LBindy 9.6.24 by Times Media Group

Breakfast of Champions

The Laguna Beach Fire Department hosted its popular annual Labor Day Pancake Breakfast at Heisler Park, serving up pancakes, orange juice, sausage and more to hungry residents.

SCHOOL BOARD RACE: Sheri Morgan declares bid for LBUSD School Board PAGE 3

THE MORNING AFTER: FOA Fine Arts Show shuts doors after busy summer PAGE 20

THIS IS WHERE WE LIVE: Indy columnists delve into Victor Hugo Inn history PAGE 20

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Sheri Morgan Launches Campaign for School Board Seat

BY CLARA BEARD | LB INDY

Longtime Laguna Beach resident

Sheri Morgan has announced she will run for Laguna Beach Unified School District Board for a second time.

If elected in November, Morgan states her main campaign objectives are to return Laguna Beach schools to a standard of academic excellence, create policy reform to empower board leadership and community voice, return to fiscal responsibility, accountability and oversight, and rebuild community partnerships to strengthen our schools and use community and district taxpayer resources.

Morgan, who first ran in 2020, said residents strongly encouraged her to run again because district policy reform is “a must.”

“The communities’ voice has been marginalized,” she said. “Pushing forward a $150 million Facilities Master Plan without community engagement, during enrollment decline of 21% over the last five years is fiscally irresponsible. Not one dollar of the $150 million went to

educational programming. This is at a time when high school students have less flexibility in their class scheduling options due to a restrictive master schedule. With only two options for an AP class, for example, many students had to choose between the

At LAGUNA BEACH AESTHETICS, it’s back to school. As summer winds down, what better time to try our amazing Sculptra treatment!

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academic AP, passion elective or even not having a class.”

Morgan said recent news about the move to eliminate special education programs is also concerning.

“I am learning that it’s necessary to send kids out of town for education support if their Independent Education Program (IEP) recommends it,” Morgan said. “While that may satisfy the constitutional right to an education, it doesn’t factor in the human element and the toll it takes on families’ overall social and emotional well-being. District leadership regularly speaks about the ‘whole child’ and ‘every student, every day.’ We are a well-funded district and should be serving our community and its families better.”

Morgan said the situation has frustrated families and taxpaying Laguna Beach citizens, which she hopes to change if elected.

“We fund over 87% of our schools’ budget,and yet we are turning kids away, limiting education options here for

• see MORGAN page 26

the

poll

THIS WEEK’S QUESTION: Do you plan to attend any upcoming City Council candidate forums? Yes or No

LAST WEEK’S QUESTION: Is the city’s public parking adequately enforced? Yes | 13.64% (3 votes)

| 86.36% (19 votes) TOTAL VOTES: 22

Laguna Beach resident Sheri Morgan is running for a seat on the Laguna Beach School Board. Photo courtesy of Sheri Morgan

TOWN CRIER

IN AND AROUND LAGUNA BEACH

R STAR FOUNDATION HONORED FOR 14TH YEAR

For 14 years, the R Star Foundation has been awarded a “tithing” gift by the First Church of Christ, Science in San Juan Capistrano. The church honors 12 different charities a year, with 10 percent of collected donations for the church for a selected month as the chosen recipient. R Star has had the honor of being a recipient again, receiving nearly $1,800.

Founder Rosalind Russell said the funds will go toward more goats to support rural women in Kavre, Nepal. For more about R Star Foundation, an all-volunteer Laguna Beach charity, visit RStarFoundation.org or call Russell at 949-497-4911.

WHAT’S YOUR TREASURE WORTH?

John Moran Auctioneers & Appraisers, in partnership with

the Laguna Art Museum, invites the public to have up to five items professionally valued. Appraisers will provide a verbal valuation of your treasures. Items that can be appraised include sculpture, prints and multiples, photography, decorative art and furniture, books and manuscripts and more. Photographs/cellphone images may also be evaluated if items cannot be brought into the museum. Advance tickets recommended. See Lagunaartmuseum.org for more details.

WHAT’S NEW AT THE SUSI Q IN SEPTEMBER

Hoﬀman Talks Art Deco

On Thursday, Sept 19, between 1:30 and 3 p.m., local tour guide and architectural aficionado Bill Hoffman will take you on a visual tour of Art Deco, America’s most lavish architectural style.

“Art Deco came to America shortly after its emergence in France in the early 1920s,” Hoffman explained. “With exuberant detailing, architects and designers decorated buildings, furniture, and even appliances. Zig zags, geometric patterns and organic flourishes, nothing was off limits.”

Bill Hoffman’s photos beautifully capture the style and how it lives on today.

Demystifying AI

The Susi Q knows that older adults like to be updated on technological advances. A special session, Demystifying AI (Artificial

Intelligence), led by global technology strategist and FOA artist Jeff Rovner and independent consultant Paul Freeman, will explain how AI evolved, as well as the perils and promise of this new technology and what it means to the public. The free program takes place on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 4:30 p.m. Call Christine Brewer at 949715-8105 to sign up for any of these classes or register by visiting thesusiq. org and clicking on classes/events and registration.

EAT, GREET, AND MEET WITH CITY CANDIDATES

Monday, Sept. 9 will be the first inperson dinner meeting of Laguna Canyon Conservancy’s fall season. City council candidates Hallie Jones, Judie Mancuso, George Weiss and Bob Whalen have been invited along with city clerk Ann Marie McKay and city treasurer Laura Parisi (both running unopposed) to describe their environmental contributions and ideas on how to preserve and protect open space, particularly in Laguna Canyon. The meeting will be held at Bridge Hall of the Neighborhood

• City Councilmember 12 years, 5 yrs Mayor

• LB Planning Commission - 4 years

• Laguna Beach School Board - 10 years, twice President

• State Recognized Expert in Public Finance advising cities, counties and other public agencies all over California

COMMITTED LEADERSHIP

• Past President of SchoolPower, Boys and Girls Club, & Laguna Beach Little League

• Board Member Laguna Art Museum

• Orange County Community Foundation Board of Governors

First Church of Christ, Science reader and Laguna Beach resident Paul Garman hands R Star Founder Rosalind Russell a check for her nonproﬁt. Photo courtesy of Rosalind Russell

BE CAREFUL OF SCAMMERS

David Robert McDonnell, a local Laguna Beach businessman, recently pleaded guilty to wire fraud and nearly $6 million embezzlement from his elder clients over several years. This is a wake-up call, and why is it so important to check the professional credentials of anyone managing your estate or your money.

In the estate planning world, Professional fiduciaries work as trustees, attorneys-in-fact, executors and health care agents, and they must be licensed by the State of California’s Professional Fiduciaries Bureau. McDonnell is not licensed as a fiduciary. A quick check on the CA Department of Consumer Affairs License search page confirms this. In addition, to protect investors and ensure the market’s integrity, the nonprofit FINRA—Financial Industry Regulation Authority plays a critical role in governing the ethical activities of all registered

U.S. brokers/dealers. Inquiring into McDonnell’s background at Broker Check by FINRA verifies his (now barred) broker’s license, and it also reveals “disclosures” from 2022 that potentially signified a customer dispute or infraction. Scamming will worsen as technology advances and the U.S. population ages.

Folks who solicit our business aren’t always who we think they are.

Peter Kote, Laguna Beach

RESPONSE TO ALAN BOINUS’ COLUMN

Regarding the Guest Opinion “Laguna Power Play” by Alan Boinus (Aug. 23): I agree that the Laguna Beach Democratic Club’s “endorsement” of Whalen and Jones for City Council does not represent the view of the great majority of Democrats in Laguna Beach. The larger point, however, is that the club should not endorse any candidates in the city council race. Candidates for city council don’t run as representatives of one party or another, which is good because then we can concentrate on whether or not these candidates will represent the interests of the residents of Laguna Beach. Endorsement by

either party is a distraction from that focus.

As a Democrat, we all agree that it is important to get out the vote for Democrats in the House and Senate races and for the President. But the City Council is a far different matter. It is a non-partisan race and should remain so. I call for the Laguna Beach Democratic Club to cease endorsements for City Council and to retract their current “endorsement” of Jones and Whalen.

Roger Owens, Laguna Beach

WHAT’S MORE IMPORTANT?

Congratulations to the LBUSD superintendent and his rubberstamping school board members on moving forward with your “pool and classroom” improvements. Nothing is more important than pool improvements in a declining school district of 2,315 students with an $80 million plus budget and declining test scores.

