Big money, to the tune of $100,000, hits the contribution reports for the City Council race
Have you decided on who you’re voting for? Nine candidates await your decision on a ballot featuring three open seats for city council, with five others vying for three all-important school board seats, and one initiative calling for consecutive council term limits.
Perhaps the biggest news of the week is that a committee supporting the three incumbents for the city council seats – Mayor Mark Orgill, Alex Rounaghi and Sue Kempf – received a significant, late contribution this week. A Form 497 Contribution Report filed by Laguna Beach Good Leadership Committee Supporting Kempf, Rounaghi and Orgill for City Council 2026 showed a $100,000 contribution from Regency Properties, L.P. and Affiliated Entities.
The contributor’s listed address, 1555 S. Coast Highway, is the address of the Surf & Sand Resort.
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If you’re interested in witnessing the City Council candidates in action, I invite you to join the Laguna Beach Arts Alliance as they present The Arts in Our Community forum here that took place on Saturday, Sept. 26, in the Forum Theater at the Festival of Arts.
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Voting is officially underway for the November 3 General Election as ballots have now been mailed to all active registered voters throughout Orange County.
The Orange County Registrar of Voters reminds residents that they have several ways to cast their ballots. Voters may return their Vote-By-Mail ballot through the U.S. Postal Service – no postage is required – or use one of 128 secure ballot drop boxes located throughout the county. Ballots may also be dropped off in person at any Vote Center, where voters also have the option of casting their ballots in person.
Select Vote Centers will open Saturday, Oct. 24, operating from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Beginning Saturday, Oct. 31, all Vote Centers will be open daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. through Monday, Nov. 2. On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, Vote Centers will be open from 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
The two Vote Centers in Laguna Beach are at the following locations:
–Laguna Beach Community & Recreation Center – 30516 Coast Highway, (2nd floor)
–Laguna Beach Community and Susi Q Center – 380 3rd St., (2nd floor)
Election officials are encouraging voters to cast their ballots early. According to the Registrar, about 90% of Vote-By-Mail ballots received before Election Day are typically included in the first Unofficial Election Results report released on election night.
Assistance is also available by calling 888.OCVOTES (888.628.6837).
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The Laguna Beach Unified School District Board of Education will meet Thursday, Oct. 8, with several items on the agenda ranging from the arts and student achievement to early planning for the district’s 2027-28 budget.
The regular meeting, as always, takes place at the Thurston Middle School Library. Closed session begins at 4:30 p.m., followed by the open session at 6 p.m.
Among the agenda highlights will be an update on LBUSD’s Visual and Performing Arts programs. Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts Alexis Karol will brief trustees on recent investments in the program, current goals and plans for the school year ahead.
The board will also hear a presentation on Targeted Student Outcomes and Growth Opportunities, with district instructional services staff discussing how student data is being used to identify learning gaps and guide efforts to provide additional support and opportunities for students.
Also on the agenda is an early look at the district’s 2027-28 budget. Trustees will begin the budget-development process with a discussion of the assumptions that will help shape projected revenues, expenditures and future financial decisions.
For those unable to attend in person, the meeting will be livestreamed and recorded on the LBUSD website.
The complete agenda and supporting materials are also available online here.
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Please, please, please, enjoy LBUSD Superintendent Dr. Don Austin’s weekly update elsewhere in today’s Stu News Laguna. Don has made this available to us and through some fumbling of my own, I’m just getting it started now. As I mentioned before, it’s a very thorough report and worth your regular perusal to keep up to date on the district.
We will commit to bringing it to you weekly.
Thanks for everyone’s patience.
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Everyone loves the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. When it reopens, hopefully later this month, the Laguna College of Art + Design (LCAD) will be there in part of what arriving visitors enjoy first.
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Courtesy of LCAD
LCAD alumni creating a welcoming mural at Pacific Marine Mammal Center, which is reportedly opening later in October
Sophia Felger, the center’s Director of Communications + Design, led the branding behind the reopening that includes a new mural for the Dolphin and Elephant Seal Pool designed with local designer Chris Barela.
To accomplish the fete, she called on Drawing + Painting alumni Jordan Tacker and Emma Crespo to create this permanent piece.
• • •
Susi Q presenta una clase de español intermedio, Nivel 2, que se ofrecerá los viernes, del 9 de octubre al 18 de diciembre, de 1–2:30 p.m.
Esta clase está dirigida a estudiantes que ya cuentan con conocimientos básicos de español y desean continuar desarrollando sus habilidades de conversación, comprensión y vocabulario.
Okay, if you can’t read what’s above, you need this class as much as I do – Susi Q is offering an Intermediate Spanish Level 2 class beginning this Friday, Oct. 9. But wait, there’s a lot more going on throughout the month. Check it out here.
Laguna looks at ways to manage growing visitor pressure
By CLARA BEARD
Photos by Mary Hurlbut
Laguna Beach city officials and residents got together on September 30 at Rivian South Coast Theater to talk about the city’s ongoing efforts to protect its beaches, natural areas, culture and quality of life as visitation and seasonal demands continue to grow.
Mayor Mark Orgill, City Manager Dave Kiff, Police Chief Jeff Calvert and Marine Safety Chief Kai Bond were among those who took part in the stewardship event, which mostly focused on the city’s work in environmental protection, public safety, transit and education.
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Residents and city officials at the Laguna Beach stewardship event
The message was straightforward: Laguna welcomes visitors, but the city needs to manage the impacts that come with them.
“Stewardship is the promise that Laguna will still be Laguna for the next generation,” the city stated in its presentation.
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Attendees listen to speakers discussing ways to manage visitor impacts
Officials pointed to several indicators of increased pressure on the city’s beaches and public spaces. Ocean rescues have tripled since 2022, police calls increased 11 percent in one year, and nearly 196,000 people visited local tidepools over the past year. Public Works crews collected 1,180 tons of trash from public spaces between January and August, a 17 percent increase from the same period last year.
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Marine Safety Chief Kai Bond discusses beach safety
The city said it has responded by putting more resources in the places and on the days where demand is highest.
The Laguna Beach Police Department’s Operation Safe Summer focused enforcement efforts during busy periods. Calls for service rose from 41,352 through August 2025 to 46,059 during the same period this year. Parking citations increased 20 percent, while citations for dogs off leash increased 53 percent. Citations and arrests for drinking and smoking in public rose 34 percent.
At the same time, DUI arrests dropped 8 percent, from 196 to 180.
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Police Chief Jeff Calvert addressing the audience
Marine Safety completed 11,580 rescues this summer, up 13 percent from the previous year, while preventive actions climbed 10 percent to more than 420,000. According to the city, prevention remains a priority, whether it is a lifeguard in a tower, an officer on patrol or a docent helping people understand how to safely visit a tidepool.
The Laguna Ocean Foundation reported that its city-funded docent program reached 111,013 people at local tidepools from June 2025 through June 2026. The organization trained 62 new docents and logged more than 13,500 interventions intended to prevent harm to marine life or visitors.
Transit was also part of the discussion. Laguna Beach’s free trolley, Summer Breeze and Laguna Local programs provided 672,435 rides that the city said represented trips people did not make by car. The services carried more than 300,000 passengers during July and August alone.
