CANDIDATE FORUM: Art Alliance to host forum for council candidates PAGE 3
BREAKERS SPORTS: Football season kicks off with convincing win PAGE 12
FIRE ECOLOGY: Local HS students invited to apply for CCC internship PAGE 14
Kirsten Vangsness introduces The Matt Mauser Big Band.
Photo/Jim Collins
• 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
Strike a Pose (cont. from page 1)
BY CLARA BEARD | LB INDY
Fashion and art lovers from Southern California and beyond arrived in their most creative sartorial attire on Saturday, Aug. 24, for a night of fine art, living pictures and more at the Festival of Arts Met Gala-inspired final weekend’s Art & Fashion Affair.
The party began with a red carpet entrance where guests posed for
photographers and in photo booths for souvenir printouts.
Among those who walked the carpet were celebrity guests Matt Mauser, who performed later that evening, and cast members of the television series Criminal Minds—Joe Mantegna, A.J. Cook, Aisha Tyler and the evening’s host, Kirsten Vangsness. Adding to the star-studded atmosphere, Pageant cast members,
dressed in re-creations of Met Galainspired costumes, made appearances on the carpet and throughout the grounds. Their looks included striking tributes to Bad Bunny, Rihanna and Edith Head, adding a touch of glamor and fashion history to the event.
The Matt Mauser Big Band headlined
• see POSE page 17
theindypoll
THIS WEEK’S QUESTION: Do you plan to attend any upcoming City Council candidate forums? Yes or No
LAST WEEK’S QUESTION: Is the city’s public parking adequately enforced?
Yes | 13.64% (3 votes)
No | 86.36% (19 votes)
TOTAL VOTES: 22
Community Art Project art at Hotel Laguna!
Join us for Art Start with wine and hors d’oeuvres from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Hotel Laguna Featured CAP artists Elizabeth Bridy, Elaine Cohen and Brian Jones will share their artwork. Saxophonist Jake Brown will provide soothing sounds as you peruse the art Enjoy the rest of Art Walk from 6 pm to 9 pm in Laguna
Thursday, September 5 at 5:00 PM
Top left: Celebrity guests pose with the FOA President on the red carpet. Left to right, Aisha Tyler, Kirsten Vangsness, David Perry, Joe Mantegna and A.J. Cook. Top right: Pageant cast members dressed in re-creations of Met Gala-inspired costumes. Photos/Jim Collins
Dancer” Brian Jones
Symphony of serendip ty” Ela ne Cohen
Ophe ia” E izabeth Bridy
CRIER
IN AND AROUND LAGUNA BEACH TOWN
LAGUNA BEACH ARTS ALLIANCE TO HOLD CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES’ FORUM
On Saturday, Sept. 14, the Laguna Beach Arts Alliance (LBAA) will hold a candidates’ forum from 8:30 to 11 a.m. at the Forum Theater on the Festival of Arts grounds. The public is invited to attend. All four city council candidates will participate: Hallie Jones, Judie Mancuso, George Weiss and Bob Whalen. Stu News Laguna publisher Tom Johnson will moderate the discussion. The Festival of Arts will host the event. LBAA has prepared a series of questions addressing the arts in Laguna Beach on topics ranging from establishing a cultural arts center on the St. Catherine of Siena school property to constructing a parking structure in the arts district. The creative community is encouraged to attend and show their support for the arts, which is responsible for generating substantial City revenue. Doors will open
at 8:30 a.m. for a coffee reception, and the forum will begin promptly at 9 a.m.
FIRE STATION TOWN HALL MEETING NEXT WEDNESDAY
On Wednesday, Sept. 4 at 6:30 p.m. in the Susi Q, located on 380 3rd Street, the city will host a public outreach meeting to provide a project update and solicit
public feedback on the Fire Station 4 Replacement. The meeting will provide an update on changes made to the site plan to address input received from this group and to optimize the site design and floor plans for Fire Department operations. The meeting will also discuss the next steps in the project. Feedback at this meeting will assist the design team
in further developing the design for Planning Commission Design Review.
SUSI Q TO OFFER GRIEF AND LOSS OF A SPOUSE SUPPORT GROUP
Susi Q will offer a Grief and Loss of a Spouse Support Group on four consecutive Thursdays, starting Sept. 5 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. and ending on Thursday, Sept. 26. Melissa Boswell will facilitate the support group.
“It hurts to lose someone, so don’t go through the grieving process alone. Support is essential in life transitions, especially when someone has just recently lost their spouse,” said Martha Hernandez, director of care management.
The support group meetings will provide a safe place for the recently bereaved to process the many feelings that accompany grief.
Susi Q’s Care Management Department provides free consultation, including free counseling sessions through its Feeling the Blues program, education and practical resources, enabling seniors to stay safe, informed and independent. The nonprofit, located at 380 Third Street, offers a wide range of educational and fun programs, classes
• see CRIER page 8
Community members and candidates gather in the Forum Theater at the 2022 Candidates’ Forum. Photo courtesy of LBAA
DO IT FOR THE KIDS
“We don’t do enough for the kids.” Those were the words of Mayor Sue Kempf at the Aug. 13 city council meeting where the topic was Riddle Field. The Mayor’s comments followed Mayor Pro Tem Alex Rounaghi, who said: “I think that as leaders of a city, our first obligation is to the children.”
Yet, the city has not made a serious effort to acquire a property in South Laguna for a children’s park despite months of effort by young families, grandmas and dog owners who have been requesting that the city acquire two undeveloped lots directly across from the Village Green Park in South Laguna.
Village Green Park is only one-half acre compared to other city parks like 8-acre Moulton Meadows or 7-acre Alta Laguna Park. Yet, its use has intensified over the years as South Laguna has grown in popularity as a destination for growing families, with the rise in dog ownership and the high interest in South Laguna’s beaches.
Walking the streets, it looks like South Laguna is experiencing a baby boom. Many South Laguna families live in small houses on small lots, and these growing kids will need safe places to play. But, the only public park for the thousands of Laguna Beach residents living south of Aliso Creek is the small Village Green, where moms, kids and dogs mix and mingle.
Moms with small children share the park with dog owners, exercising their friendly but sometimes rambunctious canines. With the purchase of these two undeveloped lots, the uses could be separated so that one park could allow dogs while the second could prohibit them.
Neighbors have tried to move this forward. They have gathered signatures, submitted petitions, spoken at city council meetings, sent emails, and talked face-to-face with council members. Before the last election, candidates at the previous forum said they would support the acquisition of the lots. We thought we were getting close when all five council members supported negotiating a lease for the site at last year’s budget hearing. But the city manager’s effort to do so was not successful.
