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Meet Lauren Boeck: Parent, Educator and LBUSD School Board Candidate
BY CLARA BEARD | LB INDY
Parent and educator Lauren Boeck has entered the race for Laguna Beach Unified School Board (LBUSD) school board on a campaign centered on collaboration and continuous improvement.
Boeck has three children currently enrolled in LBUSD, two at El Morro Elementary and one at Thurston Middle School. She is actively involved as a volunteer in Laguna Beach and serves in a variety of community leadership roles.
“Our family chose Laguna Beach for the excellent schools and the smalltown sense of community,” Boeck said. “I am thankful for the nurturing environments and abundant learning opportunities my children are provided in their schools. Through my service, I want to give back to the community to ensure other families experience the same.”
After earning a bachelor’s degree in applied learning and development and a master’s in educational administration
from the University of Texas at Austin, Boeck spent 10 years as a middle school teacher and assistant principal. Boeck said she prides herself on making data-driven decisions while advocating for students and teachers
“I‘ve worked with council members for 24 years. And I can tell
no one has ever worked as hard as
throughout her career as an educator, an aptness that she hopes will serve her well as a school board member.
Boeck is a current member of the Laguna Beach Recreation Committee and holds leadership roles on the SchoolPower board of trustees and LBUSD PTA Council. She previously served as the El Morro PTA Vice President and Secretary, a parent representative for El Morro Site Council, Laguna Beach Parents Club membership administrator, and Laguna Presbyterian Mothers of Preschoolers co-coordinator.
One of Boeck’s priorities, if elected, is improving communication between the school district and the Laguna Beach community.
“I am a listener first,” Boeck said. “In our tight-knit community, I want to make sure residents feel heard and valued. I believe there’s room for improvement in how the district and the school board engage with
• see BOECK page 19
theindypoll
THIS WEEK’S QUESTION: Did your household experience a smooth transition from Waste Management to CR&R waste hauling services? Yes or No
LAST WEEK’S QUESTION: Do you plan to attend any upcoming City Council candidate forums?
(30 votes) No |
(15 votes) TOTAL VOTES: 45
Lauren Boeck is running for Laguna Beach Unified School Board (LBUSD) school board. Photo courtesy of Lauren Boeck
TOWN CRIER
IN AND AROUND LAGUNA BEACH
SUSI Q’S OCTOBER EVENING WITH AN AUTHOR TO FEATURE ACCLAIMED NOVELIST JONATHAN LETHEM
Susi Q will feature author Jonathan Lethem, one of New York’s literary elite and an acclaimed best-selling novelist, now a professor at Pomona College, at its October “Evening With an Author” event.
The internationally renowned author of seven novels, including mega-bestselling “Motherless Brooklyn and The Fortress of Solitude,” Lethem, will be in lively conversation with Marrie Stone on Monday, Oct. 7 at 5 p.m. Lethem’s most recent book, “Brooklyn Crime Novel,” is described as “an intricately excavated, breathtaking tale of imperiled childhood in a fitfully gentrifying Brooklyn neighborhood… [his] virtuoso, many-faceted novel is trenchant, hilarious, wrenching, and tender.”
Due to printing logistics, home delivery of the paper for next week will take place on Saturday, September 21st.
Bulk copies will be available at our more than 100 locations on Friday as usual.
VIEW THE FULL ISSUE OF THE INDY ONLINE AT LAGUNABEACHINDY.COM
he’s written so many different types of things, Lethem creates something bigger, richer and deeper than the typical crime novel,” Stone said. Lethem will sign books after chatting with Stone.
Stone can’t wait to chat with Lethem. “What I love about Lethem is his ability to bend and play with genre. Detective novels are their own kind of thing – until they meet Lethem. Maybe because he grew up on these Brooklyn streets in the 70s, maybe because he has an innate understanding of human psychology, or maybe because
“It’s an honor to host this highly acclaimed author at the Susi Q,” said executive director Nadia Babayi. “Thanks to Marrie, we’ve been able to showcase some of the finest authors in the country at our event. Jonathan Lethem is another literary star we’re pleased to welcome.”
The event takes place on Monday Oct. 7 at 5 p.m. for a fee of $40, which includes the book, light bites and beverages. Go to thesusiq.org and click on classes and registration, or call Christine Brewer at
949-715-8105. The Susi Q is located at 380 Third Street in downtown Laguna Beach.
VOTERS INVITED TO “HIKE WITH HALLIE”
City council candidate Hallie Jones will lead a hike at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 15. The trailhead will be announced to those who sign up at hallieforlaguna. com under “Contact.” Groups are limited to 10.
Jones, who served as executive director of the Laguna Canyon Foundation for 10 years, will lead hikers on local trails to identify the flora and discuss biodiversity, environmental
• see CRIER page 26
Residents are legitimately concerned about the impact of visitors on our neighborhoods, beaches, parks, open space and quality of life. I hear you and am working on a plan to mitigate these impacts.
• Increase enforcement of existing laws on parking, speeding, drinking in public and littering
• Increase public safety and trash service levels for busy summer months, weekends and holidays
• Increase paid parking to cover costs
• Educate visitors on how to respect our local environment
Jonathan Lethem, one of New York’s literary elite and an acclaimed best-selling novelist, now a professor at Pomona College, will speak at the Susi Q’s October “Evening With an Author” event. Photo/ Jonathan Lethem
THE FUTURE OF
DEMOCRACY IN LAGUNA
BEACH: WE NEED TO PROTECT IT
A recent opinion piece published Sept 6, titled Concerning City Council raised important concerns about the current state of governance in our city. It highlighted troubling examples of power concentration, such as Councilman Bob Whalen’s lengthy tenure and repeated leadership roles, as well as School Board President Jan Vickers’ decades-long service without rotation. The piece makes a strong case for why term limits are essential to preventing entrenched authority and ensuring more democratic representation.
As someone whose family has been part of Laguna Beach for over 100 years, I agree wholeheartedly. My grandkids now attend Laguna Beach schools, and I feel a growing responsibility to ensure that the governance we pass down to the next generation is open, transparent, and truly serves
the community. Unfortunately, what we see today in both the city council and the school board is leadership that either serves special interests or avoids accountability by delegating too much authority to staff. This not only distances them from the difficult decisions they were elected to make but also erodes the trust that residents should have in their leaders.
When decisions are made behind closed doors, and the will of the people is overshadowed by special interests, it creates a dangerous disconnect between the community and those in power. Residents feel unheard, marginalized, and some end up leaving. This culture fosters disengagement and leads to a diminished sense of community, as described in the recent article.
What makes this situation even more alarming is that once leaders manipulate democratic processes to retain control, they often take further steps to tighten their grip. As public dissent grows, leadership may resort to more exclusionary practices—such as banning Zoom participation—to silence opposition and avoid scrutiny. These actions, as pointed out in the recent piece, are symptomatic of a leadership culture that leans toward
authoritarianism.
If we allow these patterns to continue, we risk handing down a legacy of distrust, disengagement, and authoritarian-leaning leadership to future generations. My grandkids—and all of Laguna Beach’s children—deserve better. They deserve a government that listens, that is accountable, and that represents the diverse needs of the entire community.
The November election offers us a chance to restore good governance. We can elect leaders who prioritize transparency and accountability, not just maintaining power. Implementing term limits, as suggested in the recent opinion piece, would be a crucial first step toward achieving this. Let’s also ensure that we support candidates who serve the people, not special interests. By taking these actions, we can heal the political divide in Laguna Beach and set a positive example for future generations.
Mike Marriner Sr., Laguna Beach
BE CAREFUL WHO GETS YOUR VOTE
I retired from the city council after
CITY HALL MEETINGS: Sept. 16 - Heritage Committee at 6 pm. | Sept. 16 -Environmental Sustainability Committee at 6 p.m.
HOW TO CONTACT THE CITY COUNCIL:
Sue Kempf Mayor skempf@ lagunabeachcity.net
Alex Rounaghi MayorProTem arounaghi@ lagunabeachcity.net
George Weiss Council member gweiss@ lagunabeachcity.net
Bob Whalen Council member bwhalen@ lagunabeachcity.net
Mark Orgill Council member morgill@ lagunabeachcity.net
Ann Marie McKay CityClerk amckay@ lagunabeachcity.net
• see LETTERS page 11
PUBLISHER
Steve T. Strickbine
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
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EDITORIAL
MANAGING EDITOR
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DESIGN DESIGN DIRECTOR
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ADVERTISING & CIRCULATION: Tel: 949 715-4100 Fax: 949 715-4106
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
ASSEMBLY WOMAN DIANE DIXON, 19712 MacArthur Blvd. Ste. 150, Irvine, CA 92612, 949-251-0074
FIFTH DISTRICT SUPERVISOR KATRINA FOLEY, 333 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana, CA 92701, 714-834-3550, lisa.bartlett@ocgov.com
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. OUR LETTER POLICY
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MAILING ADDRESS: 900 Glenneyre St., Suite B Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Tel: 949-715-4100 Fax: 949 715-4106
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A PUBLICATION OF
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Steve T. Strickbine
CREATIVE & MARKETING DIRECTOR
Tracy Powell
CALIFORNIA
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Nick Oliveri
FIREBRAND MEDIA LLC
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Steve Zepezauer
Sound and Vision (Continued from page 1)
BY CLARA BEARD | LB INDY
Starting Monday, Sept. 16, KXFM Radio will unveil an all-new programming schedule that includes 30 new shows – 27 of which will be condensed into a weekday format from noon to 4 p.m., known as the “Neighborhood Block Party.”
“These community talk shows cover the gamut of subjects germane to our fascinating and eclectic community,” said KXFM Chairman and Executive Director Billy Fried, who took over the KXFM reins in May and also writes an opinion column for the Indy. “Radio can no longer compete on music alone, as it’s been usurped by the streaming services. However, live terrestrial radio is uniquely positioned to provide indepth, up-to-the-minute coverage of a community that no other media is capable of. We have recruited an illustrious array of talented, fascinating residents to share their gifts and vast expertise with the community they love. The best part is you can listen on the radio or live stream from anywhere but also listen at your convenience when the shows are repurposed as
podcasts. I can’t imagine anyone who lives or visits here not wanting to tune in to see what makes this magical town tick. We are a content-rich community and a podcast-generating factory to boot.”
The lineup includes shows by and about actors, architects, artists, community affairs, emergency preparedness, environmentalists, festivals, filmmakers, financial advisors, healers, musicians, mountain bikers, opinion leaders, politicians, restaurants, real estate, retailers, seniors, spirituality, surfers, weather, writers and world affairs.
“The sum of the parts mixes into one big soup known as Brand Laguna,” said new general manager Jonathan Tufano, who has long hosted a Thursday night show called “Deep Cuts,” with tracks on vinyl from his vast record collection.
Some of the hosts include legendary IMAX filmmaker Greg MacGillivray, former professional surfers Ryah Arthur and Hans Hagen, professional mountain biker Richie Schley, renowned artist Jorg Dubin, adventure sports announcer Pat Parnell, former
Tune In, Turn On, to
On Monday, we launch the all-new KXFM, with over 30 hours of brand-new programming a week. Laguna is the little engine of yes.