“Every ride is a parking spot somebody didn’t need,” said the city in its presentation.
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City Manager Dave Kiff (left) chats with residents Jaleesa and Aaron Peluso
City representatives said the lessons of the summer will help guide work into 2027, with an importance on better data, targeted staffing and prevention. The city is also continuing wildfire preparedness work, including the use of new technology and detection sensors. About 87 percent of Laguna Beach is in an extremely high fire zone.
Residents can follow stewardship updates at www.stewardlaguna.com.
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LBUSD Superintendent Dr. Don Austin
More Than an Open Door
Earlier this week, I attended a welcome event for our new families. I would like to thank everyone involved in the planning for this one. We have been the new family with three kids. Laguna Beach is unbelievable in many ways. It can also be tough to join a tight-knit community with kids who have already been friends for a long time.
I love that we try things here. There has always been a belief that any problem affecting our families is worth solving. Some solutions work better than others, but the effort is rarely the downfall. People are quick to roll up their sleeves when it comes to making things better for others. It’s one of the things I have always admired about Laguna Beach.
Some of our new families have quickly observed that our students get opportunities and experiences here that were not found in their previous school districts. Sometimes it takes the lens of a new family to remind us of how different it is here. To all of our new families…WELCOME!
The word inclusion means different things to different people. In my mind, it’s more than the overused “open door” policy. For example, I can sit in my office all day (which I don’t) with my door open. That doesn’t mean people are comfortable enough to walk in. Simply saying the door is open for everyone is not good enough. True inclusion takes effort. It’s not passive. Inclusion may have to begin with a personal invitation or recruitment. Extraordinary efforts are sometimes where true inclusion begins.
I visited our youngest learners at El Morro this week. A 3-year-old girl understood the importance of inclusion. I was walking past her when she asked me if I wanted to paint with her. Of course I jumped at the opportunity. She painted for a few seconds and then handed me her paintbrush. I did the same. We went back and forth for several minutes. I was feeling very included! Since I am a teacher at heart, I thought I would paint some shapes for her. The first was a triangle. The second was a circle. The third was a poorly drawn square. I said, “This is a square.” She looked up and nicely said, “No. That’s a rectangle.” She was correct…I think we are still friends!
Board & Governance
–Board of Education Meeting: The Board will meet on Thursday, Oct. 8 at Thurston Middle School, with an open session beginning at 6 p.m. View the board agenda.
–Visual and Performing Arts Update: The Board will receive an introductory update from LBUSD’s new Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts on the district’s continued investment in arts education and immediate priorities for classroom support, student showcases and community partnerships, as well as plans for Ad Hoc Arts Committee visits to school sites.
–California School Dashboard and Student Outcomes: The Board will review LBUSD’s 2026 state assessment results and key California School Dashboard indicators, focusing on student-group achievement gaps that may not be evident in strong districtwide averages. El Morro Elementary will also share how multiple sources of student data helped identify a mathematics growth area and inform instructional adjustments and student support.
This Week in District Operations
Teaching & Learning
Student and Family Belonging and Well-Being
LBUSD is committed to schools where every student and family feels safe, welcome and respected. District nondiscrimination and anti-bullying policies protect students on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression as part of LBUSD’s commitment to LGBTQ+ students and families.
Click open story button to continue reading…
Revving up Laguna: Vintage beauties on display
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Photos by Mary Hurlbut
Rotary Club members welcomed visitors to the Classic Car Show on Saturday, Oct. 3. Proceeds from the show directly fund annual community grants and service initiatives supporting local nonprofit organizations.
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Octoberfest “beer” garden hostesses are getting ready to greet attendees
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Susan Barber was back with her 1959 Chevrolet Corvette convertible and happy to talk with (L-R) LBPD Officer Craig and Ranger Bacerra
A gorgeous Corvette Stingray from the 1970s glistens in the glaring sun
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The 1955 Jaguar D-Type owner is Bill Rooklidge (in yellow) and Spencer Croul (in blue) is the owner of the 1953 Jaguar C-Type. Croul is also the co-founder of SHACC. They both insisted the real honor goes to the man that keeps both beauties running – master mechanic, Alex Balon (in white). It is the first time the cars have been shown at the show.
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The water district (Assistant General Manager Chris Regan manned the booth) was a fan favorite with a huge vat of ice water
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Fun cars were represented with a VW Bug, Dune Buggy and Aloha van
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1950-‘70s Classics – Americana Heavy Metal
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This custom Hot Rod showed off its chrome engine and wheels
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One of the early automobiles that started it all – a Model A Ford
Fall 2026 Sports Update
Football (4-2)
Laguna Overcomes Injuries to Key Players – Beats Troy 28-14
Resiliency, teamwork and character were all on display Friday night (Oct. 2) at the Fullerton District Stadium, on the campus of Fullerton High School, as Laguna held off host Troy (3-3, 0-1). On the third play from scrimmage, QB Jack Hurst suffered a dislocated kneecap on a block that looked very ordinary and not the type to result in the debilitating injury. The play was an interception of a Hurst pass that was returned to the Breakers’ seven-yard line.
The team held the host squad to three short runs and then a 20-yard field goal try was blocked by Xavier Brooks and then recovered on the Breakers’ 18-yard line. Freshman quarterback Braden Hansen took over for Hurst, but Laguna was unable to generate more than one first down over the next two possessions. Troy was also equally defended as Laguna was able to stop them cold on their next two drives, the last ending early in the second period on a fourth down try deep in Laguna territory.
On the first Laguna play of the second quarter, leading rusher Charlie Christian suffered a deep ankle sprain on a short run, the third major injury loss to the squad. Last week, tight end/linebacker Garrett Byerly (Army) also went down with a season-ending injury.
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Photo by F. Aronoff
Breakers survive key injuries against Troy – injured Breakers #12 Jack Hurst and # 44 Charlie Christian look on as Laguna faced Troy last Friday night (Oct. 2) at Fullerton High School
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Photo by Melissa Thomson
Breakers’ captains for the Troy Game #77 Weston Darrow, #76 Luke Bogdan, #17 Wyatt Bogdan and #2 Brady Stringham
Bob Gardner stepped in for Christian catching a 10-yard pass play on the next snap. Under the guidance of Hansen, Laguna went 61 yards in nine plays to score first. Hansen completed three passes in the effort and ran three times for 32 yards, including the touchdown gallop.
Troy was stifled again on three plays and two self-inflicted penalties to punt to Laguna and the Breakers followed by responding on their final possession of the first half. After two short runs by Gardner, Hansen hit Brady Stringham for a big 31-yard pass playdown to the Warriors’ eight-yard line. Stringham surprised the hosts on the next play with an eight-yard run for the points.
Everything seemed to be going Laguna’s way until the last play of the half when Troy connected on a 37-yard “Hail Mary” toss into double coverage for their first score as time expired.
Troy got the ball first to open the second half and marched 55 yards before Gardner was able to force a fumble, recovering the ball on the Laguna 19. The Breakers were not so lucky on Troy’s next possession after a Laguna three-plays-punt sequence to drive 53 yards for the tying score.
Laguna did not fold and went on a 92-yard, 16-play drive that culminated in a Hansen to Kimball touchdown pass early in the final period.
