Main Beach becomes the focus of activists this weekend after Charlottesville tragedy

The right-wing group America First, which demonstrates against illegal immigration and is led by activist Johnny Benitez, plans to hold a rally this Sunday, Aug 20, on Main Beach from 6 to 8 p.m. 

A recent tweet from Benitez about the event states, “We will be standing against political correctness and left-wing terrorism.”

In response to the rally and in reaction to the tragic events of Charlottesville, progressive groups from across the 48th District, including Indivisible OC-48, with the support of the Laguna Beach Democratic Club, have planned a Unity Rally to take place on Saturday, August 19 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., also on Main Beach. 

Mayor Toni Iseman speaks out

Mayor Toni Iseman plans to be at the Unity Rally on Saturday morning at Main Beach. She’ll be welcoming participants to the gathering and believes it is important for people to have the opportunity to express their views one way or another.

But Iseman urges Laguna residents to ignore the America First rally the following day, and not to mount a counter-protest at that time.

“This group’s whole intention is to get attention, so why take their invitation?” she says. “They’re looking for a spectacle. The best thing we can do on Sunday is ignore them. They can’t get into a fight with themselves – or maybe they can… They picked Laguna Beach on purpose, because we embrace diversity, we’re known for our artistic heritage, our support of feminism, inclusion, everything they don’t like. If they get a big turnout of counter-protestors, it will only encourage [America First] to return. We shouldn’t give them that satisfaction.”

Iseman understands, however, that there’s a lot of angst and pain in the community, so she feels that attendance at the Unity Rally on Saturday is a great vehicle for people to express their opinions about the Sunday rally.

“Also it is a lot easier for the police to do their job if we don’t make it harder for them on Sunday,” Iseman says. “Our police officers are strong, well-equipped, and ready – but we can help by attending a peaceful Saturday demonstration instead of going to the Sunday event.”

Mayor Iseman has been personally attacked by the group on its Facebook page.

“You know what, I’m proud of everything [this America First group] has called out about my record,” she says. “I’d love to address those attacks. But that’s for another day. In the meantime, let’s focus on a peaceful protest on Saturday and show what Laguna is all about. Let’s not validate the Sunday rally.”

The LBPD is ready

LBPD spokesperson Sgt Jim Cota wants to reassure the community that the police department is fully prepared for a possible influx of hundreds of people, pro and con the rally. 

“We’re fortunate to have fantastic resources and we have the full support of the Newport Beach, Irvine and Anaheim police departments as well as the OC Sheriffs,” Sgt Cota says. “Police officers will be visible on the streets and there’ll be plenty of support that isn’t immediately visible either.”

Sgt Cota will be at the command center at all times. “We want to urge residents and visitors not to change their plans. Go to the beach, eat at restaurant, shop at local stores. We’re ready to protect you. We ask for your support, believe in us. We’re ready.”

Sgt Cota adds that the police department has been in touch with organizers on both sides of the issue. “We’ve let them know that the LBPD has a no-nonsense approach,” he says. “There won’t be any grey areas. People need to play by the rules or they go to jail.

“We’ve had meetings every day and we are prepared,” he adds. 

Democratic candidate and Laguna resident Harley Rouda reacts

 Harley Rouda, Emerald Bay resident and Democratic candidate hoping to oust Rep Dana Rohrabacher in the 2018 elections, has, along with his team, been active in their support of the Saturday rally. He’ll be there.

“We will let the world know that hate is not welcome here,” Rouda said. “As a community, Laguna Beach is responding peacefully by holding a Unity Rally and demonstrating unity and diversity by covering Main Beach with colorful ribbons.”

Rouda’s wife, novelist Kaira Rouda, came up with the idea for the Unity Ribbons Campaign, which was quickly embraced by other groups.  

Submitted photo

Harley Rouda and his wife Kaira spearhead the Unity Ribbons Campaign

Harley Rouda says the ribbons are not a campaign tactic – “they’re a way to unite the community and to reflect Laguna’s diversity and commitment to stand together in the face of racism and hate.” Volunteers from a variety of progressive groups will be fanning out to disperse the ribbons and they’ll encourage residents to do the same.