We have a brandnew look – check out our logo that’s in the ad we placed in this paper. And our call to action – “Tune in. Turn on.” Not only is it an homage to our earlier, rootsier days of hippie outlaws in the canyon, but it’s also a perfect expression of what we need today. More listening - to each other. More openness in our hearts and minds. That’s why we chose an ear as our brand graphic (lips were already taken by the Stones). Maybe not the sexiest appendage, but certainly the most critical one for shaping our thoughts and receiving not only information but sweet, sweet music. Which I contend is still man’s greatest invention. Because it can soothe us like no other medicine. We’ll still have plenty of great music on the station, but
Laguna Mayor Paul Freeman and longtime Laguna musicians Beth and Steve Wood.
But that’s not all. The station plays a crucial role in an emergency.
“One of the fundamental and critical services the station provides is as an emergency beacon in the event of an electrical grid collapse, Laguna Beach Fire Chief Niko King said. “Laguna is prone to emergency evacuations, and the city supports the station with a backup generator to continue broadcasting when the internet and phone service are interrupted. We recommend everyone keep a battery or hand-crank radio at the ready and tuned into 104.7 in the event of an emergency.”
“As an FCC-licensed, nonprofit community radio station, our secret sauce has over 80 talented, passionate hosts who are willing to donate their time because they love radio and Laguna. That’s a unique asset that cannot be underestimated,” Fried said. “I’m overjoyed that they are gifting the community with their talents, and I believe the station will go a long way
in instilling pride and unifying our community when we communicate what a special place this is.”
In addition to its new offerings, the station will retain virtually all the existing musical hosts, many of whom have been with the station since its inception in 2012. The afternoon and evening music lineup includes eclectic genres like jazz, Americana, blues, altrock, funk, soul, new wave, world and a new block of electronic music late at night.
“The station could not have existed all these years without these exceptional hosts, many of whom worked in big market radio during their careers but are now delighted to work in local community radio, where they get to play what they want,” Tufano said.
The station has also brought back the talents of musician and raconteur Jason Feddy to host a morning show every weekday called “The Feddy Factor” from 9 to 11 a.m.
Feddy has taken on an expanded role at the station as director of
Laguna’s Community Radio
much more curated to meet Laguna’s sophisticated palette. However, radio can no longer depend on music for its survival. Its secret power is in producing live, local content, reems of it, because the airwaves are unlimited.
What is brand new – and what I contend only community radio can do – is saturate you with good vibes from the people living here. And update you with ongoing critical and useful information to improve and safeguard your life. We don’t have a town square or Speakers Corner. At least until the Promenade is finished. Until then – and well after, I suspect, we will be the de facto town square, where you’ll know half our hosts, probably get invited to guest, and eventually come to me wanting your own show. It’s that addictive. And it engenders something French sociologist Emile Durkheim coined a century ago called “collective effervescence.” It’s that “feeling of energy and harmony when people are engaged in a shared purpose.” I’ve already experienced it in the training sessions we’ve had with the new jocks.
They feel the excitement and energy over this new enterprise, and it will radiate out to our little community, infusing us with pride and joy over what a special place this is. Make no mistake, I intend for the station to be as rootsy, down home, and downright funky as possible. We want to be that place where you call in and chat with your neighbors. Or trade your surfboard for that vintage stove you always wanted. Or adopt a pet, learn a recipe, help a neighbor in need, announce a yard sale, or put your cooking skills to work and donate to our bake sale or potluck fundraiser. We will make on-air mistakes for sure. There will be mess-ups and occasional dead air. Hey, we’re not professionals. And that’s what ultimately will make it so charming and authentic. No mercenaries here. Just people doing it for fun, and to give back. And that makes a huge difference for the psyche. You may chuckle and see it all as a quaint enterprise, and I hope it is, but I actually view it as a vital need for any community to keep its residents unified,
engaged, and safe. And certainly not as lonely or polarized. With all the improvements technology has brought us, we also know of its destructive tendency to coarsen the conversation and to have us hide from each other. A radio station is more than a frequency. It will be a community activation tool. A treasure trove and oral history of our town circa 2024, and beyond. Because we will be generating hundreds of hours of content that will live forever. I’m excited to discover what true community radio can do for our town. I suspect visitors will be engaged too, take our little station with them as a keepsake, and listen when they’re home. The list of new shows is too lengthy to list in this column. I suggest you check out our all-new website at kxfmradio.org.
This grand experiment ultimately depends on you to succeed. Because we are a non-profit, we can’t raise funds from traditional advertising.
BILLY FRIED
GUEST OPINION
BY BILLY FRIED
• see KXFM RADIO page 14
street beat
FROM POLICE BLOGS
THURSDAY, SEPT. 5
Trespassing. Theresa Ann Carrillo, 53, of Laguna Beach was arrested on suspicion of refusing to leave property. She was held on a $500 bail.
Disorderly conduct. Madison Meza, 27, of Montclair was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct due to alcohol. She was held on a $500 bail.
Bench warrant. Vanessa Monique Herrera, 32, of El Monte was arrested on suspicion of an outstanding bench warrant. She was held without bail.
DUI. Jesus Christopher Velasco, 33, of Pomona was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and blowing on or over 0.08 percent blood alcohol level. He was held on a $20,000 bail. Bench warrant, possessing a controlled substance, appropriating lost property. Karl Wilhelm Witkowski, 45, of Santa Ana was arrested on suspicion of outstanding bench warrants, possessing a controlled substance, appropriating lost property under $400 dollars and obstructing a peace officer. He was held without bail.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 6
DUI. A 19-year-old Chino Hills man was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. He was held on $2,500 bail.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 7
DUI, hit and run, evading a peace officer, driving on a suspended license. Dominic Mario McDowell, 33, of Wildomar was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol, a hit and run causing property damage, evading a peace officer, and driving on a suspended license. He was held without bail.
SUNDAY, SEPT. 8
Disorderly conduct. Mateo Roblessalcedo, 21, of Walnut was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct due to alcohol. He was held on a $500 bail.
DUI. A 34-year-old Torrance man was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and blowing on or over 0.08 percent blood alcohol levels. He was held on a $5,000 bail.
DUI. A 21-year-old Huntington Beach man was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and blowing on or
schools & sports
FALL SPORTS UPDATE
CROSS COUNTRY
The Breakers are training despite the air quality issues. The varsity squads are off to Hawaii this weekend for the Iolani Invitational, and, next week, will run in the Woodbridge Invitational at the Great Park. The league cluster meet is on Oct. 2.
FLAG FOOTBALL (3-4, 1-2)
The Breakers dropped a 25-7 contest to a highly regarded Woodbridge squad on Sep. 9 at Guyer Field. Kayleigh Thomas caught 12 passes for 127 yards and the lone score. On Sep. 4, Laguna defeated Sage Hill in their initial league outing 20-6. Thomas had a 60-yard interception return for a score, and Brighton Welch also scored in the contest. Laguna was at Rosary (4-3) on Sep. 11 and return home on Sep. 16, hosting University (2-3).
Updated Tenant Protection Act
FOOTBALL (3-0)
Fighting Irish no Match for Laguna in a 51-0 rout
Kennedy/La Palma (Anaheim District) ventured down to Laguna last Friday night and played tough defense as expected, but fortunately for the Breakers, their offensive miscues helped Laguna to a lopsided win.
Will Kimball had a big 32-yard interception return on the second play of the game but the Breakers were stifled on their first two possessions turning the ball over on downs and having a pass intercepted. Laguna scored on their final try for the quarter on a 53-yard 5-play drive with two big plays: 27 yard Jackson Kollock to Luke Jolley pass play and the touchdown run by Redmond Chesley.
The second quarter, Wyatt Bogdan intercepted a Kennedy pass for touchdown and the struggling Irish (2-1) could not make a first down in the first half. Laguna’s momentum picked up on their final two possessions of the half with 3-play and 6-play drives capped by Declan
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR LANDLORDS & TENANTS
on the line, proving the holes and protection for the Breakers. Photo courtesy of Debbie Vellmure
Murray’s touchdowns. Laguna received the second-half kickoff and turned that possession into a 9-play 53-yard drive to push the score to 35-0. Laguna scored near the end of the quarter on a Charlie Hunt interception.
Under a running clock in the final
• see SPORTS page
California updated the Tenant Protection Act. As of April 1, 2024, evictions and tenancy terminations for owner/family move-in and substantial remodel are more specific.
Owner/Family Move-In:
A tenant can only be evicted for owner move-in if the owner or owner’s spouse, domestic partner, child, grandchild, parent, or grandparent intends to move in. The owner/family member must move in within 90 days, as their primary residence for at least 12 consecutive months.
Substantial Remodel*:
A tenant can only be evicted for a substantial remodel if the work includes a structural, electrical, plumbing or other system modification that requires a permit, or to abate hazardous materials in the unit. Cosmetic renovations do not count. Also, eviction is permitted only if the work cannot be accomplished in a safe manner that requires the tenant to vacate the unit for at least 30 consecutive days.
• Name of person moving in
• Relationship to owner
• That the tenant may request proof of that relationship
• Description of work
• Copies of required permits
• Notice of opportunity to re-rent at same rent if the substantial remodel is not started or completed
*If you are evicting a tenant for substantial remodel or demolition, you must submit a copy of the notice required by State law to the City of Laguna Beach (Laguna Beach Ordinance No. 1696).
Some housing units are exempt, including but not limited to: Housing built in the last 15 years; Single family homes that
a corporation, an LLC with at least one corporate member, or management of a mobile home park AND where the
subject to the Tenant Protection Act’s rent limits or “just cause” requirements; and, Two-unit properties
LAGUNA SPORTS UPDATE | BY FRANK ARONOFF | LB INDY
Kai Patchell in action against San Clemente as Dylan Siriani looks on. The Breakers are 5-1 so far this season in the 11th year of the boys beach program at Laguna. Lea Vermilya/Breakers Volleyball
13
Declan Murray (left) has been a key part of the Breaker offense so far this season, while Charlie Kelly (right) has been outstanding
LETTERS
Cont. from page 6
16 years of service in 2018. As a fourthgeneration Laguna Beach resident, I care deeply about the town where I grew up and have never left. I rarely comment on town issues anymore, but when I saw the recent horrible ad in the Indy about Bob Whalen, I decided that I had to make a statement.
Bob Whalen is one of the best council members in our town. He is very smart, patient and thoughtful. Sometimes, I think he is too patient with people in this town who are rude and disrespectful in council meetings. Bob is running again for city council, and we should all be thankful that he is willing to serve another term. He certainly has my vote!
I did some checking regarding the source of the horrible ad. It is from a PAC run by a guy named Alan Boinus. But, according to their 460 report, the money in this PAC comes from Village Laguna members Gene and Johanna Felder. I know this is election season when all the nonsense happens, but when you are thinking about who you will vote for in November, please don’t vote for the Village Laguna candidates. In my opinion, all you are going to get is more rudeness and incompetence.