Maybe we should add another wellness center to educate parents on how to parent their children or possibly a fourth assistant superintendent to

• see LETTERS page 22

CITY HALL MEETINGS: Sept. 9 - Emergency and Disaster Prepardness Committee at 6 pm. | Sept. 11 - Administrative Design Review at 3 p.m.

HOW TO CONTACT THE CITY COUNCIL:

Sue Kempf Mayor skempf@ lagunabeachcity.net

Alex Rounaghi MayorProTem arounaghi@ lagunabeachcity.net

George Weiss Council member gweiss@ lagunabeachcity.net

Bob Whalen Council member bwhalen@ lagunabeachcity.net

Mark Orgill Council member morgill@ lagunabeachcity.net

Ann Marie McKay CityClerk amckay@ lagunabeachcity.net

Laura Parisi CityTreasurer lparisi@ lagunabeachcity.net

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

OUR LETTER POLICY

Letters strengthen community ties and provide a community forum open to all. Due to space constraints we ask letter writers to limit their topics to local concerns, make their submissions exclusive to the Indy alone and be of 400 words or less. Letters should be submitted by Tuesday, 5 p.m. They may be edited for clarity, length or appropriateness as needed. We decline to publish letters that we perceive as personal attacks, even of public figures. We strive for civil discourse over ideas and issues, not personalities. Letter writers must supply their name and contact information. Published letters will only use the writer’s name and city of residence. E-mail letters are preferred.

PUBLISHER

Steve T. Strickbine

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Nadine Johnson

EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR

Clara Beard clara@ﬁrebrandmediainc.com

DESIGN

DESIGN DIRECTOR

Tracy Powell

SALES

ADVERTISING SALES TEAM

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PRODUCTION

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ADVERTISING & CIRCULATION: Tel: 949 715-4100 Fax: 949 715-4106

MAILING ADDRESS: 900 Glenneyre St., Suite B Laguna Beach, CA 92651 Tel: 949-715-4100 Fax: 949 715-4106 www.lbindy.com

A PUBLICATION OF PUBLISHER

Steve T. Strickbine

CREATIVE & MARKETING DIRECTOR

Tracy Powell

CALIFORNIA

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Nick Oliveri

FIREBRAND MEDIA LLC FOUNDER

Steve Zepezauer

I will ensure our School Board listens to our families better, and represents the whole community that generously sustains our public schools. We also need to renew and deepen commitment to success of classroom teachers, and restore a positive, productive, balanced relationship between Board and our own locally appointed public school Administration, to more democratically and responsively put students and families first.

Restore open, inclusive decision-making and community trust

Restore public participation that unites not divides community

Hills is an alumni, parent, grandparent, decades of active support for student academics and sports in Laguna Beach schools (see ‘About Howard’ on website)

Fairness, accountability, fiscal transparency, without political agenda

Innovate and modernize without losing character of community schools

Prioritize academic proficiency, also essential to social/emotional well-being

Let educators educate , and let elected School Board govern

Photo: Howard and wife, Lura Hills, with 5 of their 12 grandkids

The Morning After: Festival of Arts Fine Art Show Comes to a Close

CULINARY EVENT BENEFITTING CULINARY EVENT BENEFITTING

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

SPENCER GRANT, SPECIAL TO THE INDEPENDENT

Last Friday was the last night of the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts. Music played, gourmet food was eaten by artists and visitors, playgoers lined up for the Pageant of the Masters (“À La Mode: The Art of Fashion”), and more than 100 artists made their final sales. The festival’s 92nd year was over.

veteran photographer James Nordstrom, had a wry comment. “It’s been a good summer because I wasn’t in last year.”

James and Elizabeth Pearce were filling a handcart with his work, watercolor and pen-and-ink depictions of the maritime industry. He saw the festival as a learning experience.

Saturday was the morning after. The crowds were gone, the concessions closed, the grounds were sparsely populated, and the exhibitors were packing up their work.

Like many of her colleagues, pastel artist Dawn Buckingham was pleased as she stood on a ladder, taking down her booth with the help of colleagues Mark and Alana Jacobucci. She commented on what she saw as an improvement from the previous summer. “My contacts with people were more developed,” she explained. “Plus, the camaraderie. It’s such a great experience.”

Her neighbor, 12-year festival

“Summer went well, much better than last year, which was my first. Many people who had seen me last year came to see me again. That felt good,” Pearce said.

He also realized that showing the actual production of art appealed to visitors. “I started drawing demonstrations every day when I wasn’t busy.

“That probably generated sales, but more so, it generated interest in art. I got into the habit of drawing one or two pictures every day. You can’t just have talent. You need discipline and a process to gain the facility to draw.

• see FOA page 26

Mark and Alana Jacobucci steady a ladder as Dawn Buckingham takes down her exhibit. Photo/Spencer Grant

With her abstract art all packed up or sold, Isabelle Allesandra has an empty booth. Photo/Spencer Grant

Going Away and Coming Home

For nearly three weeks this August my wife and I were away, far away, from Laguna Beach. First, we flew to Boston and then drove a rental car to Pittsfield, Mass., where we visited the historic home, known as Arrowhead, of one of my favorite American writers, Herman Melville. Afterward, we drove to Lake Sunapee, N.H., to attend the wedding of one of our godchildren. Lastly, we returned our rental car to Logan Airport and flew to Geneva, from where our younger son, Todd (Laguna born and bred and of late a French citizen), met and drove us to his family’s home in a scenic valley in the Alps near Chamonix. Naturally, the highlight of our time away was reconnecting with our French family, especially our two young grandchildren. As rich and wonderful as our family time was (and the ohla-la gourmet meals we savored), I experienced another benefit from this time in New England and abroad: a

wider perspective on the environmental and political issues of our time.

In New England, for example, my wife and I saw few identifiable electric vehicles on the highways and backroads we drove. Here in tiny Laguna, by contrast, Teslas and Rivians are seen up and down Coast Highway, sometimes three or four at a single stoplight. More positively, our road trip through parts of New England revealed a fair number of solar panel installations on homes and other buildings. None of this detracted from the natural setting. The lush, heavily wooded hillsides of the Berkshires, for example, which will soon be resplendent with autumnal foliage, were as serenely beautiful as ever. By contrast, Alpine France’s sublime beauty struck me with its verticality and wonderland qualities, much like our High Sierras. Ascending by gondolas up to 12,605-foot Aiguille du Midi, in addition to altitude-induced nausea, I felt I was perched atop a cloud-studded world. From this vantage point, I could see what remains of colossal but fastmelting glaciers in addition to the pinnacles of France and Italy.

Our French family members are avid skiers and cyclists and have told us how shortened winters have hurt the recreational economy in their region. Not only are our French family members concerned about climate change, especially as unusually hot summer days kept us indoors on many afternoons, but the related concern about America’s November election is much on their minds.

So much is the case that our French family followed televised coverage of Chicago’s Democratic National Convention. Our French daughterin-law, Pauline, for example, assured me that Michelle Obama’s speech was better than Barack’s. Pauline’s parents have a daily subscription to Le Monde, where they follow global and, particularly, American politics. On Aug. 8 that publication ran an article very favorable to Kamala Harris titled: “Kamala Harris, a Californian conquering the East,” which I read in an English translation. Accordingly, Harris’s pastor, Amos Brown, of San Francisco’s Third Baptist Church, was a former student of Martin Luther

King, Jr. Reverend Brown sermonized on Aug. 4 that congregants need to “get ready” to “make sure that America will be ready right now, . . . for a black woman to be president of the United States.” Oddly, I learned more from this deeply researched Le Monde article about Harris than from newspaper coverage in the United States.

While my wife and I were away and getting a French perspective on American politics, extreme weather caused rampant flooding in Connecticut, wildfires incinerated parts of the Far West, and the American Medical Association reported that record numbers of Americans died this past year of heat-related causes. So, I’ve come home determined to take the most effective action to address the climate crisis. For me, that action will be aimed at urging voters to prioritize climate action at the ballot box because without a livable environment, what else really matters?

Tom Osborne, with his wife, Ginger, co-leads the Laguna chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby. tomosborne@cox.net.

