Police Files

Dogged action helps cops nab car thief

Last Friday, July 21 at around 10 p.m., diners at Moulin Bistro and Alessa Laguna looked up from their plates to see a high-risk vehicle stop taking place – and Laguna’s police dog, Ranger, being quite persuasive in encouraging a car thief to surrender.

Valarie Hewin  (58), no fixed address, was arrested at gunpoint for possession of a stolen vehicle and driving on a suspended license. Hewin also had an outstanding felony no-bail warrant for her arrest. 

“Ranger was helpful in persuading her to surrender,” LBPD spokesperson Sgt. Jim Cota said. “If you’re a criminal, you don’t want to mess with that dog.”

The black Nissan Altima had been reported stolen from Enterprise Rent-a-Car. Officers first spotted the stolen vehicle driving northbound on S. Coast Highway from Nyes Place. 

German Auto thief apprehended

On Friday, an RP from German Auto brought police officers surveillance video from a burglary that took place at the business. An unknown individual entered the premises and took items from several vehicles.

“A suspect was located and admitted to stealing the items. He was identified as homeless resident Brandon Heath,” Sgt. Cota said.

Heath, age 23, was charged with grand theft, possession of stolen property, attempted vehicle theft, and tampering with a vehicle.

New police officers join LBPD

Three new Laguna Beach police officers were sworn in recently: Officer Ashley Krotine, Officer Shahriyar (Shar) Hariri, and Officer Rajen Patel. 

Officers Ashley Krotine, Shahriyar (Shar) Harrir and Rajen Patel

Officer Krotine and Officer Patel are graduates of the Golden West Police Academy and Officer Hariri is a lateral officer from the San Diego School Police Department.

Officer Patel was a police officer in London, England before moving to the United States with his family. 

“We are very happy to have them as part of our team,” LBPD spokesperson Sgt. Jim Cota said.

City seeks residents’ input at focus groups discussing Artist Live/Work, Work and Production Space

The City has scheduled focus groups on August 1 & 2 seeking residents’ input on artist live/work, work and production space issues. They’re hoping for innovative, productive ideas that will provide solutions for some of the related challenges.

Focus groups include the Canyon Focus Group, 10 a.m. on Aug 1 in Conference Room A, City Hall; Artist Focus Group also on Aug 1 at noon at the Sawdust Artist Festival; a Community Focus Group at 9:30 .m. on Aug 2 at City Hall, Council Chambers; and another Artist Focus Group on Aug 2 at 1 p.m.  at the Festival of the Arts.

For more information, visit the City’s website at www.lagunabeachcity.net 

All creatures, great and small…Laguna loves them all…well, nearly all

Here at Stu News Laguna, we regularly read through the police logs to learn the details about crime reports and the activities of our police department. It can be discouraging, even though criminals are often caught. 

Why do the bad guys come here, we wonder? Has crime in Laguna increased?

The answers are murky. Technology has made it easier for police officers to spot stolen vehicles, which sometimes leads to high-risk vehicle stops – and which may result in the apprehension of criminals, but doesn’t make for a fun experience on our streets.

Why does crime seem to be on the increase here?

There are other reasons, arising from societal, cultural and economic changes, of course, plus the sheer number of tourists. Much of it is opportunistic crime, grabbing beach bags or reaching into unlocked cars.

But then, among the arrests for drug possession, the DUIs, and reports of stolen goods and assaults, it is heartening to find a different kind of report: on just one day this month, I saw calls about an injured hummingbird, a crow on a front porch “that cannot fly’ and a rabbit, still alive despite a car accident.

Hummingbirds’ wings beat at 60 mph

There was also a report of a bat underneath someone’s bed, which I assume was not a call to save the bat from its worst instincts.

Bats, bees and wasps aren’t universally loved, but it’s good to know that police officers from the Animal Services Unit respond to reports of injured creatures, no matter how small or potentially unsalvageable.