The Breakers’ defense smothered the Warriors after the ensuing kickoff, forcing a fourth down and 19-yard situation from their own 21-yard line. Five plays, including a perfect 36-yard pass play to Stringham, put the ball on the Troy one-yard line with Gardner adding the final points.
Troy had two final tries. The first went 10 plays to the Laguna 12 but was stopped on downs and the second attempt ended on a Colter Steris interception on the first play.
Laguna 0-14-0-14 = 28
Troy 0- 7-7- 0 = 14
Second Quarter
L – Hansen 2 run (Stringham kick) 6:10
L – Hansen 8 run (Stringham kick) 1:42
T – Green 37 pass from Mays (Torosian kick) 0:00
Third Quarter
T – Billington 41 run (Torosian kick) 5:10
Fourth Quarter
L – Kimball 12 pass from Hansen (Stringham kick) 10:22
L – Gardner 1 run (Stringham kick) 7:01
Game Statistics:
First Downs: LB-13, T-12
Rushing(Carries/Yards): LB – 40/99, T – 31/138
Passing Yards: LB – 166, T – 161
Total Yards/Plays: LB – 265/53, T – 299/51
Return Yards: LB – 0, T – 23
Fumbles/lost: LB – 0/0, T – 1/1
Punts/Ave: LB – 5/31, T – 3/32
Penalties/Yds: LB: 5/39, T – 9/60
Individual Leaders:
Passing: Braden Hansen – 21-17-0, 174, 1 TD (119.9 rating)
Rushing: Hansen 7-43, Gardner 13-50, Christian 5-20
Receiving: Stringham 8-100, Gardner 3-18, Guzman 2-21, Kimball 3-21
This week:
Another Thursday game (Oct. 8) at #48 El Modena. The Vanguards are 5-1 after losing 24-21 at #25 Huntington Beach on the final play of the game; their opponents-to-date are 19-17 overall, while Laguna’s are 26-11, best among league teams. The Breakers are 2-1 in games against El Mo played back in 1967-69 when they were both members of the Crestview League.
#59 Laguna is now 35-40 in games played on Thursday out of 891 games played through last week’s Troy contest. The Breakers have had three Thursday games in a season four previous times: 1990, 1997, 2005 and 2013. In 2000 Laguna played on Thursday four times.
(Follow the team on Instagram @lbhsbreakerfootball.)
Game and season statistics are posted on MaxPreps.
Cross Country
The team next travels on October 9 to Fresno for the Clovis Invitational which is held on the State CIF course at Woodward Park.
Boys Beach Volleyball (6–2, 2–2)
Don’t miss the last regular season contest this Wednesday, Oct. 7 at Main Beach versus the Tritons from San Clemente High School. Playing in their final regular season varsity match will be Vince Merheb, Jacob Bystrom, Quinn Halloran, Truman Smith and Kurt Moen. The Team Playoff schedule will be in the next report.
(Follow the team on Instagram @lbhsboysbeachvolleyball.)
Girls Golf (4–5, 2–2)
The Breakers lost 245-199 to Sage Hill on Thursday, Oct.1 in a league match at Ben Brown’s (par 32). Brooklyn Guerra was Laguna Beach’s low scorer, shooting a 42 and Clarie Wang from Sage Hill was the low score for the match with a 33.
They will host Rosary Academy tomorrow on October 7.
Flag Football (6–10, 4–2)
The Breakers lost a 28-7 non-league contest at University (10-8) on September 30. The key remaining Pacific Hills League contest, weather permitting, is at Pacifica Christian (0-5, 8-12) tomorrow (Oct. 7).
Girls Tennis (3–7, 0-3)
Correction – The Tuesday, Sept. 29, 14-4 non-league loss was to Santa Margarita. Laguna also lost a 13-5 league match to Woodbridge on Thursday, Oct. 1. This week’s matches, weather permitting, are at Sage Hill today (Oct. 6) and Portola on Thursday (Oct. 8).
Girls Volleyball (9-13, 6–1)
Tough Serving Sinks Tritons
Laguna continued to serve tough in defeating Pacifica Christian 25-9, 25-10, 16-25, 25-13 on Thursday evening, Oct. 1 at Dugger Gym. The win sets up the Thursday, Oct. 8 showdown at Irvine for the league title. The Irvine Vaqueros upset Laguna in a five-set thriller back on September 22 at Dugger Gym.
Boys Water Polo (14–6, 2-0)
On Friday, Oct. 2, in the heat at El Toro High School, Laguna defeated Los Alamitos 17-13 in a Senior Day celebration for Laguna’s players.
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Photo by F. Aronoff
Laguna fans celebrate Boys Water Polo Seniors. It was extremely hot at El Toro on Friday, Oct. 2, but Laguna fans still made the trek to El Toro High School for the “home” boys water polo match versus Los Alamitos to honor the 10 seniors of the 2026 squad.
The Breakers had no trouble with the Griffins led by co-captain Finn Leverty’s five goals and three by Zach Hornstein. Seniors Bence White, Colin Gregg, Dane Seybold (co-captain), Charlie Miller, Ellis Minck and Masen McKinzie also scored.
SS-CIF playoff brackets will post Friday Oct. 23, 2 p.m. at www.cifss.org.
(Follow the team on Instagram @laguna_boys_waterpolo.)
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Have a note on LBHS sports? Email me at frank@twometer.net.
If you would like an updated free PDF file of the 2026 Football Record Book, drop me an email request: Volleyball, Boys Basketball, Girls Water Polo and Baseball all are currently being revised for 2026-27 season – older edition PDFs are also available.
2026-27 High School Schedules? Check Laguna Beach High School on the MaxPreps website or the schedules tab on the Athletics website at https://lbhs.lbusd.org/athletics/schedules. To get scores on the school site – select the sport and level, click year and move to the “Show older events” toggle under the selected season.
Follow Breaker Athletics on Instagram at lagunabeachathletics.
LBHS announces September Athletes of the Month
Written and provided by Laguna Beach Athletics
Boys Beach Volleyball – Vincent “Vinnie” Merheb
Vince Merheb and his brother have teamed up for impressive wins over Downey, Edison, Dana Hills and Aliso Viejo High School this season. His strong serving, reliable side-out play and sharp defensive instincts make him a challenging opponent across the net.
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Photos courtesy of Laguna Beach Athletics
Vincent Merheb
Coach Paul Cuevas praised Merheb’s work ethic and constant drive to improve his game at every position. He also contributed to Laguna Beach’s semifinal finish in the four-man tournament at Newport Harbor.
Beyond his performance, Merheb stands out for the respect he shows opponents, teammates and coaches. His commitment to getting better while treating others well makes him a deserving recipient of this month’s recognition
Boys Cross Country – Sloan Shearer
After joining cross country for the first time last year, Sloan Shearer has taken a major step forward this season and emerged as one of the Breakers’ top varsity runners. He led Laguna Beach at the season-opening Iolani Invitational in Hawaii and followed that performance with an outstanding fourth-place finish at the Woodbridge Invitational, running an impressive 16:10 for three miles. That time ranks No. 17 in LBHS history among sophomores.