Kelly Boyd, Former Laguna Beach mayor and councilmember
CHARMING RENOVATION IN NORTH LAGUNA
Residents in North Laguna’s “tree streets” neighborhood value its historical heritage and charming vibe. Un-fortunately, many developers look at it as low-hanging fruit: buy low, demolish, build bigger, and sell high. Look no further than the “flower streets” neighborhood in Corona Del Mar and its encroaching “mansionization.” It’s very concerning – and now there’s hope.
My wife and I recently attended an open house at 385 Hawthorne Road and were blown away by this newly renovated and recently listed home. Local developer (those who live here get it) Clark Collins created a modern masterpiece that reflects its beach cottage heritage on a large lot with outdoor entertaining areas. I wish that every developer could tour this home and learn how to profit from developments that are not only compatible with communities – they elevate the charm and character of
communities. Living in Laguna Beach is special, and we are blessed to be here. It’s a privilege, and with this privilege comes responsibility: to be ac-tive citizens, to have a voice in civic affairs and to enhance what we have for generations to come.
Merrill Anderson, North Laguna
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
Another panga boat with migrants entering the country illegally crashed and closed Victoria Beach so the demolished boat, with gallons of gasoline, could be cleaned up. This is the Biden/ Harris America. Land of the “free for all” for everyone but US citizens. During the last three and a half years, over 12 million people have invaded our border from over 53 countries. The true number is estimated at 20 million, as the number of get-aways is unknown.
Migrants who cross the border illegally receive free transportation to unknown US destinations, free cell phones, and thousands of dollars each in EBT/food stamps/debit cards, hotel rooms, food, health care, and education, all at US taxpayer expense. They’re registered to vote in elections. Without secure elections and borders, we are a puppet state.
Venezuelan gangs terrorize communities like Aurora, Colo. and Chicago, taking over apartment complexes with assault rifles and demanding tenants’ rents. Is Laguna next?
Migrants who have entered this country illegally receive six months to two years of free rent and priority Section 8 housing over citizens. New York City Mayor Adams lamented that 10,000 people a month were destroying the city, and receipts show almost $5 billion was spent on services in the last two years, including $2 billion on housing.
Millions of Americans struggle to survive, but the Biden/Harris administration encourages and funds people who cross the border illegally. On Aug. 28, the DHS announced $380 million in additional migrant housing funding. Liberal cities that lawlessly adopted the “right to shelter” and “sanctuary cities” are revoking those policies – they’ve had enough. Per CPB
“George is the only councilmember who alerts the public of questionable issues that involve taxpayer dollars. His vigilance was key to saving the library.”
Dr. Vicki Crowe
BY ANN CHRISTOPH
Tree Streets in Name Only?
North Laguna streets from Cedar to Hawthorne and High Drive to Cypress are fondly called the “Tree Streets.” Real estate ads tout the value and prestige of living there. But will that description soon refer just to the names on the street signs and not to real trees?
The Design Review Board was considering a new house at 309 Hawthorne during its Aug. 22 meeting. The property is treed with a cluster of Canary Island date palms. “I don’t have a problem with removing those trees,” Design Review Boardmember Tom Gibbs said. “I think they’re ugly. I think they’re dirty. There (were) trees on my street (Aster) that were like that. They were removed. No one complained.”
Don Bren would envy these magnificent Canary Island date palms and surely preserve them if he had them on any of his projects. Bren’s Irvine Company planted the same (but not as tall) palms at the grand entrance to Fashion Island. In the lot on Hawthorne, they form a fitting entrance to that neighborhood and complement the historical cottage across the street, their stature testifying to the age and heritage of the neighborhood.
The applicants proposed removing two of the five palms—but no one on the city staff noticed they existed. The staff report said the site had no significant features, and all city policies had been complied with. What about the land use element policy that says significant trees should be preserved?
Or the landscape and scenic highways plan that states that large trees such as palms (and others) should be protected?
The Design Review Board in place now is better than the one several years ago, which seemed highly influenced by former councilmember Peter Blake. At that time, experienced board members like Caren Liuzzi and Meg Monahan were replaced by new ones who seemed most interested in approving applicants’ plans as soon as possible. That, combined with staff turnover (also influenced by the former regime), has led to less than thorough staff reports and repetitive staff recommendations to approve projects without proper consideration of city policies.
The board is supposed to review plans for compliance with city policies, not to base comments on what they like or don’t like. If the adopted policy says to save significant trees, that’s what the board is supposed to do, whether they like those trees or not - unless saving the tree(s) in question would prevent reasonable use of the property. But if staff doesn’t report all the applicable policies and doesn’t correctly outline the board’s options to approve or disapprove some aspect of the proposal, the board is left struggling.
In this case, they asked for guidance on whether they had any say over the proposed Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU), which is proposed to be entirely subterranean except for one window. One window for an 800-square-foot supposed living area! The city attorney seemed uncertain but fell back on the usual—it’s state law that the board
doesn’t have discretion over ADUs. But what about health and safety? Isn’t the city allowed to ensure that the ADU will be safe to live in? And why would it be wrong for the board to raise that issue? In addition, a tandem garage was proposed above the ADU. The board has the discretion to allow or disallow the tandem garage and require the usual two-car garage with vehicles side
by side. If they do that, it could affect the design of the ADU below and the house. Repositioning the garage and the ADU could even be done in conjunction with preservation of all the palm trees. This is what the Design Review Board is supposed to enforce the criteria, recognize opportunities for
Michael Fowlkes’ History of Sportfishing
BY SPENCER GRANT, SPECIAL TO THE INDEPENDENT
Laguna’s Michael Fowlkes –filmmaker, U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain, environmentalist, and lifelong sport fisherman – has just released a four-year labor of love: his 12-part streaming video, “The History of Sportfishing.”
Chapters include “the Bite,” “From Survival to Sport,” “In Search of Giants,” “The Competitive Edge,” and, finally, “Conservation and the Future of the Sport.”
“I did the cinematography, editing, narration, and I co-wrote it,” he explained. “We’ve covered everything from the 38th parallel in Canada, all
the way down to Australia – everything from a 6-pound freshwater bass to a 600-pound marlin.”
A niche project? Maybe not. According to “The Bite,” the first entry in the series, 50 million Americans –260 million worldwide – are licensed fishermen. But even if fishing isn’t your thing, there’s a lot to like in Fowlkes’ project.
Most important for fishermen and non-fishermen alike is the series’ theme of environmental responsibility. “Sportfishing is under attack in California,” said Fowlkes. “Bottom line, the sport is under threat by • see SPORTFISHING page 16
ANN CHRISTOPH GUEST
Bringing in a marlin. Photo courtesy of Michael Fowlkes
Cont. from page 10
period, Laguna had one possession, with Jack Hurst hooking up with Grant Regal for the final touchdown. The Breakers got the safety on what ended up being the game’s final play as a bad snap was fumbled, which resulted in the Kennedy quarterback getting tackled in the endzone by Hunter Mills for the points. Breakers are now 68th in the Cal Prep playoff rankings of the 373 Southern Section programs.
THIS WEEK: Sep. 13 vs. Gig Harbor at 7 p.m. at Guyer Field
Gig Harbor from Washington State is a 1,500-student school located in a small town on the west side of Puget Sound, just over the Narrows Bridge from Tacoma. The Poseidons will be similar to many of Laguna’s opponents and were 7-3 last season. Last week, they opened their season defeating crosstown rival Peninsula 14-10. Ryland Geldermann, who had 155 yards on 16 carries against the Seahawks, is a player to watch. This is the fourth game Laguna has had with an outof-state team. 1965 – Beat Bishop Gorman, Nevada, 26-6 at Guyer Field; 2019 – Beat Green Street Academy 43-14 in Leonardtown, Maryland, 2022 – lost at Homedale, Idaho 46-14.
NEXT WEEK: Sep. 20 vs. El Dorado, 7 p.m. at Guyer Field
The Golden Hawks upset the Breakers last season in the opening CIF contest at Guyer Field on their way to the championship game for D-7 (Lost to Mayfair/Lakewood 3128). They are in the Epsilon League this season, one above Laguna’s placement facing Huntington Beach, Foothill, Laguna Hills, Crean and La Habra. Playing a tougher non-league schedule, they edged Diamond Bar 21-19 to open the 2024 season but dropped two straight games – 32-8 to Redondo Union and 42-10 to Tustin. This week they were at crosstown rival Valencia.
Note: Scattered among the Laguna teams this fall are several legacy players who are second- and third-generation Laguna athletes. Redmond Chesley’s score against Kennedy was the 37th Laguna touchdown scored by a Chesley spanning seven players over 64 seasons. Quarterback Jack Hurst
is the grandson of the 1960 team captain, Tom Lingo.
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 (1-3, 0-1)
Laguna received a forfeit win over Laguna Hills on Sep. 5 as the Hawks could not field a five-player team. On Sep. 10, Breakers lost to El Toro 219216 in a non-league match played at Oso Creek GC, par 31. Valerie Yang from El Toro earned match medalist honors with a score of 38, and the Laguna low score was 39, as earned by Glory Belland.
Additional scores for Laguna include Sofia Carr, 42; Spencer Anderson, 44; Alani Sciacca, 44; Morgan Hofknecht, 50; and Olivia Vermilya, 53.
BOYS SAND VOLLEYBALL (5-1, 1-1)
Laguna dropped a 5-2 league match to Corona del Mar on Tuesday, Sep. 10 at Main Beach. The match came down to the 4-man event where the Laguna squad dropped their first set this season 28-26. Earlier this month, Breakers opened league play with a 6-1 victory over San Clemente. Up next is Capo Valley Chrisitan on Sep. 17. Laguna will be hosting a Boys high school pairs tournament on Sep. 27 at Main Beach.
GIRLS TENNIS (1-2)
Heat affected a pair of scheduled matches, with the Sep. 5 encounter with San Clemente getting canceled and the Sep. 6 match with Palm Desert getting moved to Sep. 20. Breakers will return to the courts on Sep. 18 at JSerra.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL (2-17)
After defeating La Habra at the OC Mohs tournament, Laguna finally got into the win column again. The Breakers had lost to the Highlanders at the Tesoro Tournament earlier this season.
Sep. 4 at Crean Lutheran (10-6) –lost 23-25, 11-25, 12-25
Maddie Rootlieb was the Laguna kill leader with six.