But now, when the vacant lots are about
to come on the market, the city is still not taking action. This is a generational opportunity. Very little undeveloped property in Laguna could be turned into well-located park space. Once this is gone, it’s gone.
So, if the city council means that “our first obligation is to the children” and “We don’t do enough for the kids” – if they mean that, here is an opportunity to do something for them.
John Thomas, Laguna Beach
ARE YOU PART OF THE PROBLEM?
We applaud the city for taking a proactive approach to the problems generated by the growing number of visitors to our town. It is more than evident that there is more traffic, trash and bad behavior, and it continues to get worse each year.
While it is convenient to blame all these problems on the tourists and day trippers, it is time for Laguna Beach residents to take a hard look at their own behavior. We live in the north end of town and have observed the following bad behavior: Speeding and rolling through stop signs on Hillcrest, High Drive, Monterey and Cypress (Laguna Beach parking stickers
CITY HALL MEETINGS: Sept. 4 - Planning Commission at 6 p.m. | Sept. 9 Emergency and Disaster Prepardness Committee
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
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 are preferred.
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
Steve T. Strickbine
CREATIVE & MARKETING DIRECTOR
Tracy Powell
CALIFORNIA
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR
Nick Oliveri
FIREBRAND MEDIA LLC FOUNDER
Steve Zepezauer
RECENT ACTIVITY
House | Sat. 1:00-4:00 PM & Sun. 1:00-4:00 PM
394 Moss Street | Laguna Beach Offered at $2,895,000 & Lease $6,500/Month
103 Eastman Way | Laguna Beach Offered at $2,700/month
1445 Santa Cruz Street | Laguna Beach Offered at $2,575,000
591 Mountain Road | Laguna Beach Offered at $6,000/month
22861 Loumont Street | Lake Forest Offered at $1,399,000
• CRIER
Cont. from page 4
and clubs for older adults.
Call Martha Hernandez at 949-7158104 to sign up for the support group, or email MarthaH@theSusiQ.org.
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF LAGUNA BEACH STARTS AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM
The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach has announced the start of its afterschool care program for the new school year. Beginning this week, the Club offers a safe, supportive environment where children can engage in educational activities, receive homework help, and participate in enriching programs.
and understand local ecology. A tribute page to Dr. Elisabeth Brown is posted on lagunagreenbelt.org, and readers are encouraged to leave their memories and thoughts. The Nix Nature Center is located at 18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach.
In Laguna Canyon where the best chefs, wineries, and restaurants come together to support deserving pups!
SEPTEMBER 22 5-9 PM
FESTIVAL OF ARTS & PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS
This year’s afterschool care program is designed to help students thrive both academically and socially, with a focus on fostering creativity, leadership and healthy lifestyles. The club remains committed to providing high-quality, affordable care to families in the community.
Parents who wish to enroll their children in the after-school program can do so online at bgclagunabeach.org/ after-school.
For more information about the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, visit the website at bgclagunabeach.org.
ELISABETH BROWN CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Friends, colleagues, and students of biologist and former Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. President Dr. Elisabeth Brown are invited to celebrate her life and contributions to wildlife conservation on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at the Nix Nature Center in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park.
Wish you knew more about the 22,000 acres of wilderness around us? Where to find the best trails for hiking and biking? Think you might like to hike but don’t know where to start? Wondering what opportunities there might be to meet like-minded folk and/or volunteer?
You’ll love this presentation, led by naturalists Emma van der Veen and Winter Bonnin, with special guest Hallie Jones! Join us on Thursday, Sept. 5 between 2 and 3:30 p.m. Win a prize for answering trivia questions. All ages welcome.
Hoffman Talks Art Deco Or maybe you’re more of an armchair traveler. On Thursday, Sept 19, between 1:30 and 3 p.m., local tour guide and architectural aficionado Bill Hoffman will take you on a visual tour of Art Deco, America’s most lavish architectural style. “Art Deco came to America shortly after its emergence in France in the early 1920s,” Hoffman explained. “With exuberant detailing, architects and designers decorated buildings, furniture, and even appliances. Zig zags, geometric patterns and organic flourishes, nothing was off limits.”
Hosted jointly by Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. and Laguna Canyon Foundation, with support from OC Parks staff and volunteers, the event will begin at 3 p.m. for socializing and viewing displays in the beautiful natural setting. At 3:30 p.m., attendees will be asked to gather in the cozy outdoor amphitheater to share memories.
A beloved figure in the Southern California environmental community, Dr. Brown was President of Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. from 1985 to 2019. She played invaluable roles in protecting wilderness lands around Laguna Beach, establishing organizations to manage those lands, and creating programs for public access. Through her writing and naturalist training classes, she also helped Orange County residents to appreciate
Bill Hoffman’s photos beautifully capture the style and how it lives on today.
Demystifying AI
The Susi Q knows that older adults like to be updated on technological advances. A special session, Demystifying AI (Artificial Intelligence), led by global technology strategist and FOA artist Jeff Rovner and independent consultant Paul Freeman, will explain how AI evolved, as well as the perils and promise of this new technology and what it means to the public. The free program takes place on Thursday, Sept 26 at 4:30 p.m.
Call Christine Brewer at 949-7158105 to sign up for any of these classes or register by visiting www.thesusiq. org and clicking on classes/events and registration.
WE THOUGHT WE KNEW BOB WHALEN!
Apparently Not! Did you see the Candidates’ Forum this week?
Highlights and Quotes from Bob Whalen at the Forum
$150 Million to underground Laguna Canyon Road
$12 Million annual liability costs
Maintenance (est. $250K / yr.)
+ New “highway ” staffing (unknown cost)
Police personnel expense (unknown cost)
$4 million approval for environmental stage
“Beyond wildfire safety . . . there’s just tremendous opportunities, but on top of that, . . . It’s gonna make the canyon look spectacular.”
Bob Whalen thinks solving the traffic problem in Laguna is building more parking lots
Bob Whalen joined Hallie Jones against George Weiss and Judie Mancuso saying “yes” to taxpayer-funded parking structures, including hundreds of parking spaces to solve Laguna’s traffic from the 6 million+ tourists annually
Tourism Management
Enforce existing rules, laws,and fines
“Stewardship program” for PR (unspecified cost) encouraging respectful tourism + more bathrooms in South Laguna
Scrapping our 36’ height limit
“I think there should be some adjustments to the height limits in the downtown . . . ”
Highlights from Bob Whalen's 12-Year career on the City Council (7 years as Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem)
Spending residents’ money unwisely
Whalen Authorized:
Downtown Action Plan: ($14 million); proposed infrastructure upgrades, including cutting down 118 trees
Parking Master Plan: (unknown cost); Proposed with Kempf building parking structures at the Heisler Park lawn bowling, inland side Aliso Creek 360 spaces multi-story, Presbyterian Church and Downtown Village Entrance (City Hall Whalen was for it before he was against it before he was for it again!)