TOM OSBORNE

GUEST OPINION: GREEN LIGHT BY TOM OSBORNE

schools & sports

FLAG FOOTBALL (2-3, 0-1)

Laguna dropped a 12-0 contest to Laguna Hills on Tuesday, Sept. 3 at the Hawk’s field. Maeve Mani had two interceptions for the Breakers, Lila Swinson had one pick, and Brighton recorded seven flag pulls. Last week, Laguna lost at Northwood 33-6. Kayleigh Thomas stood out for the Breakers with 12 catches for 105 yards and a touchdown. Laguna faced Sage Hill this past Wednesday and will host Woodbridge on Sept. 9.

FOOTBALL (2-0)

Breakers Survive SAMOHI 21-9

Laguna’s trip to Santa Monica was as difficult as expected, with the Vikings playing before an overflow crowd at their high school field in downtown Santa Monica. Three big Santa Monica turnovers helped Laguna escape with a win. The game opened with the Breakers kicking to SAMOHI, and the Vikings’ sixth play resulted in a big interception by Luke Jolley on the 50yard line. Jackson Kollock hit Jolley

on the first scrimmage play for a 50yard touchdown to stun the crowd. Breakers held Santa Monica to a sixplay possession before marching 60 yards in 10-play drive to jump out to a 14-0 lead. The physical aspects of the hosts took over after that as the Vikings took their second possession of the second period 63 yards before some great pass defense by Laguna forced Santa Monica to settle for a 23-yard field goal. Laguna’s ensuing drive and a chance for more points stalled on the Santa Monica four-yard

line, giving the hosts momentum to enter halftime.

In the third quarter, it looked like Santa Monica would take control. Their first possession went to the Laguna seven-yard line but was stopped on a fumble recovery by Wyatt Bogdan. The Breakers could not do anything on their two tries with the ball, but Santa Monica wasted no time on their second try, marching 43 yards after a short Breaker punt to score. Their two-point conversion try failed. As the game entered the fourth

quarter, the momentum remained on Santa Monica’s side. The Breakers had to punt after six plays, but on the Vikings’ first play of the final period, Brady Stringham intercepted SAMOHI’s Wyatt Brown’s pass on the Viking 44-yard line.

The momentum suddenly shifted, and the Breakers, behind Declan Murray’s running and the blocking by Charlie Kelley and Fletcher Liao, marched 44 yards to paydirt. A 17yard Kollock to Stringham pass play was the dagger in the drive.

Santa Monica’s last chance to score was a long, time-consuming 12-play possession. The tough pass defense by Laguna stopped the effort in turning the ball over to the Breakers. Murray responded and ran for 42 yards on five plays to exhaust the clock as Laguna took a knee on the final play deep in Santa Monica territory. The victory jumped the Breaker SSCIF rating to 71st. Out of 1,043 high schools in California playing football, Laguna is ranked 129th statewide, the highest rating in their 90-year history. The game received the attention of the LA

LAGUNA SPORTS UPDATE | BY FRANK ARONOFF | LB INDY

Jackson Kollock ran for 87 yards against the tough Santa Monica Vikings and passed for another 117 yards. Photo courtesy of Debbie Vellmure

• see SPORTS page 24

Laguna Beach

01/01/2024 - 8/31/2024

CLOSED SALES (196) UP +13% OVER 2023 (172)

OF SUMMER, WHAT'S NEXT?, MORTGAGE RATES DOWN - INVENTORY UP

street beat

FROM POLICE BLOGS

THURSDAY, AUG. 29

Bench warrant. Edgar Contreras, 33, of Corona was arrested on suspicion of an outstanding bench warrant. He was held without bail.

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Disorderly conduct. Melissa Yvonne Sandoval, 44, was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct due to an intoxicant and drug. She was held without bail.

FRIDAY, AUG. 30

DUI. A 55-year-old Laguna Beach man was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. He was held on a $2,500 bail.

SATURDAY, AUG. 31

DUI. A 38-year-old Newport Beach man was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. He was held on a $2,500 bail.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 1

Domestic violence. Amber Rubio Borja, 39, was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence with minor injury. She was held on a $50,000 bail. DUI. A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. He was held on a $2,500 bail.

Possessing nitrous oxide, marijuana for sale. Diego Vivar, 19, of Aliso Viejo was arrested on suspicion of possessing nitrous oxide and possessing marijuana for sale. He was held without bail.

MONDAY, SEPT. 2

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1100 South Coast Highway 219 Laguna Beach, CA 92651

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Battery. Stephen Michael Vescova, 53, of Laguna Beach, was arrested on suspicion of battery. He was held on $10,000 bail.

Battery. Jeffrey Reed Sourbeer, 29, of Laguna Beach was arrested on suspicion of battery. He was held on $10,000 bail.

Bench warrant. Renat Kogay, 26, of San Juan Capistrano, was arrested on suspicion of a bench warrant outside jurisdiction. He was held without bail. Threatening crime with intent to terrorize. Brian William Waterhouse, 30, of Laguna Beach was arrested on suspicion of threatening crime with intent to terrorize and domestic violence with minor injury. He was held on a $100,000 bail.

Laguna

Laguna Niguel Laguna Beach

Paid for by Advocates for Laguna Residents, PAC ID #1455392 Not authorized by a candidate or by a committee controlled by a candidate

BY MICHAEL RAY

Welcome to Laguna

Dateline: Monday, Aug. 19. Los Angeles Times headline: “Irvine has hottest housing market in U.S….13,000 new residents in last three years.”

In fact, Irvine has added some one million new residents in the last few decades, and, duh, the new hordes have hit the closest beach, Laguna. Laguna should have planned to mitigate the consequences, but it did not.

Worse, Laguna buried its head in the sand and hoped the whole emerging problem would… What? Go away?

Of course, it didn’t. In my opinion, Village Laguna killed any planning and any mitigation, preferring to stick Laguna’s collective head in the sand and hoping for the best. No plans, no infrastructure, no nothing.

However, one person tried, hard. Her name is Elizabeth Pearson, an 18-year veteran of our City Council and Planning Commission. In a

recent Indy column she stated she was hired by Irvine to assess the impacts of the planned hordes on surrounding cities. Pearson concluded Laguna had to plan for it and advocated for a new Village Entrance and parking garage to relieve the impacts, stating, “…plans (for it) had been done, the cost estimated, funding and EIR (Environmental Impact Report) approved, and the projected voted on by the council. at was in 2013.”

However, “ e naysayers, led by Village Laguna and Toni Iseman started a community campaign to …” to kill it, and did. No entrance and no parking structure was built. Nothing. Nada.

Now we come to the present day, and have a new City Manager, Dave Ki . He’s a pro with a great reputation for getting things done. In an extraordinary email dated Aug. 9 to Laguna residents, Mr. Ki , after three months on the job, assessed the complexity of “getting things done” in Laguna and found that “We have a complex code and long review

process. We had added important legal reviews…” and have “tried to up our game…” But, “Our counter sta feels a bit beaten and beat up… we have a hard time recruiting people and a hard time keeping them here once they start work and see what they have to deal with. It is not easy to work in Laguna. It’s easier to work…” elsewhere …” and therefore easy to lose people.”

In plain words, Laguna’s entire governmental system is overlaid with deliberately con icting laws and codes, has an antiquated city code and is so frustrating to applicants that they take it out on city sta ers, who sometimes leave weeping.

Mr. Ki then tells you his goals: mainly to streamline the approval process and update our mess of a zoning code. He ends with, “I sincerely hope this period will pass… Right now, we’re xing the plane as it’s ying (and it’s not ying too terribly high up).”

Hmmm. at’s interesting, coming slightly after the council held a three-

hour “listening” session to encourage citizen complaints about anything they wished, and ended up being three hours o , well, complaining about the tourist hordes and jammed streets. Exactly as Ms. Pearson predicted.

Here comes Village Laguna, fresh o a Zoom meeting that discussed continuing to stop Laguna from doing anything, ever, including even still trying to reverse the only thing the town has accomplished after two decades of trying: the downtown Promenade, still claiming it hurts local businesses.

Sorry, Mr. Ki . e same group that condemned us to the current mess, seems intent on killing any real mitigation and your intentions too.

Michael co-founded Orange County School of the Arts, e Discovery Cube, Sage Hill School, Art Spaces Irvine and several other area nonpro t organizations. He is a business partner with Sanderson-J. Ray Development and has lived in Laguna Beach since the early 1980s.

