City Files
Local lifeguard saves two women’s lives in 30-minute period
Laguna Beach lifeguard Jack Proctor saved two women’s lives at Woods Cove on Saturday, pulling them both out of dangerous rip currents.
School Board Trustee Jim Kelly, who witnessed the rescues, described Proctor as having “eyes like an eagle and legs of an Olympic runner.”
“He saved two different women in a 30-minute period,” Kelly explained.
According to Captain Kai Bond, Proctor noticed two female subjects get caught into a rip current and was able to rescue them both. At one point, one of the females was clinging to a rock. He was able to pull her off the rock, and rescue her. Proctor rescued the second victim from the rip current shortly thereafter.
“Jack’s actions were heroic,” said Captain Bond.
The past weekend was incredibly busy at the beach, according to Captain Bond.
“We had four to six-foot yellow flag surf and large, summer-like beach crowds. We had 207 rescues, and 95 medical aids over the two days.”
The Surfline forecast projects similar conditions this weekend too.
“We’re expecting yellow flag, four to six-foot surf for both Saturday and Sunday,” stated Captain Bond. “Needless to say, it’s going to be another busy and exciting weekend for the Laguna Beach Lifeguards.”
Knowing that there will likely be hazardous conditions ahead, Captain Bond says it’s important for beach goers to check in with a nearby lifeguard and always swim in front of an open lifeguard tower.
He also recommends beach goers call in for the most current ocean and surf conditions at (949) 494-6573.
Lifeguards, fire, police, and OC Sheriff’s team up to airlift man from Crescent Bay rocks
On Sunday, May 31, at 3:24 p.m., Laguna Beach Lifeguards responded to a report of a non-compliant male at Crescent Bay Point on the north Crescent Bay rocks. The rocks were closed at the time due to hazardous conditions and the subject was refusing to leave.
According to Captain Bond, “The subject appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance and he was unwilling to leave under any circumstances. As a result, lifeguards requested police and fire to respond.
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Courtesy of LB Firefighters
Helicopter lands on Crescent Bay rocks to remove subject
“Fortunately, lifeguards were able to temporarily detain the subject. Because of access and surf conditions, LBFD requested a Sheriff’s helicopter to respond to north Crescent Bay.
“The helicopter landed on the rocks and took the subject into custody. The subject then was transported to a local hospital.”
LBPD sends nine officers to Santa Ana to assist with protests
LBPD sent a total of nine uniformed officers to Santa Ana on Saturday night on an assistance request during the protests occurring there that evening.
According to LBPD PIO Sgt Jim Cota, “one unit was damaged (windows broken by projectiles)” but there were no injuries to officers.
On Sunday, LBPD issued the following statement via the City of Laguna Beach’s Nixle alert system:
“We understand the community is concerned about the looting in L.A. County and parts of Orange County. There are very few protestors in town and no immediate threat. However to be prepared the City called in additional officers to conduct high visibility saturation patrols throughout the evening, and we will take additional actions if necessary to secure the town. We appreciate your cooperation.”
2020 High School seniors advised of alternate graduation ceremonies: City honors June graduates
By BARBARA DIAMOND
The 2020 Laguna Beach High School graduating class was notified on May 29 that they will receive their diplomas in a drive-through graduation ceremony on June 11, and possibly an “in-person” presentation of diplomas if restrictions on gatherings loosened enough for a more traditional ceremony later in the summer.
An updated protocol from the Orange County Health Authority authorized the drive-through version.
“We have strict guidelines we are reviewing to appropriately plan an event for the original June 11th graduation date,” stated Laguna Beach Unified School District Deputy Superintendent Leisa Winston in an email. “We will also continue to hold the week of July 27th for a potential in-person gathering if we are permitted to do so. I will have more specific details at a later time, which I’m happy to share with you.”
Caps and gowns were distributed to graduates on Thursday in a specially organized caravan of cars led by Laguna Beach Police that paraded from Thurston Middle School, past cheering teachers and staff down Park Avenue, to the district parking lot where the masked graduates were handed their graduation regalia.
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Photo by Jan Schrieber
Mrs. Bergen of LBHS congratulates seniors during caravan on Thursday
School Board member Dee Perry said the district had been encouraged by parents to do more than hold a virtual ceremony.
“The district will try hard to make something memorable happen,” said Perry.
A proclamation issued by the City Council at the May 26 meeting will contribute to the memories.