Two Sunday gatherings planned for counter-protestors

Also, the Neighborhood Congregational Church in Laguna Beach at 340 St. Ann’s Drive plans a “day of training, of witness, and of keeping vigil” on Sunday afternoon.

According to the church’s website, from 2 – 4 p.m. there will be training in nonviolence, then the group will take a break, have an interfaith worship service at 5 p.m., and then rally.

 “We do this in support of our immigrant and refugee siblings, and we are in solidarity with our black, Jewish, and Muslim siblings,” NCC’s Facebook page offers. 

An “Anti-Fascist Protest” planned by the Democratic Socialists of Laguna Beach will take place at 5 p.m. Sunday at Main Beach.

And – because this is Laguna, after all – there’s talk of the Laughter Yoga group bringing some needed light and humor to the rally on Saturday.

Police Files

18-year-old arrested for stealing a car

On Monday, August 14, at 9:12 p.m., officers were alerted to a stolen Toyota Tacoma entering the city. It had been stolen out of Lake Forest on Friday.

Laguna Beach police officers located the car and had all three of its occupants detained by 9:25 p.m.

The driver, 18-year-old Luis Reynasoto from Lake Forest, was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle, receipt of stolen property, and burglary.

The truck was returned to its owner.

Don’t light tree branches on fire

On Sunday afternoon, a caller reported seeing two men using rags to extinguish a tree branch that was on fire near Stan Oak Drive and Laguna Canyon Road.

Orange County Fire Authority was called, but requested that Laguna Beach handle the situation due to the small size of the fire.

The branch was extinguished just six minutes after the initial call.

One of the two men, Kameran Cherrier, 29, Laguna Beach, was arrested for resisting officers and for misdemeanor reckless burning.

Planning Commission reviews revisions to Downtown Specific Plan

By BARBARA DIAMOND

Months of work by the Citizens Ad Hoc Committee to improve the Downtown Specific Plan paid off at Wednesday’s Planning Commission meeting.

Planning Commissioners were more impressed with revisions proposed by the committee than changes suggested by MIG, the consulting firm hired by the city.

Committee recommendations included ways to help the retail businesses more smoothly deal with the“economic shifts,” from brick and mortar to online shopping and still maintain Laguna’s unique identity. 

“The committee is comprised of three Chamber of Commerce Board members, three Village Laguna Board members and three business people with expertise in land use in the downtown, five of whom previously served on the Planning Commission,” said committee member Norm Grossman. 

“Our common goal was to keep the downtown special.”

Flexibility in downtown commercial uses is needed, staff says

Planning staff was supportive of committee recommendations that provide for added flexibility in downtown commercial uses, according to the staff report.

“Our recommendations include modifying the conditional use permit process to limit CUPS to a much smaller set of uses, such as restaurants, and increase the number of allowed uses,” said committee member and downtown property owner Kent Russell. 

The commission was asked to weigh in on issues primarily related to economic vitality, principally ways to keep the downtown Laguna-centric while making it simpler and less expensive for new businesses to be approved or existing business to make changes in merchandise or marketing techniques. 

High rent is a factor in the downtown, said Planning Commissioner Anne Johnson. 

“When I am out of town I ask businesses if they ever consider going to Laguna and they say, ‘Are you going to pay my rent?’” 

Commissioners were asked to provide direction on “saturation” (too many of the same type of businesses) and formula-based businesses.

  The recommendation by the committee to investigate hiring an experienced retail specialist was well-received by commissioners who were conversant with the job description.

“An independent analyst can help us look at the big picture,” said commission Chair Susan McLintock Whitin.

Balancing resident vs visitor serving businesses

Balancing the resident serving and visitor serving businesses was one of the six key policies reviewed by commission. 

“What’s there that is resident serving?” asked Commissioner Anne Johnson.

The resident serving requirement has been eroded, particularly in the block between South Coast Highway and Beach Street, according to committee member Barbara Metzger.  