St. Catherine’s Purchase: ($23 million); intended for recreation, now used mainly as office space for city staff
Ti Amo Purchase: ($2.7 million); bought without appraisal, never used by the fire department. Still sitting empty
Presbyterian Church Deal: ($13 million); proposed parking structure favoring church use over residents
Compare our CD rates
Bank-issued, FDIC-insured
Call or visit your local financial advisor today Compare our CD rates
4.90 4.65 4.45 3-Month 6-Month 9-Month
• LETTERS
Cont. from page 6
are the giveaway); E-bikes speeding, not stopping at lights or stop signs and riding on the Heisler Park pathways; Dog owners not cleaning up after their dogs and trash not being disposed of properly along the alleys and left for days, assuming someone will pick it up.
These and other problems have existed for years, but lately, it seems that some in our community feel a growing sense of entitlement that their behavior should be overlooked because they are “local.”
Remember to thank the city maintenance crews, police, firefighters, rangers, lifeguards and others for all their efforts. Most important of all, before you point fingers at others, make sure you are not part of the problem.
Bill and Vicki Robertson, Laguna Beach
LITTERING CITATION DIFFICULT TO ENFORCE
The firestorm about the perceived overuse and littering of Laguna’s beaches this summer got me thinking about the viability of the littering citation. After considering logistics, it seems to be quite difficult to enforce. So, I found the Records Request button on the city’s website, lagunabeachcity.net, and entered my request. “How many citations for littering were issued for calendar year 2023.”
Call or visit your local financial advisor today
4.90 4.65 4.45 3-Month 6-Month 9-Month
Angela L Choo, CRPS™ Financial Advisor
Angela
1100 South Coast Highway 219 Laguna Beach, CA 92651
L Choo, CRPS™ Financial Advisor
949-497-5349
1100 South Coast Highway 219
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949-497-5349
*Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 08/23/04. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC).
*Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 08/23/04. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC).
FDI-1867N-A AECSPAD 23011453
What would be your guess? 100? 50? More? Less? Thank you, Kristen Berry of the LBPD, for your research. Answer: four. Duane Allee, Laguna Beach
POLICE DEPARTMENT IS EXCEPTIONAL
There has been a lot of emphasis on tourists’ impact on Laguna Beach this summer. There is another dimension that I believe has been overlooked. All kinds of visitors come to our town, and there is always an element that draws people to resort areas and crowds. Our Laguna Beach Police Department is where the responsibility for our security comes to bear. It is time to recognize the exceptional level of policing and enforcement we are so fortunate to have. Chief Jeff Calvert should be recognized for orchestrating his very effective response to a huge increase in demand with his team of officers.
Has anyone taken notice of the police reports in the Independent lately? As the summer has passed, the length of the reported police activity has significantly increased. The report in the Aug. 23 issue
street beat
FROM POLICE BLOGS
THURSDAY, AUG. 22
Marijuana possession. Hugo Leyva, 19, of Fullerton, was arrested on suspicion of possessing marijuana for sale to 18-yearolds or younger. He was held without bail.
Battery. Aida Inessa Gevorkyan, 33, of Laguna Beach was arrested on suspicion of battery on a person. She was held on a $500 bail.
Attending an arranged meeting with a minor for sexual purposes. Carlos Enriquez Ordonez, 34, of Irvine was arrested on suspicion of attending an arranged meeting with a minor for sexual purposes and communicating with a minor for sexual purposes. He was held without bail.
Attending an arranged meeting with a minor for sexual purposes. Antonin Chirulescu, 71, of Laguna Beach was arrested on suspicion of attending an arranged meeting with a minor for sexual purposes and communicating with a minor for sexual purposes. He was held without bail.
FRIDAY, AUG. 23
Violating a court order. Michael Darence Dearmond, 29, of Ontario was arrested on suspicion of violating a court order to prevent domestic violence. He was held without bail.
Contempt of court. Johnathan Christian Hattaway, 46, of Laguna Beach was arrested on suspicion of contempt of court and trespassing. He was held on a $500 bail.
Disorderly conduct. Eric Scott Schierer, 38, of Alta Loma was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct. He was held without bail.
Attending an arranged meeting with a minor for sexual purposes. Mark Clinton Johnson, 49, of Laguna Hills was arrested on suspicion of attending an arranged meeting with a minor for sexual purposes and communicating with a minor for sexual purposes. He was held without bail.
Battery, trespassing. Ricardo Cortezvelazquez, 32, of Laguna Hills was arrested on suspicion of battery on a spouse or date, trespassing and refusing to leave the property. He was held on a $10,500 bail.
Obstructing an officer, battery. Alexandra Jeanette Green, 39, of Irvine was arrested on suspicion of obstructing an executive officer, battery on spouse or
date and batter on a police officer. She was held on a $30,000 bail.
SATURDAY, AUG. 24
DUI. Elias Benudiz, 44, of Laguna was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. He was held on a $15,000 bail.
DUI. Leann Renee Arriaga, 34, of Placentia was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. She was held on $10,000 bail.
Possessing a controlled substance. Jesse Joshua Lara, 44, of Lancaster was arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance and being under the influence of a controlled substance. He was held on $2,500 bail.
Obstruction. Katrina Eisinger, 66, Lake Forest was arrested on suspicion of resisting arrest. She was held without bail.
SUNDAY, AUG. 25
DUI. A 19-year-old Mission Viejo woman was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and using a fake ID. She was held on $7,500 bail.
DUI. Kiana Francine Calderon, 22, of Chino Hills was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and blowing on or over 0.08 percent BAC. She was held on $5,000 bail.
DUI. Carlos Eduardo Vega, 36, of Garden Grove was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and blowing on or over 0.08 percent BAC. He was held on $5,000 bail.
Shoplifting. Kevin Sean Orourke, 57, of Long Beach was arrested on suspicion of shoplifting. He was held on a $500 bail.
DUI. Nicholas Don Northup, 66, of Lake Forest 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.
MONDAY, AUG. 26
DUI. A 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. She was held on a $2,500 bail.
Sexual battery. Yuki Kojima, 22, of Rancho Cucamonga was arrested on suspicion of felony sexual battery. He was held on $25,000 bail.