The proclamation honors the class of 2020, whose singular senior year and graduation ceremony will go down in the city’s history books, urging a citywide effort to recognize seniors.
According to the proclamation, all Laguna Beach residents and business owners can honor the graduates by turning on their porch lights at 20:20 in military time (8:20 p.m.) for a minimum of 20 minutes for the first 11 days of June.
The proclamation further stated the date of June 11 as the official day of the Laguna Beach High School Senior Class of 2020 and concluded with an invitation from Mayor Bob Whalen in conjunction with the school district to all residents to participate in recognizing and honoring the graduates.
It passed unanimously.
Soren Patchell: Stu News salutes Laguna Beach High School 2020 Graduating Senior
Soren Patchell will be attending Brigham Young University in the fall to study art. She was awarded an art scholarship from the university, as well as receiving Laguna Beach High School Scholarship Foundation scholarships from the Festival of Arts, the Sawdust Festival, and the Chic and Pat O’Neal Scholarship for the Arts.
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Submitted photo
Soren’s volleyball senior portrait
Soren was a varsity girls indoor and beach volleyball player for all four years at Laguna Beach High School and a Scholar Athlete. She also served on the Associated Student Body (ASB) for two years.
In addition, Soren received the Golden State Seal Merit Diploma (GSSMD). This Seal is awarded by the Laguna Beach Unified School District and the State of California for academic excellence.
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Submitted photo
Self-portrait shown at Laguna Beach Cove Gallery as part of LBHS art show
Congratulations, Soren!
Soren’s paintings and ceramics can be seen at www.sorensoren.com.
In order to celebrate our graduating seniors’ achievements together as a community, we would like to extend an invitation to graduating seniors and their parents to submit announcements about college acceptances and plans for next year. Please submit your information to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Luca Elghanayan: Stu News salutes Laguna Beach High School 2020 Graduating Senior
Luca Elghanayan is very happy to have been accepted to the College of Chemistry at University of California Berkeley! Luca is thankful for all his science courses with Mrs. Perkins, Mrs. Merritt, and now with Mr. Sogo in his senior advanced Chemical Research class where he just received an award.
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Submitted photo
Luca Elghanayan will attend the College of Chemistry at UC Berkeley
Luca’s mother Suzy says, “Although the UC system will be online until – what appears to be – next spring, I’m sure that semester will be a much relished time for Luca and all the other freshman college students! Here’s to all the 2020 Laguna Beach High School Graduates!”
Congratulations, Luca!
In order to celebrate our graduating seniors’ achievements together as a community, we would like to extend an invitation to graduating seniors and their parents to submit announcements about college acceptances and plans for next year. Please submit your information to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
A season of sadness
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Photo by Scott Brashier
On Sunday, peaceful protestors speak up at Main Beach
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Submitted photo
On Saturday, a shrine of loss
6,574 reported cases of COVID-19 in OC to date, 150 people have died
Numbers released by the OC Health Agency today, June 2, reflect that there have been 6,574 reported cases of COVID-19 in Orange County to date, including 100 new cases reported today.
Sadly, the County reports that 150 people have died due to COVID-19, including three deaths reported today. Of the 21 local hospitals that reported data today (out of 25 hospitals eligible to report), the County reports 240 individuals are currently hospitalized with COVID-19; 97 are currently in ICU. (Four hospitals did not report data to the County today.)
Laguna Beach has a cumulative case count of 46 cases to date, a per capita rate of 1.969 cases per thousand residents.
Los Alamitos, with a population of 11,721 and 81 reported cases to date, has the highest per capita rate in OC, 6.911 cases per thousand residents.
Newport Beach has had 144 reported cases to date. Irvine has had 202 reported cases to date. Dana Point has had 29 reported cases to date.
Santa Ana has had 1,267 reported cases to date, a net increase of 21 cases today. Anaheim has had 1,120 reported cases to date, a net increase of 21 cases today.
The County reports 385 cases to date in its “Other” category, which includes the aggregate case count of the unincorporated areas of the county that have less than five cases, plus cases incarcerated in Orange County jails.
The County Public Health lab and reporting commercial labs have conducted 136,098 tests as of today, with a 4.8 percent positive rate.