MICHAEL RAY

9/06 @ 9:00 PM PAST ACTION HEROES

9/07 @ 9:00 PM BETTER DAZE

9/08 @ 12:30 PM TOM DANTE QUARTET JAZZ BRUNCH

9/08 @ 7:30 PM JAHGUN AND JUSTIFYAH REGGAE

9/09 @ 7:00 PM 133 BAND FREE SHOW

9/12 @ 7:30 PM FAMILY STYLE

9/13 @ 9:00 PM UNDERCOVER

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

Christian Sampson Named Featured Artist LAM’s

12th

Annual Art + Nature

BY CLARA BEARD | LB INDY

Laguna Art Museum’s 12th annual Art + Nature, a celebration of artistic expression and environmental awareness, kicks off the week of Nov. 1.

The event is the museum’s most prominent of the year, featuring largescale installations that bring together thousands of participants to cultivate a love of nature, raise environmental awareness and discover cross-sections between science and the arts. The week of Nov. 1, the festivities begin the kick-off to Laguna Art Museum’s Art + Nature period that lasts through February 2025 with three indoor exhibitions and exciting public programs.

This year’s featured artist is Los Angeles-based Christian Sampson, known for creating layered installations of color, light and form. Sampson’s Ocean Ions will explore the intersections of color theory, spirituality and abstraction. Installed throughout Laguna Beach’s Heisler Park and Main Beach, Sampson’s work investigates the complex interplay

between light, color and movement, reflecting how ions and molecules with electrical charges affect our environment and perception.

“With a solid 12-year history of attracting thousands to the beach

Pedestrian Fatally Struck by Vehicle on Laguna Canyon Road

BY CLARA BEARD | LB INDY

A 33-year-old male pedestrian died after a vehicle collision near the 20600 block of Laguna Canyon Road in the early hours of Sept. 5, authorities said.

Police said the man was attempting to cross the inbound lane of Laguna Canyon Road, outside a marked crosswalk, toward the city’s Alternative Sleeping Location Emergency Shelter at 5:05 a.m. when the collision happened.

“When he entered the outbound lane, he was struck by a vehicle,” a police report stated. “The driver remained at the scene and fully cooperated with the investigation, and there was no indication that the driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”

Despite life-saving attempts from first responders, the man was

pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

The incident stopped inbound and outbound traffic on Laguna Canyon Road for approximately three hours.

“Our deepest condolences go out to the family of the deceased affected by this tragic event,” said Laguna Beach Police Chief Jeff Calvert. “We are committed to conducting a thorough investigation to understand the circumstances surrounding this accident.”

The cause of the collision is still under investigation. The identity of the dead pedestrian is being withheld pending notification of next of kin by the Orange County Coroner Division. Anyone with information regarding the collision can contact the Laguna Beach Police Department at 949-497-0701.

Artist Christian Sampson is this year’s featured artist at Laguna Art Museum’s 12th Annual Art + Nature event. Photo courtesy of Christian Sampson

• see SAMPSON page 26

GUEST OPINION: CONCERNING CIT Y COUNCIL

Term Limits Ensure Democratic Process

While it’s admirable that residents serve their community in elected offices, some are reluctant to give up their power. They seem to believe what Andrew Carnegie stated – “Immense power is acquired by assuring yourself . . . that you were born to control affairs.”

Entrenched electeds employ two tactics to retain control and power: refusal to accept term limits and refusal to share leadership positions. Until recently, our city council’s tradition was that councilmembers would rotate mayor and pro tem positions. This ensured that presiding officers represented councilmembers’ constituencies and no faction monopolized the agenda. The school board rotated, too, even requiring it under a binding bylaw.

But the school board violated its own bylaw and ended rotation, and then the city council did the same. We’re witnessing the de facto ruling party monopolization of both bodies. Without rotating presiding officers, term limits are the only way to ensure a more open democracy. Term limits expand participation, diversity and enable more people to help their town. Only councilman George Weiss supports term limits – the other councilmembers refuse.

Councilman Bob Whalen is a case in point. Whalen has been on city council for almost twelve years and is seeking another four. He’s been mayor five times and pro tem twice. He’s been in control for seven years of his twelve-year tenure - almost 60% of his time in office. He and Mayor Sue Kempf keep passing the titles back and forth to maintain a stranglehold on power.

This control doesn’t seem to advance a resident-friendly or fiscally responsible agenda. Despite backlash from residents, Whalen voted to acquire the $2.7 million Ti Amo property without an appraisal. He spearheaded the Presbyterian Church parking structure that would have cost residents $12 million to build, not including lease and operational costs over 50 years. At the end – the church would’ve gotten it free and clear, plus all income from parking. Residents –nothing.

Now, Whalen wants to acquire, underground and beautify Laguna Canyon road for $150 million plus $12 million in annual liability costs and an unknown amount for annual maintenance and staffing. Where’s that money coming from since the council refused to raise any kind of revenue at a recent council meeting? Residents.

Whalen also wants to build a parking structure at city hall for 300400 visitor cars at an unknown cost. He says we need to manage visitor

Beyond Independence

SUSAN MCNEAL

VELASQUEZ

The American dream of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is legend around the world.

When I delivered weekend seminars to large groups, I noticed an interesting phenomenon. As we moved more deeply into the experience, the group displayed two distinct attitudes. A large percentage of the participants would ignite, become actively enthusiastic, alert,

participatory and clearly on the ride.

From a presenter’s point of view, this would be the time to start congratulating oneself and then pump up the volume to get the rest of the troops on board.

Instead, I started to get curious about the quieter ones. I noticed a pulling back, a reticence and hesitancy that wasn’t as easily discernable because of the rapid-fire participation of the outwardly expressive people.

I started noticing that there is a critical time when the new learning experience starts taking hold and

impacts. Is encouraging them to come with more resident-funded parking the answer?

In Whalen’s 12 years, city staff has increased 35% to 336 staff members, while the city’s population dropped by almost a thousand between 2020 and 2023. The city budget went from $70 million in 2013 to a projected $147 million this fiscal year. We need new eyes looking at these increases.

As for the school board, president Jan Vickers is seeking her 11th term. She’s served some 40 years. First elected in 1980, she was recalled in 1987 for voting to retain a football coach arrested on felony drug possession, trafficking and resisting arrest charges. She served two terms in the 90s and has now been on the school board consecutively since 2000.

In the past ten years, she’s been president six times, 60% of the time. Vickers served three consecutive terms from 2017 to 2020 and is currently serving two consecutive terms. She voted to ignore board bylaws on rotating the presidency and then voted several months later to change the bylaws - apparently to deny another board member from becoming president and maintain her own control of the agenda.

Vickers championed the questionable $19 million 50-meter pool serving only 79 water polo students, but can’t accommodate community swim activities or swim lessons for children. The pool’s

BY MICHÈLE MONDA

extensive construction will disrupt the community, school and Park Avenue (an evacuation route) for three years. A renovated 35-meter pool could serve all those functions at a fraction of the cost. Vickers also voted to transfer $10 million out of the general fund into the facilities fund in the last six months for this project.

Recently, 120 students and parents implored the school board to resurrect the special needs program that the superintendent disbanded. Vickers responded that the school board was not to be blamed. Yet, the state mandates that the school board is indeed responsible for what happens in the district and can change decisions. The board directs the superintendent, not the other way around.

That’s not how she wants it, apparently. She allows the superintendent to develop policy, and the board rubberstamps his decisions. In fact, she voted to give the superintendent a four-year contract instead of the usual two-year contract. So, who’s running the district?

Term limits would solve these problems of excessive control by a few individuals. It’s time for new blood and new perspectives. Vote accordingly.

Michèle is a 21-year Laguna resident and actively follows Laguna politics. She is the treasurer of Laguna Beach Sister Cities and is involved with the local arts scene. She can be reached at Michelemonda3@gmail.com.

begins its transformational magic. At that time, the extroverted, outgoing personalities get more outgoing. At the same time, the introverted, introspective people get more internal, recede into themselves and start deeply probing into their fears and apprehensions, asking new questions that begin to highlight dormant parts of their self-awareness.

The extroverts display their excitement about climbing the heights and reaching for the stars, while the more introverted plumb new internal territory to deepen their

self-understanding.

Extroverts would be better served by letting go of collecting answers in favor of asking themselves deeper questions. Introverts would fare better if they let go of self-questioning in favor of owning and valuing those answers they have already discovered as workable for them.