“We still have resident serving businesses at the inland side of Ocean and it’s worth preserving the district there as an incentive to establishing new resident-serving uses in the downtown and keeping the ones we have,” said Metzger.

City staff also requested commission input on the committee’s recommendation to expand the number of uses that could be approved administratively, thereby reducing the number of uses that require a CUP. 

Consideration of parking requirements will be discussed at a later date when parking, circulation and public transportation are addressed. A discussion of the development of the Central Bluffs, the block from the Hotel Laguna to Legion Street was also tabled.

Wednesday’s commission meeting was one of a series on revisions to the Downtown Specific Plan, a determining factor in development.

CVS appeal on Tuesday’s Council agenda

By BARBARA DIAMOND

The City Council will hear on Tuesday an appeal by CVS of the Planning Commission’s unanimous denial of its application to open a second store in Laguna.

Denial was based on unsurmountable challenges in the applicant’s proposed merchandise mix, according to the staff report.

The commission cited the proposed store would stock merchandise identical TO the existing store less than four miles distant; significant product overlap with surrounding stores and merchandise that does not comply with the Downtown Specific Plan requirements for formula-based businesses.

CVS appealed the denial, claiming it was based on the identity of the applicant rather than compliance with the city’s General Plan and the Downtown Specific Plan or the nature and quality of the proposed use. 

The appellant also claimed that improper information about the effect the CVS store would have on surrounding businesses colored the commission’s decision and questioned the commission’s interpretation of the Downtown Specific Plan.

Arbitrary and discriminatory denial is contrary to the city’s goal of achieving a vibrant downtown and will result in a significant vacancy, according to the appeal.

City staff responded to all 12 bases for the appeal and continues to oppose CVS’s move into the location now occupied by Laguna Drugs despite revisions in the application.

CVS has changed both the merchandise and signage plans and eliminated the sale of alcoholic beverages on the site.

Partial eclipse of the sun will occur bit by bit in Laguna – or is it bite by bite?

If Stu News Laguna had been around thousands of years ago, Monday’s phenomenon – a total eclipse of the sun in many parts of the world and a partial eclipse here in Laguna Beach – would likely have been covered in our Creature Feature section.

That’s because many myths associated with this event involve hungry animals, according, anyway, to the popular website www.timeanddate.com and several other Internet sources.

Apparently the Pomo, an indigenous group of people who live in the northwestern United States, tell the story of a bear who started a fight with the sun and took a bite out of it - the Pomo name for a solar eclipse is Sun Got Bit by a Bear.

“After taking a bite of the sun and resolving their conflict, the bear, as the story goes, went on to meet the moon and take a bite out of the moon as well, causing a lunar eclipse,” the website continues.

Photos courtesy NASA

Partial eclipse and total eclipse of the sun

More from the website: “In Vietnam, people believed that a solar eclipse was caused by a giant frog devouring the sun, while Norse cultures blamed wolves for eating the sun.

“In ancient China, a celestial dragon was thought to lunch on the Sun, causing a solar eclipse. In fact, the Chinese word of an eclipse, chih or shih, means to eat.”

The partial eclipse will begin at 9:06 a.m. as the moon touches the edge of the sun. Maximum coverage occurs at 10:21 a.m., and the event ends at 11:45 for a total of two hours and 39 minutes.

Reader, poet and travel guru Ellen Girardeau Kempler notes on her website www.gold-boat.com that during a total eclipse, “Scientists describe a multi-sensory experience that includes rapidly moving light and shadow, dropping temperatures and a changing soundscape (for example, crickets falling silent as the thermometer dips).”

A bit of silence – and not just from crickets – would be a great relief in these contentious times.

--Lynette Brasfield

PMMC’s “Endless Summer Gala” offers chance to dine, dance and donate on Sept 10 at The Ranch LB

On Sun, Sept 10, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy an evening of music and dining in the beautiful setting of The Ranch at Laguna Beach, while supporting the patients at Pacific Mammal Center. Entertainment will be provided by “Surf’s Up” Beach Boys Tribute Band. This annual event will take place from 4:30 – 8:30 p.m. 