The County reports that 2,695 people have recovered from COVID-19 to date. The County states on its website:
“While every case of the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is reported to HCA, there is no practical way to find out if they’ve recovered. Moreover, many people may have experienced some symptoms of COVID-19, but were not tested, making it impossible to know the exact number of COVID-19 infections and recoveries. However, because it is important to know approximately how many residents may have been exposed and recovered in Orange County, an attempt to estimate the number of recovered cases [has been made] by taking the difference between the prior 28-day cumulative case count and current day mortality to determine the current day recovered total. Please note that these data are only an estimate and should be interpreted with caution. [Methodology: Prior 28-day cumulative case count – current day mortality = current day recovered]”
For more information, visit www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus.
Numbers are updated daily by Stu News Laguna.
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Courtesy of OC Health Care Agency
Orange County COVID-19 case data, as of June 2;
Click here to visit page that is updated daily
With friends and family at her side, resident completes goal of walking every street in LB
By DIANNE RUSSELL
As Sharael Kolberg reported last week in her Stu News article, “What started out as a New Year’s resolution ended up being the perfect activity to keep busy during the coronavirus pandemic. Janelle Naess, founder of Laguna Beach Walks, challenged herself to walk all 419 streets in Laguna Beach in 2020, and she only has one street left.”
On January 1, 2020, Naess wanted to start her quest by walking First Avenue but found out there is no First Avenue (or First Street), so she started on the street before Second Avenue, Eagle Rock Way.
Last Friday, 20 friends joined Naess to walk the final street – Pacific Coast Hwy and the seven miles south from one end of Laguna to the other.
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Photo by Mary Hurlbut
Group distancing six feet apart
Naess says, “Not all of my friends made it the whole way. Lots of others were driving by and honking.
“When I first started this challenge, I walked mostly with friends. There weren’t a lot of others walking the streets. When COVID-19 hit, and we were all on lockdown, I would walk by myself or family members only. That’s when streets were packed with others walking. I don’t want to go back to how it was before. I like walking and seeing my neighbors, other locals, enjoying the day, the weather, the beautiful tree-lined streets. During COVID-19, all the walkers were so happy to see another human, from six feet away. Everyone was so friendly, nice, and happy to be out walking. Let’s stay in this place, minus the COVID-19.
“For the past 20 plus years, I have walked some of the same streets in town,” says Naess. “Almost every house I pass by has something interesting to see. I call it ‘urban hiking.’ I thought about all the other streets I haven’t walked and was dying to see what else I was missing.
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Photo by Jan Schrieber
Janelle followed by her three teenage children
“I love combining physical activity with exploring Laguna Beach. There is so much more we can see on foot, at a slower pace. Laguna Beach is like one giant outdoor museum. Loved seeing every street, and I’m going to miss waking up every morning and deciding what area of town to hit that day.”
Although she doesn’t know how many miles were involved in walking all the streets, Naess says, “It did take me almost five months, and PCH took less than three hours to walk. Laguna Beach is a very walkable town. Hope to see everyone in town walking to Forest Avenue when it closes to cars later this month.”
And did Naess celebrate at the finish? You bet.
“My friend, Ashley Tyus, who lives in Three Arch Bay, near the end of the PCH walk, hosted a celebratory champagne lunch after completing the PCH walk. We were able to walk to her house from the finish line: Laguna Beach sign, southern entrance to the city, that says Home of the Festival of the Arts/Pageant of the Masters.”
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Photo by Mary Hurlbut
Walking south on PCH
Kohlberg says, “I was so excited to join Janelle to walk part of the last street on her list. I am so proud of her for walking all 419 streets in Laguna. She is such an inspiration. Every time I walk with her, I see something new that I might not have noticed or meet someone I didn’t know. She really takes the time to slow down and appreciate all that our charming town has to offer.”
At the present time, Naess has no new goals in mind, however, she does have a new experience on the horizon.
“I’m taking a break right now, but I do have my next super fun Laguna Beach adventure in mind. It’s a secret but when I start it, I will announce and document it with pictures on my Laguna Beach Instagram and my www.LagunaBeachWalks.com blog.
Public supports council ban on anticoagulant rodenticides
By BARBARA DIAMOND
More than 60 emails to City Hall favored a proposed ban on anticoagulant rodenticides, a ban that the City Council agreed to consider at the May 26 meeting. A unanimous Council had directed staff to prepare a resolution to enable councilmembers to discuss prohibition of such rodenticides in the maintenance of municipal parks, facilities, and landscapes.