Usually, the extroverts get recognized and encouraged to continue their turned-on, enthusiastic climb towards more, bigger and better.

• see VELASQUEZ page 25

MICHÈLE MONDA

GUEST OPINION: WISDOM WORKOUT

BY SUSAN MCNEAL VELASQUEZ

A Benefit Auction for the Students of Laguna College of Art + Design

Exhibition sponsors: Suzanne + David Chonette, Nancy Milby + Steve Nahm, Jean + Don Vivrette

BID ON WORK BY:

Robert Beauchamp

Sonia Delaunay

Kim Dingle

Brad Durham

Philip Geiger

F. Scott Hess

Joan Miró

Ed Moses

Paul-Émile Pissarro

Fernando Rodríguez

Raimonds Staprans

Victor Vasarely

Andy Wing

EXHIBITION + AUCTION:

September 5 - 15, 2024

ONLINE AUCTION CLOSE:

September 15, 5 pm PST

And more...

Browse + Bid Auction Live Now

Laguna Beach, CA 92651

LCAD GALLERY

Dinner Anyone?

This month brought welcome news to our city’s epicureans; a local establishment has been awarded a highly coveted Michelin star. Congratulations to the chef/owner of Rebel Omakase, Jason Nakasone. Laguna has been home to several noteworthy restaurants over the years. In the late 1980s, one of us (the older one, of course) had the opportunity to work at Five Feet Restaurant for the groundbreaking chef Michael Kang. In its heyday, Five Feet was packed every night and was a regular haunt for local celebrities. I remember working OJ Simpson’s 40th birthday party in 1987, but that’s a story for

another day. Many talented chefs have honed their skills in Laguna, but the first star of the city’s culinary elite was an Italian immigrant named Hugo Aleidis of the Victor Hugo Inn.

Hugo Albert Aleidis was born in Rome in 1888. He left Italy for the United States in 1907 and lived for a short time in New York City and New Orleans before arriving in Los Angeles in 1911. Claiming training in Italy, France and Germany, he worked in LA’s thriving restaurant scene and quickly found his niche. People liked him and his continental vibe. In 1917, he opened his first restaurant on Olive Street in downtown LA, naming it “Victor Hugo’s.” He went on to open two other restaurants, one in Los Angeles, the other in Beverly Hills, each more opulent than the previous. Aleidis built a strong following among the silent film stars and celebrities of that era. His business ventures’ financial and emotional strain took their toll, and in 1937, he took a hiatus. It was short-lived. In 1938, he announced his intention to move

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to Laguna Beach and open Victor Hugo’s Inn.

Aleidis had established his reputation as a restauranteur who offered an upscale continental dining experience, but for his new coastal venture he envisioned a less formal ambience. He acquired a stunning property on Heisler Point at 361 Cliff Drive, next to the Art Museum. Controversy about development on the point contributed to H.G. Heisler’s resignation from the City Council. He selected Manfred DeAhna as his architect and E.F. Grandy as the contractor. DeAhna was asked to design a single-level, stucco and wood structure, with a tile roof and elements of French Provencal style. The resulting building had a sophisticated elegance as it hugged the coast, enveloped by formal gardens laid out by Francois Scotti, who had directed the landscaping at Riverside’s Mission Inn. The restaurant dining room could accommodate 110 guests; the banquet room an additional sixty. The new Victor Hugo’s Inn opened on April

28, 1939. The restaurant served 89,000 meals that first year, according to an April 30, 1940 South Coast News article. DeAhna was commissioned to do additions in both 1940 and 1941.

Aleidis enjoyed dropping French terminology onto his menu, but he clearly embraced the American palette. While he offered Potage Americaine and Poached Halibut au vin blanc, he also found room for Salisbury Steak with Mushroom Sauce, Spaghetti Victor Hugo, and the unlikely Enchiladas Mexicaine. He was a charismatic man who inspired loyalty in both customers and staff. Eleven employees followed him from his earlier ventures in Los Angeles, including his head chef, Ernesto Pinotti. Many of his LA patrons made frequent drives down to Laguna to enjoy both the food and their host. A Laguna local, Deane Day, recently reminded me that the 1942 Bette Davis’ film, “Now Voyager,” filmed a crucial scene on the patio of Victor

• see FUENTES page 24

In addition to our regular menu, we feature a

Gluten Free menu offering a variety of up to 35 celiac friendly menu items! "Find me Gluten Free" APP recommended ORDER ONLINE FOR PICKUP DELIVERY GrubHub Uber Eats or Door Dash

HUNTER FUENTES JON STORDAHL

BY HUNTER FUENTES AND JON STORDAHL

Up, Up and Away We Go

I’ve spent most of my career in media and marketing. Before becoming a kayak guide, I worked as both an account executive and copywriter in the advertising business, as a publisher of a magazine, as the founder of a travel website, and most recently as the host of a radio show and an opinion columnist in this newspaper. But just when I was nearing retirement age and dialing down my workload, this little opportunity to skipper our local radio station came along. It wasn’t on my bingo card six months ago, but when I presented the opportunity to my daughter, and questioned whether I had the bandwidth, she said, “Dad, you can’t not do this. It’s in your DNA. Perhaps the cherry atop your career cake, or something like that.”

I knew she was right. I knew that if I didn’t do this, I might always regret it. Because when would I have an opportunity to run a radio station again? And do something important for the community I love. Could I in fact breathe new life into this living organism that had so much potential, but lost its way?

So the big question for mew was, what is the purpose of a radio station today? Once upon a time radio was the dominant media in the world, the first and revolutionary wireless

• LETTERS

Cont. from page 6

institute more DEI programs. I can’t imagine why so many parents are fleeing the LBUSD with all of the superintendents and the school board’s priorities so firmly directed at “educating” our Laguna Beach students.

With 700 fewer students to “educate” since the superintendent’s arrival, combined with an aﬄuent basic aid budget that keeps ballooning, I suppose it is important to prioritize spending in the most efficient manner. The community would surely like to know who this designated team is that is making decisions and spending

communication system that brought news, sports, and entertainment to your home through the magic of airwaves. But it’s certainly not the first place people go for this information today.

And certainly not for music.

The internet has been the category killer of old school media like newspapers and radio, all struggling to find their place in this new, conglomerated media landscape. But the problem is, most of the information on the internet is aggregated from the few global news sources that still exist. And that leaves a dearth of local news available to us. Thank God we still have publishers of community newspapers, like this one – with the new ownership of the Times Media Group, Many of us crave the community news we get from this paper.

But there’s a lag time in publishing print media. And the one thing that radio possesses that no other local media has is live broadcasting. And an almost unlimited capacity to create content. And that intrigued me enough to get off the Barcalounger and embark on this odyssey of community radio. But let me tell you, it takes a village.

First of all, my hat’s off to the 60 or so volunteer disc jockeys who have come in week in and week out, year after year, to do something they truly love – bringing their love of music and conversation to you. Then there are the behind-the-scenes volunteers like John Ford who kept the station going

our tax dollars with the authority to ship our students away to be educated without the approval of the school board or superintendent.

Teams and Sight Leadership seem to make many decisions without our elected school board members’ approval.

I believe LBUSD is striving for the perfect model school.

No special education and no advanced placement since the groups of children require the most attention and distract from important things like pools, wellness centers, DEI training, salary increases, and legal expenditures.

Kirk Langton, Laguna Beach

through a difficult financial period and no staff. There was previous station manager Alyssa, lending her neverending support from Florida while growing a baby. And the new station operators I have recruited, to begin this next chapter – Jonathan Tufano as general manager, Lex Simonton as manager, and the inimitable Jason Feddy in an expanded role of morning jock and station direction of programming and production. My hat’s off to their dedication and vision.

And finally, I want to post a warm welcome to the 30 newest members of our broadcast family, station hosts (many for the first timer) who answered the call to get on the radio and share their gifts with you. This will be an entirely different block of programming, something we are dubbing the “Neighborhood Block Party,” every weekday from 12 to 4 p.m. I believe you will be blown away when you discover the breadth and scope of our lineup, which covers so much of what living in Laguna is about – the artists, musicians, environment, ocean, adventure sports, health, real estate, architecture and design, our local businesses, our restaurants, growing old, and best of all, our many fascinating personalities.