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Sloan Shearer
But Shearer’s impact extends beyond his performances on the course. Head Coach Tommy Newton-Neal describes him as a dedicated and driven athlete who has developed into a respected leader among his teammates. His work ethic, competitiveness and leadership push those around him to become the best versions of themselves – both as runners and as teammates.
With only his second cross country season underway, Shearer has already established himself as an important part of the Breakers’ present and future.
Girls Cross Country – Ella Volpe
Senior Ella Volpe has been a tremendous leader for Laguna Beach Girls Cross Country since training began in July. Her work ethic, dedication and commitment set the standard for her teammates, and she consistently leads by example with a competitive spirit.
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Ella Volpe
Volpe opened the season with an impressive 8th-place finish in the senior race at the Mountie Express Invitational, then continued her strong start at the Iolani Invitational in Hawaii, finishing 35th among more than 100 runners and second for Laguna Beach. Her leadership and consistency make her a deserving choice as our September Athlete of the Month.
Girls Flag Football – Stella Kollock
A leader on both sides of the ball at quarterback and safety, Stella Kollock has been instrumental in the Breakers’ success this month. She helped Laguna Beach post a 4-3 record and secure the No. 2 spot in league, while demonstrating the resilience, dedication and commitment that Head Coach Ryan Kollock believes define her as a player and teammate.
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Stella Kollock
Despite battling illness, injuries and personnel challenges, Kollock has not missed a practice or game. Through it all, she has remained cool, calm and collected – never giving up and always being there to encourage and pick up her teammates.
She also delivered a record-setting performance against Irvine, throwing a single-game and career-high six touchdown passes.
“Stella is a star player and teammate,” Coach Kollock said. “She never gives up, is cool, calm and collected, and is there to support and pick her teammates up.”
Her toughness, leadership and commitment to her teammates perfectly capture what it means to represent Laguna Beach.
Kollock is a Breaker that does not break!
Football – Xavier Brooks
Senior Xavier Brooks brings intensity, leadership and a relentless competitive spirit to Laguna Beach Varsity Football. An anchor of the Breakers’ defense for two seasons, Brooks plays with ferocity on the defensive line and sets the tone through his effort and example.
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Xavier Brooks
“Xavier’s relentless work ethic and outstanding performance on the field has truly elevated our entire team this season,” said defensive line coach Dave Ricci. “We are incredibly proud of his success on and off the field and cannot wait to see him continue to dominate and inspire everyone around him this season and beyond.”
Brooks’ accomplishments extend to the wrestling mat as well. As a junior, he placed fifth in the 215-pound weight class at the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet, earning a berth in the CIF State Wrestling Championships at Dignity Health Arena in Bakersfield.
Whether battling in the trenches or competing on the mat, he represents the toughness, dedication and leadership that make him a standout Breaker.
Girls Golf – Quincy Krizman
Quincy Krizman’s consistency and continued improvement have made her an integral part of the Breakers’ success this season. In seven September matches, her score counted toward the team total every time. She posted Laguna Beach’s lowest score in three matches and earned the lowest score among all players twice.
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Quincy Krizman
Consistently shooting in the low 40s, Quincy brings dependable play and a commitment to improving each time she takes the course. Coach Tom Levinstein also praised her positive attitude and hard work – qualities that make her a valued teammate alongside her contributions on the scorecard.
Surf – Forest Marriner
Sophomore Forest Marriner has made a strong start to the season earning recognition as Laguna Beach Surf’s Surfer of the Month!
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Forest Marriner
Head Coach Scott Finn praised Marriner for posting some of the team’s highest heat totals and standing out in both practices and competitions. His talent and consistent performances have made him an early-season standout for the Breakers.
Just as impressive is his humility. Coach Finn describes him as a humble and talented young surfer whose approach to the sport makes him a valued member of the team.
Girls Tennis – Alexis Berger and Grace Koury
Head Coach Rob Klugman selected Alexis Berger and Grace Koury as the team’s best-performing doubles duo. They have consistently delivered strong results, frequently winning two of their three sets in matches against Aliso Niguel, San Clemente, University Irvine and Crean Lutheran.
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Alexis Berger and Grace Koury
Their success goes beyond the scorecard. Coach Klugman praised their communication, support for one another and overall positive attitude – qualities that help them navigate challenging points and compete together with confidence.
Through their strong play and commitment to each other, Berger and Koury demonstrate what a successful doubles partnership looks like. Congratulations to this dynamic duo!
Girls Volleyball – Maia Miller
Head Coach Sinan Tanik selected Maia Miller after an outstanding month in which the middle hitter found her rhythm as a force both offensively and defensively. She consistently came through during difficult moments, helping the Breakers regain momentum. She also emerged as a weapon from the service line – an impressive addition to her game as a middle.
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Maia Miller
In 14 matches and 43 sets during the month, Miller recorded 53 kills, 25 blocks and 12 aces.
Coach Tanik praised her continued growth and her ability to impact matches in multiple ways. Miller’s blocking, attacking and serving have made her an important part of the Breakers’ success this season.
Water Polo – Finn Leverty
Senior captain Finn Leverty has established himself as one of the Laguna Beach boys water polo team’s most complete and valuable players.
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Finn Leverty
As the Breakers’ primary perimeter defender, Leverty routinely accepts the challenge of guarding the opposition’s top offensive threats. He also leads Laguna in assists and ranks among the team’s top three in both goals and ejections drawn.
Coach Camron Hauer describes him as a “Swiss Army knife” who can do it all. A talented facilitator and versatile competitor, Leverty impacts the game at both ends of the pool.
As a captain, he brings a rare combination of passion and composure. He grinds alongside his teammates, leads by example and remains committed to helping everyone around him improve.
Coach of the Month – Camron Hauer
For Laguna Beach boys water polo head coach Camron Hauer, leading the Breakers is much more than a coaching position – it is an opportunity to give back to the school, sport and community that helped shape him.
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Water Polo Head Coach Camron Hauer
A 2013 graduate of Laguna Beach High School, Hauer was a standout member of two CIF championship water polo teams. He earned First Team All-Orange Coast League and First Team All-CIF Division 2 honors before continuing his career at California Lutheran University.
Hauer played four seasons for the Kingsmen and developed a reputation as a versatile and dependable contributor. Throughout his collegiate career, he produced goals, assists, steals, drawn ejections and field blocks while appearing in more than 100 games. He graduated from Cal Lutheran after studying Christian theology and political science.
Hauer has now coached at Laguna Beach for seven years, including two seasons leading the Frosh/Soph team. His greatest strength as a coach is his ability to empower young men to become leaders. While he wants his teams to compete at a high level, his goals extend well beyond wins and losses.
Hauer hopes the Breakers will consistently achieve the standards they have established, grow in their team mission and develop a genuine love for one another. He believes the strongest teams are built through daily commitment, accountability and meaningful relationships.
As a former Breaker champion, collegiate athlete and now head coach, Camron Hauer continues to invest in the next generation of Laguna Beach student-athletes – helping them grow as competitors, teammates and leaders.
Away from the pool, Hauer enjoys spending time with his wife, Courtney, and their daughter, Hazel.
Follow Breaker Athletics on Instagram @lagunabeachathletics.