TUESDAY, AUG. 27
Bench warrant. Gary Wayne Higham, 33, of Brea was arrested on suspicion of a fel-
8/30 @ 9:00 PM DSB JOURNEY TRIBUTE
8/31 @ 9:00 PM RED CORVETTE PRINCE TRIBUTE
9/01 @ 12:30 PM THE SUNDAY GOSPEL BAND BRUNCH
9/01 @ 8:00 PM PATO BANTON REGGAE
9/06 @ 9:00 PM PAST ACTION HEROES
9/07 @ 9:00 PM BETTER DAZE
9/08 @ 12:30 PM TOM DANTE QUARTET JAZZ BRUNCH
9/08 @ 7:30 PM JAHGUN AND JUSTIFYAH REGGAE
9/09 @ 7:00 PM 133 BAND
9/12 @ 7:30 PM FAMILY STYLE
9/13 @ 9:00 PM UNDERCOVER
9/14 @ 7:30 PM BLANK SPACE TAYLOR SWIFT TRIBUTE
9/15 @ 12:30 PM SINATRA SUNDAY JAZZ BRUNCH
9/15 @ 7:30 PM MASSIVE MCGREGOR REGGAE
9/19 @ 7:30 PM THE ALVAREZ BAND
9/20 @ 9:00 PM YOUR MOM 90'S TO NOW
9/21 @ 9:00 PM 90S WITH A GRUNGE VITALOGY (PEARL JAM) AND RED HOT TRIBUTE (RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS)
schools & sports
FALL SPORTS UPDATE
FLAG FOOTBALL (2-1)
The Breakers defeated Long Beach Wilson (0-7) 27-0 on Monday, Aug. 26 at Guyer Field. Hayden Crain-Henning threw three touchdown passes – one each to Kayleigh Thomas, Cami Thomas and Lakelyn Welch. Ella Dorfman ran in the other touchdown. Welch caught a two-point conversion, while Thomas scored a one-point conversion.
The team opened league play on Aug. 28 at Northwood (2-1).
FOOTBALL (1-0)
Breakers Blast Tartans 52-13 –Kollock Sets School Records
Laguna opened their 90th season slowly as the Tartans intercepted Jackson Kollock twice in the first quarter after giving up only five picks last season.
Fortunately for Laguna, St. Margaret’s could not utilize the turnovers as Laguna held their hosts to only one first-period
first down. After the Tartans tied the score early in the second period on a seven-play drive, Laguna responded with three straight scores to close out the period. The last two scores were amazing passes, with a 42-yard toss to Grant Regal, stunning the home crowd, while the last play of the period was a perfect 70-yard toss to Luke Jolley, who, like Grant, was just outside the goal line on the heavily defended reception.
The Breakers scored on all third-period possessions, and the fourth-period went fast on a running clock.
Jackson Kollock set the school career record for passing yards and completions set by Andrew Johnson in 2017-19. Kollock had already set the career total offense records last season.
Bright spots included Luke Jolley (Sr) with five receptions for 135 yards and a score, Jack Hooper with a 38-yard interception return plus another 73 yards on kick returns. The 394 team passing yards was the 7th best in school history.
This week: Aug. 31 at Santa Monica (Ranked #92) Historic SAMOHI opened in 1891
Laguna Beach doesn’t need more PARKING, we need more EXPENSIVE VISITOR PARKING!!
Laguna Beach City Council,
• Clearly mark all legal sized parking spaces on PCH and within the two blocks of the residential neighborhoods that abut PCH on the east.
• Establish residents parking districts for the two blocks that are east of PCH.
• Install parking meters within the two blocks of PCH.
• Raise the price for all parking meters.
• Lower the price for resident parking permits.
• Do not allow pedestrians to walk on PCH.
• Increase police parking enforcement, especially on the weekends.
Day visitors don’t leave their cash, they only leave their trash.
Don’t pave paradise to put up a parking lot!
and is over three times the enrollment of Laguna. The game will be a real challenge for the Breakers in their first meeting with the Vikings, a member of the Pioneer League (Torrance, Peninsula, South Torrance, North Torrance, Redondo Union). SAMOHI beat Chino 26-0 last week at the Cowboy’s field where Laguna opened last year for their only regular season defeat.
Next week: Sept. 6 vs. Kennedy home opener
The Fighting Irish beat Bolsa Grande last week after going 7-5 last season. The 2,000-student school has been very competitive in football and will be another tough test for the Breakers. Kennedy faced Western this week. Cal Preps Web Site for ratings, schedules, scores etc., at calpreps.com Game video highlights are posted on Max Preps at maxpreps.com/ca.
GIRLS GOLF
Costa Mesa canceled their opening contest for this year due to a scheduling conflict at their home course. The Breakers opened this past Wednesday with Estancia at Ben Brown’s. Next Tuesday, they travel
to Irvine to face Portola in the opening league contest. Breakers will host Laguna Hills on Sept. 5.
BOYS SAND VOLLEYBALL (2-0) Season 11 for boys sand volleyball opened last Thursday and expects another successful year.
Aug. 22 at Crean Lutheran (Won 5-2)
1. Kai Patchell/Dylan Sirianni won 2115, 21-11
2. Quinn Halloran/Dylan Sweet lost 20-22, 17-21
3. Ben Goodwin/Perry Ribarich won 21-10, 21-13
4. Luke Singer/Leo Pardun lost 21-15, 12-21, 10-15
5. James Vermilya/Nico Lerum won 21-13, 21-18
6. John/Grey won 20-8, 21-12
4-Man: Patchell, Siranni, Hallorhan, Sweet won 28-23
Aug 23 vs. Capistrano Valley Christian (Won 5-2)
1. Kai Patchell/Dylan Sirianni won 20, 21-14
LAGUNA SPORTS UPDATE | BY FRANK ARONOFF |
Junior Jack Hooper, (who wore number 2 at the game), had an electrifying 38-yard interception return for a score against St. Margaret’s last Friday. Hooper was also the primary return specialist for kickoffs and punts.
Grant Regal caught the 42-yard pass from Jackson Kollock in the second period under heavy traffic, a real turning point in the contest. Photos courtesy of Laguna Athletics
Laguna
Laguna
Christian Sampson Named Featured Artist LAM’s 12th Annual Art + Nature
BY CLARA BEARD | LB INDY
Laguna Art Museum’s 12th annual Art + Nature, a celebration of artistic expression and environmental awareness, kicks off the week of Nov. 1.
The event is the museum’s most prominent of the year, featuring largescale installations that bring together thousands of participants to cultivate a love of nature, raise environmental awareness and discover cross-sections between science and the arts. The week of Nov. 1, the festivities begin the kickoff to Laguna Art Museum’s Art + Nature period that lasts through February 2025 with three indoor exhibitions and exciting public programs.