Mohs Orange County Tournament at Marina High School
MOM 9/20 | 9:00 PM
EINSTEIN BROWN 9/22 | 5:30 PM
9/13 @ 9:00 PM UNDERCOVER
9/22 | 7:30
9/14 @ 9:00 PM BLANK SPACE TAYLOR SWIFT TRIBUTE
9/15 @ 12:30 PM SINATRA SUNDAY JAZZ BRUNCH
9/15 @ 7:30 PM MASSIVE MCGREGOR REGGAE
9/17 @ 7:00 PM LINE DANCING FREE EVENT 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)
9/22 @ 12:30 PM TOM DANTE QUARTET JAZZ BRUNCH
9/22 @ 5:30 PM EINSTEIN BROWN FREE SHOW
9/22 @ 7:30 PM UPSTREAM REGGAE
9/26 @ 7:30 PM KOKO & FRIENDS FEAT. BLONDIE CHAPMAN
9/27 @ 9:00 PM FRANCOIS DEAN
9/29 @ 12:30 PM TOM DANTE QUARTET JAZZ BRUNCH
9/29 @ 5:30 PM EINSTEIN BROWN FREE SHOW
9/29 @ 7:30 PM ERROL BONNICK AND THE LIONZ REGGAE
• SPORTS
Cont. from page 13
Friday:
Lost to Yorba Linda 20-25, 17-25
Lost to Cathedral Catholic (SDCIF), the eventual tournament champs 13-25, 18-25
Lost to Marina20-25, 19-25
Bronze Bracket:
Beat La Habra 21-25, 25-14, 1510
Lost to El Toro 23-25, 14-25
Laguna tournament kill leaders were Hollie Hooper with 18, Jordan Flynn with 15, Zoey Bond with 15 and Sadie Holms with 13. Sadie led in blocks with 8, Savannah Faris and Brynne Wiggins were the dig leaders, while Ivy Bianchi was the serve leader with seven aces.
Coming up: The Breakers match at Santa Margarita on Sep. 10 was canceled due to the fires, and league play opened with Rosary this past Thursday. Breakers are at Irvine on Sep. 17, Sage Hill on Sep. 18 and Portola on Sep. 19.
BOYS WATER POLO (3-6)
The Breakers finished ninth in the 22-team Santa Barbara Invitational played last week in the Channel City. The Breakers were ambushed 14-9 by San Marcos on Friday, Sep. 6 in the opening contest at Dos Pueblos High School. The Royals jumped out to a 5-0 lead and led 8-4 at the half. In the consolation bracket, Laguna defeated Orange Lutheran 13-7, Carlsbad 16-10 and Terra Linda (San Rafael) 15-10. On Tuesday, Laguna lost at home 18-10 to a very good Westlake team. The Warriors out-scored Laguna 7-2 in the second period to take control of the contest. Dylan Williams had three goals for the Breakers.
Earlier in the week, Laguna had to forfeit two earlier victories after confusion over an apparent foul in their opening contest that should have resulted in a sit-out period for a player. Naturally, his involvement in the two wins was inconsequential, but the Breakers were still required to forfeit the victories due to his participation.
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.
• KXFM RADIO
Cont. from page 8
programming and production.
“He’s a singular talent – funny, informative, irreverent, immensely creative, and he will help guide the programming and production of the station’s sonic branding, from station IDs and promos to helping craft sponsor and underwriter packages,” Fried said.
Lex Simonton, who joins KXFM as director of operations and community relations, is the newest addition to the team.
The foursome has big plans for expanding the brand’s footprint beyond radio. They intend to get into the music production business,
with live community shows at the station, a robust YouTube channel, a vibrant website serving as a portal to everything Laguna, and resuming concerts at Laguna’s Irvine Bowl, as they have done in the past.
“We are deeply committed to being a core asset to Laguna. After all, as a nonprofit, we rely almost entirely on our community’s financial support. We believe this new lineup will resonate so deeply with residents that they will be encouraged to fund it,” Fried said. “As our new logo and tagline say, with a
Alice Mae Hill
Alice Mae Hill, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2024, surrounded by her family, at the age of 85. Born on January 31, 1939, in Pennsylvania to Ruth and Gerald Welsh, Alice was the cherished older sister to Saundra (Buckley) and Thomas.
As a young child, Alice and her family made the journey west to Whittier, California, where her father worked at a tubing manufacturer and her mother dedicated herself as a registered nurse. Alice’s academic journey culminated in her graduation from Whittier High School in 1956. Shortly thereafter, she met the love of her life, John Hill, while at the beach in Newport. Their love story blossomed into a beautiful marriage that lasted an incredible 63 years until her passing.
wink to our psychedelic heritage, ‘Tune in. Tune on, to Laguna’s Community Radio.’”
The station will be hosting its semiannual “KX Takeover” fundraiser in October when members of the community guest host a competition to raise money for the station.
For the complete program lineup, information on how you can donate, and ongoing updates to the station, go to kxfmradio.org and sign onto the mailing list.
After a brief period in Long Beach, Alice and John returned to John’s hometown of Laguna Beach, where they raised their four beloved children: John, Jerry, Peggy and Andrew. Alice poured her heart into her role as a mother.
Professionally, Alice worked as a bookkeeper for various companies, with a significant role in her husband’s family business, Hill Insurance. Many residents of Laguna Beach will fondly remember her as the friendly receptionist for Dr. Thadeous Jones, where her warm smile and welcoming nature made all feel at ease.
Alice is survived by her devoted husband, John and her four children: her son John and his wife Emily, along with their daughters Katie, Rylee, and son Jack of Laguna Beach; her son Jerry and his wife Alisa of Aliso Viejo, and their son Gerritt, his wife Jillian, and their son Camden (Alice’s great grandchild), along with son Hayden and daughter Alexis; her daughter Peggy (Falk) and her husband Kent, along with their daughter Chloe of Laguna Beach; and her son Andrew, his wife Carrie, and their two boys Dean and Sam of Laguna Niguel. A celebration of Alice Mae Hill’s life will be held on Sept. 13 at 11 a.m. at Calvary Chapel Pacific Hills in Aliso Viejo. All are welcome to join.
OBITUARY
BY JIM DANZINGER
Laguna Subsidizes Day Trippers More Than $34 Million Yearly
This column is part 1 of a two-part series. The second installment will be printed in next week’s edition of the Independent. - Ed Many thoughtful people in Laguna now accept the analysis (from 2017) that Laguna’s government and residents subsidize visitors by more than $20 million annually. Part I (of two) explains why the situation is actually much worse: if we focus only on day trippers, the subsidy was actually $34 million seven years ago, and now is probably much higher. This is more than $34 million every year, which is not spent on services for Laguna’s citizens and not on the many costly projects in Laguna that various groups dream about. It is about one-fifth of the annual budget. Part II (next week) will describe how two councilmembers recently prevented Laguna’s voters from deciding whether our residents would support a substantial measure
that could bring in at least $10 million per year from those day trippers. If you are troubled by these claims or don’t believe them, read on.
Where did the $20 million plus number come from? Seven years ago, four of us (a UCI economist, a senior Irvine Company exec, John Thomas, and I) did a detailed quantitative analysis of all the revenue that visitors generated for the city government (such as sales tax, parking, fines, indirect payments and the TOT – the Temporary Occupancy Tax, also called the hotel tax). We computed the costs that the city bore to deal with all the visitors (the visitors’ share of costs such as marine safety, traffic control, policing, paramedics, waste disposal, parking management, and so on). We concluded that the revenue minus the costs equaled an annual net loss to our city government and residents of more than $23 million. A subcommittee of city council members and city staff met with us numerous times and agreed that our analysis was generally correct. They also agreed with us that the city
should look for ways to capture more revenue from visitors.
How did the subsidy get to $34 million plus per year? In our analysis, we framed the question in terms of “visitors” to Laguna. This seemed reasonable and easy to understand. However, it has become clear to us that it is important to distinguish between two groups of visitors. One group, comprising less than 5% of visitors, stays in our hotels. They pay a high TOT premium as part of their hotel bill. This hotel tax generated about $11 million at the time of our analysis. What this group pays to the city is considerably more than the cost of caring for them. However, there is a second group that visits Laguna. Most of them are in town for the day. We generally refer to them as “day-trippers.” They generate most of the visitor costs for Laguna, both financial and physical. They might pay for public parking or just park in our neighborhoods or ride the free trolleys into Laguna. They might buy something, and many buy food or drink (more on this in Part II).
In our analysis of the visitor subsidy, if we only focus on the roughly 95% of visitors who are day trippers, we need to subtract the millions in revenue from TOT. Therefore, excluding the hotel tax paid by those staying in hotels, the city-and-resident subsidy to the day trippers was already about $34 million per year at the time of our analysis in 2017. In fact, the day-tripper subsidy is probably much higher today since we are dealing with more day-trippers than we did seven years ago, requiring more city costs and more city employee time. Since our study, the city has done nothing to capture substantial revenue from day trippers. And Part II (next week) will explain how two councilmembers blocked our idea for generating such revenue.
Danziger is a professor emeritus of political science and former dean at the University of California, Irvine. His extensive and award-winning research has primarily focused on local government. He currently serves on Laguna’s Parking, Traffic and Circulation Committee.
JIM DANZINGER
• SPORTFISHING
Cont. from page 12
some well-intentioned and very wellfunded extreme environmentalists who don’t know the difference between sportfishing and the unsustainable wholesale commercial harvesting techniques that are raping our oceans. They spread their nets for 30 miles, and anything that swims gets caught. It’s wholesale slaughter. For every fish that’s marketable, they kill 90 others.
Sportfishing anglers have led conservation efforts since the late 1890s. The message we try to convey throughout the entire series is that fishing is a part of America’s soul, and you simply cannot hurt a fishery with a rod, a reel and a piece of string.”
He cautioned, “There’s always been the attitude that there’s an unlimited amount of fish out there, but in 1985, the world reached its pinnacle of sustainability. Meantime, the population has gone from 3 billion to 8 billion. People need protein, but it needs to be done in a way that’s sustainable.”
The series delves deep into the history of the sport, starting with the ancient world before moving on to fishing in the Far East, Egypt, and eventually America.
“One of the most fascinating facts is that our country’s founding forefathers were all fly fishermen. They formed a club in 1732 called the Schuylkill Fishing Club. These were the men who actually wrote the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution.”
Chapter 7 of the series documents organizations using fly fishing for worthy causes like Casting for Recovery, which offers breast cancer sufferers “inspiration, discovery, renewed energy for life and connections with other women,” all at no charge. Project Healing Waters offers similar services to the Wounded Warriors Project, making fishing positive healing therapy.
In the course of the project, Fowlkes acquired a great body of archival photos and film, much of which wound up in the series. “I’d meet people at trade shows who’d say, ‘My dad has a lot of movies of him fishing as a kid.
Would you be interested in them?’ I said sure, and now I’ve got a massive collection of movies, including the original 35mm film of [famous author] Zane Grey in 1925 catching the first 1,000-pound fish caught on rod and reel. Everyone who’d heard about the project said, ‘What can we do to help?’ One organization after the other opened up their film and library vaults. The project took on a life of its own and grew organically.
“The film is a tribute to what the sport’s all about and what it means to people as individuals. To me, the sport is camaraderie, communion of myself
with my spirit, if you will. Out on the water, it doesn’t matter if there’s no one with me or if I’m on a crowded boat. It’s really about the essence of the bite of the fish. My biggest marlin was 250 pounds, and I released it.
