stuff, it only amounts to 3% of the total. In short, that means the city essentially already pays for, operates and maintains its own pool – but that pool just sits on school district land.
What if the city had its own pool somewhere else in Laguna, so the high school pool could just be dedicated to high school student aquatics and high school only needs?
What if having two pools in Laguna was LESS expensive for BOTH the city and the school district? While this sounds counterintuitive, it is true and makes complete sense when you drill down a bit deeper.
For its part, the city could build a pool similar in size to what exists today, including the baby pool. It would put that pool on city-owned land, and multiple possible locations that could work have been identified. By doing this, the city would capture 100% access to all time slots for city programs and resident use, as it would no longer have scheduling conflicts with high school programs. Such a pool would substantially boost dedicated capacity for residents, get non-high school-age kids home earlier at night, meet latent demand for new programs, and fully support all city-run aquatics programs.
Building and operating any pool costs money, of course, but the Olympic mega pool proposed by the school district costs much more. A pool that size would nearly double the city’s current annual operating costs to an estimated $1.2 million per year, based on data from experts who analyze and advise municipalities and schools on this sort of thing. By comparison, if the city had its own pool, operating costs would be close to what they are today because it is already paying nearly all of the total.
From the city’s perspective, even if it paid nothing for the mega pool construction costs, it would still be worse off by as much as $60 million over the estimated life of the pool. This is because operating costs jump significantly, and it even assumes a lower rate of inflation than the longterm average.
Imagine what the city could do with all the money it would save and now be able to spend on other priorities like power line undergrounding, sewer repair, new fire stations and much more.
From the high school perspective, consider that if the school district had its own state-of-the-art rightsized competitive pool, it could save millions vs what is proposed, host home games and still exceed all CIF competition requirements.
Having its own dedicated pool
means the high school would also capture 100% of the time slots at its own pool, sharply increasing program and usage capacity and flexibility for high school coaches and high school student-athlete programs. This pool could be the same size as the large one recently built at the much bigger Marina High in Huntington Beach to serve its more than 2,200 student population vs only 877 here. Of note, while water polo teams field similar numbers of players, these large schools have many more swimmers on their swim teams.
There are good pool options, so let’s seek to do what makes the best sense for all of Laguna Beach as we move forward: serve the entire community, meet city needs and save tax dollars.
Steve Brown, Laguna Beach
Sports
PAGE 8
#1 Sienna Lee, Kaia Gamber - lost
#2 Layla Kollock/Arielle Taveywon
#3 Savannah Farris/Hannah Miller
- lost
#4 Zoey Bond/Elle Jumani – won # 5 Aubrey Anderson/Maddie Rootlieb - lost
SWIMMING
Laguna lost their opening league dual meet to Fountain Valley on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at the local pool. The Barons defeated the boys 125-33 and the girls 112-44. As of press time, event details were not available.
BOYS TENNIS (0-3)
The Breakers lost 12-6 to San Clemente on the local courts on Feb. 27. Luke Jolley swept his matches 6-2, 6-2, 6-1. The doubles team of Chris Herkins and Lucas Silverman won two sets, going 6-3, 6-7, 6-0 in their rounds. Seth Hanson won a singles match 6-3 for Laguna’s other point. Next week are matches with Dana Hills on March 5 and Riverside Poly the following day, both here in Laguna on the Park Avenue courts.
BOYS VOLLEYBALL (3-2)
The Breakers were off until March 1 when they host Northwood at Dugger Gym. Next week, they travel to JSerra for a match on March 6 and host Huntington Beach (7-1) on March 7.
Have a note/question on Laguna sports/correction/update? E-mail Frank at fa1949@cox.net. Looking for the 2023-24 High School schedules and scores? Check Laguna Beach High School on the Max Preps website.