This year’s featured artist is Los Angeles-based Christian Sampson, who is known for creating layered installations of color, light and form. Sampson’s Ocean Ions will explore the intersections of color theory, spirituality and abstraction. Installed throughout Laguna Beach’s Heisler Park and Main Beach, Sampson’s work investigates the complex interplay between light, color and movement, reflecting how ions and
molecules with electrical charges affect our environment and perception.
“With a solid 12-year history of attracting thousands to the beach right outside the museum’s door, there is always a bit of pressure in selecting a featured artist for Art + Nature,” said Julie Perlin Lee, executive director of LAM. “We are so excited for Christian Sampson’s Ocean Ions to come to Laguna Beach as we know it will dazzle audiences, help draw deep introspection about our human interaction with our environment and push us to think deeper about time, perception, unseen forces and even the possibility of transcending dimensionality. I am looking forward to sharing the experience with everyone who can make it down to the beach for Art + Nature 2024.”
Other Art + Nature exhibitions include Jay DeFeo: Trees and Fred Tomaselli: Second Nature. Jay DeFeo: Trees will be on view from Sept. 21, through Jan. 12, 2025 and is the first exhibition dedicated to DeFeo’s fascination with trees and exploration of the natural world. The exhibition includes the artist’s drawings
from the Tree series made in the 1950s and photographs of trees created during the early 1970s.
Curated by LAM Curatorial Fellow Rochelle Steiner, Jay DeFeo: Trees will offer a glimpse into the artist’s drawings produced between 1953 and 1954 in Berkeley, Calif., following extensive travels in Europe and North Africa. Among the nine works from the Tree series that are still in existence, all on view in the exhibition, are two pieces from Laguna Art Museum’s permanent collection. They are juxtaposed with DeFeo’s photographs of trees from the 1970s, creating a dialogue that accentuates the breadth of her visual vocabulary.
Fred Tomaselli: Second Nature will showcase the influential work of Southern California native artist Fred Tomaselli. The exhibition, which will be on display from Oct. 6 to Feb. 2, 2025, delves into the confluence of art, nature and contemporary culture.
Also organized by LAM Curatorial
• see SAMPSON page 16
Crystal Cove Fire Ecology Internship Expands Research Opportunities for High Schoolers
BY CLARA BEARD | LB INDY
Crystal Cove Conservancy (The Conservancy) is once again opening its fire ecology internship to high school students for the 2024-2025 school year. In partnership with California State Parks, Irvine Ranch Conservancy (IRC) and UC Irvine (UCI), the program offers local high school students the chance to get hands-on experience studying the effects of fire on local ecosystems.
“We’re thrilled to be expanding the fire ecology internship and give high school students the opportunity to experience two different types of real, hands-on scientific research techniques,” said president and CEO of Crystal Cove Conservancy Kate Wheeler. “As we enter the fifth year of the program, we’re thankful to our partners at California State Parks, Irvine Ranch Conservancy and UCI for helping to make this impactful program possible as we work to ignite students’ passion for environmental science.”
New this year, students and land managers will also study how the frequency of fires can potentially change soil biomes and microbial life.
During the 2023-2024 program, interns collected data at sites located in Crystal Cove State Park, Limestone Canyon, Weir and Gypsum Canyon to study the impact fire has on Orange County’s native species. This year, students will be assigned two different tracks – one focusing on the habitat quality of the prickly pear cactus and cactus wren after fire occurrence and the second examining how fire frequency can cause changes in soil biome diversity. These studies will give students the chance to take part in ecological field research with Crystal Cove Conservancy, IRC and State Parks and traditional lab research with UCI technicians.
“Increased fire frequency continues to be a major challenge for restoration ecologists and land stewards,” IRC Monitoring and Research Program
Manager Eliza Hernandez said. “This partnership helps collect ecological data on the effects of too-frequent fires that can inform management decisions and, more importantly, fosters the next generation of scientists who will face this challenge.”
High school students from backgrounds and communities that have historically been excluded and underrepresented in the STEM field will be highly considered for the internship.
The California State Parks Foundation and Edison International provide additional support for the fire ecology internship program.
The 2024-2025 program will run for 13 weeks from October 2024 through May 2025, with a combination of virtual sessions, in-person field days and lab work at a variety of open spaces throughout Orange County and the Microbial Evolutionary Ecology Lab at UCI. Applications are open now through Sept. 22 for the academic school year.
Applications are now open for high school internships to study fire ecology with Crystal Cove Conservancy, California State Parks, Irvine Ranch Conservancy and University of California, Irvine. Photo/Crystal Cove Conservancy
Artist Christian Sampson is this year’s featured artist at Laguna Art Museum’s 12th Annual Art + Nature event. Photo courtesy of Christian Sampson
• STREET BEAT
Cont. from page 11
ony bench warrant outside jurisdiction. He was held without bail.
Bench warrant. Matias Epelboim, 39, of Mission Viejo was arrested on suspicion of bench warrant. He was held without bail.
Possessing a shopping or laundry cart.
Jaquelline Alexis Robertson, 65, of Laguna was arrested on suspicion of possessing a shopping or laundry cart. She was held without bail.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 28
Domestic violence. Kristine Ann Calderon, 36, of Laguna was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence with minor injury. She was held on $100,000 bail.
Bench warrant. Jacob Matthew Dove, 27, was arrested on suspicion of an outstanding bench warrant. He was held without bail.
Battery. Samuel Palmer, 66, of Laguna Beach was arrested on suspicion of battery on spouse or ex spouse. He was held on a $10,000 bail.
DUI. A 24-year-old Hemet woman was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. He was held on $5,000 bail.
• LETTERS
Cont. from page 10 is a case in point. This last report had over thirty-two reported serious incidents. I looked a little closer at the numbers and found that 34% were for DUI or drunk driving, and 28% were for bench warrants. These are court-ordered arrest orders for people who failed to show up in court for previous offenses or failed to comply with a court order. One hundred percent of these arrests are for breaking the law. A total of sixty-two percent were for drunk driving and people who had committed previous offenses and were waiting for the justice system to process. This element represents a threat to the safety of our residents. I recognize that not all these statistics apply to visitors, but they indicate our increased liability during the busy tourist season.
Our Laguna Beach Police are on the job 24/7 so that the rest of us can be safer in our town. We thank Chief Calvert and his staff for meeting and exceeding their commitment to protect and serve the citizens of Laguna Beach.