On Monday, Sept. 16 we will launch this block of 25 new shows that you can listen to live on terrestrial radio (104.7), or stream on our mobile app or online. But you can also listen at your conveniences all of these shows

INNOCENT MISTAKES OR A TROUBLING PATTERN?

In a letter to the editor in the Indy on Aug. 16, titled “Would It Surprise You?” we learn that when the city’s audit committee reported to the city council on the 2022 financial statements, they made statements that were in error. We further learned that ten days before the audit committee report, the 2023 audited financial statements that definitively refuted those conclusions were delivered to the city. We learned that the man of many titles, including chief financial officer, finance director, assistant city manager and acting city manager, would have received those statements,

will be saved as podcasts that you will find on your favorite platform, or on our website, KXFMradio.org. What is truly inspiring about this initiative is to see all these passionate, talented people rise to the occasion and take on a new challenge – the high wire act of live radio. It’s thrilling, and best of all, it’s becoming a unifying voice already of “collective effervescence,” a term coined by French sociologist Emile Durkheim a century ago. It’s that “feeling of energy and harmony when people are engaged in a shared purpose.” The people making radio feel it, and it will radiate out to our little community, infusing us with pride and excitement over what a special place this is. Our mission is to be a unifying force in these divisive times. We will not be partisan, we will welcome all points of view, provided they are offered with civility and honesty. We want to be a beacon of positivity because we believe there is so much to celebrate living in this remarkably beautiful hamlet by the sea. We hope you will join us on this mission and give us a listen. As George Clinton of Parliament/ Funkadelic said, “Whatever ails you, put it on the radio. Radio has the power to move. And remove.” OK he meant funk, but it’s the same thing. And as Bob Marley said, “Let’s get together and feel alright.” The all new KXFM radio drops on Sept. 16. Tune in, and turn on, to Laguna’s Community Radio.

should have read them and therefore would have known that the statements made by the audit committee chair to the council were erroneous. Yet he sat on the dais and said nothing.

In another letter in the Aug. 23 Indy edition, “City Hall: A Theater of Peculiar Events and Concerning Discrepancies,” we find that the man of many titles made numerous erroneous, inconsistent, contradictory and discrepant statements in connection with a request for proposal for a new audit firm. Some will say these are just mistakes—everyone makes them, and there is nothing to

• see LETTERS page 23

BILLY FRIED

GUEST OPINION

BY BILLY FRIED

• LETTERS

Cont. from page 22

be concerned about. Others look at this and see a troubling pattern of erroneous and inconsistent statements about important decisions and actions. But innocent mistakes or a troubling pattern, these actions were not taken by a junior staff member. A highlevel member of city management did them.

Concerning this, there is no discussion of the breakdown that allowed these things to happen in the first place and what actions have been taken to ensure they won’t happen again.

Paraphrasing, our auditors tell us that a material weakness is where there is a reasonable possibility that something, or a series of things, may cause a material misstatement (a big mistake) that will not be prevented or detected and corrected on a timely basis. Whether these actions rise to the level of being material (big), one can see how their very existence might cause someone to conclude that something big that we don’t want to happen, could happen, and it might not be stopped or discovered and fixed until much later.

Mark Marriner, Laguna Beach

• STREET BEAT

Cont. from page 12

TUESDAY, SEPT 3

Grand theft. Jose Elias Caudillolopez, 30 of San Juan Capistrano was arrested on suspicion of grand theft of a motorbike. He was held on $20,000 bail.

Possession of a controlled narcotic. Anuar Fabian Osorio, 42, of Fontana was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled narcotic. He was held without bail.

DUI. A 24-year-old Fullerton woman was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. She was held on a $2,500 bail.

Disorderly conduct. Devon Christian Charters, 32, of Laguna Beach was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct. He was held on $500 bail.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 4

DUI. A 24-year-old San Pedro man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled narcotic and driving under the influence of drugs and al-

cohol. He was held on a $2,500 bail. Contempt of court, license revoked. Celeste Marie Douglas, 30, of Laguna Hills was arrested on suspicion of contempt of court and driving with a revoked license. She was held on a $500 bail.

Possession of a controlled substance, bench warrant. Cara Christy Castillo, 48, of Camarillo was arrested on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance and an outstanding bench warrant. She was held on a $500 bail.

• CRIER

Cont. from page 4

Congregational Church, 340 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with socializing until 6:15 p.m., dinner from 6:15 to 7 p.m., and speakers will start at 7 p.m. and finish by 8:30 p.m. Coffee and dessert during the speaker part will be available. Dinners are available for purchase but are not mandatory, although a modest charge is asked to cover expenses for the venue. Attendees must RSVP so we have enough seating and refreshments available. Visit LagunaCanyonConservancy.org to register and to see the meal options. LCC does not endorse candidates but does get involved with environmental issues and legislation concerning Laguna Canyon and open space. The new LCC Board of Directors will be introduced at this meeting.

LAGUNATICS PRESENTS LAUGHING MATTERS

After Lagunatics’ award-winning 30th anniversary show at the Festival’s Forum Theater last year, the company will return to No Square Theatre in Legion Hall to perform its newest production, featuring a satirical take on Laguna’s silliest moments and greatest hits. Headlines have never been so much fun or fodder. Called “Laughing Matters,” the show will feature hilarious numbers about parking, goats, swimming pools, taxes, being overcaffeinated, and of course, it’s an election year! Locals will laugh til they cry and out-of-towners will cry because their city isn’t nearly as entertaining. The show will run from Sept. 27 through 29, Oct. 4 through 6 and Oct. 11 and 12. Oct. 13 is the Lagunatics’ annual fundraiser gala. No Square Theatre is located at Legion Hall on Legion and Catalina streets. Visit nosquare.org for details.

9/6 TIFFANY 9/7 SOUTHERN ROCK THROWDOWN 9/12 GRAHAM BONNET w/ Marco Mendoza 9/13 RICHIE KOTZEN w/ Mark Daly

9/14 JOURNEY USA (Journey TribuTe) 9/15 BENISE: Fiesta!

9/19 THE MAN IN BLACK (Johnny Cash TribuTe) 9/20 WILD CHILD (The Doors TribuTe) 9/21 DON WAS & THE PAN DETROIT ENSEMBLE 9/22 JANE MONHEIT

9/25 ANA POPOVIC

9/26 DEBBIE GIBSON Acoustic Youth 9/27 DAVE MASON 9/28 ORIANTHI

9/29 RICHARD STEKOL BENEFIT ft Honk/Missiles/133’s/Funky Kings 10/1 DELVON LAMARR ORGAN TRIO 10/3 ZEBRA w/special guests Fuzzbubble 10/4 DAVE MASON

10/5 KIMBERLY PERRY (of The Band Perry) 10/6 DAVE HAUSE

10/9 AL DiMEOLA The Electric Years 10/10 HENRY KAPONO 10/11 HENRY KAPONO 10/12 PABLO CRUISE 10/13 JIMMY WEBB

10/15 MARIA MULDAUR 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

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 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

Cont. from page 10

Times, which featured the contest in its main print edition last Sunday.

THIS WEEK: Sept. 6 vs. Kennedy (La Palma) Home Opener

The 117th Fighting Irish beat Bolsa Grande in week one and edged Long Beach Jordan 22-21 last week for a big ratings bump. The Breakers are a little beat up from Santa Monica and will face a stiff test with a few players unable to play.

21-15, 22-20

Aug. 29 vs. Crean Lutheran (Won 5-2)

1. Kai Patchell/Dylan Sirianni won 21-14, 21-11

2. Quinn Halloran/Dylan Sweet won 21-12, 21-12

3. James Vermilya/Nico Lerum lost 23-21, 15-21, 11-15

4. Ben Goodwin/Perry Ribarich won 21-13, 21-15

5. Luke Singer/Leo Pardun lost 18-21, 19-21

BOYS WATER POLO (2-2)

2013, Diego Audebert 2024, Samer Alkateb 2012, Dylan Katz 2024, Nicolai Grenchevsky 2024, Duncan Lynde 2013, Preston Head 2009, Peter Weiland 2018, Jakob Colladay 2016, and Bobby Weiland 2013. 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. • SPORTS

NEXT WEEK: Friday, Sept. 13 vs. Gig Harbor, Wash., 7 p.m. at Guyer Field

The Breakers will play Gig Harbor from Washington State, a 1500-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 very similar to many of Laguna’s opponents and were 7-3 last season. Football ratings, schedules, scores, etc., are available at calpreps.com.