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Photo by Mary Hurlbut

Lollygagging sea lions at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center

At last year’s gala, more than 300 guests arrived at The Ranch to celebrate and support PMMC. Nearly $258,000 was raised in the single evening, proving yet another record-setting event and a true outpouring of graciousness and generosity in the community. 

“100 percent of these funds go right back to our patients,” said Daniela Moore, PMMC’s Director of Development, after the 2016 event.

What better chance to kick up your heels and dine on delicious cuisine, while at the same time helping the PMMC patients survive and thrive. There are currently 14 patients housed at the center, seven sea lions, five elephant seals, and two harbor seals.

Tickets are $300, and a table for 10 is $3,500. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.pacificmmc.org/gala17/gala-tickets

For assistance with your ticket purchase, and to view available sponsorships, contact Krysta Higuchi at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 949.494.3050

Laguna Dance Festival announces Master Classes 

Master classes with dance masters and a one-of-a-kind on-stage rehearsal this year are part of the expanded Laguna Dance Festival. Feature performances begin Sept 14 with the iconic Paul Taylor Dance Company of NYC and conclude with the groundbreaking Ballet BC of Canada at Laguna Playhouse.  

“We’re delighted to once again offer an opportunity for aspiring dancers and dance professionals to take classes with some of the most extraordinary performers and choreographers on the stage, and learn more about the business of dancing as well as the art,” says Jodie Gates, Laguna Dance Festival Founder/Artistic Director, and Vice-Dean, USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. 

Up first, Patrick Corbin, alum of the prestigious Paul Taylor Dance Company, will conduct a master class on Sat Sept 9, from noon to 2 p.m. A celebrated dancer and choreographer, Corbin currently teaches dance at USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance and also directs and choreographs for worldwide audiences.

Submitted Photo

Patrick Corbin set to teach a master class for the Laguna Art Festival 

“Master classes provide access to movement theory, practice, technique, and choreography that many students haven’t experienced, which creates a unique opportunity for professional and personal growth. As a master teacher, it is a special pleasure to expose dancers to the diverse choreography of Paul Taylor,” says Corbin. 

Master Class with Ballet BC’s rehearsal director, Makaila Wallace, will be held on Sun, Sept 17, from 10 a.m. to noon, just before the company’s final performance. This is a unique opportunity to explore contemporary dance movement and choreography with some of most inventive dancers on the modern stage. 

Master Classes are held at Laguna Beach High School. Tickets are $25 for students, and $15 for observers. Students must be age 12 or older and at an intermediate or advanced level. 

Master-class performance packages are also available

As the master classes will focus on elements of dance performed at the Festival, there is an opportunity for students to tie the two together with a master class-performance package ticket of $50. There is also a group rate for ten or more students taking the Sunday morning Ballet BC class followed by the matinee performance.

Tickets are available at www.lagunadancefestival.org.

A very special program, “Choreograph Your Career” will take place on Sun, Sept 10, from noon  to 4 p.m. The event will feature top LA choreographers and dance administrators, and includes a mock audition with Laguna Dance Festival founder and artistic director, Jodie Gates. 

Also, in a first for the Festival, “Backstage with Paul Taylor Dance Company” features Patrick Corbin and two of the company’s lead dancers in a rehearsal on stage at the Playhouse, on Sep 13, at 7 p.m. This is a free event, first come, first seated. 

Laguna Dance Festival presents world-class performances on the local stage and provides quality dance education in an effort to increase public appreciation for the art. An award-winning non-profit enterprise in collaboration with many local arts programs, see the Festival schedule, tickets, and video excerpts of previous performances at http://www.lagunadancefestival.org.

A Night with Janis Joplin will light up the Laguna Playhouse stage like never before

A Night with Janis Joplin blazes onto the stage of the Laguna Playhouse this week, guaranteed to light up the playhouse, both literally and figuratively. This, the second show of the 2017-2018 season opens in a limited engagement and involves the most lighting equipment ever on stage in Playhouse history. 