3/15 THE FENIANS s
3/21 X 3/22 X 3/23 THE HIGHWAYMAN SHOW (
3/24 NELSON
3/28 HERMAN’S HERMITS
3/29 HERMAN’S HERMITS
3/30 WAYNE NEWTON
3/31 LYNCH MOB – The Final Ride
4/4 THE KINGSTON TRIO 4/5 ULI JON ROTH - Interstellar Sky Guitar Tour
4/6 RONSTADT REVIVAL
4/7 CINDERELLA’S TOM KEIFER
4/8 GILBERT O’SULLIVAN
4/10 JOAN OSBORNE ACOUSTIC TRIO
4/11 JIMMIE VAUGHAN
4/12 ROGER CLYNE
& THE PEACEMAKERS
4/13 TINSLEY ELLIS
4/14 THE FABULOUS THUNDERBIRDS
4/18 SPONGE
4/19 RICHIE FURAY
4/20 GEOFF TATE
4/21 VONDA SHEPARD
4/25 ISRAEL VIBRATION & Roots Radics
4/26 FIVE FOR FIGHTING wi T h s T ring Q U ar T e T
4/27 KIDS OF CHARLEMAGNE
4/28 BOB ANDERSON ( f ran K s inaT
5/5 OINGO BOINGO FORMER MEMBERS
5/7 BLUES TRAVELER
5/8 JUDY COLLINS
5/9 CALIFORNIA GUITAR TRIO
5/11 PAT BOONE
5/15 MR BIG
5/17 JOHN CRUZ
5/18 VENICE
5/19 THE LETTERMEN
5/22 THE WAILERS
5/24 DSB (J o U rney T rib UT e )
5/26 BLACKHAWK
5/31 YACHTY BY NATURE
6/1 STEELHEART
6/6 HOWIE DAY
6/7 ROBERT JON & The Wreck
6/9 GARY HOEY
6/14 AMBROSIA
6/15 CHEST FEVER (T he b and T rib UT e )
6/16 ELVIN BISHOP
Big Fun Trio
6/21 DESPERADO 6/22 DESPERADO
GUEST
OPINION: PET PEEVES
Trees Geez
By mArK d. CrAnTZ
The reason why I’ve retired to a drafty monastery way up the mountain is to tell people my loftier thoughts. I feel kind of bad for Laguna folks stuck at sea level. There’s less oxygen there because the bottlebrush trees aren’t around anymore to give off life-sustaining oxygen to residents. The Laguna Beach bottlebrush trees at the Village Entrance have been cut down and carted off. Feeling woozy, Lagunans? Laguna Beach calls itself a tree city. These proclamations are heralded on a regular basis to remind ourselves that we are environmentally correct. Everybody wants to be as green as Kermit the Frog. Scientists study frogs to measure their sensitivity to the environment. There are two experiments popular among scientists. The direct and indirect approaches. In the first, the scientist asks the lab frog, “Are you feeling green today?” “No,” answers the frog, “I’m woozy. What did you do to the bottlebrush trees?” In the second experiment, the scientist places the frog in a pot of water and slowly brings it to a boil. “How are you feeling?” asks the scientist. “A bit warm.” Several minutes pass. “And now?” “Warmer.” “Do you want to get out?” asks the scientist. “Oh no, just promise me you’ll keep watching to stop the pot from boiling.” “No problem. I’ll keep watching. Let’s
measure how woozy you are.” The frog croaks back, “Sure.” The scientist says,” Can you see the ocean?” The frog snarls. “The view is blurry. My vision is going in and out.” The scientist makes the notation. “My, oh my, you sound more like Oscar the Grouch than Kermit the Frog. Scientifically, it’s been proven that Oscar is grouchy because he lives in a garbage can with no view of the ocean. But you, living at the Village Entrance, have a beautiful, unobstructed view of the ocean. There are no scientific grounds to be green with envy of Oscar the Grouch.”
“Wait. Eureka, I found it,” proclaims the scientist, who has been busy looking at his data. “If you’re green with envy, then I find you, healthy as a horse or… frog will work, too.” Silence ensues. The scientist looks up and back at the boiling pot of water. “Oops. Sorry frog. I looked away. Oh well, lunch is ready. Frog legs for today. Bring me another frog for the afternoon session. We’ll reverse the approaches. The pot of boiling water first and then the direct questions second. That will work better.”
North Laguna is lucky. I’ve been told that they have tree streets. Several streets, including Jasmine, have magnificent trees that stand high and proud. Other northside residents are known to come over to the tree streets to borrow a cup of oxygen to take back to their streets to aid in their blurry vision of the ocean.
Of course, you don’t want to bother your neighbors every day for oxygen. Instead, many residents have started a tree campaign. They plant a tree, then get the City to declare the tree worthy of admittance to the historic tree registry. The City proclaims the tree a national treasure and awards owners a tax break on their water bills. Neighboring residents engorged with oxygen from these new life-sustaining trees who complain about obstructed views will be placed in free garbage cans to complain. Oscar will be green with envy.
Crantz tells the Indy that he has never seen a poem lovely as a tree. This sentence was provided by AI. My apologies to Joyce Kilmer and his descendants.