(Sadly, the police report notes that the injured rabbit had disappeared by the time the Animal Services Unit got to the location, and the log entry speculates that, “Maybe a larger animal ran away with it.” No word on the hummingbird or the crow.

You do your best, but you just can’t save them all. Such is life.

--Lynette Brasfield

Art Spaces go apace so Arts Commission recommends hiring consultant to find more

By BARBARA DIAMOND

The Arts Commission has recommended the city hire a consultant to suss out appropriate spaces for the display or performance of art.

It’s called Creative Placemaking and the Commissioners are recommending AEA Consulting to do the job at a cost of no more than $121,000.

“Creative Placemaking takes a look at the facilities in town, how they are being used and how to create space to bring the world class art and entertainment events people want in Laguna,” said Cultural Arts Manager Sian Poeschl. 

Commissioner Suzi Chauvel spoke to two firms by telephone. Both are qualified she reported, but she favored AEA and the commission unanimously endorsed her recommendation. Poeschl reported that AEA has 25 years of experience in the field. 

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The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, New York

AEA has helped plan projects that include the Wallis Annenberg Center for Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, The Shed in New York and the Battersea Power Station in London, admittedly somewhat more grandiose than the Laguna project.

The Power Station is the largest brick building in the world, big enough for a 2,000-square-foot concert hall, as well as apartments and Apple’s European headquarters – with room to spare.

In Laguna AEA will be looking for empty buildings, nooks and crannies, where art can be created, one commissioner said. Poeschl added existing facilities, such as the art festival grounds or Laguna Playhouse, to the locations that will be reviewed. 

The scope of work will cover facilitation of market research, asset inventory, user assessment and demand analysis, concept development, and analysis of trends operations and financing, culminating in an action plan.

The proposed recommendation is on the consent calendar for Tuesday’s City Council meeting and will be approved without discussion unless “pulled” by a member of the council or audience.

Pepper Tree to be cut down: Council asked to decide by how much, and where to put its replacement

By BARBARA DIAMOND

The City Council will be asked on Tuesday to decide on how much should be salvaged of the iconic pepper tree in front of City Hall and where to put its replacement.

City staff will present two options for the aging pepper tree: cutting it down to two-feet above ground or at eight feet, 

The two-foot stump would allow the removal of cavities and voids that were filled with concrete and expanding foam in past efforts to preserve the tree. The eight-foot trunk does not address the cavities and voids and staff opines it would require strapping and cabling to hold it together.  

Both options could result in new growth.

Should the council opt for the taller stump, staff is recommending dedicating the location as a historical area. 

Two replacement options

Council also will have two options to replace the existing tree. One is a less expensive pepper in a 96-inch box in San Marcos. However, staff was concerned about the condition of the tree and is recommending the purchase of a 28-foot-high and 18-foot-wide tree from Sunland.

The cost is $53,500, which includes the purchase price, installation, one year of maintenance and a warranty, higher than the funding approved by the council for replacement.  It does not include the cost of trimming the existing tree, which adds another $3,700 to the project. 

Staff is recommending the replacement pepper tree be planted in the center of the lawn in front of the existing tree, as suggested by BGB Design Group, the city’s City Hall front lawn landscape architect.  

The site was selected by BGB to be esthetically pleasing and complimentary to the existing tree, according to the staff, which concurs with the location.

If the purchase recommend by the staff is approved, the 135-year-old pepper tree would be trimmed Aug 1. 

The replacement would be delivered and planted at 1 a.m., Aug 4 to avoid closing a lane on Forest Avenue during daytime traffic.

Election 2018: Mancuso getting a head start

Judie Mancuso, a City Council candidate in 2016, intends to run again in 2018, according to a document filed with City Clerk Lisette Chel-Walker.

Mancuso filed a Candidate Intentions Statement on June 2. She had previously changed the name of her recipient committee.

Chel-Walker was notified by the state that Mancuso had filed a Statement of Organization Recipient Committee in February that changed the name of her committee to Friends of Judie Mancuso for City Council 2018. The only difference was the date, previously 2016. 