Audiences should expect to experience an exceptional night of music as Kelly McIntyre performs the unforgettable songs of Janis Joplin; “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Piece of My Heart,” “Mercedes Benz,” “Cry Baby” and “Summertime.” 

A Night with Janis Joplin is a musical journey celebrating Janis and her biggest musical influences—icons like Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Odetta, Nina Simone, and Bessie Smith, who inspired one of rock and roll’s greatest legends.

Playhouse Artistic Director Ann E. Wareham says, “We are going to take a little piece of our subscribers and audiences’ heart with the amazing Kelly McIntyre and the brilliance of Randy Johnson’s creation. The roof is about to be blown off the Playhouse with this spectacular show!”

Kelly joined A Night with Janis Joplin for the first national tour in 2016. She went on to headline three more productions of Janis at Capital Repertory Theatre, Barter Theatre and A.C.T.

Performed in association with the Estate of Janis Joplin and Jeffrey Jampol of JAM, Inc., the show was written and directed by Randy Johnson. Musical direction is by Todd Olson.

 “Janis Joplin is one of my favorite artists. I know many of our subscribers will relate to this brilliant Tony-nominated production. And I look forward to introducing Janis to a whole new generation of audiences,” comments Laguna Playhouse Executive Director Ellen Richard.  

Randy Johnson’s (Book & Direction) work has been seen across the country and worldwide in such venues as The Savoy Theatre in London’s West End, Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall, The Apollo Theatre, Wembley Arena, Grand Ole Opry, The Ryman Auditorium, Off Broadway, Regional Theatres across the United States and Canada, Las Vegas and Arena’s worldwide. 

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Submitted photo

Kelly McIntyre as Janis Joplin

Todd Olson’s (Musical Director) credits include; New York: Everything’s Coming Up Ethel (Orchestrator), Zorba (Music Assistant). National Tours: Smokey Joe’s Cafe (feat. The Coasters), A Christmas Carol. Regional: A Night with Janis Joplin 

(American Conservatory Theater, Barter Theatre, Capital Repertory Theatre). 

For a list of full credits of the talented cast, go to website listed below.

The Hale Family is the Laguna Playhouse’s season underwriter. Additional season sponsors are South Coast Plaza, Haskell & White, Surterre Properties, Bodhi Leaf Coffee Traders, Gelson’s, and Nolet’s Silver Dry Gin.

The show will run through Sun, Sept 10. Performances will be Tues through Sat at 7:30 p.m.; Thurs and Sat at 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.; Sundays at 1 p.m. There will no Thurs performance on Thurs, Aug 24, at 2 p.m. There will be an additional Sun performance on Sun, Aug 27, at 5:30 p m.

Tickets range from $60 - $105 and can be purchased online at http://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: 11a.m. to 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 the website listed above.

Laguna Playhouse is located at 606 Laguna Canyon Rd.

Good gyrations: Laguna’s only belly-dancing troupe performs at the Sawdust this Sunday

In these days of gender bending and other related issues, what do men and women all have in common?  Belly dancing…well, there’s a bit of wiggle room in that statement. But it’s true that women love to do it and (sometimes) men love to do it and they (always) love to watch it.

Submitted photo

Laguna’s only belly dancing troupe, JJ & the Habibis, featuring Jheri St. James

Jheri St. James, principal of JJ & the Habibis Belly Dancing Troupe, says that she’s put together the perfect combination, “Men playing music for dancing women,” St. James says. She’s inviting everyone to enjoy “gender-inclusive fun” at the Sawdust Festival on August 20 at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.

The 6:30 show will feature Rabia, Azaluna, JJ & the Habibis, while the 7:30 show includes Marzue, Yeril, Tribe Roman Morga and JJ & the Habibis. 

There’ll be additional guest performers St. James says, and a parade with live drums at 8 p.m., celebrating more than 30 years of art expression at the eclectic venue.

For more information about the show, or to find out about belly dancing lessons, contact Jheri St. James (949) 494-5031, JheriCo.net, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Peaceful waters flow at the Sawdust

Photo by Mary Hurlbut

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“My Laguna”

Ruben Flores’ Visionscape takes highest honors in Landscaping Awards

So many locals continue to bemoan the fact that the giant Laguna Nursery closed its doors two years ago. The fact is, though, that Ruben Flores, the Nursery’s owner, has only gotten busier and more focused in what he really loves to do – landscape architecture. 