“I came up with a catchphrase for the series: ‘We all share one planet, one ocean and one catch, so let’s practice CPR – Catch, Photograph and Release. Take what you need, eat what you take and release the rest.’”
To access the program, go to thehistoryofsportfishing.com – $49.99 for all 12 chapters.
BY MARK D.
I was happy to hear about the new leadership of the local radio station, KXFM. The new team sounds perfect for turning up the volume and making the station even better. I was in radio once. I had the face for it. (That’s a very old joke, and not mine. You can tell the difference; it’s funny. Mine aren’t.) My radio days were in the mid-70s. Rock ‘n roll was big, and musicians needed to get their songs on the radio for airtime. This requirement put DJs in powerful positions of influence.
This was not my experience. There were no rock ‘n roll playlists, powerful DJs, or adulating listeners. If only. Instead, I worked for a small-town AM station that played the same song over and over. It was Perry Como’s “Catch A Falling Star.” You see, Perry Como grew up in Canonsburg, Penn., just down the road from Washington, Penn., where the radio station was located. The locals called it Little Washington, so it wasn’t confused with the other Washington. Trust me, the two Washingtons could never be mistaken for each other. Anyway, where was I? Oh, Perry Como was the local boy who hit the big time. The big time was twenty years before I got
there, but the locals won’t forget. The playlist insisted on “Catch a Falling Star,” be played over and over until the grooves wore out.
I remember saying, “Could we add a second song to the playlist? Management answered, “Hey, you’re a newbie. Wait 50 years and we’ll consider your suggestion. For now, get out there and sell some airtime.”
So, I got out there and sold airtime. Or, to be honest about it, that’s what I tried to do. Nobody wanted to buy airtime. Back then, if you wanted to advertise, you bought newspaper space. Newspapers were big business. Advertisers liked print. They could see their advertisements, feel their
advertisements, then watch, as readers poured through their doors to buy their products or services.
Unfortunately for me, nobody could see airtime. I’d say to prospective radio buyers, “Get up at 4:21 a.m., tune in to 970 AM, be careful not to pick up the other 500 Pittsburgh stations encroaching on our station’s signal, and you’ll hear the 30-second spot. If you miss it, another will play at 5:13 a.m., so start fine-tuning your dial around 5:03 a.m.” Not surprisingly, very few advertisers bought my pitch.
I was paid $65 dollars a week or $1.63 an hour. Minimum wage for the
MARK D. CRANTZ
OPINION: PET PEEVES
CRANTZ
Top left: Michael Fowlkes with Zane Grey’s rod. Photo/ Spencer Grant. Top right: Filming on Location in Baja. Photo/Michael Fowlkes
• CRANTZ
Cont. from page 16
time was $2.50 an hour. I didn’t make a fuss about it because the station was giving me a lifetime opportunity to showcase my selling prowess. And besides, Horatio Algers started out at $1.25 and he made it.
Nobody wanted to buy radio time from a station that played Perry Como’s “Catch a Falling Star” over and over. To break up the station’s one-song playlist, the station broadcasted live high school wrestling. Yes readers, live high school wrestling. Makes you want to make a song request, instead. How about “Catch a Falling Star.”
Of course, I improvised and tried selling outside the radio box. Nobody could afford the one-minute commercial price. So I sold 10-second spots to six different advertisers. In the background was the sound of a stock ticker tape playing. Tick, tick, tick gave the commercial message a sense of urgency. Close your eyes and imagine….(Tick, tick, tick) Bounce over to Annie’s Mattress Shop…. (tick…tick…tick) Get 10% off Mike’s Oil & Lube…(tick…tick…tick)
Light up Chesterfield cigarettes from the Washington Tobacco Shop… satisfaction guaranteed (tick…tick… tick.)
These advertisers sharing sixty seconds kept me gainfully employed. But I sensed layoffs coming. One day before taking lunch I popped my head in the general manager’s door and said, “Should I keep my coat on when I come back?” The GM laughed, “No, no. We like what you’re doing Crantz.” Tick…tick…tick. Several days pass, I come back from lunch, “Hey Crantz remember what you said about keeping your coat on? Sorry.” It was humiliating to be fired with my own line. I made it too easy for them. On the way out, I sang to myself, “Catch a falling knife and put it in your pocket. Never let it bleed away.” I felt better.
Crantz tells the Indy that Perry Como started out as a barber at the age of 14. Twelve years later in 1926, Como pulled in $125 per week net profit. Twice my salary, fifty years later. Now Como was dialed in.
PING-PONG POWER GRAB
In 12 years on the Council, he clung to the role of Mayor or Mayor Pro Tem for seven consecutive years. Now, he's asking for four more years! 16 YEARS! Bob Whalen changed the rules for his own political gain
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
BY
Letter to the Community
One of the significant projects we’re working on is the ongoing Laguna Canyon Road: Protect & Connect Project. Last Thursday, the city hosted its second open house from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Susi Q on 380 3rd Street.
To provide some historical context, discussions around improving Laguna Canyon Road began in 2014 when councilmember Bob Whalen and then-councilmember Toni Iseman advocated for a Laguna Canyon Road Task Force. Since then, we have been working with agencies like the Orange County Transportation Authority and Southern California Edison to address safety concerns, including the high fire risks posed by above-ground power lines.
In 2019, the city sent Gov. Gavin Newsom a letter asking for legislative support to prioritize the undergrounding of utilities in high-
fire hazard areas like Laguna Canyon Road, also a critical evacuation route for our community. While we didn’t get the legislation passed then, we have continued to progress. In 2021, a community survey indicated approximately 80% of respondents showed strong support for making Laguna Canyon Road safer for pedestrians and bicyclists and improving transit, and 86% of respondents expressed strong support for the undergrounding of utilities on Laguna Canyon Road. This overwhelming support speaks volumes about our community’s desire to mitigate fire risks and enhance safety. Based on the public input received so far and additional analysis, theProtect & Connect project team has developed more detailed improvement concepts for Laguna Canyon Road.
It’s important to note that no decisions have been made at this time, nor will they be made in the near future regarding the city taking over Laguna Canyon Road from Caltrans. This process will involve years of
“I can see why certain Councilmembers are trying to get rid of George Weiss. He’s the only one opposed to unbridled development, more tourism and increased spending on their pet projects.”
– Jerome Pudwill
planning and much more community involvement and input. Our open house meetings allow us to gather your input and understand the community’s priorities. If you were unable to attend the Open House, the materials shared at the meeting will be posted to the project webpage, lagunabeachcity.net/ LCR.
Like any transition, the change from Waste Management to CR&R has come with some challenges. Some residents received incorrect bin sizes due to bad data provided to CR&R, and there has been some confusion regarding the new billing system. Our staff is working diligently with CR&R to address these issues quickly, and we appreciate your patience as we work to make the necessary corrections.
To clarify, residents will now receive a separate waste service bill, which was previously embedded in your property tax bill. It’s probably no surprise that, in light of inflation nationwide, costs for this service were going up (as fuel, labor and insurance and many other company costs were increasing). While CR&R’s overall proposed rate package was lower than Waste Management’s, both firms proposed rates for 20242025 that were higher than the previous contract’s rates. Again, CR&R’s proposed rates for 2024-25 were an increase over Waste Management’s 2023-24 rates, but CR&R’s 202425 rates were lower than what Waste Management had proposed charging for 2024-25 and beyond.
In addition, CR&R offers more benefits, such as four bulky item pickups per year, hazardous waste collection, and free compost material. If you have concerns about bin size or billing, contact CR&R at (949) 6623819.
Last Friday night, from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., our police department conducted a DUI checkpoint at an undisclosed location. It’s a reminder to everyone that drinking and driving is never acceptable, especially with the availability of services like Uber, Lyft, and our own Laguna Beach local transit. Let’s work together to keep our streets safe.
Lastly, we had a wonderful turnout at this year’s Labor Day Firefighters Pancake Breakfast! The new grills at the fire department made it more comfortable for the firefighters to serve up delicious pancakes, and the
event provided a great opportunity to connect with residents. It’s always heartwarming to see familiar faces and enjoy time with the community. Councilmember Mark Orgill and I enjoyed talking to folks and meeting even more of our Laguna Beach Firefighters.
Thank you all for your ongoing engagement and commitment to making Laguna Beach such a special place to live. I encourage you to stay involved in these important projects and to continue sharing your input. Sue Kempf, Laguna Beach Mayor
• FRIED
Cont. from page 8
Instead, we rely almost entirely on tax-deductible contributions from the community. You can elect to be an ongoing monthly member with a small pledge. Or you can make a larger legacy donation. Either way, please consider supporting us, so we can support you. Have a listen, Laguna. Call in. Tell your friends. Let’s build a movement and savor the gifts we share. This is a community effort, and it takes a village. On Monday, be sure to tune in. And turn on. To KXFM, 104.7, Laguna’s Community Radio.
Billy is the Chairman and Executive Director of KXFM radio, and the Chief Paddling Officer at La Vida Laguna adventure sports company. He can be reach at billy@kxfmradio.org.
• CHRISTOPH
Cont. from page 12
a better solution for the people living in the house and the ADU, for the neighborhood, and preserve the village character and community resources— in this case, the trees. The project will be reviewed again on Nov. 14 for minor adjustments, but the board’s job is to recognize when it’s time to instruct the applicant to go back to the drawing board for major changes.
Then “tree streets,” “village character” and “design review” would not just be names. They would be for real.
Ann Christoph is a former mayor, city councilmember and current member of the Village Laguna and South Laguna Civic Association boards.
MAYOR SUE KEMPF
• BOECK
Cont. from page 3
the public, and I hope to help create a collaborative environment that builds trust and support for district initiatives.”
Boeck said she’s committed to providing the resources and support necessary for teachers to tailor their methods to meet individual student needs, ensuring LBUSD can continue to expand programming for all learners.
“At Laguna Beach High School, we currently offer 23 AP classes,” Boeck said. “Robust pathways in visual and performing arts, and many career and technical education opportunities for exploration. Our small class sizes, ability to recruit and retain highly qualified teachers, and low studentto-counselor ratios all lead to strong academic outcomes for students and produce graduates who can thrive in college and beyond.”
Boeck said she’s excited by LBUSD’s commitment to reducing environmental impacts and promoting green practices and plans to continue to champion those efforts. She believes, “In today’s world, our students need to be well-versed in environmental stewardship. Growing up in this beautiful beach town, it is imperative that our students learn about the impact of humans on the planet and how sustainability practices can make a difference in their schools and at home.
“Laguna Beach has become much more than just a home for my family and me; it is a community we deeply cherish. I am committed to working alongside local leaders, educators, and all stakeholders to ensure this unique and vibrant community continues to flourish. Together, we can build on our strengths and lead toward a brighter future for all our children. I feel called to serve and am eager to connect with more Laguna Beach residents throughout my campaign as we work toward a shared vision for the future,” Boeck said.
To learn more about Lauren Boeck, visit LaurenforLBUSD.com.