The 2018 election cycle officially begins on July 16, the first day candidates can pick up nominating papers. 

Candidates have until Aug 10 to file the papers, unless an incumbent decides not to run, which extends the filing period to Aug 15.

Laissez le bon temps rouler.

--By Barbara Diamond

Only in Laguna: Meet Lenny the Lizard, better known as a Bearded Dragon 

Story by DIANNE RUSSELL

Only in Laguna is it possible, and strangely not unexpected, to encounter a man at Heisler Park walking with a lizard, a big lizard, on his shoulder. Evidently, Craig Felberg, Lenny’s owner and handler, takes him out for his late afternoon constitutional every day at about the same time that I walk my dog Charley. Funnily enough, we’d never crossed paths until a few evenings ago.

Apparently, I don’t know my lizards, so Craig explained the finer points of bearded dragons. They got their name because of a propensity to puff up the dragon scales (they look more like barbs), near their throats, which Lenny does when he’s around another male. The scales turn black as well, which, one imagines, would scare off other lizards, but possibly not birds of prey, a bearded dragon’s most dangerous predator.

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Craig Felberg takes Lenny for his evening jaunt to Heisler Park

Eleven-month-old Lenny is a handsome guy, although except for his beautiful apricot color, which is called hypo trans, meaning he lacks dark colors and has somewhat translucent skin, he looks strikingly prehistoric. And if he were larger, I wouldn’t be leaning in for a close-up picture, but Lenny is quite friendly and social.  Craig’s grandchildren play with him when they visit, however the only interaction Craig’s wife has with Lenny is to talk to him. No hands-on playtime for her.

During this short conversation, I learned a lot about Lenny’s nutrition and hygiene. He eats salad, blueberries and bugs, (cockroaches being his favorite, pesticide free and purchased from a pet store), and he gets a bath twice a week for hydration.

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Lenny soaks up the sun

Although Lenny is now a Laguna Beach local, his ancestors harkened from the wastelands of Australian. Since exporting bearded dragons has been prohibited since 1960, (as per Animalsadda.com), the ones sold in pet stores are descendants of those already exported. Bearded dragons live to be from 5 – 14 yrs old, and given that there are fewer predators here, Lenny should have a long life ahead of him. 

The destination for Lenny’s walk is the lawn above the amphitheater, where he happily suns until his business is completed (and Craig cleans it up), then he goes back on Craig’s shoulder and relieved, rides off into the sunset. Craig hopes one day to have Lenny proclaimed the Lizard of Laguna, and it seems fitting title.

Reverend Rodrick Echols announced as new Pastor for Neighborhood Congregational Church

Neighborhood Congregational Church is proud to announce Reverend Rodrick Echols as the new Pastor. He assumed his duties at NCC in May.

Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Rod was a “church boy” through and through, constantly finding himself in ministerial roles at Bloomfield Baptist Church.  With a scholarship to Brown University, he went north in pursuit of a career in medicine.  However, in his studies Rodrick discovered his real passion lay in progressive matters of the Christian faith, community development and public policy.

Since graduating with a Master of Divinity from Boston University, Roderick’s professional life has included leading both United Church of Christ and American Baptist congregations, and fund development roles with several prominent institutions including UC San Diego, Brown University, United Way, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 

His specialties include pastoral care, leadership development, communication, fundraising, and counseling. 

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Submitted Photo

Reverend Rodrick Echols  

When asked his thoughts of his new journey, Reverend Rodrick Echols said, “Neighborhood Congregational Church has over 70 years of history serving Laguna Beach and surrounding communities, and I look forward to enriching the church’s community and inter-faith partnerships. We are very proud to be one of the first Open and Affirming congregations here in Laguna.  

“Neighborhood Church welcomes gay families and has performed same sex weddings since 2008.  We are also committed to community leadership in justice support as a progressive Christian Church, impacting not only Laguna, but the wider world as well. I am so proud to join this wonderful church by the beach.”