The Council, which does not have the authority to order the community at large to stop using the anticoagulants, voted at the meeting to urge business owners to stop the sale or use of the toxic rodent killers, and to urge residents to refuse to use them on private properties.
The ban was proposed by Mayor Pro Tem Steve Dicterow, who praised the position taken by the Environmental Sustainability Committee and the efforts of Assistant City Manager Shohreh Dupuis and committee member Judie Mancuso.
Mancuso first campaigned against the anticoagulants when she ran for City Council.
“Steve heard me talk about the anticoagulants and when I lost [the election] he said he would like to work with me on the issue, which was important to him,” said Mancuso.
Anticoagulants prevent blood from clotting. Staff reported that the City has had success in controlling the rodent and pest population using a first-generation anticoagulant. A more lethal second-generation anticoagulant has not been used by the City, but licensed pest control companies may be supplying residential and commercial properties with products that contain the more toxic chemicals, staff reported.
All rodenticides have the potential to expose other animals, including domesticated cats and dogs, to the lethal chemicals if a predator or scavenger consumes a rodent that has eaten the poison. The chemicals in rodenticides have been detected in water and soil samples, according to the staff report.
Mancuso continued to raise the issue after her appointment to the Environmental Sustainability Committee. She provided the mortality rate of animals unintentionally killed by the rodenticide and the texts of bans passed by other communities. She said her campaign began before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I thought a ban would never see the light of day,” said Mancuso. “But Steve ran with it.”
Since the hearing, Mancuso has been contacted by other communities and individuals interested in pursuing a ban.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/California Department of Pesticide Regulation banned the purchase of the more toxic anticoagulants in 2014, but allowed them to be available to pest control professionals.
The League of California Cities adopted a resolution in 2018 encouraging cities and private property owners to eliminate the use of anticoagulants.
Laguna Beach currently spends $30,000 annually for three licensed pest control companies to control rodents. One of the products used by the companies contains diphacinone, a first-generation anticoagulant identified as a moderate risk of secondary poisoning.
Even if the proposed ban is approved, the City reserves the right to use warfarin-based products for a limited time if a rodent infestation endangers public health. Warfarin is a blood thinner used in humans to treat and prevent blood clots.
Assuming the Council approves the ban, results will be monitored for the effectiveness and potential higher cost to control rodent and gopher populations without the use of anticoagulants.
Goats and the Digester
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Photo by Scott Brashier
The goats seem unaware that they are near the historic Digester. They only seem interested in digesting.
Jokester sets up Joke Stand with laughs and giggles benefiting the Laguna Food Pantry
By DIANNE RUSSELL
It’s no joke that we could all use a laugh right now, and on Saturday and Sunday (and extending through yesterday), you could get one for just 50 cents. 9-year-old Jokester Charlie MacGillivray with the aid of his two sisters – 7-year-old Greta and 5-year-old Rose – set up their stand on the corner of Myrtle and Montgomery in North Laguna to the delight of anyone who stopped for a chuckle.
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Photo by Jessica deStefano
The MacGillivray Family: (L-R) Shaun, Katie, Charlie, Greta, and Rose
Jessica deStefano, otherwise known as the Butterfly Lady who designed and curates the garden at the Laguna Beach Library, alerted Stu News that on Sunday, “the three little joke tellers” were back out on the corner selling their jokes to raise money for the Laguna Food Pantry. She had first spotted them on Saturday.
“I was a passerby in need of a good joke!” she says. “I stopped by to see if their jokes were any good. I went away laughing after buying a few jokes. Ha, ha, ha.”
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Photo by Jessica deStefano
On Sunday, (L-R) Charlie, Rose, and Greta set up shop again
And who wouldn’t laugh at these gems?
Why was the math book too hard to read?
Answer: Ha, ha, ha, it had too many problems!
Why does nobody talk to circles?
Answer: Because there’s no point.
What did the ocean say to the pirate?
Answer: Nothing. It just waved!
As of yesterday morning, Charlie had collected $49.75 for the Laguna Food Pantry, and his dad Shaun said that Charlie was going out again for the day to sell his witty wares.
To donate, but unfortunately with no jokester, go to Venmo @Katiemac11.
At Least 36 Dine-In Restaurants Are Back in Play in Laguna
By Diane Armitage
After receiving news on Saturday, May 23rd that they could begin the reopening process, several Laguna Beach restaurants immediately hopped into motion. By Memorial Weekend’s end, at least 12 restaurants were either offering patio seating or the full dine-in experience with social distancing.