2026-27 High School Schedules? Check Laguna Beach High School on the MaxPreps website or the schedules tab on the Athletics website at https://lbhs.lbusd.org/athletics/schedules. To get scores on the school site – select the sport and level, click year and move to the “Show older events” toggle under the selected season.
Follow Breaker Athletics on Instagram at lagunabeachathletics.
Crystal Cove Conservancy raises $950,000 for education and conservation at 27th Annual Endless Summer Soirée
Crystal Cove Conservancy welcomed more than 200 guests to the blufftop of Crystal Cove State Park’s Pelican Point on Saturday, Oct. 3 for its 27th Annual Endless Summer Soirée. The annual celebration raised $950,000 to support The Conservancy’s STEM education programs and its ongoing work to protect and preserve Crystal Cove State Park.
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Photos by OC Event Photos
Autumn sunset at the Endless Summer Soirée
Set against panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, the evening brought together supporters, community leaders and conservation partners to celebrate Crystal Cove, and the collective work to ensure its natural, cultural and historic resources endure for generations to come.
Guests enjoyed vintage cocktails, live music and an elegant al fresco dinner. A live auction and paddle raise supported The Conservancy’s STEM education programs, followed by dancing under the autumn sky.
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(L-R) California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot, California State Parks Director Armando Quintero, Crystal Cove Conservancy CEO Hallie Jones, Crystal Cove Conservancy Board Chair Teddie Ray and California State Parks – Orange Coast District Superintendent Scott Kibbey
Among the distinguished attendees were California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot; California State Parks Director Armando Quintero; U.S. Representative Dave Min; Fifth District Supervisor and Vice Chair of the Orange County Board of Supervisors Katrina Foley and Laguna Beach Mayor Mark Orgill.
The evening also marked the first Endless Summer Soirée with Hallie Jones serving as CEO of Crystal Cove Conservancy. Jones, who assumed the role in August, reflected on the community of supporters, partners and volunteers whose commitment makes The Conservancy’s work possible.
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CEO of Crystal Cove Conservancy Hallie Jones reflected on the importance of community supporters, partners and volunteers
“Crystal Cove isn’t just a place,” said Jones. “It’s a community of people who show up to protect the places they love, through small moments that make a big impact. Tonight’s Endless Summer Soirée was a wonderful celebration of that commitment, set against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by coastal sage scrub. We’re honored to carry this work forward together.”
Guests bid on one-of-a-kind experiences during the live auction and came together for an enthusiastic paddle raise. Together with sponsorships and other contributions, the evening raised $950,000 to support The Conservancy’s education, conservation and historic preservation programs.
“California State Parks and Crystal Cove Conservancy have shared a steadfast commitment to protecting one of the most unique places along the entire Pacific Coast,” said Quintero. “This flourishing partnership has evolved from restoring historic bungalows that, in essence, allow visitors to time travel back to the 1920s, to providing world-class education experiences while conserving the state park’s incredible natural and cultural resources. I am so very grateful for this partnership, which has served as a model not just in the California State Park System but at parks throughout the country.”
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Guests raising their paddles during the auction in support of Crystal Cove Conservancy
Each year, students – including thousands from Title I schools – come to Crystal Cove State Park for hands-on experiences that take learning beyond the classroom. Students explore tidepools, restore native habitat, code environmental sensors, build environmental robots and work alongside scientists and educators to investigate real-world questions within the park.
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Love Laguna brings out enthusiastic volunteers
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Photos by Mary Hurlbut
Volunteers gathered outside Susi Q for Love Laguna
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(L-R) Jheri St. James and Gail Duncan oversee the pastry table as volunteers arrive
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Volunteer opportunities
Garden Club members manning their booth
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Tom Joliet looks enthusiastic and ready to start
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Chris Tebbutt juggling snacks
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LBPD Officer Nicole Rice talking to young volunteers
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The Assistance League was represented
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Mayor Mark Orgill with two Love Laguna participants
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Connor Parker watching over his table
Heat now, rain in the future
Now it’s October and the heat is on, not just here in Southern Cal but it’s a cooker along the entire Pacific West Coast all the way up as far as Vancouver, B.C. and Bellingham, Washington (46.5 degrees north latitude). Bellingham is the northernmost coastal city in Washington State, and it got up to 85 degrees there on Sunday (Oct. 4), the 4th, a new record for the date.
Here in town, it got up to 97 with 25% humidity on Sunday. It’s not a Santana wind event, otherwise the relative humidity would be way down there in the single digits. What’s going on here is a huge dome of high pressure that is running the show over the entire West Coast stretching all the way from British Columbia to the Mexico-California border and beyond – and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. The North Pacific storm track is way up there around the 48th parallel in southernmost Alaska, well south of Juneau.
The North Pacific is beginning to wake up from its summer slumber and getting ready to start mass producing those deep lows that form off Japan and the Kamchatka Peninsula. With the current El Niño on steroids, that’s a major factor in increased activity for the upcoming winter. And if El Niño plays out true to form, the North Pacific storm track will conduct business well to the south of where it operates during a non-El Niño season. I think the hammer is going to come down by early November.
The normal high-low temp for October 4 in Laguna is 75-60 degrees. The hottest day on record for October was in 1958 and 1987 on October 9. With strong NE Santanas occurring during the 1958 event, the relative humidity that day at water’s edge was a record low of 6%. The Laguna wildfire from October 27, 1993, saw the humidity plunge to 7%.
Your weather guy lost everything but the clothes he had on that day, and 434 other homes were lost, but thankfully no one perished from that awful event. Laguna’s chilliest October night was in October 1971 with a burly 40 in town and 36 out in the canyon. The normal rainfall for Laguna in October is around a half inch. Our wettest October was in 2004 with about 6.2 inches from two separate atmospheric rivers.
Laguna’s normal ocean temperature in October is around 64-66 with the warmest on record of 74 in 1997 and October 1, 2026. The chilliest water temperature was 57 set back in 1978 on Halloween. I might note here that the winter of 1978-79 was Laguna’s second coldest on record, second only to the winter of 1948-49 when it snowed in Laguna on January 5, 1949, with nearly two inches on the ground at Top of the World, elevation 1105 ft. The unofficial low temperature of 22 degrees was recorded out in the canyon. Water temperatures plunged to 49 in January of that historical winter.
Finally, I’m calling for at least 25 inches of rain, maybe more here in Laguna for the upcoming winter. The trend every winter is to see above normal (to some degree) total rain for an El Niño event with one exception – the last significant El Niño did not behave like all the previous events. It produced only around eight inches of rain for the 2015-16 event which only goes to show that meteorology remains an inexact science and probably will.
See you next week, ALOHA!
Susi Q’s Evening with an Author welcomes acclaimed novelist Mikki Brammer in conversation with Marrie Stone
On Thursday, Oct. 22 at 5 p.m. at the Susi Q, literary podcaster Marrie Stone will chat with acclaimed novelist Mikki Brammer about her latest novel, Good Joy, Bad Joy. The event, beloved by book clubs and often sold out, includes nibbles and wine.
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Submitted photo
Mikki Brammer discusses her new novel on October 22
A Barnes & Noble Book Club pick, Reader’s Digest Book Club pick and Book of the Month pick, the novel is a vibrant, heartfelt tale of friendship over the decades, self-discovery and what it means to live life to the fullest.