Eric Jensen, Laguna Beach
WE CAN’T COMPARE NCC PROJECT TO ALICE COURT
Supporters of the Neighborhood
Congregational Church (NCC) project, stop comparing the preliminary proposed low-income housing to Alice Court. Unless the NCC and Related’s highdensity proposal changes to a plan that mimics Alice Court’s 27 single occupancy studios with 49 parking spaces.
With respect and reference to Eric Zuziak’s letter. (I am not a part of Village Laguna), I have looked at the preliminary proposal plans sent to the city.
Did you know the preliminary plan shows the structures to be built from edge to edge of the entire property, up to four stories high above Glenneyre and Cleo Streets and two to three stories above Catalina Street?
I don’t support building a four-story complex next to the spiritual center in an area of less than one square block, adding 200 plus more residents. Increasing the neighborhood’s street parking woes, blocking views, and altering the Laguna Beach “village neighborhood” forever with a huge monolithic structure. You could argue increased traffic, added fire danger, or infrastructure problems and evacuation concerns too.
Related California on the Neighborhood Congregational Church property project proposes:
A spiritual center (church), administrative offices and 72 residential units. Only four studios, mostly two to three-bedroom units and 108 parking spaces. That totals an occupancy capacity of 200 to 250 residents plus any church attendees and activities. Not Alice Court’s 27 residents.
The church asked for my ideas. I sent them photographs from our house and sketches of a sensible stepped-down design with residential units on top of the parking garage. A more desirable design might have gardens, like Alice Court. These options would be more in keeping with our neighborhood’s character. Possibly a reasonable addition toward the city’s affordable housing goal.
I would support an “Alice Court” type low-income housing project. I’ve lived in Laguna for 55 years. I raised my family in this neighborhood; I am a self-employed jewelry artisan and designer who, for years, lived in Laguna on a tight budget. I support low-income housing. I know many low-income locals. A citywide effort is necessary, reasonable solutions can be achieved.
That said, I am against the NCC development as they have preliminarily proposed.
Kirk Milette, Laguna Beach artist and business owner since 1976.
8/30 GLENN HUGHES - Deep Purple Set
8/31 MICK ADAMS & THE STONES
9/1 MIDGE URE
9/6 TIFFANY
9/7 SOUTHERN ROCK THROWDOWN (LyNyrd SkyNyrd, Bad CO., ZZ TOp TriBuTES)
9/12 GRAHAM BONNET w/ Marco Mendoza 9/13 RICHIE KOTZEN w/ Mark Daly
9/14 JOURNEY USA (JOurNEy TriBuTE)
9/15 BENISE: Fiesta!
9/19 THE MAN IN BLACK (JOHNNy CaSH TriBuTE) 9/20 WILD CHILD (THE dOOrS TriBuTE) 9/21 DON WAS & THE PAN DETROIT ENSEMBLE 9/22 JANE MONHEIT
9/25 ANA POPOVIC 9/26 DEBBIE GIBSON Acoustic Youth 9/27 DAVE MASON 9/28 ORIANTHI 9/29 RICHARD STEKOL BENEFIT ft Honk/Missiles/133’s/Funky Kings 10/1 DELVON LAMARR ORGAN TRIO
10/3 ZEBRA w/special guests Fuzzbubble 10/4 DAVE MASON
10/5 KIMBERLY PERRY (of The Band Perry) 10/6 DAVE HAUSE
10/9 AL DiMEOLA The Electric Years 10/10 HENRY KAPONO 10/11 HENRY KAPONO 10/12 PABLO CRUISE 10/13 JIMMY WEBB 10/16 JIMMIE VAUGHAN 10/17 GROUNDATION 10/18 GARY PUCKETT & THE UNION GAP 10/19 BRETT DENNEN 10/20 YOUNG DUBLINERS
10/25 MIRAGE (FLEETwOOd MaC TriBuTE) 10/26 STRYPER 40th Anniversary Tour 10/27 FREDDY JONES BAND
10/30 THE MUSICAL BOX pErFOrMS GENES S LivE 1973 10/31 OINGO BOINGO FORMER MEMBERS / UNTOUCHABLES
11/1 OINGO BOINGO FORMER MEMBERS / UNTOUCHABLES
11/2 VENICE
11/3 THE WINEHOUSE EXPERIENCE
11/7 MATTHEW SWEET Acoustic Trio 11/8 COMMON SENSE
11/9 TYRONE WELLS
11/13 JOHN HIATT
11/15 RONSTADT REVIVAL (L Nda rONSTadT TriBuTE) 11/16 JOSHUA RADIN & RON POPE 11/22 SPACE ODDITY (david BOwiE TriBuTE) 11/23 RUFUS WAINWRIGHT
11/26 LEONID & FRIENDS (CHiCaGO TriBuTE) 11/27 LEONID & FRIENDS (CHiCaGO TriBuTE)
11/29 THE PLATTERS
11/30 LEE ROCKER of the Stray Cats 12/4 LIVINGSTON TAYLOR LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III
12/6 WHICH ONE’S PINK? (piNk FLOyd TriBuTE) 12/7 WHICH ONE’S PINK? (piNk FLOyd TriBuTE)
12/8 SANDRA BERNHARD
12/11 DAVID BENOIT CHriSTMaS TriBuTE TO CHarLiE BrOwN 12/12 KY-MANI MARLEY
12/13 ABBA Holly Jolly Christmas 12/15 THE GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA
12/19 A VERY WHITNEY CHRISTMAS 12/21 AMBROSIA HOLiday SHOw 12/22 GARY HO HO HOEY
12/27 BEATLES VS STONES 12/29 L.A. GUNS 12/31 THE ENGLISH BEAT 1/10 TOMMY CASTRO & The Painkillers 1/11 AC/DC vs OZZY 1/12 BURTON CUMMINGS 1/17 Dada
1/23 PAT TRAVERS 1/24 GENE
GUEST OPINION:
What Will You Learn in School Today?
I’m not sure when in my life the shift took place, but I no longer roll my eyes at this question, and have actually grown to like it.
While growing up, most of us couldn’t wait to be done with school, being swamped with homework and reeling from lessthan-stellar test scores. Not anymore. All that’s changed for me, because my concept of school has changed.
I see the enormity of the halls of learning I now consider my campus. When I’m at work or having a casual conversation over lunch, school’s in session. I’m open to being enlightened, corrected and nurtured wherever I may be, whatever I may be doing.