Laguna Beach Native Hits Home Run to Yankees Front Office
By
Michael
started playing T-ball at five years old. He quickly fell in love with baseball.
“I wasn’t the most athletic kid, but something drew me to the thinking nature of the game and just how relaxing it was in a way,” said Helton, who grew up in Laguna Beach.
Growing up, Helton had a family friend who owned season tickets to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and would let him see his beloved Boston Red Sox whenever they played at Angel Stadium. Then, as a sophomore attending Sage Hill School in Newport Coast, Helton was part of the Lightning Baseball team that claimed victory in the 2016 CIF-Southern Section Division 6 Championship.
He later accomplished his goal of playing first base and pitching NCAA baseball at Macalester College while earning a bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics and Statistics. He planned to play ball in graduate school but a labrum tear in 2021 stopped him from pitching his senior year.
“I was like, well, the plan’s got to change,” Helton said. “I made a resume in October of my senior year and just started messaging people on LinkedIn. I knew I wanted to work in baseball but I didn’t really know what that meant.”
JOBS
TRAFFIC CONTROL AIDE
LAGUNA BEACH, CA 92651
Part-Time - $22.60 - $25.25 Hourly Go to GovernmentJobs.com to apply and for more information.
The City of Laguna Beach is excited to announce that we are accepting applications for the position of Traffic Control Aide. This position is supervised by sworn and civilian supervisors within the Police Department. Under general supervision, this role involves efficiently directing motor vehicles and pedestrians in designated areas, while providing general traffic con-
trol information and directions to the public.
SCHEDULE: Incumbents must be available to work a varied shift schedule, with primary shifts occurring on weekends, holidays, and evenings. The position is also subject to being on-call for traffic-related incidents, accidents, natural disasters, and other emergency needs.
APPLICATION/SELECTION PROCESS:
Applications will be accepted on a continuous basis with a first review date of March 4, 2024. Applications will be screened carefully and selected candidates will be invited to undergo a department interview. The appointed hiring authority will further review the job-related qualifications of those deemed eligible for hire before making selection decisions.
SOUTH
OF NICK’S LAGUNA BEACH - HIRING
Greeters, Hosts: $17-20hr + tips
Servers: $16hr + tips
Open interviews for employment opportunities to friendly, well-groomed, professional, outgoing, and highly motivated individuals who are looking to challenge themselves and advance in our fast-paced, team-oriented restaurant. Apply in person Monday through Friday between 12 noon and 4 pm at the following location: 540 S Coast Hwy, aguna Beach CA 92651. To expedite the application process, a link to our employment application is provided below; an online application should be completed before the interview. nicksrestaurants.com/careers/
After being rejected from jobs at two other Major League Baseball teams, Helton sent a LinkedIn message to a New York Yankees employee, who offered to read his resume and provide feedback.
“The next day, a different person at the Yankees emailed me and said, ‘hey, I heard you talked to so and so and applied for a job. When do you want to schedule an interview?’” Helton said. “So, for me, it all comes down to luck. I just happened to be in the right position at the right time to even be considered for this job.”
In September 2022, Helton started as a Quantitative Analysis Associate with the Yankees. He’s since been promoted to Analyst for Advance Scouting. As part of the front office, Helton uses algorithms to crunch various performance statistics on thousands of players to help recruit and develop the best talent in the nation.
“There are thousands of people who want these jobs. So, it’s going to take a certain aspect where you could be perfect for a situation, but things aren’t going to go your way and that’s fine,” Helton said. “Put yourself in enough positions and some are bound to go well, and some are bound to go poorly.”
Helton aspires to eventually be tapped as the general manager of a Major League Baseball team.
DAY-SHIFT SECURITY OFFICERS
LAGUNA BEACH Day-shift security officers needed for a commercial plaza. Hours 10:30m to 6:30pm. Interviews are being scheduled NOW. Please apply online: WWW. GUARDPOWER.COM.
SERVICES
HOME REPAIRS MADE EASY! Call ProQuickFix Today! Experienced Handyman offering repairs, installations, and maintenance. From electrical fixes to painting, I’ve got you covered! Reliable and affordable. Local to Laguna Beach. Call or text 949-331-2001; ProQuickFix.com
Daniel Langhorne, special to the Independent
Helton
Laguna Beach native Michael Helton during the 2023 Major League Baseball season at Yankee Stadium. Photo courtesy of Michael Helton.