Game video highlights are posted on Max Preps at maxpreps.com.

GIRLS GOLF (0-2, 0-1)

Laguna lost to Estancia 241230 on Aug. 28 and dropped their opening league match on Tuesday to Portola 197-282 at Rancho San Joaquin Golf Club. The co-medalists for the match were Emmie Ding and Zoe Wynn from Portola, who had a 37. The low score for Laguna came from Alani Sciacca, with a 53. The Breakers had a non-league match this past week with Laguna Hills on Wednesday, and next week, they have a pair of non-league matches with El Toro.

BOYS

SAND VOLLEYBALL (4-0)

The squad picked up a pair of wins last week and will open league play this past week with Dana Hills on Wednesday and San Clemente this Friday, Sept. 6, at Main Beach. Next week, the Breakers will host Corona del Mar on Tuesday, Sept. 10. Match time is 3 p.m. on Main Beach. Aug. 28 at San Clemente Las Winds Beach (Won 7-0)

1. Kai Patchell/Dylan Sirianni won 21-14, 18-21, 15-9

2. Quinn Halloran/Dylan Sweet won 21-10, 21-8

3. James Vermilya/Nico Lerum won 21-16, 21-14

4. Ben Goodwin/Perry Ribarich won 24-22, 21-18

5. Luke Singer/Leo Pardun won

Four-Man: Patchell, Siranni, Hallorhan, Sweet won 28-19

GIRLS TENNIS (1-2)

Breakers crushed Dana Hills 15-3 on Aug. 29 at the Dolphin’s courts. Laguna’s top singles players (Rebecca MacCallum, Izzy LoBosco, and Hannah Nguyen) went 8-0 and the doubles teams took seven sets. On Tuesday, Sept. 3, Laguna lost a home match to Aliso Niguel 15-3. The lone winners were Hannah Nguyen 6-3, 6-1, and the doubles team of Rachel Jolley/Chloe Balliett won a set.

Laguna opened at home on Sept. 5 with San Clemente, Palm Desert on Sept. 6 before returning to the courts on Sept. 18 at JSerra.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL (1-11)

On Tuesday, Laguna lost another close match, dropping a 16-25, 2125, 25-22, 23-25 match to Beckman at Dugger Gym. Sadie Holmes was big for the Breakers with eight kills and four blocks.

Last week, the Breakers dropped a trio of contests:

Aug. 28 lost to Downey 16-25, 2125, 25-15, 25-17, 7-15

Brynne Wiggins led the Breakers with 10 kills, Sadie Holmes had eight and Blake Borgquist had five with two solo blocks. Savannah Farris had 16 digs, while Ivy Bianchi recorded 10 digs and 19 assists.

Aug. 29 lost to Aliso Niguel 15-25, 26-24, 17-25, 19-25

Blake Borgquist was the Breaker kill leader with seven, while Zoey Bond had six.

Aug. 30 lost to Dana Hills 25-19, 18-25, 13-25, 16-25

Brynn Wiggins led in kills with eight. The team recorded 11 net blocks for the match, tying the school’s second-highest total for a 4-set match.

Up Next: Laguna traveled to Crean Lutheran this past Wednesday are playing in the Mohs Orange County tournament this weekend.

Mater Dei scored a sudden death goal in the third overtime period to defeat the Breakers 16-15 last Friday at Mater Dei in a heartbreaking loss. The Breakers defeated Palos Verdes 13-7 at the Sea King’s pool earlier in the week. Junior Dylan Williams led Laguna with four goals, followed by Junior Max Sauers with 3. Laguna travels to the Santa Barbara Invitational this weekend and is back at home on Sept. 10 with Westlake. This past Monday, the team lost to the alumni squad at the Laguna Community Pool. Alumni in attendance included Camron Hauer

• FUENTES

Cont. from page 20

Hugo’s. Who knows, perhaps that visit led to the actor’s later decision to settle in the town.

The Victor Hugo Inn brought destination dining to Laguna Beach. Hugo Aleidis remained at the helm until the late-1940s. The building was badly damaged in a fire on April 18, 1954. Aubrey St. Clair was commissioned to handle the postconflagration restoration. Hugo Aleidis sold his remaining interest in the property in 1955. According to the U.S. Census, he and his wife settled in the town of Beaumont in Riverside County and lived the remainder of their lives as farmers. He died there in 1973. Fred Harvey Restaurants purchased the business in 1957 and continued to operate it under its original name. In November 1979, El Torito purchased the site and rebranded it as Las Brisas. A major remodeling transformed DeAhna’s French Provencal design into a vision

of coastal Mexico.

In that April 1940 interview with the South Coast News, Aleidis explained the origin of his business moniker. He said that his name was often mispronounced and that ‘Victor Hugo,’ “… embodied a part of his own name and was well-known.”

In the famous French author’s 1862 masterpiece, Les Miserables, he wrote, “A garden to walk in and immensity to dream in – what more could one ask? A few flowers at his feet and above him the stars.” That is exactly what Hugo Aleidis gave us.

Hunter is a Laguna Beach resident and founder of Historic Laguna (historiclaguna.com). Jon has lived in Laguna for over 20 years. He is a retired history teacher and member of the Laguna Beach Heritage Committee. You can reach Hunter and Jon at jon@ historiclaguna.com and hunter@ historiclaguna.com.

A postcard of the old Victor Hugo Inn in Laguna Beach. Image courtesy of Laguna Beach Historical Society

GUEST OPINION

District on the Attack

When I wrote about the Laguna Beach School District’s latest issue in the Indy two weeks ago, it apparently struck a nerve because the district released its “attack dog,” board member Jim Kelly. It seemed like the district’s PR person wrote the statements and data cited in his letter to the editor and barely mentioned my article’s topic, which was special education. It’s not the first time Kelly has been called on to go after community members and school board candidates. Emails from March 4 to 6, 2019, between board members Vickers, Normandin and Superintendent Viloria, obtained by the Public Records Act, reveal the plan to use Jim Kelly to defend the board, issue propaganda, and attack critics. Vickers writes, “Jim is in a good position to write the letter being new, whereas most of us know we will get a backlash….” Normandin wrote, “like the letter Jim wrote to the editor…” Viloria to Vickers, “Carol had some ideas that she shared…I meet with Jim at 3 p.m.…” (email excerpts can be found in the online version of this

Cont. from page 18

Introverts are advised to overcome their reluctance and dive headfirst into the exuberant end of the pool. Therefore, they often quietly make themselves wrong, commit to goals they don’t really care about and try to hide as best they can the sinking, depressed feeling that envelopes them when subjected to the ranting of manic, supercharged, I want it all and I want it now energy.

Our society values extroversion, action, positivity, upward mobility and independence. We hold introversion, negativity, contentment with our present moment and dependence as suspect and problematic experiences to be altered, figured out and fixed.

column at lagunabeachindy.com.)

Jim, I am part of Sensible Laguna, who has never tried to curtail the “modernization” of the LBHS pool. On the contrary, we have been trying to convince the district and some community members who want no change that the pool needs to be upgraded and enlarged for our competitive aquatic teams. We have said that at a dozen board meetings or more.

In reality, Sensible Laguna has been fighting the $150 million Facilities Master Plan that the committee, headed by board president Jan Vickers and Viloria, developed. When we rallied the public, the outcry was loud against this egregious assault on the community. So, the board was forced to vote and approved a scaled-back plan of only $100 million of taxpayer money - which is still an obscene amount for a district that has lost nearly 700 kids. With the pool scaled back to just one in the existing location, the board voted for an Olympic 50-meter pool at a separate, additional cost of $19 million in taxpayer money. We proposed a 35 to 38-meter pool that allows the current bathhouse to stay but get remodeled and enlarged. Taxpayers would save approximately

$9 million; the district would have a fantastic state-of-the-art pool and have money left over for special education and other academic needs.

Now, the district has suddenly decided to change the pool size to 45 meters with only one shallow lane—not the “shallow end,” as Kelly referred to it. All for roughly the same cost, with no kiddie pool at all.

Believe me, there are many reasons to reshape the board, not just the pool size.

Attacking me is fine but attacking school board candidate Howard Hills is inappropriate. Questioning his whereabouts in an attempt to discredit him is another example of how the district seems to operate.