LBUSD School Board President Jan Vickers is running for re-election in November, while board member Kelly Osborne will not seek another term. Margaret Warder, Sheri Morgan and Howard Hills are also running for one of the two open school board seats.
• STREET BEAT
Cont. from page 9
over 0.08 percent blood alcohol levels. He was held on $5,000 bail.
Assault, civil rights violation. Alejandra Gama, 29, of West Covina was arrested on suspicion of violating civil rights by force or threat of force, assault with a deadly weapon (not a firearm). She was held on $25,000 bail.
Misdemeanor. Trey Lewis, 25, of Evans, Georgia was arrested on suspicion of a misdemeanor charge. He was held on $2,500 bail.
MONDAY, SEPT. 9
Fugitive. Lucas Walter Hicks, 40 of Mission Viejo was arrested on suspicion of being a fugitive from justice and was arrested without a warrant. He was held without bail.
Giving false identification, obstructing a police officer, trespassing. Anushavan Alek Martirosyan, 45, of Granada Hills was arrested on suspicion of giving false identification to peace officers, obstructing a police officer and trespassing. He was held on a $500 bail.
DUI. A 29-year-old Orange man was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving and blowing on or over 0.08 percent blood alcohol level. He was held on a $5,000 bail.
TUESDAY, SEPT. 10
Driving while on probation with a BA of 0.01 or more, contempt of court, DUI. Eric Joseph Magee, 59, of Corona del Mar was arrested on suspicion of driving while on probation with a BA of 0.01 or more, contempt of court, drunk driving. He was held without bail.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 11
Bench warrant. Zachariah Thomas Zwicky, 28, of Laguna Beach was arrested on suspicion of an outstanding bench warrant. He was held without bail.
Bench warrant. Claudia Lopez Granados, 37, of Orange was arrested on suspicion of an outstanding bench warrant. She was held without bail.
Possession of a controlled substance, bench warrant. Mikala Cante Brown, 48, of Irvine was arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled substance and an outstanding bench warrant. She was held without bail.
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 10/15 MARIA MULDAUR – CelebraTing 50 years of MiDnighT aT The oasis 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 genesis live 1973 10/31 OINGO BOINGO FORMER MEMBERS / UNTOUCHABLES
11/1 OINGO BOINGO FORMER MEMBERS / UNTOUCHABLES
11/2 VENICE
11/3 THE WINEHOUSE EXPERIENCE (aMy winehouse TribuTe)
11/7 MATTHEW SWEET Acoustic Trio 11/8 COMMON SENSE
11/9 TYRONE WELLS
11/13 JOHN HIATT
11/15 RONSTADT REVIVAL (linDa ronsTaDT TribuTe) 11/16 JOSHUA RADIN & RON POPE 11/22 SPACE ODDITY (DaviD bowie TribuTe) 11/23 RUFUS WAINWRIGHT
11/24 CTRL + Z feaT. MarC bonilla, ThoMas lang, r C fierabraCC , alex MaChaCek & JonaThan sinDelMan
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 12/28 DRAMARAMA
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 1/18 DSB 1/23 PAT TRAVERS
COMING SOON
1/24 GENE LOVES JEZEBEL / BOW WOW WOW
1/31 DESPERADO
2/1 DESPERADO
2/8 LED ZEPAGAIN
2/16 INCENDIO w/Ardeshir
Farah (of sTrunz & farah)
3/6 ALTAN
3/28 KIDS OF CHARLEMAGNE
BY JIM KELLY
A LBUSD School Board Counterpoint
I’ve never been called an attack dog before, though I’m no stranger to namecalling. It often occurs when we struggle to express our thoughts clearly, which in turn affects our ability to listen. Over my 40 years in higher education, I quickly learned that meaningful dialogue requires patience and a genuine willingness to listen, even when others resort to insults. My experience has shown me that respectful, constructive conversations foster understanding and progress, while name-calling only obstructs opportunities for growth.
Context also helps.
I did not and will not comment on the circumstances of any individual’s special education services because it is against the law and unethical to discuss a student’s personal confidential information in a public forum. The school board will be receiving a report
from the special education department in the near future, which will include an overview of LBUSD special education programs and the various legal processes and obligations that the district must comply with. It will be a good opportunity for those interested in the subject to listen. There are likely opportunities for improvement, there always are.
I appreciate the important updates that staff provide our board — they’re usually after the item for “Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items,” which means that the individuals who come with prepared statements usually miss them. I’ve personally invited them to stay for the presentation of the budget and academic programs plan for the next academic year. These two areas of oversight are the most important jobs the school board performs for the district in the education of our students and oversight of the district budget. It’s important to acknowledge that rankings like those from US News & World Report rely on state assessment
data from the 2021-22 COVID school year, which may not fully reflect our students’ current progress. At Laguna Beach Unified, we utilize real-time diagnostic assessments to monitor student growth, and we are confident that this will be reflected in the upcoming CAASPP results, set to be released in October.
While it’s easy to cherry-pick data and present only a partial picture, doing so overlooks the full scope of our students’ achievements and the exceptional work happening in our schools. Our district ranks in the 99th percentile in the state, maintains a 99% graduation rate, and has doubled Advanced Placement participation. Additionally, we have more students than ever enrolled in college courses and career technical education programs, and 80% of our students are eligible to attend CSU or UC schools. These accomplishments are a testament to the strength of our educational programs and the dedication of our students and staff.
The Ten-Year Facilities Master
Plan was introduced and approved in 2017 and has since then been updated annually and presented in regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Education. The initial project proposals for the LBHS pool and admin offices were shared in March 2023 in a meeting that was announced in local media outlets and directly to our school community. From March to September, after discussion and consultation with many community groups, the plans were scaled back. Many concerns from neighbors and committee groups were incorporated into the plan.
Sensible Laguna was developed under the guise of a fiscal watchdog to mask their not-in-my-backyard agenda. For as much transparency as the group demands, the credentials listed on their website are vague, to say the least. I commend LBUSD staff for the time they’ve dedicated to meeting with the group and continuing to address their ever-evolving concerns.
• 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
JIM KELLY
GUEST OPINION:
GUEST OPINION: M.F.K. FISHER CONNECTION TO LAGUNA BEACH
BY GENE FELDER
Westways magazine article “Pacific Village” By M.F.K. Fisher
February 1935
Did M.F.K. Fisher have a connection to Laguna Beach? Over a decade ago, while a board member of the Laguna Beach Historical Society and volunteering at its Murphy-Smith Bungalow, hearing this funny sounding name, I responded that I had never heard of M.F.K. Fisher. I recently joined the Historical Society’s Book Club, and in the first book assigned to read, “Laguna Beach and the Greenbelt, Celebrating a Treasured Historic American Landscape,” is the following 1934 quote from M.F.K. Fisher “Artists, old settlers, young enthusiasts for life in the raw with no hate and no golf clubs want to keep it just as it is….[Laguna Beach’s] other lovers, just as sincerely, want to exploit to the bursting point its strong and attractive character…”. A timely quote.
According to Wikipedia, “Mary Frances Kennedy Fisher Parrish Friede (July 3, 1908 – June 22, 1992), writing as M.F.K. Fisher, was an American food writer. Over her lifetime she wrote 27 books, including a translation of Brillat-Savarin’s The Physiology of Taste. Fisher believed that eating well was just one of the ‘arts of life’.” According to lizzyoungbookseller “Few writers have made the same mark on American culinary literature as M.F.K. Fisher. Her fresh perspective and inventive prose have made Fisher a favorite among collectors of food literature.”
As a girl, she and her family lived in Whittier and in summers would encamp in a tent in Laguna Beach, later buying a cabin there. Fisher wrote then: “I decided at the age of nine that one of the best ways to grow up is to eat and talk quietly with good people”.
M.F.K. Fisher briefly attended UCLA and Occidental College where she met and married Alfred Fisher. In September 1929, the newlyweds sailed to France where Al Fisher studied for his doctorate. After he received his doctorate, they returned to California. “They later moved into the Laguna cabin. This was during the
Great Depression and work was hard to find. Al spent two years looking for a teaching position until he found one at Occidental College. Fisher began writing and she published her first piece “Pacific Village” in the February 1935 issue of Westways Magazine. The article was a fictional account of life in Laguna Beach.”
“In 1933, Dillwyn Parrish and his wife Gigi moved next door to them, and they rapidly became friends.” Dillwyn Parrish was an American writer, illustrator, and painter. “Dillwyn Parrish fell in love with Mary Fisher… Their relationship came at a point when his marriage was already in difficulty, and eventually both couples divorced. He married Mary Fisher in 1938. They lived at Le Paquis in Switzerland until 1939, when war broke out again in Europe. In January 1940, they bought land with a pinewood cabin in the San Jacinto Mountains near Hemet,
California.” Dillwyn Parrish was diagnosed as having Buerger’s disease causing him severe pain, necessitating multiple amputations, leading to his suicide Aug. 6, 1941.
In 1944, Fisher met and fell in love with publisher Donald Friede who provided her entree to additional publishing markets. Fisher and Friede divorced on Aug. 8, 1950. In 1953, she moved to Napa Valley, in 1954 to France with her two young children, then back to northern California in 1955, in 1959 to Switzerland, in 1961 she returned to San Francisco. Finally in 1971, the appropriately named “Last House” was designed by Fisher and built in Glen Ellen, California where she lived and wrote until her death at the age of 83 in 1992.
More details are available on Wikipedia, but not the text of M.F.K. Fisher’s Westways 1935 “Pacific Village” article about life in Laguna
Beach. But thanks to long-time serving Laguna Beach Historical Society board member Nelda Stone, we have a copy of the article. M.F.K. Fisher used the fictional town name Olas, I have changed to Laguna Beach for easier reading, comments include:
“Two main divisions separate it roughly into the artistic and the progressive elements, but that is a crude simplification. Each element has its interweaving intricacies, with all the bad and most of the good qualities of a small-town society long and firmly established.”
“For two days the beaches teem with people. …Monday morning is like dawn on another planet. The hordes have fled. Six or seven cars are parked sheepishly in the quiet streets. [Laguna Beach] is normal again, living
• see FELDER page 25
BEHIND THE DANCE
THURSDAY, SEPT. 26 AT 6:30 PM
GENE FELDER
BY MARY LOCATELLI
That’s No Way To Run a Railroad
Afunny thing happened on the way to a contract search. There was much discussion at the Aug. 13 council meeting about the CFO unilaterally terminating a council approved contract for an audit firm without getting approval from council. Councilmember Whelan said it should not have happened. So, asked Councilmember Weiss, could I please see the contract? I would like to look at it. The response from staff was that there was no contract. Terms were agreed annually as part of the Audit Engagement Letter. The 2022 Audit Engagement letter was dated May 24, 2022 and on page seven, refers to the firm’s proposal date of March 4, 2022.
So, thought some residents; let’s look at the Request for Proposal Process used as a basis to hire the firm. Let’s look for participation in and recommendation by the Audit Committee and review and approval by the council. Unfortunately, a review of the city website did not yield much fertile ground.