Everyone is welcome to join us for Sunday Service each week at 10 a.m., and dress is casual. Neighborhood Congregational Church is located at 340 St. Ann’s Drive, behind Ralphs Supermarket. Parking is free, and Sunday School is available. Call (949) 494-8061 for further information and events, visit www.ncclaguna.org.

Ribbon cutting for the Mountain Road Beach Access Improvement Project will take place this afternoon

A ribbon cutting ceremony for the Mountain Road Beach Access Improvement Project will be held at the project site on Tues, July 25, at 3:30 p.m. 

Mountain Road beach access will look a lot different soon

The project replaces the stairway, overlook, landscaping, lighting, benches and bike racks. For questions, contact Tom Sandefur, Associate Civil Engineer, 949-497-0792 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Boys & Girls Club will hold 4th Annual Night at the Ranch on Sept 22: yes, it’s save-the-date season

The 4th Annual Night at the Ranch will be held on Friday, September 22, at The Ranch in Laguna Beach. The night promises to be an unforgettable evening of celebration and this year there is a surprise band playing. Check out the Club’s website at bgclagunabeach.org to find out who it is… 

All proceeds from this event go directly to the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach.

Guests will be treated to a farm-to-table dinner, open bar, exciting live and silent auction items, and of course live music.

Club alumnus, Leif Hanson, had the idea of the Night of the Ranch event five years ago and now it is one of the best events in Laguna. Leif, a resident of Laguna Beach does not have children who attend the Club, nor does he utilize the services or programs offered currently, but he did as a child. He attended what was the Boys Club during his formative years as a young boy and was looking for a way to give back to his Club. He enlisted his good friend and fellow Club Alumnus Steve Blue and together with their amazing committee they have made this event a success. 

“The number of kids who need us has grown so fast that we’re just trying to keep up. Now we need more support than ever so we can be there for all of the kids who need the Club,” says CEO Pam Estes. “Leif, Steve and every supporter of last year’s event came to help at a critical time, and we’re happy to have their generous support again this year.” 

Individual tickets are available for $200 and sponsorship packages start around $500. This event will sell out, so organizers want to make sure that you purchase your tickets to this event before tickets are gone. 

For more information about the event and to purchase admission visit www.bgclagunabeach.org

Surfing school by Scott

Photo by Scott Brashier

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Waves of happiness at surf school

Surfing Heritage & Culture Ctr partners with Huntington Beach Art Center for Women of Surfing: Art & History

Surfing Heritage & Culture Center (SHACC) in San Clemente is pleased to partner with the Huntington Beach Art Center (HBAC) in the Women of Surfing: Art & History, their second exhibition in a three-part-series celebrating women in the arts. It will be held at the HBAC, 538 Main St, HB, from July 22 through Sept 2.

The exhibition delves into the artworks of national and international artists, and invites guest to contemplate artistic representations of those who have an intimate relationship with the ocean and surfing. The Women of Surfing: Art & History exhibition coincides with the US Open of Surfing, and will bring HB’s favorite pastime from the beach into the gallery. 

Special guests for the opening reception on Sat, July 22 from 6:30 – 9 p.m. include Mary Lou McGinnis Drummy, 2016’s Women of the Year in Surf City USA’s Walk of Fame and co-founder of the Women’s International Surfing Association, and Gidget (Kathy Kohner-Zuckerman), the inspiration for the fictional character Franzie (nicknamed Gidget) from the 1957 surf novel, Gidget: The Little Girl with Big Ideas.

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Submitted photo 

#3 Water Connection by Joni Sternbach, 2015

SHACC will provide artifacts such as surfboards, photographs and memorabilia, which will convey the rich history of surfing. Kate Hoffman, director of the HBAC states that, “...we chose to celebrate the art of surfing from the perspective of women in the field. From world champion athletes who also find creativity that flows from their relationship to the ocean, to those women who founded major movements on behalf of female surfers, and those who have documented the history and growth of the sport. This exhibition presents both an aesthetically beautiful and historically significant look at the world of women in surfing.” 