To be honest, this learning doesn’t happen without a large dose of unselfishness. That’s one of the chief lessons I’m repeatedly taught as I observe caring friends and strangers all around me. While there’s plenty in the world to suggest that immersion in our own life is what matters, it’s actually immersion in doing good for others, wanting to support the people around us that broadens and
• SPORTS
Cont. from page 12
2. Quinn Halloran/Dylan Sweet lost 21-14, 16-21, 12-15
3. Ben Goodwin/Perry Ribarich lost 17-21, 21-16, 5-15
4. Luke Singer/Leo Pardun won 21-10, 21-14
5. James Vermilya/Nico Lerum won 21-8, 21-10
4-Man: Patchell, Siranni, Hallorhan, Sweet won 28-20
This past week, they faced San Clemente at their beach on Tuesday and hosted Crean Lutheran on Thursday at Main Beach. The schedule for next week was not available at press time.
GIRLS TENNIS (0-1)
enriches our lives. I find that’s a pretty reliable measure of how I’m progressing in this global preparatory school -- the degree to which I value others.
It was during my growing-up years that I was introduced to the Golden Rule, doing unto others as I would have them do unto me. That’s foundational to seeing greater value in others. While my early Sunday School teachers spoke of God’s love for everyone (and while I was probably rolling my eyes as they made the point again and again), some of that message got through. I’m inspired and educated myself when I think of others as worthy of that same love.
I don’t see this as a head-in-the-clouds way of relating to a wider world, staying at arm’s length from the complex issues that local and international governments grapple with day after day. I see it as being able to fully respect and learn from the intellectual, political, cultural and spiritual insights that good people everywhere bring to bear on these issues, remembering something else I learned in Sunday School: the likeness of creation to
The Breakers dropped their opening match 11-7 at Tesoro on Tuesday, Aug. 27. Rebecca MacCallum lost her first set 6-7 after a 9-11 tiebreaker but easily won her other two sets 6-1, 6-0. Izzy LoBosco won two of her three sets and the doubles team of Rachel Jolley and Chloe Balliet also won two of three sets. The Breakers were at Dana Hills on Aug. 29 and travel to Aliso Niguel on Tuesday. Laguna opens at home on Sept. 5 with San Clemente.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
(1-8)
Laguna was no match for the Lions last week, dropping a three-set match at JSerra 15-25, 9-25, 10-25. Blake Borgquist led all Laguna hitters with four kills and two blocks.
Up next: Breakers hosted Downey on Wednesday, Aug. 28, with the Vikings (2-2) coached by former Laguna mentor Shawn Patchell. Aliso Niguel was at Laguna on Aug. 29 and Dana Hills on Aug. 30. Next week, Laguna hosts Beckman on Tuesday, Aug. 3 and travel to Crean Lutheran on Sept. 4. The home match time will be approximately 5:15 p.m. at Dugger Gym.
BOYS WATER POLO (1-1)
The Breakers lost a tough overtime battle to Crean Lutheran on Aug. 22 at the Laguna Community Pool. The tightly officiated contest resulted in five starters fouling out, which contributed to the defeat. Laguna bounced back this past Tuesday with a sound 21-15 defeat of Aliso Niguel. Laguna travels to Palos
its all-loving Creator.
That inherent goodness in each of us is what inspires us to learn from and care for one another. It’s what draws us together to find solutions to common problems. It encourages us to look for the goodness in our fellow man even when their (or our) actions are far from good, and when anger or despair or simply giving up attempts to sweep us away.
Like anything else we learn in school, it’s when we put these lessons into practice that we make them our own. I have to remind myself of this often. Keep practicing to see others through the same lens of value and caring and mercy that I would want them to use when viewing me. Keep listening. Resist the blinders of selfishness. Most of all, keep at it.
Every classroom includes plenty of average students, a scattering of bright lights, and some slow learners. More often than not I see myself as one of the latter. But I’m thankful that in God’s eyes we’re all bright lights. And that may be one of the greatest lessons we’re to learn in school today.
Verdes on Aug. 29 and to Mater Dei on Aug. 31. The Breakers are back at home on Sept. 10 with Westlake. Have a note on Laguna high school sports? E-mail 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.
• SAMPSON Cont. from page 14
Fellow Rochelle Steiner, the exhibition features nearly fifty of Tomaselli’s latest works, many of which feature images of birds, animals, the coastline, and the pressing environmental conditions of our time. His vibrant and intricate resin paintings will be shown alongside his New York Times series, in which he
BY RUSS GERBER
Russ and his wife moved back home to Southern California after working in Boston as the media manager for the Christian Science church. With a background in publishing, most of his time is spent writing, reading, volunteering and grandparenting.
reinterprets newspaper front pages to document the world’s events and their impact on daily life.
“Over the years, LAM has championed artists and projects that address critical environmental issues, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of our natural world,” said Rochelle Steiner, LAM curatorial fellow. “Through its exhibitions, educational programs and community outreach, LAM continues to feature artists whose ideas encourage us to look deeply at the natural world we live within.”
Art + Nature will feature various events and activities from Nov. 2 through Nov. 11, including community art projects, performances and the First Thursdays Artwalk. All activities are designed to foster engagement and appreciation of art and nature. Programming includes the Community Kickoff Event on Nov. 2, Live! at the Museum Art + Nature Performance on Nov. 3, a choreographed dance performance and community arts projects on Nov. 9 and Free Museum Day on Nov. 10.
• POSE
Cont. from page 3
the evening, bringing the crowd to its feet with the music of Frank Sinatra at the Sands, the Rat Pack, and other legendary singers from the 60s, 70s and 80s.
Tying into the fashion theme, photo opportunities were scattered throughout the art exhibit. Some photo booths allowed guests to look like they were posing on the cover of Vogue, while others offered fun props and a flashy backdrop. Attendees also enjoyed a private showing of the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show, which featured the work of 120 Orange County artists.
After the concert, guests enjoyed a special performance of the Pageant of the Masters production of “Á la Mode: The Art of Fashion.” Kirsten Vangsness introduced the Pageant of the Masters, sharing her longtime love of the show since her first visit.
“I have my team leader David Rossi –sorry, I mean, Joe (Mantegna) – to thank for introducing me to the Pageant a few years ago,” said Vangsness before the show.
“Being a fan of Arrested Development, I had heard about it and dreamed about going. Then when I was finally here, it really did take my breath away. And then to see the time and effort the designers and volunteers expend to make this happen. I’m always delighted at how the Pageant melds innovation with tradition.”
Tickets for the final week are discounted up to 50 percent off on select dates. The Festival of Arts Fine Art Show is open daily through Aug. 30.