As for the Audit Committee, included on the Feb. 9, 2022 agenda was approval of minutes from the Dec. 8, 2021 meeting indicating there had been a short discussion of the RFP. There was no indication on the Feb. 9, 2022 agenda of any further discussion of the selection of auditors, and while approval of minutes of that meeting appeared on the subsequent agenda,
there were no minutes attached. The next posted meeting was Sept. 29, 2022. Neither the agenda nor the minutes included discussion of the auditor selection process or an auditor recommendation.
Turning to the City Council agendas, a review from Dec. 14, 2021 through May 24, 2022 reveals a discussion of the June 2020 audit report on Dec. 14, 2021 and a discussion of a Measure LL report on May 24, 2022. But no indication that the council reviewed or approved the hiring of new auditors.
Could it be that in addition to not having a formal contract, there is no documentation of Audit Committee participation in the auditor selection process or of a recommendation to council? And there is no documented review or approval of the new auditor by council?
If you need to pause and take a break here—so did I. After months of pointing out how flawed the 2024 process to select new auditors has been—and it was—we now find the last time we selected a new auditor (in 2022) there may have been no documented process at all. Why and how is something only the council can answer—and they should.
Why were there no Audit Committee meetings between Feb. 9 and Sept. 29, 2022—a time when one of the committee’s key tasks, participating in the selection of new auditors, would have occurred? Why would the committee not have known that?
Why did staff, knowing it was changing auditors, not seek Audit Committee involvement? Why did
it not bring an agenda item forward requesting council approval of the new auditors? And what mechanisms does council have to move things forward when reliance on staff is not working?
As my wise grandfather used to say, this is no way to run a railroad. It’s time for council to reflect and ask; how could we have allowed the city to function this way? And perhaps the residents can ask themselves, did we do enough to make our voices heard—voices that demand a government that works as intended for the benefit of all.
City Manager Dave Kiff has his
work cut out for him. To paraphrase an old Mission Impossible line, his job, should he choose to accept it, is to right this ship of city. In that effort, he deserves the support and help of everyone on the council, along with that of the entire community.
Mary Locatelli was a partner at Ernst & Young, an Executive Vice President and Director of Audit and Compliance at a regional bank, had her own internal controls consulting company, and was a Deputy Director in Management and Finance at an international organization headquartered in Vienna, Austria.
GUEST OPINION: DEAR SUSI Q BY LYNETTE BRASFIELD
In September, We Celebrate Dogs, Cats and…Peas
I’ve always wondered how months are chosen to celebrate certain causes. I still don’t know the answer, but my research uncovered an astonishing fact: September is a themed month for 148 causes! In addition to National Peas Month (the round, green kind), the ninth month is also Responsible Dog Ownership Month and Happy Cat Month.
I decided the latter two causes would provide a great hook for this column, as I want to highlight the wonderful help that two of our volunteers recently gave to Lifelong Laguna enrollees, both involving animals.
“Lifelong Laguna had a request for support from a member who was in hospice care. This person loved animals and hoped for a furry friend’s visit. As a former hospice volunteer and now someone who volunteers for Lifelong Laguna, Linda was the perfect fitespecially with the help of her sidekick, her dog Lily,” Rickie Redman, Susi Q’s Director of Aging in Place Services says. “Lily would sit on the man’s lap, and he would pet and pat her nonstop.
It was very sweet. Lily’s visits brought him joy.”
Linda finds volunteering very fulfilling.
“It enriches my life as I get to know these wonderful seniors who make up our community,” she says. “It also doesn’t hurt to know that someday, when I need help, this wonderful resource will also be available to me!”
Then there’s volunteer Robert Isaac, who is matched with Ron Russell and Charley the Australian shepherd. Isaac drives them to the dog park, where they both enjoy being outdoors and socializing.
“Taking them there is so simple and it has had a huge impact on Ron. It was part of his routine, and now he’s getting it back,” says Isaac.
Russell’s wife, Dianne, is also a happy camper. “I’m so grateful to Robert for his patience and kindness in carting Ron and Charley to the dog park - it makes my life so much easier!”
On a sadder note, losing a pet can be traumatic. Susi Q can help there, too. Our donor funded Feeling the Blues program provides free therapy sessions that can help older adults cope with depression, anxiety and grief over the • see BRASFIELD page 26
LYNETTE BRASFIELD
BY PEGGY WOLFF
Dem Club Addresses Candidate Endorsement Concerns
As Chair of the Laguna Beach Democratic Club, I would like to respond to recent letters and columns regarding our Aug. 14 meeting that was held to conduct a vote on “recommendations for endorsement” for Laguna Beach City Council candidates.
As the oldest Democratic Club in Orange County, founded in 1945, we are so grateful for the engagement of our members and community. Our club has raised funds for Democratic candidates and supports our community with food and clothing drives. Any individual is welcome to become a member of LBDC.
We had 58 members in good standing attend our Aug. 14 virtual meeting. These are members who are active and engaged Democrats. A member in good standing must have met the following
qualifications according to our bylaws: The member is a registered Democrat; has attended at least one meeting in the current or previous calendar year prior to voting; has paid all club dues in the prior calendar month and agreed to be bound by the code of conduct.
Laguna Beach Democratic Club is a charter club of the Democratic Party of Orange County (DPOC), which means we work within the rules and bylaws of DPOC.
At our August meeting, we offered each Democratic candidate for Laguna Beach City Council the opportunity to speak for four minutes to present their campaign statement. Candidates Jones, Mancuso, Weiss and Whalen, all registered Democrats, were scheduled to speak as part of the meeting agenda. Four hours prior to the meeting, George Weiss emailed me that he wanted to pull his endorsement request and that he would be rescinding his endorsement application from DPOC as well.
Our volunteer board made sure to include all LBDC members in good standing who registered in advance and logged on to join the meeting. Only members in good standing were permitted to participate because the club was holding an official vote. Our board adhered to our bylaws, which are directly managed by DPOC. After hearing from the three candidates, we held a vote, where each member could choose two candidates or no endorsement. Our membership overwhelmingly chose Hallie Jones and Bob Whalen as the candidates LBDC “recommends for endorsement” to DPOC. Vote tallies were 47 for Hallie Jones, 46 for Bob Whalen, 10 for Judie Mancuso and 2 for No Endorsement.
After our meeting, DPOC received a few complaints that our meeting did not follow bylaws. DPOC performed a thorough investigation and found that the LBDC Board ran a meeting that strictly followed our bylaws and managed it in an appropriate manner.
These investigation results were shared with all who lodged complaints.
The next step in this process is for an LBDC representative to attend the DPOC Endorsement Committee meeting and share the results of our local club meeting and the names of the candidates whom the majority of our members want to support in this next election. That means a great deal of volunteer effort from our members: door-knocking, letter-writing, delivering signs and manning the soonto-be-opened LBDC headquarters at 580 Broadway.
“The club determines its position on the supported candidate(s) by at least 11 affirmative votes and at least 60% of the members in good standing present and voting.”
If a candidate(s) reaches the 60% threshold, LBDC’s representative “is instructed to recommend the club’s supported candidates to DPOC for
• see WOLFF page 25
Hunt For Your Next Treasure
PEGGY WOLFF
The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach Announces the Retirement of Long-Time Area Director Hans Laroche
Open House Celebration Planned to Honor His Legacy
BY LB INDY STAFF
The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach (the Club) has announced the retirement of Area Director Hans Laroche, whose passion and dedication have shaped the organization for over 23 years. A respected leader and mentor, The Boys & Girls Club said Laroche’s career has been defined by a commitment to youth development, and his influence will be felt for years to come.
Reflecting on his journey, Laroche said, “I realized early on in life that working with children is something I would find rewarding. My career has been a daily joy, and I’ve enjoyed every day coming to work here at the Club.” Laroche’s career is marked by several key milestones. Early on, he received a promotion to the Camp Directing Team at the YMCA after his first
year—a pivotal moment that confirmed his path in youth development. Later, as Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach Athletic Director, a significant $100,000 donation was made to the Club in his honor, recognizing his unwavering dedication to mentoring youth. Laroche also ascended to the role of Canyon Branch Director, and then Area Director, where his leadership expanded the reach and impact of the Club’s programs.
When asked about the legacy he’s leaving behind, Laroche stated, “I hope
• see LAROCHE page 25
FOA Opens Artist Applications for 2025 Summer Fine Art Show
Free Seminar on Artist Application and Jurying Process at Orange County Center for Contemporary Art this Sunday
BY LB INDY STAFF
Orange County artists can now apply to participate in the Festival of Art’s renowned 2025 Summer Fine Art Show.
Applications opened Wednesday, Sept. 3, offering local artists the opportunity to showcase their talents in one of the country’s most celebrated and recognized fine art exhibitions.
Each summer, the 90-year-old festival transforms into a hub of creativity, where 120 juried artists display their work in a setting that couples the California coast with the finest in contemporary and traditional art.
“Part of our mission is to provide a platform for local artists to reach a wider audience, and every year we are amazed by the depth of talent in our community,” said Christine Georgantas, exhibits director at the Festival of Arts. “We look forward to welcoming new and returning artists, and seeing how they contribute to the festival’s rich legacy.”
Interested artists must submit five digital images per medium and their application online by Wednesday, Oct.
30 at 4 p.m. Applications are open to artists who have resided in Orange County for at least one year prior to Oct. 30. The jurying process, which is conducted by esteemed figures in the West Coast art community, evaluates works based on craftsmanship, media expertise, design excellence, and professional presentation.
To help artists navigate the application process, the Festival of Arts will host a free informational seminar at the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art in Santa Ana on Sunday, Sept. 8, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The seminar will cover the application and jurying process, with insights from past exhibitors and a presentation by Christine Georgantas.
“Being part of the Festival of Arts is more than just being in a worldclass fine art show—it’s joining a community of artists and art lovers who are passionate about creativity and cultural expression,” said Georgantas. For more information and to apply online, visit foapom.com. For questions about the seminar, email ArtCenter@ foapom.com.
Festival of Arts Fine Art Show is accepting artist applicants for its 2025 season. Photo courtesy of Kyle Fierro
Right: Hans Laroche with kids from the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach. Photo courtesy of the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach
• LAROCHE
Cont. from page 24
it’s a legacy of having answered the call to adhere to our mission of changing lives. The highlight of my professional career has been seeing the children I mentored come back as volunteers, many of them now parents themselves.”
During his time at the Club, Laroche was inspired by influential figures in his own life, including a high school teacher who sparked his interest in sports and recreation. This guidance shaped his career in profound ways, fueling his passion for youth mentorship.
Looking toward retirement, Laroche is eager to spend more time with his family and pursue hobbies. “I’m looking forward to having more time for the things I love, and I hope to stay connected with my colleagues and the Club’s mission in some capacity,” he said.