Women of Surfing: Art & History curator, Phil Roberts, also emphasizes the unique narratives the featured artists are able to convey, saying that, “Mother Earth is a common reference to our planet. This personification throughout mythologies, religions, tribes, and human history, makes a connection between our planet and the feminine form. Honoring this way of viewing the world, this exhibition explores the intimate relationship that these artists have with the ocean through the creative lens of women who have spent their lives in the waves.”

Founded in 2000, SHACC is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization that serves as the world’s foremost educational and support resource for surfing publications, manufacturers, and museums. Learn more at surfingheritage.org

LagunaTunes gains grant from the FOA Foundation

LagunaTunes Community Chorus, a local non-audition choral singing group, has received a grant of $2,000 from The Festival of Arts Foundation in support of its musical performances. LagunaTunes, a 501(c)(3) organization, accepts everyone who enjoys singing and learning about different musical styles. 

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LagunaTunes members rehearse before a recent concert

Under the direction of Bob Gunn, the fifty-member group gives two free concerts every year. Fall concert rehearsals are held weekly from September to December, and Spring concert rehearsals from February to June. 

LagunaTunes includes schooled musicians as well as non-musicians who just like to sing. Music genres have ranged from serious and traditional to pop, rock, and jazz. The emphasis is on improving skills, learning to perform, and enjoying the experience. 

For more information, contact Jay Rechter, President, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. http://www.lagunatuneschorus.org

Laguna Community Concert Band receives grant from the Festival of Arts Foundation

The Festival of Arts Foundation Grant Awards Program awarded the Laguna Community Concert Band a grant for $2,500 for their service of providing free-of-charge concerts for special events.  

The Concert Band is approaching its twentieth anniversary, growing from a humble beginning of eight members to 60 musicians. The band meets every Tuesday evening at Laguna Beach High School band room from 6 – 8 p.m. under the direction of Mark Lowrey and Pete Fournier.  

The band performs every year at Hospitality Night, Memorial Day at Main Beach and at a pre-concert for Patriot’s Day Parade. 

With this generous donation from the foundation, the band has acquired new sheet music, chairs for their outdoor concerts and some much needed percussionequipment.

The LCCB will next perform at the Festival of the Arts on Monday July 31 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. The Festival of Arts is free to Laguna residents.

The beat goes on; Laguna Playhouse extends performances of Hairspray through Sat, Aug 5

If anyone in Laguna hasn’t had the chance to catch a performance of Hairspray, now is the time to get tickets. Laguna Playhouse has extended performances of this smash hit through Sat, Aug 5.

Hairspray, a not-to-be-missed show, takes one back to the ‘60s,1962, to be precise, a year of big hair, bobby socks, and big ideas. Not fringe theater by any means, Hairspray represents this era to a T, it’s an homage to a place in time marked by American Bandstand, saddle shoes, and poodle skirts (and other remnants of the ‘50s). 

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James W. Gruessing Jr. as Edna Turnblad, Nicole Powell as Tracy Turnblad

The talented cast carries it off, fitting together seamlessly, to give the audience equal measures of rockin’ music and dancing, humor, nostalgia, and a grim look at segregation. The cast is composed of standout performers, from Nicole Powell as Tracy Turnblad, to the youngest member, Faith Nibbe, to James Gruessing as Edna Turnblad, and Dwan Hayes as Motormouth Maybelle. In fact, all the members of the company give stellar performances, making it impossible to single anyone out. They truly give meaning to the term “company.”

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The Company of Hairspray

Credit is also due to the richly creative behind the scene artists; the directors and designers who authentically conjure up the ‘60s in every detail, from the settings to the costumes. When the company sings “You can’t stop the Beat,” no one wants it to stop. 

Performances are Wed through Sat at 7:30 p.m.; Thurs and Sat at 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. There will be additional performance on Sun, July 30 at 1 p.m.