Attendees can choose to buy a $40 ticket that includes the book or simply attend for a fee of $25. Brammer will sign books when the event concludes around 6:30 p.m.
Stone is thrilled to welcome Brammer.
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Photo by Jeff Rovner
A previous Evening with an Author: The committee gathered with writer Bruce Holsinger (center) after he spoke. Organizers include: (L-R) Lin Beers, Laguna Beach Books; Nadia Babiya, Susi Q Seniors; Marrie Stone, moderator; Holsinger; Amy Dechary, Third Street Writers and Jane Hanauer, Laguna Beach Books.
We asked Marrie Stone about the upcoming Evening with an Author with Mikki Brammer.
What makes Mikki – and her latest novel – an ideal choice for Laguna Beach booklovers to hear more about?
MS: We don’t see enough older adults represented in fiction, yet they make up the majority of the reading population (especially in Laguna Beach, and of course at the Susi Q). Readers are naturally drawn to relatable characters. I think our community will not only love Joy, but they’ll identify with her.
Mikki Brammer is an Australian who hails from Tasmania but now lives in Brooklyn. Will you explore how her heritage might influence her writing?
MS: Yes! I’m also curious about a relatively young author choosing an older protagonist. Mikki’s first novel was about a death doula, so she clearly has interest in end-of-life issues and what we make of our lives in hindsight. I’m looking forward to digging into that obsession.
Is there a specific aspect of Good Joy, Bad Joy that has appealed to you in particular, and if so, why?
MS: Female friendships are fertile ground. So many novels explore their complexities and permutations, and I love them all. A platonic love that’s lasted 80 years is worth exploring. No other relationship, beyond siblinghood, allows a person to be known across this expanse of time in all their life stages.
Susi Q’s Evening with an Author program has welcomed numerous high-profile authors and is often sold-out. Why do you think this event is so popular among readers and writers in Laguna Beach and South County?
MS: There’s a real hunger for intimate, live events where readers can engage with popular authors one-on-one. And Laguna has a particularly intellectual, engaged and curious population. Not having to drive far at night to experience a literary event is a real bonus. And there’s free parking.
Susi Q is located at 380 Third St. To sign up for the event, click here or visit www.thesusiq.org and click on the events tab.
LBPD offers E–bike training on October 11
On Sunday, Oct. 11 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (one-and-a-half hour time slots), the Laguna Beach Police Department (LBPD) will be conducting an E-bike training course. The training will be held at Thurston Middle School, 2100 Park Ave., Laguna Beach.
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Courtesy of city of Laguna Beach
Learn the rules of the road for E-bikes on October 11
Attendees will learn safety skills, rules of the road and can earn their E-bike permits for school transportation. Parents must be present, and participants need to bring their E-bikes and a helmet.
To register, go to www.lagunabeachcity.net/ under special programs, LBPD E-bike safety course.
Halloween comes to the Laguna Beach Pharmacy
Laguna Beach Pharmacy is not short on the Halloween spirit, especially when it comes to the movie Beetlejuice. Bill, the pharmacist, is Beetlejuice and pharmacy tech, Jonathan is dressed up as Adam (played by Alec Baldwin in the movie) at the moment when he tries to scare the new family into moving out of their house.
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Photos by Kiku Terasaki
Bill and Jonathan transform into two characters from “Beetlejuice”
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Art the Clown (from “The Terrifier” and the Grinch from Halloween 2025 at the pharmacy
Letters to the Editor
Former school board members and community leaders support Joan, Shaheen and Kimberly
Despite Saturday morning’s heat wave, four former school board members joined teachers and community leaders to say, “It’s time for a school board course correction. Vote for Joan, Shaheen and Kimberly.”
This slate of three very qualified challengers is supported by every member of the city council, which includes former school board member Bob Whalen. Joan, Shaheen and Kimberly also have strong support from teachers and staff.
Gathered Saturday in support of Joan, Shaheen and Kimberly were Linda Barker, Ketta Brown, Tim Carlyle, Harvey Triebwasser, Betsy Jenkins, Carol Nilsen, MJ Abraham, Jacquie Cohn, Rita Conn, Leanne Englander, Stephanie Mister, Thasa Hauntz-Zuziak, Gary Jenkins, Howard Conn, Kathy Abel, Howard Englander, Bob Mister and Gregg Abel, as well as students Sterling and Tindall.
No matter how you vote in the November elections – either by mail or in person – the future of Laguna’s schools is in your hands. Everyone who came together Saturday agrees: It’s time to flip the board.
Denny Freidenrich
Laguna Beach
PUP Laguna Beach sponsors no-cost spay/neuter and microchipping program for local veterans
PUP Laguna Beach, in partnership with the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter, is offering a Veterans Pet Wellness Program this fall to help active-duty and retired military residents of Laguna Beach and Laguna Woods care for their pets. PUP Laguna Beach will cover the cost of eligible spay or neuter procedures, with a microchip included as part of the procedure.
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Courtesy of PUP Laguna Beach
The Veterans Pet Wellness Program, funded by PUP Laguna Beach in partnership with the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter, will provide no-cost spay or neuter procedures with an included microchip for eligible active-duty and retired military residents of Laguna Beach and Laguna Woods
Vouchers are available at the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter now through October 31. There is no cost for the voucher, but participants must obtain a voucher during the October enrollment period. Procedures must be scheduled and completed in November 2026 at Laguna Beach Animal Hospital, the participating veterinarian.
To qualify, participants must provide proof that they are residents of Laguna Beach or Laguna Woods and proof that they are currently serving on active duty or are retired from military service.
The program is designed to make important preventive veterinary care more accessible while recognizing the service of local military members and veterans. Spaying and neutering can help prevent unwanted litters, and the microchip included with each spay or neuter procedure provides an additional way to help reunite a lost pet with its owner. Microchipping is included only with a spay or neuter procedure through this program and is not available as a stand-alone service.
Eligible residents may obtain vouchers at the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter, 20612 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. For additional information, call the shelter at 949.497.3552.
This is as close as we can come to actually singing to our readers on their birthdays!
We’d love to include yours – and/or your children’s birthdays here.
Just email to: editor@stunewslaguna.com
Celebrate and enjoy your birthday!
October 6: Barbara Nash, Elaine Rubenstein, Kathy Armas, Sean McElwee, Silvia Rossi
October 7: Adam Neeley, Ann Schott, Cynthia Harryman Allison, Donnie Romero, Kevin McCall, Maryanne Kuzara
October 8: Brittany Welch, Kathleen Wenger, Larry Lawrence, Levi T. Hansen, Marisa Jamison Fader
October 9: Doreen Alexander, James Pribram, Jay Rubin, Laura Knighten
October 10: Abbie Baker, Anne Broussard Belyea, Denise McCreedy Nash
October 11: Fernando Quinde, Gizelle Russ, Jayne Du, Kerry Walker-Collins, Kristine Landrum, Sarah Cassidy
October 12: Charlotte Riches, Dave Sanford
Pet of the Week 
Stu News Laguna is delighted to be working with the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter to help get the word out in search of loving homes for pets that deserve a warm, nurturing environment and a place to call “home.”