In the week that followed, restaurant doors were banging open everywhere, from North Laguna’s farthest reaches to South Laguna’s last kid on the block, AhbA. It had to have been the happiest reunion week ever as delighted locals trooped back out to see their restaurant friends and enjoy their favorite food on real plates.
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Photo by Diane Armitage
Starfish in SoLag reopened last Friday with local favorite bartender Neil Skewes back at the helm
“It’s so great to be back,” said Starfish longtime bartender Neil Skewes. “I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it’s just been a great, mellow return of a lot of happy people…me included!”
The Deck, Splashes & Harvest join the throng
Yesterday (Monday, June 1st), Chef Rainer Schwarz reopened The Deck on Laguna while two of our resorts opened their popular local hangouts as well. The Ranch at Laguna Beach’s Executive Chef Kyle St. John opened his sizable restaurant, Harvest, to the public, while Executive Chef Ron Fougeray at Surf & Sand Resort’s magnificent Splashes opened the dining room (only) to the public as well.
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Courtesy of The Ranch Laguna Beach
Popular locals’ favorite Harvest restaurant at The Ranch has reopened to the public. Reservations are required (no walk-ins).
Because of the unique special distancing requirements, you can’t just drop into most Laguna restaurants, especially at the resorts where they’re sharing the establishment with in-house guests.
Harvest recommends breakfast and lunch reservations and requires dinner reservations (see their hours below).
Splashes requires online reservations for all seatings, whether breakfast, lunch, weekend brunch, or dinner (see their hours at the end of this article, too). No walk-ins can be accommodated at either resort location.
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Photo by Diane Armitage
Never a bad seat in the house, Splashes restaurant at Surf & Sand has reopened to the public. Reservations are required (no walk-ins).
Imaginative COVID-era seating reconfigurations
As noted by Driftwood Kitchen and Deck on Laguna Chef Rainer Schwarz, “Setting up your dining room for social distancing takes so much more planning than you would imagine. You would think we would all just remove a few tables and chairs and be done with it, but this is all about the safe movement of many people in the restaurant at once, even when you’re operating at a less-than-usual capacity.
“We can’t just open the doors and let everyone in.”
Bars in all restaurants continue to remain closed, including Harvest’s giant horseshoe bar and the detached Splashes bar on the sand.
Meanwhile, Chef Rainer of the popular The Deck on Laguna found a way to increase “sand-side seating” despite his closed bar.
“We opened up our Bungalows for additional dining seating,” he said. “We were able to add another 40 seats with that extension. We’ve definitely lost seating overall, but it was a great space to be able to access.”
The Deck on Laguna team also worked on a way to route people safely in and out of the restaurant, narrowing down multiple entrance options.
“People used to come through Driftwood to our Deck host stand, or they’d drop down from Driftwood into the actual Deck restaurant, or they’d come up from the beach, or they’d come in from the parking lot. That all had to stop. Now it’s one body in, one body out, and only one funnel entrance.
“We don’t want to be the restaurant guys who let people in without masks or don’t provide enough space per the regulations,” he continued. “This is a very serious matter. You have to follow the rules. We have to be safe, not only for our own sake and for our patrons, but especially for our employees’ sake.”
Protests and riots have returning restaurants on edge
As we’ve all watched footage of looting and fires around us these last few days, Laguna restaurateurs are certainly on edge and watchful.
“It’s a very uncertain time,” said Chef Rainer. “Of course, we’re alert to any changes but one way or the other, we have to go back to business. We thought of delaying another week, but we’ve taken the time to train our people the right way and everyone is ready to go.
“We have at least 40 or 50 employees starting back with us this week at The Deck. By next week, we’ll have at least 170 people re-employed and that is so important to us to be there for them.
“Of course, we’ll close down on a moment’s notice if anything changes,” he added.
Potential rioting quashes Chef Amar Santana plans
Chef Amar Santana was planning to reopen his 8,000-square-foot Costa Mesa eatery The Hall Global Eatery on Monday, June 1st. The great unknown of whether riots and looting will move further south into Orange County, however, shut the doors on their plan.
“We’re going on a day-by-day basis according to what South Coast Plaza advises,” CEO Ahmed Labbate told me.