Tickets range from $45- $80 and can be purchased online at www.lagunaplayhouse.com or by calling (949) 497-ARTS (2787). Group discounts are available by calling 949-497-2787 ext. 229.  Prices subject to change.

 The box office is open Mon - Sat: 12 - 5 p.m. (open until show time on performance days); Sun: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.  For more information on all shows and programming, visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com.  Laguna Playhouse is located at 606 Laguna Canyon Rd in LB.

9th Annual Girls Night Out event supporting the Boys & Girls club set for September 28 

The 9th Annual Girls Night Out event held exclusively for women will take place for a second year at the Wilson family home on Thursday, Sept 28 from 6 – 10 p.m. With a breathtaking view, and a night filled with endless surprises, tickets tend to sell out quickly, as they do each year. 

Girls’ Night Out has become a much-anticipated event

Generous donors who are helping support this event include the Montage, Newport Lexus dealership, Wilson Automotive, Starfish, and Winston’s Crown Jewelers. Each corporation helps its return each year.

Enjoy spending an evening in a gorgeous oceanfront home, dining on fine food, sipping signature cocktails and wine, shopping, being pampered, and going home with an amazing swag bag.

If you love Girls Night Out or The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach and would like to get more involved by becoming an event sponsor or joining a fun Events Committee, contact Michelle Ray at (949) 715-7584, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , 

To purchase tickets for $150, log onto the Boy’s & Girls club of Laguna Beach at www.bgclagunabeach.org.

Chart the voyage of an American icon on Thur, Jul 27

On Thur, Jul 27, at 6 p.m. the Laguna Art Museum will have Art historian Mark Thislethwaite on site for discussion.  Thislethwaite will discuss variations on a familiar image, Washington Crossing the Delaware, including Sandow Birk’s surfing version, North Swell, which is now on view at the museum.

Professor Mark Thistlethwaite has earned degrees in art history from the University of California at Santa Barbara (B.A. and M.A.) and University of Pennsylvania (Ph.D.). Although he specializes in the art of the United States, he has also taught courses in a variety of subjects, such as the history of graphic design. Currently, he holds the Kay and Velma Kimbell Chair of Art History.

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Crossing the Delaware

Dr. Thistlethwaite is both a teacher, a recipient of TCU’s Chancellor’s Award for Distinguished Teaching and the Honors Program’s “Professor of the Year” Award, and a scholar, with published books and articles, and lectures on nineteenth century and contemporary art, mainly on the subject of history painting.

He has also chaired the City of Fort Worth’s Art Commission and served on the Board of Trustees of the African American Museum of Dallas; he currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and the Ambassador Council of the Amon Carter Museum of American Art.

The night will be filled with educational pieces, for more information visit the lagunaartmuseum.org.

100 years of baptisms will be celebrated at Laguna Presbyterian Church on July 30

The Laguna Beach Presbyterian Church is inviting anyone who was baptized at the church to worship at services on Sunday July 30 at either 8:30 or 10 a.m.

Laguna Presbyterian Church

“We’re giving thanks for 100 years of baptisms as part of our 100 year celebration,” a Church spokesperson said. “If you were baptized here or know someone who was, please invite them to attend.”

Laguna Presbyterian Church is located at 415 Forest Ave.

Another fabulous shot by one of the young photographers of Frothy Films

“Frothy Films is a group made up of friends who love to have fun and take photographs and edits. We are an extreme team that does crazy stuff,” Michael Tanaka (17) tells Stu News. “We all have been friends with each other for a long time and one day decided why not start a team of ocean lovers?

“We chose the name Frothy because of the meaning. Frothy is light and entertaining, always making it fun. Since summer just started we will meet up daily to get surf and sunset shots and most importantly have fun!” 

Team members include Michael Tanaka, 17, Josh Tanaka, 14, Danny Huffman, 15, Luke Carter, 14, Austin Plank, 13, Bobby Schwartz, 13, Raphael Ortzin, 14, and Michael Cox,15.

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Photo by Josh Tanaka