Parking Garage: A Phantom Savior
After a tough summer with our town extra impacted by congestion and parking woes, we’ll hear about possible solutions with more emphasis once again. The upcoming council campaign will rev that up, and the poor candidates will have to come up with something that sounds credible to demanding audiences. Often, it’s: “Build a parking garage.” This possible garage, which is supposed to save us from all those intruding cars, has many suggested locations—we might hear “Act V (the corporate yard parking lot), “or “behind the Playhouse,” “the village entrance,” or another level on the Glenneyre street structure. Or some undefined location “on the periphery.”
Perhaps it doesn’t sell well to say that a parking garage won’t make a dent
in the demand for the parking needs of six million visitors. Or that the last serious proposal to build one was shot down after years of effort in 2013. It was a 500-space structure at the village entrance, as mentioned in Elizabeth Pearson’s Aug. 9 article.
Do you remember the blue signs all over town that said, “$65 million and you want to do what?” That was the estimated cost of the parking garage project at the village entrance, and when all the information was out, an organization called “Let Laguna Vote” was formed, and opposition was organized. Rita Conn led the effort, speaking with other alarmed residents weekly, raising concern after concern. Details about the project were debated for months.
The city lacked the funds to build
the project, so a bond was needed. Most bonds require two-thirds voter approval—except for revenue bonds. Financial studies maintained that revenue bonds were not feasible if repayment was based only on parking fees from the garage. It would not pay for itself because there wouldn’t be enough customers for 10 months of the year.
So, the plan relied on income from all the parking meters in town to pay back the bonds. That meant that parking meter fees, the one main source of income from day trippers, would be used to pay off the parking garage and would not be available for anything else.
Aesthetic impacts for the large garage were significant. Congestion and traffic
Clockwise from top left: Pageant cast members took to the red carpet dressed in their Met Gala inspired finest; Guests line up to strike a pose in the Vogue photo booth; Matt Mauser entertains the crowd and guests mingle at the Festival of Arts closing weekend celebration. Photos/Jim Collins
Ann Christoph is a former mayor, city councilmember and current member of the Village Laguna and South Laguna Civic Association boards.
BY ANN CHRISTOPH
GUEST OPINION: PET PEEVES
Potty Mouth
The first thing I do in the morning is have a cup of coffee. The second thing I do in the morning is check my daily horoscope. It read, “Don’t drink coffee.”
It was going to be one of those days. My moon always seems to be in retrograde. Translation: Doing number two is not the third thing I do every morning. My moon is unreliable. I used to be able to count on it. That was where I kept my brain. But now, in my twilight years, you can’t count on those things you used to take for granted.
My Michigan neighborhood is getting younger and younger, with many more preschoolers. Take this one neighborhood kid. Please take the neighborhood kid. Pretty, pretty please. He’s a hellion. He has a potty mouth. I know he’ll outgrow it, even if his mother is worried he won’t. The mother told me the other day that Potty Mouth
• CHRISTOPH
Cont. from page 17
impacts were a concern—during the busy season, the garage would draw more cars downtown. Five hundred cars entering and exiting simultaneously to and from the same driveways could worsen matters rather than improve traffic flow.
This all culminated in a night to remember at city council, on Nov. 12, 2013. The chamber was packed, and nearly all of the attendees opposed going forward with the parking garage plan for the village entrance. A facilitator was hired to manage the discussion. Staff recommended approval.
After all, the council had been working on this project for years. Council member Paul Freeman “jumpstarted” the village entrance plan in 1995 by pushing a parking garage study forward.
There was a design competition. The winner proceeded with design development based on the council criteria at that time—397 total parking spaces. Detailed planning took years, but by 2002, when Freeman left the council, the project was nearly ready to proceed. Elizabeth Pearson took Freeman’s place and then stopped the project in its tracks. Pearson decided that the 397 spaces were not enough. The project should be
was seeing a therapist about it. “How’s it going?” I asked. “We’re looking for a new therapist. The last one was converted. He got a worse case of potty mouth than my son.”
Old people get potty mouth, too. It can’t be helped. We start to talk about constipation, diarrhea, peeing, not peeing, all the time. Life has come full circle. I’ve become the neighborhood kid. Of course, I don’t see a therapist because I know there’s no hope to correct and cure my potty mouth. My moon and other parts are not coming out of retrograde. Sooner or later, most likely sooner, I’ll turn to dust. The good news will be, “Viola, no more potty mouth.”
I have to confess, us old people, are pretty annoying. We talk too much about, “Back in the day or when I was a kid,” everything was better or worse
designed for 500! So, a project - almost ready to go - was sent back to the drawing board.
Some new buildings for city hall were added too. Consultants finished the plans and an Environmental Impact Report was reviewed and approved. Thousands of dollars had been spent on getting the project this far, and much staff, consultant and council time had been devoted to agonizing over the details.
But when the public became aware of the project’s size and expense, they reacted. They said “no” emphatically that night, and in a dramatic turnaround, the council halted the project.
Now, we have a low-key village entrance, parking, planting and pathways. This is the result of a volunteer plan put forward by Village Laguna and the Beautification Council. It was approvable and was built. We moved forward. Perhaps soon, we will have the digester building restored and used to enhance the canyon experience. Pearson stopped the project in an attempt to get more parking, but she shouldn’t regret that move. It led to a detailed examination by the community of what is actually involved in building a parking garage. The community rose up and made it clear
or more challenging. Somewhere along life’s timeline, we’ve decided that we are experts on everything. We believe because we’ve had a lot of birthdays, this gives us a special soapbox to stand on and shout out wisdom to friends and foes alike. This ill-advised belief that with age comes wisdom usually ends in chasing away the friends and leaving the foes. “Hey, Gramps. Love the talk. What’s your PIN number?”
I know. I know. Younger readers are thinking, forget you, Grandpa and all the potty talk. I don’t have the time to listen. I’ve got to get the kids to soccer, baseball and swimming, not to forget I’m in charge of refreshments at all three events this week. So, forgive me for saying, “Put a cork in it, Gramps.”
Are you listening, Joe, Kamala and Donald?
that we don’t want or need an overly ambitious structural parking solution. Yet the council continues hiring consultants to study parking garages again and again. Have they forgotten? Perhaps they should review the tape of the Nov. 12, 2013 meeting. I don’t think Lagunans have changed that much. There may be more wealthy people now,
EMPLOYMENT
BY MARK D. CRANTZ
Crantz tells Indy that “putting a cork in it” is the last thing he needs or others who may have moons in retrograde. However, for those younger and on the go, stop talking at one another and try to listen instead. It’s decency we’re after.
but they have paid those high prices because they love the environment they are buying into. None of us wants Laguna to become like anywhere else. I hope our candidates have the vision and courage to say that easily thrownout “solutions” like parking garages are not how we protect the Laguna we love.