To celebrate Laroche’s outstanding contributions, the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach will host an Open House on Sept. 24 at 1085 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, CA 92651, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Colleagues, friends, and community members are invited to come together to honor Laroche’s career, celebrate his transformational impact on young people, and thank him for his service. The Club is asking all of Laroche’s fans to email their favorite memories and gestures of appreciation toalumni@ bgclaguna.org.
The Open House, which typically showcases the Club’s programs through fun activities like games, arts and crafts, and more, will feature a free BBQ and raffles with cool prizes. Families will get a glimpse of the vibrant Club life and what makes it special for Club members. And, it’s a celebration of Laroche’s incredible 23 years of service to youth at the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the community to show their appreciation for all he has done to serve local families.
As Laroche reflects on his career, he offers this parting thought: “The experiences I had during my career made me a better parent and a better person. I hope my colleagues remember me as a good leader and someone they can look up to.”
For more information about the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach and how you can support, please visit our website at bgclagunabeach.org.
Cont. from page 11
data, more than 10 million encounters with migrants occurred under the Biden/Harris administration.
A vote for Harris is a vote to continue this travesty. Crime tourism is rampant. Our laws are weak and seldom enforced; police, like our border control, are told to stand down. No bail, reduced sentences and flagrant dis-regard for our laws weakens our society.
As San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris laid the groundwork for today, NFL draft pick Ricky Pearsall was just shot near Union Square in a broad daylight failed robbery. Unsafe streets with crime, homelessness and drug addicts on nearly every corner. Harris approved the infamous Prop 47 “Safe Neighborhoods Act” ti-tle, making $950 in thefts and misdemeanors, resulting in smashand-grab surges. The botched theft and murder of a New Zealand woman this summer, and gun thefts at Fashion Island are now commonplace. Enough! Vote to save our country. This election is the most important of your lifetime. The future of America literally depends on it.
Jennifer Zeiter, Laguna Beach
TIME FOR ACTION
It’s likely the LBUSD board will soon approve moving forward with their $19 million pool upgrade. This will result in residents losing 75% of the current shallow water, parking, and, most importantly, the elimination of the beloved “wading or baby” pool. When the district starts demolition there will be no pool for anyone, students or residents, for nearly a year.
Had the city and LBUSD worked together, a coordinated plan could have addressed resident and student needs with no interruption for anyone… and saved taxpayers millions of dollars. While it’s clear the district didn’t involve the city in their initial pool upgrade plans, the public and the city were first aware in ear-ly 2023. It took an extensive effort from concerned citizens to convince city leaders of the pending loss for residents and the need for a dedicated community pool. Finally, on March 12 the city council voted unanimously to move forward with a dedicated community pool and make it a priority. Unfortunately, • LETTERS
• WOLFF
Cont. from page 23
endorsement.” Despite sharing our club-supported candidates, the DPOC Endorsement Committee does have the final say and will be recommending Judie Mancuso and Hallie Jones, where the final vote will occur on Sept. 12 at a Central Committee meeting.
LBDC would like to thank our members for attending our “recommend for endorsement” meeting, listening to the candidates, and engaging with our club. Our singular mission at Laguna Beach Democratic Club is to elect the most qualified Democrats up and down the ballot. Please visit our campaign headquarters to volunteer and engage in this election and be sure to vote on Nov. 5.
Peggy Wolff is the Laguna Beach Democratic Club Chair.
• KELLY
Cont. from page 20
Howard Hills has been contributing letters to the editor and opinion columns to the Laguna Beach Independent for over 10 years, as far as I can recall. However, I do not remember him ever writing a statement about positive change in Laguna Beach Schools. Additionally, Hills never acknowledges that he is living in other cities and lets the reader assume he is writing from Laguna Beach. The Independent has published two similar public relations pieces titled “Special to the Independent” regarding his departure to Washington and his return from Washington.
Jim Kelly is a member of the Laguna Beach Unified School District Board of Education. This article is written from his perspective as a private citizen and has nothing to do with his role as a board member.
• FELDER
Cont. from page 21
that life so completely unsuspected by the people who come and go each weekend.”
“And it is these muse-fed villagers and these old settlers who lead the artist faction in [Laguna Beach]. It is they who cry ‘Down with billboards! Away with publicity! Out with subdividers and go-getters!’ And they are very bitter. ‘[Laguna Beach] has been ruined, prostituted,’ they howl. … And they stay in [Laguna Beach] and bring their friends, who usually stay too.”
“To the progressives it is a natural, a logical thing to want [Laguna Beach] to be bigger and noisier and more popular. They are patient enough with the grumbling, sneering artists, and, most ironically, use them as part of their publicity program. [Laguna Beach], Famous Artists’ Colony, the billboards blurb, and Visit [Laguna Beach], Artist Haunt.”
“So the two sides live together in the little village. One could not well exist without the other. Each fights with the tactics of righteous sincerity: each fights dirty.”
If you would like a copy of the article, just email me at gene@felders.net; Gene Felder is Treasurer of Laguna Residents First, Treasurer of the Laguna Canyon Conservancy, President of the Top of the World Neighborhood Association, and serves as an alternate on the Coastal Greenbelt Authority. He is the former President of the Laguna Beach Historical Society, and was co-author, with Foster J. Eubank of the Arcadia Publishing book “Laguna Beach, Then & Now”. Gene graduated from Cal State Fullerton in Business Administration, and has an MBA from UCLA.
George Weiss
Judie Mancuso
LAGUNA BEACH CITY COUNCIL
• CRIER
Cont. from page 4
stewardship, the importance of fire protection, and city issues. It is an opportunity for voters to get outside for some exercise while learning about the candidate and pose questions about issues important to them.
CONCERT TO BENEFIT LAGUNA BEACH CHARITIES
The Episcopal Church Women’s last concert of the season, to be held on Sept. 14 at 5:30 p.m., will feature local favorites Bob Gunn and Shauna McFadden, back by popular demand. Gunn and McFadden will be joined by special guest artists from the OC Women’s Chorus and from Lagunatunes. The concert will celebrate the end of the summer and the beginning of fall and will take attendees on a musical journey from 60s folk to some modern acapella vocal jazz. You won’t want to miss the fun, so get your tickets now at ecwstmaryslb. org.
All proceeds will be donated to 11 local charities, including the Laguna Food Pantry, The Community Clinic, Friendship Shelter, Sally’s Fund, Waymakers Youth Shelter, and PUPS (Protecting Unwanted Pets). The concert will be held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church Ocean View Terrace, 428 Park Avenue.
LAGUNA BEACH BUSINESS CLUB
SEPTEMBER SPEAKER: KEITH KESLER
The Laguna Beach Business Club’s Sept. 19 speaker is Keith Kesler, former professor and marketing executive. Kesler will discuss his extensive and varied career and current collaboration with Handel’s Ice Cream.
During Kesler’s 28-year career as an advertising and marketing executive, he worked with major corporations, marketing firms, advertising agencies and exhibit houses to help them shape their brands. He also owned an agency for seven years and was a professor at Cal State Fullerton, where he taught brand management and advertising capstone courses. His teachings included managing the AAF (American Advertising Federation) team that competes in a national competition, and the studentrun advertising agency (Practical ADvantage). Kesler’s passion for food, especially ice cream, led him and his family to open a Handel’s Ice Cream
store in Orange County in 2018. They are currently working on opening their 12th location. Kesler is a long-time Laguna Beach resident, where he lives with his wife and five children.
The LBBC holds monthly breakfast meetings starting at 7:30 a.m. hosting speakers that discuss topics valuable to achieving personal and professional success. Meetings begin with a buffet breakfast and brief networking roundtable and are hosted at Nirvana Kitchen + Pantry, 303 Broadway St., #101, Laguna Beach, CA 92651. Nonmembers are welcome. The guest fee is $30, payable by Venmo or cash/check payable to the Laguna Beach Business Club on the day of the meeting. Space is limited. Guests be sure you receive RSVP confirmation. For more information about the LBBC or to register to attend the meeting, visit lagunabeachbusinessclub.com, or email Info@LagunaBeachBusinessClub. com.
NCC TO SCREEN ‘BAD FAITH: CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM’S UNHOLY WAR ON DEMOCRACY’
Neighborhood Congregational Church will screen the new documentary “Bad Faith: Christian Nationalism’s Unholy War on Democracy” on Sunday, Oct. 6, at 11:30 a.m. at Bridge Hall. Following the screening, Pastor Rodrick Echols will lead a discussion with the Los Angeles-based director, Stephen Ujlaki. The film reveals how Christian Nationalist leaders have spread fear and anger for decades, distorting political issues into Biblical battles between good and evil. The ticket price ($12.51) includes lunch and a conversation with the director. Sponsorship admission tickets are available. To buy tickets, visit https://bit.ly/4csGEf8. Neighborhood Congregational Church is located at 340 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach.
• LETTERS
Cont. from page 25
little to no material progress has been made to avoid residents’ loss of aquatic capabilities.
The city should have known in September of 2022 when the LBUSD planning started, they did know in
March 2023 when LBUSD released their plans, and the city council committed to priority action in March 2024. It’s time, past time, for action!
The city council is facing some difficult financial decisions. Parking structures, firehouses, Laguna Canyon Road, recreation center, the Promenade…it’s a long list with supporters and opponents. Most of these re-quests for funding are to add new or expanded services for the community. Shouldn’t a priority be to prevent the loss of existing resident services before spending on new?
We can’t turn back the clock and it’s unfortunate our city and school board leaders can’t be better partners. There is still time to minimize the cost and impact to all residents.
Gary Kasik, Laguna Beach
REMEMBERING 9/11
Wednesday marked the 23rd anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on America. My oldest son was attending New York University that day while his younger brother and sister were getting ready to head off to Top of the World Elementary School. Despite the fact more than two decades have passed since that fateful day, I remember how utterly stunned I was watching both World Trade Center towers collapse in real-time. Being a baby boomer, I grew up hearing stories about the Dec. 7 attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Today, my two boys are fathers, and
my daughter is almost 30. For them, I’m guessing Sept. 11 always will be their “date which will live in infamy.” My hope is here in Laguna, and coast to coast, families never forget what happened in 2001.
Denny Freidenrich, Laguna Beach
• BRASFIELD
Cont. from page 22
loss of loved ones and beloved pets.
Suppose you love to interact with animals but don’t have a pet right now for one reason or another. In that case, you might be interested in an upcoming presentation that Susi Q is putting together with Catmosphere Laguna and Blue Bell Foundation for Cats. Catmosphere’s Gail Landau will explain how to foster cats and other opportunities to help this great nonprofit.
Volunteers at Blue Bell find great joy in petting the senior cats who live there. They also enjoy bonding with fellow cat lovers. Expect a purrfect presentation on Oct. 10. Check it out at thesusiq.org.
Oh, and September is also Be Kind to Editors and Writers Month. So, thanks in advance for the flowers and chocolates. Just kidding. But I do want to say this: the Indy’s Clara Beard is a wonderful editor!
EMPLOYMENT
Marcus Skenderian
Jimmie Russell