Submitted photo

Ruben Flores, Laguna Nursery, wins major award

A smaller Laguna Nursery now exists in North Laguna at Jasmine Street and PCH. The quaint shop also houses Flores’ landscape company, Visionscape, Inc. 

Sweeping the Awards show and taking the Sweepstakes

This year, Flores’ “visions” in landscaping not only led to several delighted clients but a surprise 2017 Sweepstakes Trophy from the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) of Orange County and Long Beach. Awarded as the “best in show” for the Best Overall Landscape Project of 2017, the Sweepstakes Trophy was presented to Flores this last Saturday evening at the CLCA’s 2017 Beautification Awards event. 

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Photo credit Ruben Flores

Visionscape Inc is Ruben Flores’ landscape company

While the trophy was a surprise, it landed in a veritable pile of trophies for Flores and Visionscape, as he also was awarded the President’s Trophy for the Top Residential Entry, too. 

“I’m incredibly excited for the wins,” says Flores. “As you do you daily design and work, you dream of a great finished product, and it’s all a labor of love. When the jobs are finished and they really are proving to be as great as your dreams, it’s exciting … and so rewarding to be acknowledged!”

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Photo credit Ruben Flores

Visionscapes was a multi-award winner

The two most coveted trophies of the evening arrived after seven trophies had already been presented to Flores, including: 

Landscape Beautification Outstanding Achievement Awards:

Residential Maintenance $500-$1,000 per month – The McFarland Villa

Residential Maintenance $500-$1,000 per month – The Youngman Project

Landscape Beautification Awards

Landscape Installation Design-Build – The McFarland Villa

Landscape Renovation Small Residential up to $100K – The Hanauer Project

Landscape Installation Small Residential $20K - $50K – The Wells Project

Residential Maintenance $500-$1,000 per month - Crestview

Residential Maintenance over $1000 per month – The Tucker Project

“Each job has its nuances,” say Flores. “Some require the building of 20 steps. Some require cranes. Others just need patience and a lot of TLC.

“But when the client sees the dream and supports the landscape efforts with the entire, cohesive look of beautiful art and furnishings, it all comes together in such an amazing way, and it’s something they can enjoy for decades. That’s really where the reward is for me,” Flores added.   

--Diane Armitage

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Friendship Shelter goes to Washington

Last month, several Friendship Shelter staff members attended the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) conference in Washington DC, joining more than 2,000 other homeless advocates and service providers for sessions that focused on the best ways to address homelessness in our country.  

“We heard from HUD secretary Ben Carson and ranking member of the House Financial Services committee Maxine Waters,” recounts Dawn Price. “We had the opportunity to visit with elected officials and their staffs on Capitol Hill. 

“And maybe most important, we had the opportunity to step away from our day-to-day work, enjoy one another’s company, and imagine ways we could make our organization more effective.”

In a follow-up letter to supporters, Price noted some key takeaways, including first the fact that she “works with some of the best people I know.” 

Submitted photo

Friendship Shelter staff Mia Ferreira, Rick Scott, Dawn Price and Analisa Andrus

Second, she says, that the region is turning a huge and important corner.

“We have a great group of people working at various organizations in Orange County who understand what works, who will fight against anything holding us back, and who are incredibly thoughtful, welcoming and good at what they do. Egos are at an all-time low in my experience, and it seems clear that most of us see the value in collaboration and mutual respect. 

“This is due, in part, to the obvious truth that we are well-led. Orange County Director of Care Coordination Susan Price, who attended with several other County staff, was engaged with us throughout the week,” Dawn Price adds. “When the last session ended it was the Orange County table that left the banquet room last, so wrapped up were we in a frank sharing and solving conversation.”

In the last two years alone, Friendship Shelter succeeded in housing 85 chronically homeless people.  