Meet Arnette, a small female Cairn terrier, who is between 1-3 years old and weighs in at under 25 lbs. She is affectionate, friendly, funny, affectionate and playful (and house trained). Currently, her backstory hasn’t been added to his profile, so for more information, contact Laguna Beach Animal Shelter at 949.497.3552. Arnette would be a wonderful housemate.
Courtesy of Laguna Beach Animal Shelter
Stop by the shelter and check out Arnette
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 5% as compared to the national return rate of 50%.
The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter is located at 20612 Laguna Canyon Road. Call 949.497.3552 or go to the website for information on adoption procedures at www.puplagunabeach.org/our-pets.php.
It’s time for pumpkins, ghouls and goblins
Don’t let your pumpkins haunt the landfill. Learn how pumpkins and other organic materials can be transformed into nutrient-rich compost.
Join the Pumpkin Smash Bash on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 10-11 a.m. with CR&R, 30516 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. RSVP to lagunabeach-recycles@crrmail.com. This is a free, family friendly – and don’t forget to bring your own pumpkin. Attendees will have the opportunity to take a photo with the CR&R mini truck.
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Photos courtesy of city of Laguna Beach
Spooky events coming up
Also, the Laguna Beach Parents Club Halloween Walk to Main Beach will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
For a morning of music, treats and more, attend the free event for Laguna preschoolers at Susi Q from 9-10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 29. Costumes are encouraged but not required.
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Calling all little monsters for fun at Susi Q on October 29
Check out all the holiday events coming up at www.lagunabeachcity.net.
Sculpted by nature
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Photo by Mary Hurlbut
Prevailing winds have designed this beauty at Main Beach
The Rocky Horror Skivvies Show returns to Laguna Playhouse on October 9 and 10
Laguna Playhouse announces the return of the popular Skivvies in their special show The Rocky Horror Skivvies Show on Friday, Oct. 9 and Saturday, Oct. 10. Show times will be 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday with a matinee on Saturday at 2 p.m.
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Photos courtesy of Laguna Playhouse
Lauren Molina is part of the duo headlining the show
The Rocky Horror Skivvies Show, a literally “stripped-down” version of 1973 cult musical features the musical duo of Nick Clearley and Lauren Molina. Molina and Clearley will lead this fun concert presentation which features reimagined arrangements of songs from the Richard O’Brien musical. The duo will be joined by special guest stars Blake McIver Ewing, Gnosis, Hernando Umane, Jason Michael Snow, Jonnie Rhinehart, Kirsten Vangsness, Lauren Elder and Sade Ayodele.
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Nick Clearly is the other half of the leading duo performing the reimagined songs from the musical
During the pandemic, The Skivvies recorded their debut album, The Rocky Horror Skivvies Show, available in stores and streaming on all platforms. The current revival of the musical is playing on Broadway at Studio 54 and was nominated for a 2025 Tony Award. The Skivvies received the 2024 Broadway World Award for Best Musical Comedy Show in NYC.
The Skivvies previously appeared to sold-out audiences at Laguna Playhouse. They joined together in 2012 after building a huge online following. Molina and Clearley originally met in 2003, and both come with extensive musical theater backgrounds; Molina appeared on Broadway in Sweeney Todd and Rock of Ages and Clearley starred in several national tours.
Get your tickets now at www.lagunaplayhouse.com. Tickets start at $55. Laguna Playhouse is located at 606 Laguna Canyon Road.
Laguna Art Museum presents Kim Manfredi’s first solo museum exhibition
Laguna Art Museum (LAM) will open Kim Manfredi: View with a Grain of Sand, the artist’s first solo museum exhibition tomorrow, October 3. Manfredi, LAM’s 2026 Art + Nature commissioned artist, explores perception, landscape and humanity’s relationship to the natural world in paintings on view through January 18, 2027.
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Photo by JenMarie Landig
2026 Art + Nature commissioned artist Kim Manfredi
Now in its 14th year, Art + Nature is a several-day program of commissioned artworks, public projects, talks, walks and partnerships that brings art, community and environmental reflection beyond the museum’s walls. The exhibition leads to Manfredi’s outdoor installation, A Flag Walk for Our Future in November.
Manfredi transforms direct observations of elemental phenomena into an abstract visual language. Layers of color, drips, bleeds and oversprays evoke the vitality and unpredictability of nature, while fragmentation within the compositions reflects humanity’s imprint on the environment and creates moments of visual play.
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Courtesy of LAM
Art + Nature 2025 Ana Teresa Fernández, “SOS” installation
The exhibition takes its title from Wisława Szymborska’s poem View with a Grain of Sand, which reflects on humanity’s place within a vast world and challenges the illusion that people exist separately from the natural environment. Like poetry, Manfredi’s paintings use an incomplete and metaphorical language to encourage new ways of seeing. Visitors are invited to look closely and discover shifting symbols, light, surface and new connections to the landscape beyond.
“Kim Manfredi’s paintings reward time, attention and curiosity,” said Julie Perlin Lee, executive director of Laguna Art Museum. “We are proud to present her first solo museum exhibition because this work gives visitors a meaningful way to think about landscape, perception and their own relationship to the natural world.”
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Courtesy of LAM
2023 Christopher Cichocki, “Rising Inversion” installation for Art + Nature
“I make paintings that move between abstraction and representation, using color, material and surface to explore how social contracts mediate our experience of ourselves, each other and the natural world,” said Manfredi.
A Flag Walk for Our Future, Manfredi’s commissioned project for Laguna Art Museum’s 2026 Art + Nature will be presented on November 5-9 along a 0.7-mile accessible path in Heisler Park. The participatory installation engages visitors with the natural environment while considering how shared social agreements shape the ways people move through and experience public space.
Together, View with a Grain of Sand and A Flag Walk for Our Future create complementary indoor and outdoor experiences. Inside the museum, Manfredi translates natural phenomena into abstraction through painting; outside, wind, sunlight, landscape and the movement of visitors become active elements of the work.
Art + Nature Celebration Week takes place November 1-9, as part of Laguna Art Museum’s annual Art + Nature program.
For more information on Kim Manfredi, visit www.kimmanfredi.com.
For additional information on LAM, visit www.lagunaartmuseum.org.
Laguna Art Museum is located at 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach.
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Mondays, except Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth and Labor Day. Closed on the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Festival of Arts expands permanent art collection with two new acquisitions
The Festival of Arts (FOA) of Laguna Beach has announced the acquisition of two paintings by artists who exhibited in the 2026 Fine Art Show. The newly acquired works: Moon Light by Michael Situ and Time of Reflection by Jason Li, will join the Festival’s Permanent Art Collection. Both paintings capture the beauty of Laguna Beach at distinctly different moments, from moonlight illuminating Heisler Park to the warm glow of a coastal sunset. Together, the works offer two unique interpretations of the landscape that has inspired generations of artists and helped shape Laguna Beach’s artistic identity.
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Courtesy of FOA
Works by 2026 exhibiting artists Michael Situ and Jason Li join the Festival’s Collection of more than 1,000 works
“These acquisitions are a wonderful reflection of the artistic excellence we see each year at the Festival of Arts,” said Christine Georgantas, exhibits director for the Festival of Arts. “Michael and Jason each bring their own perspective and style to the Laguna Beach landscape, and we are thrilled to preserve these works as part of the Festival’s Permanent Art Collection for future generations.”