Mr. Hills has indeed been in all those places Kelly mentioned in his LTE. He was serving his country. Hills had been called on to help negotiate international treaties in the Pacific and to advise Congress, who voted unanimously to approve these important treaties. A true testimonial to his abilities to bring people with different views together - even Congress. Do you really think a guy with a “pulpit” in DC and internationally is looking for one on the school board? He is running for the kids and community, which all

When independence is held as good and dependence as bad, we are forced to lie to ourselves about the fact that we are dependent as well as independent. When we value our extraverted behaviors and devalue introversion, we are unable to access the skill of introspection and, therefore, can never grow into our true wisdom and self-knowledge. Those of us who define ourselves as independent simply have a case of ‘selective perception.’ We conveniently minimize or take for granted all the people and situations that support and sustain us in our pursuit of happiness. Those of us who define ourselves as dependent

are deluded also. We fail to lay claim to our strengths, unique gifts and contributions, often because of the denigrating habit of self-invalidation and defining our worth in terms of external or monetary production. When we broaden our perspectives to acknowledge and own that we are both independent and dependent, we can begin to cultivate interdependent relationships. When we embrace both masculine and feminine, active and receptive, power and service and introspection and extroversion within ourselves, we can then take on the intriguing task of establishing mutually beneficial empathetic relationships with ourselves, our

BY STEVEN MCINTOSH

board members should prioritize. What is the source of your data, Jim? Let’s set the record straight and look at the facts. According to the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress, the entire district math score is up only 3 points from 2015-16, not your claimed 15 points. The district’s administration likes to include all its schools as a whole when talking about scores and performance, omitting what is happening at the high school, the “pinnacle” in the Laguna Beach educational system. Math scores for this year’s graduating class show that only 49.7% met or exceeded the standard in 2023. That means over 50% did not. That, Jim, is a fail. The CA Science Test shows a slightly better performance at 61.5% passing. STEM could be better at LBHS. Odd, because when Viloria was hired, board members raved about his focus on STEM. Looks like another fail.

With a 49 out of 100 college readiness score (Source: US World News), how can you tout the strength of your programs and leadership? Steve McIntosh is a 43-year resident and co-founder of Sensible Laguna, A Voice of Reason, SensibleLaguna.org.

loved ones, friends and neighbors. By broadening our self-definitions, we can create more peace and harmony personally. By broadening our nationalism to a world vision, we can value and respect all people in all countries inhabiting our globe.

Use your core self-awareness to exercise your right to vote as a citizen of this wonderful country.

Susan has been writing and producing personal development seminars for over three decades and has been a local since 1986. susanvelasquez.com.

STEVEN MCINTOSH

• VELASQUEZ

• FOA

Cont. from page 8

The second part of the summer, I did much better, and I learned a lot.”

Mixed media, graphite, charcoal, and watercolor artist Debbora Zoller dumped a vase of wilted flowers as she emptied her booth. “It was a good summer for me, better than last year.

I’m a Laguna local, three years at the festival. My work honors Native Americans. Every drawing is inspired by my spiritualism I am reading into the soul of my subjects to see their strength and spirit.”

For the past fifty years, New Yorker David Milton’s work in watercolors and oil has re-created vintage architecture of the 1930s, 40s and 50s on paper and canvas. “The summer was terrific,” he opines. “I don’t think COVID had much to do with it; the political situation is more important. I’ve been in the festival for 40 years. I’m one of the fossils.”

This year, however, he achieved a new accolade: the inclusion of one of his works in the festival’s permanent collection. “There are several thousand pieces in the collection, and now I’m one of them.” He was happy and proud.

In her now-empty booth, abstract artist Isabelle Allesandra also commented on the camaraderie spirit of the festival’s artists and the interest of the visitors. “It was the best summer I could have hoped for because of the incredible way we’re treated. People come looking for a special relationship with the artist. It’s a real privilege for artists – beyond anything you could hope for. We’re treated like superstars,” she said. By day’s end, every booth was empty, and the festival grounds had returned to being an empty venue –until next year.

But it’s not forgotten. As Festival of Arts Marketing Director Sharbie Higuchi added, “The close of the Festival of Arts is always bittersweet. While we celebrate another successful season, it’s hard to say goodbye to the vibrant community of artists who have shared their incredible talent with us. The bonds formed here go beyond the art on display; they create a lasting connection that keeps the spirit of creativity alive all year long. We’re grateful for the passion and dedication of our artists and look forward to welcoming them back next year.”

• SAMPSON

Cont. from page 16

right outside the museum’s door, there is always a bit of pressure in selecting a featured artist for Art + Nature,” said Julie Perlin Lee, executive director of LAM. “We are so excited for Christian Sampson’s Ocean Ions to come to Laguna Beach as we know it will dazzle audiences, help draw deep introspection about our human interaction with our environment and push us to think deeper about time, perception, unseen forces and even the possibility of transcending dimensionality. I am looking forward to sharing the experience with everyone who can make it down to the beach for Art + Nature 2024.”

Other Art + Nature exhibitions include Jay DeFeo: Trees and Fred Tomaselli: Second Nature. Jay DeFeo: Trees will be on view from Sept. 21, through Jan. 12, 2025 and is the first exhibition dedicated to DeFeo’s fascination with trees and exploration of the natural world. The exhibition includes the artist’s drawings from the Tree series made in the 1950s and photographs of trees created during the early 1970s.

Curated by LAM Curatorial Fellow Rochelle Steiner, Jay DeFeo: Trees will offer a glimpse into the artist’s drawings produced between 1953 and 1954 in Berkeley, Calif., following extensive travels in Europe and North Africa. Among the nine works from the Tree series that are still in existence, all on view in the exhibition, are two pieces from Laguna Art Museum’s permanent collection. They are juxtaposed with DeFeo’s photographs of trees from the 1970s, creating a dialogue that accentuates the breadth of her visual vocabulary.

Fred Tomaselli: Second Nature will showcase the influential work of Southern California native artist Fred Tomaselli. The exhibition, which will be on display from Oct. 6 to Feb. 2, 2025, delves into the confluence of art, nature and contemporary culture.

Also organized by LAM Curatorial Fellow Rochelle Steiner, the exhibition features nearly fifty of Tomaselli’s latest works, many of which feature images of birds, animals, the coastline, and the pressing environmental conditions of our time. His vibrant and intricate resin paintings will be shown alongside his New York Times series, in which he reinterprets newspaper front pages to document the world’s events and their impact on daily life.

“Over the years, LAM has championed artists and projects that address critical environmental issues, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of our natural world,” said Rochelle Steiner, LAM curatorial fellow. “Through its exhibitions, educational programs and community outreach, LAM continues to feature artists whose ideas encourage us to look deeply at the natural world we live within.”

Art + Nature will feature various events and activities from Nov. 2 through Nov. 11, including community art projects, performances and the First Thursdays Artwalk. All activities are designed to foster engagement and appreciation of art and nature. Programming includes the Community Kickoff Event on Nov. 2, Live! at the Museum Art + Nature Performance on Nov. 3, a choreographed dance performance and community arts projects on Nov. 9 and Free Museum Day on Nov. 10.

• MORGAN Cont. from page 3

our students while our administration and board are suggesting over-the-top development plans out of scope with the neighborhood, out of line with the spirit of Laguna development and out of touch with the needs of our community. Additionally, while

enrollment has declined 21% over the last five years, administrative and support staff salaries have increased by over 55%, and while we spend upwards of $31 thousand per student, according to a recent report, how we spend education dollars matters. Our testing still shows that 54% of our students are meeting the math standards at the high school level.”

Morgan considers district and community partnerships important, especially regarding hot-button issues like the current pool development.

“The city was a 70% funding partner in the operations of the pool, and yet they were never solicited before planning; the needs of the community were not considered and still aren’t,” Morgan said. “This is not a partnership. The district has an autocratic leadership style and can’t work in a community where the two largest recipients of property tax dollars need to collaborate to maximize space and facilities to suit the community’s needs best.”

LBUSD School Board President Jan Vickers is running for re-election in November, while board member Kelly Osborne will not seek another term. According to OCVote.gov, Margaret Warder, Lauren Boeck and Howard Hills also intend to run for a school board seat.

For more about Morgan’s policies, visit votesherimorgan. com, and on social media at sherimorgan4lagunaschools.