Price adds: “And we will continue to grow, to adapt, to learn and to succeed – because no one is more committed than we are. I literally met no one, in three days spent with 2,000+ activists, who wants to end homelessness more than we do.”

Bestselling author T. Jefferson Parker appears at LBB on Aug 24 for discussion and book signing

On Thurs, Aug 24, at 6 p.m. Laguna Beach Books welcomes New York Times bestselling author and award winner T. Jefferson Parker, author of The Room of White Fire, for a talk, Q & A and signing. In this thriller, a resourceful private investigator uncovers layers of deception in his search for an escaped mental patient.

Roland Ford, the P.I., is good at finding people. But when he’s asked to locate Air Force veteran Clay Hickman, he realizes he’s been drawn into something deep and dark. What he doesn’t know is why a shroud of secrecy hangs over the disappearance.  What could Clay possibly know to make this search so desperate?

On Aug 24, T. Jefferson Parker talks about his novel The Room of White Fire

For Ford, what began as just a job, becomes a life-or-death obsession, pitting him against immensely powerful and treacherous people and forcing him to contend with chilling questions about truth, justice, and the American way.

T. Jefferson Parker is the bestselling author of numerous novels, including the Edgar Award winners California Girl and Silent Joe. Alongside Dick Francis and James Lee Burke, he is one of only three writers who has won the Edgar Award for Best Novel more than once. Parker lives with his family in So Cal.

Laguna Beach Books is located at 1200 So Coast Hwy, Ste. 105. For further information, call 949-494-4779 or go online to http://www.lagunabeachbooks.com/

Pet of the Week

Sparky lost his owner under sad circumstances: he has so much love to give – who will take him in?

Sparky is a 13-year-old neutered male Beagle Lab mix on the look out for a new home to take him in. He’s medium size, and weighs about 37 pounds. 

Sparky went through a rough time, left alone because his owner took his own life, so Sparky is longing for someone to fill that void. He is filled with love and is excited for whoever will love him and can’t wait to give love in return. 

Nancy Goodwin, shelter director, hopes Sparky will be taken in as soon as can be, with hopes of an owner that will see how special Sparky truly is. 

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Sparky looking for a new place to play

The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter adoption procedures are designed to make sure that both the potential family and the animal adopted are in the very best situation possible. Due to their approach to adoption, their return rate is five percent as compared to the national return rate of fifty percent.

The LB Animal Shelter is located at 20612 Laguna Canyon Rd, (949) 497-3552, or go to the website for information on adoption procedures: www.puplagunabeach.org/our-pets.php.

The past is still with us: A movie course showcasing recent global cinema begins on Sept 5 at Susi Q 

On Tues, Sept 5, filmmaker Kathryn Kramer (Irvine Valley College’s 2017 Emeritus Teacher of the Year) begins her ninth year of featuring recent global cinema at Susi Q. The series continues thru Oct 31 and takes place each Tues from 12:30–3:20 p.m. For a fee of $20, students can enjoy a mix of recent releases and overlooked indies or classics with the theme, “The past is still with us.” All the characters possess some baggage, whether self-made or inherited.

A few of Kathryn’s very favorites will screen. “Out of the nine films Gong Li and Zhang Yimou have partnered on, Shanghai Triad still holds up as their best! Every film devotee should see it at least once,” she says.

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First film in cinema series, Shanghai Triad 

From period dramas to heavy dramas, comedy, thrillers, and foreign films, the course covers a wide variety of genres.

Film buffs, take note. 

A full schedule for the nine-week course: 

9/5/17 - Shanghai Triad 1995 China 108 min. Gorgeous period drama. Directed by Zhang Yimou and starring Gong Li.

9/12/17 - Begin Again 2013 USA 104 min. Musical talents unite. Stars Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Adam Levine, and James Corden. Won four awards.

9/19/17 - Ida 2013 Poland 82 min. Won 67 awards, including the Oscar for Foreign Film.

9/26/17 - The Descendants 2011 USA 115 min. Stars George Clooney, directed by Alexander Payne, won 67 awards.