Michael Situ’s Moon Light, a 16-by-20-inch oil on canvas panel, captures Heisler Park under the glow of the moon. Working in a style he describes as Contemporary American Impressionism, Situ uses the familiar coastal landscape to explore the light and mood of Laguna Beach after dark. For Situ, having the work selected for the Permanent Art Collection carries special significance. “I am deeply honored that the Festival of Arts has acquired my painting for its Permanent Art Collection,” he said.
While Situ looks at Laguna Beach beneath the moonlight, Jason Li captures the coast during another fleeting moment of the day in Time of Reflection. The painting depicts a Laguna Beach sunset; a setting Li describes as one of the most iconic in the world. His work combines elements of Realism and Impressionism, balancing recognizable scenery with the atmosphere and emotion of the moment.
The acquisition holds particular meaning for Li, who sees the Festival’s recognition as both an honor and an encouragement in his artistic journey. “It means a lot to me. The Festival of Arts has a long history of excellence,” Li said. “To be part of its Permanent Art Collection is a huge honor and encouragement to continue creating.”
Li added that the recognition carries an especially personal significance. “The journey of pursuing art is a lonely one. The recognition from an institution like the Festival of Arts gives me confidence.”
The Festival of Arts Permanent Art Collection features more than 1,000 two- and three-dimensional works, representing a century of creativity and artistic innovation. As a living archive, the Collection preserves the region’s cultural and artistic history while chronicling the artists and works that have shaped the Festival of Arts throughout its history. With the addition of Moon Light and Time of Reflection, Situ and Li become part of that continuing legacy, preserving two contemporary interpretations of the Laguna Beach landscape for generations to come.
To learn more about the Festival of Arts and the Permanent Art Collection, visit www.foapom.com/collection, or download the free Bloomberg Connects app at www.foapom.com/bloomberg-connects. The Festival’s Collection is presented in themed exhibitions at foaSOUTH and loaned out to museums and institutions for specific exhibitions.
To stay up to date on all things Pageant of the Masters and Fine Arts Show, visit www.foapom.com.
Laguna Beach Garden Club hosts Briana Lyon at monthly meeting and speaker series on October 9
Speaker Briana Lyon will be featured at the next monthly meeting and speaker series of the Laguna Beach Garden Club (LBGC) on Friday, Oct. 9. She will speak on the topic of “Beautiful Lawn Alternatives.”
Lyon is an award-winning landscape designer, artist, former permaculture teacher and founder of California Wild Gardens, an innovative California-focused preplanned garden and native lawn store.
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Courtesy of LBGC
Briana Lyon has a degree in art history and has had her landscape design work featured by “Sunset” magazine, “Houzz,” Vimeo, CBS and the “L.A. Times”
Lyon brings a unique skill set in broad scale, climate -diverse site planning thanks to her decade and a half of experience designing modern sustainable gardens across California while managing holistic orchards on rural acreages in British Columbia.
It all started when Lyon moved to Canada. She was born and raised in a blissful backyard suburb of East L.A., but then in college she ended up completing her degree in the midst of an epic rainforest in one of the most health-conscious environmentally aware cities in the world, Vancouver, Canada. The stark contrast made her believe there had to be a better, stronger healthier alternative way to landscape.
Join the LBGC on Friday, Oct. 9 at 9:30-10 a.m. for social time and refreshments, with the meeting beginning promptly at 10 a.m. Meetings are held at Laguna Presbyterian Church in Tankersley Hall located at 415 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach. Non-members are invited to attend for free on their first visit.
For more information on the garden club, go to www.lagunabeachgardenclub.org.
Candlelight® sets the mood for Halloween with a haunting live musical program in Laguna Beach
Set against a mesmerizing backdrop of thousands of candles, the Candlelight® experience comes to Laguna Beach this Halloween with a live musical program built around mystery and the supernatural. It’s the perfect Halloween experience for friends, families and coworkers looking for something different from the usual haunted house or bar crawl.
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Photos courtesy of Candlelight®
Musicians perform during the 2023 Candlelight® experience in Palacio-Fernan-Nuñez, Madrid
Featured programming to include:
–Funeral March of a Marionette – Charles Gounod
–Danse Macabre – Camille Saint-Saëns
–Night on Bald Mountain – Modest Mussorgsky
–Der Erlkönig – Franz Schubert
–In the Hall of the Mountain King – Edvard Grieg
–Theme from Stranger Things
–Selections from The Nightmare Before Christmas
–Michael Jackson’s Thriller
Programming varies by city – guests are encouraged to check local listings for the exact set list.
Candlelight Laguna Beach: Halloween Classics
Neighborhood Congregational Church, 340 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach.
Dates and times: October 23, 6 p.m. 8:15 p.m.; October 24, 6 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.
From: $44.50. For tickets, click here.
Candlelight combines live music, distinctive venues and a candlelit atmosphere for a visually compelling Halloween story – with the added local hook of featuring musicians based in Orange County.
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Decorations at Palacio-Fernan-Nuñez in Madrid for Candlelight® concert on September 7, 2023
The appetite for that combination is measurable: According to Fever’sClassical Pulse study, experiencing live music in person is the primary motivation for 54% of classical concert attendees, and 35% of U.S. respondents actively seek out immersive, unconventional ways to experience live performances – exactly the itch a haunting, candlelit Halloween program is built to scratch.
Laguna Beach Library presents Spooky Month 2026
Laguna Beach Library has announced its annual Spooky Month celebration this October, offering a frightfully fun lineup of programs for all ages. From haunted crafts and eerie author talks to spooky story times and seasonal activities, Spooky Month invites the community to embrace the season with creativity.
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Courtesy of LB Library
Decorate your own mini pumpkin on October 22
Mini Pumpkin Decorating
Thursday, Oct. 22 at 4 p.m.
Customize a mini pumpkin that you can use to decorate your house this spooky season. All materials are provided while supplies last.
Haunted “Gingerbread” House Decorating
Thursday, Oct. 29 at 4 p.m.
Create a haunted house out of gingerbread and other sweet ingredients. All materials are provided while supplies last.
For a full list of Spooky Month programs, click here.
Laguna Beach Community Calendars
The following are calendar links for regularly scheduled meetings and events in Laguna Beach:
City of Laguna Beach meetings & events calendar
Laguna Beach Public Library – everything at the library calendar
www.ocpl.org/libraries/laguna-beach
Laguna Beach Unified School District news & events calendar
Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce community events calendar
www.lagunabeachchamber.org/events/calendar
If you are an organization that would like your name and calendar of events link added here, please contact Shaena Stabler at shaena@stunewslaguna.com.
Compiled by Suzie Harrison
Police Beat derives from information in the daily police and arrest logs published on the city of Laguna Beach’s website and required under CA Government Code Section 6254 (f). Additional information is obtained through communication with the Laguna Beach Police Department’s Public Information Officer.
Information in the logs is deemed reliable and Stu News Laguna is not responsible for any mistakes made available as public record by the Laguna Beach Police Department.
Any person arrested is innocent until found guilty in a court of law.