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Begin Again, starring Kiera Knightley

10/3/17 - Flame and Citron 2008 Denmark 130 min. Directed and co-written by Ole Christian Madsen (Prague), Stars Mads Mikkelsen. Won nine awards. Warning: More violent than average selections.

10/10/17 - Brassed Off! 1996 UK 103 min. This surprise winner of 10 awards stars Ewan McGregor, Tara Fitzgerald, and Pete Postlethwaite. Rom-Com-Drama. 

10/17/17 - Made in Britain 1982 UK 76 min. Tim Roth stars as an unruly skinhead in Act Two of his life, condensed to a week in the David Leland (Mona Lisa) teleplay. 

10/24/17 - Moliere 2007 France 120 min. Written and directed by Laurent Tirard, film imagines a missing chapter in the playwright’s life, stars Romain Duris, Laura Morante, and Ludivine Sagnier. 

10/31/17 - The Conjuring 2013 USA 112 min. Paranormal investigators help a terrorized family. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson star as the true-life couple. Warning: More intense than The Exorcist. 

Register at http://www.123getsmart.com  “Emeritus” or phone (949) 451-5555 Course: English 435: Film Genres Emeritus #68180. Location:  Laguna Beach Community Center, 380 Third St. 

Loreen Gilbert is appointed Chair-elect of NAWBO

Loreen Gilbert, Laguna resident and President of WealthWise Financial Services, was recently sworn in as Chair-elect of the NAWBO National Institute. 

Submitted photo

Loreen Gilbert

Gilbert will be responsible for the education and resource tools developed for women business owners both domestically and internationally. The Institute provides these resources for all women business owners regardless of membership status. 

Currently on the Executive Board of NAWBO National serving as the Governance Chair, Gilbert has served on the NAWBO National Board for the past three years.  She also sits on two of four NAWBO National Councils: the National Tax and Regulations Council and the National Workforce Issues Council.  She’s also the only representative on the Trump Pence Small Business Council in California.  

For more information, visit www.wealthwisefinancial.com.

City Manager Updates

Trolley Tracker App Updated- An update to the Trolley Tracker is now available on the Visit Laguna Beach mobile app. New features of the updated Trolley Tracker include separated route information and a map of each route, a locator marker on the map pages so that riders can view where they are in relation to the route, and arrival times for each bus stop on each route. To update the tracker on a mobile device, the update to the Visit Laguna Beach app can be downloaded in the Apple Store or Android Store from the device.  If you have any questions regarding the updated tracker, please contact Paula Faust at 949-497-0303.

Downtown Street Closure - The crosswalks on Forest Avenue and Park Avenue at South Coast Highway will be closed from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. on August 21 for pavement repairs. Affected businesses have been notified.

Forthcoming Change on OCTA Route 89 - OCTA has announced minor changes to its Route 89 that travels north and south to Laguna Beach along Laguna Canyon Road.  Effective February 2018, on weekdays, the service frequency will be increased from every 35 minutes to every 30 minutes during the peak and midday.  Due to very low ridership on a few trips, OCTA also proposes to eliminate last northbound trip departing at 10:27 p.m. and last southbound trip departing at 9:34 p.m. on weekdays; and the first northbound trip departing at 6:12 a.m. and first southbound trip at 4:57 a.m. on Sundays.  For additional information or to provide comments to OCTA, please visit http://www.octa.net/Bus/Proposed-February-2018-Bus-Service-Plan.

Poetry Moves You - The City of Laguna Beach Poet Laureate, Kate Buckley presents Poetry Moves You. The Poet Laureate has selected excerpts from poems that have been installed alongside the trolley schedule at the Bus Depot on Broadway and the town maps along Forest Avenue. We hope they will inspire as you make your way through beautiful Laguna Beach. This program is funded by the lodging establishments and City of Laguna Beach.

LPAPA Art Exhibition at City Hall - The Laguna Plein Air Painters Association has installed an exhibition of its members new paintings on the first floor of City Hall located at 505 Forest Avenue. The exhibition can be viewed Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and alternative Friday’s 7:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. through October 6.

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.

Click on photo for a larger image

Photo by Michael Tanaka