“We have gone through weeks of rehiring and reconfiguration and training and now this. But there’s just too much at risk if the riots and looting move in this direction.”
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Courtesy of Broadway by Amar Santana
Business partners Executive Chef Amar Santana and CEO Ahmed Labbate will be reopening Broadway by Amar Santana for two reserved seatings nightly
On a lighter note, the team plans to reopen Broadway by Amar Santana next Monday, June 8th.
“We’re opening with a brand new menu, so between that and all the sanitation protocols, we’ve been immersed in training,” said Labbate.
Because of social distancing requirements, Broadway is only able to reopen with about 32 seats. The team was hopeful to expand into an additional patio setting at the next door Dawson Cole Sculpture Garden, a place where longtime fans of Chef Amar will remember earlier wine dinners being served.
This time, however, the price tag was too high for Broadway, so the team settled back to its 32-seat option.
As a result, Broadway will be taking two seatings each evening, both of which need to be reserved in advance online. (Their online reservation system will be back in play sometime later this week. Stay tuned for the announcement on my Instagram @BestofLagunaBeach.)
“We’re doing a 5 p.m. seating, which needs to clear by 7 p.m. so that we can re-sanitize everything. And then we’ll do a second, 7:30 p.m. seating,” said Labbate.
“It’s going to be so great to be back in business at Broadway and see all our old friends,” he said. “But this Friday (June 5th), just for old times’ sake, we’re doing our fried chicken dinner for pickup or delivery,” added Labbate. “It turns out people in this town love their fried chicken during quarantine. Who knew?”
Harvest at The Ranch is open seven days a week. Reservations are highly recommended for breakfast, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., and for lunch, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are required for dinner, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Please, no walk-ins are allowed.
Splashes at Surf & Sand Resort is open seven days a week. Reservations are required; no walk-ins are allowed. Breakfast is 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Lunch is Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Brunch is Saturday and Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. And dinner is 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., again, seven days a week.
The best-selling author and blogger on The Best of Laguna Beach™, Diane Armitage is on an endless quest for the most imaginative adventures in Laguna’s restaurants, events, and lifestyle. Check out chef interviews, retail and restaurant news, and favorite events at https://thebestoflagunabeach.com/ and follow on Instagram @BestofLagunaBeach (look for Diane’s smiling face).
Cap and Gown Caravan
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Photo by Jan Schrieber
Tracy Van Mil, LBHS Writing Lab Aide, congratulates the 2020 Graduating Seniors en route to pick up their caps and gowns
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Photo by Jan Schrieber
Cheering grads on outside of LBHS
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Photo by Jan Schrieber
Grad receiving cap and gown
For more photos by Jan Schrieber, see the slideshow below
LCAD celebrates class of 2020 commencement ceremony online
Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) hosted its first online Commencement ceremony through YouTube Live on Friday, May 22. The video can be viewed here.
Hélène Garrison, Ph.D., chief operating officer and provost, welcomed more than 1,500 viewers to the ceremony. She introduced Tim Rhodes, a senior Drawing & Painting major who recorded his final National Anthem performance as an LCAD student. He has sung at the past three LCAD commencements.
Jonathan Burke, president of LCAD, acknowledged the uphill journey this year’s class faced since March 2020 as the College transitioned to online learning to observe state-mandated stay-at-home orders.
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Submitted photo
Chapman Hamborg celebrates his BFA in Drawing + Painting with Sculpture Emphasis with his family
“Today we come together to acknowledge your achievements, but I would be remiss if I didn’t recognize the greater LCAD community who recently and with great devotion recreated your learning experience so you could complete you education within the time frame of this term,” Burke said. “Our hope is that you continue to strive for greater levels of creative accomplishments and use those skills throughout your lives.”
Jared Mathis, chair of LCAD Board of Trustees, also congratulated the class of 2020. “You’ve completed an important step in your journey, and we couldn’t be prouder,” he said. “We believe in your promise, your energy, your intellect, your talent, and the beauty you will most certainly bring into the world.”
Each graduate was acknowledged with a photo and a sample of their work as their name was announced by the chair of their respective.
Kimya Ramezani, an LCAD senior majoring in Graphic Design + Digital Media with a minor in User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design, addressed her fellow graduates. Although she was looking forward to dressing in her cap and gown, she expressed great pride in what she and her fellow seniors achieved in their LCAD journey.
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Submitted photo
Kimya Ramezani, an LCAD senior majoring in Graphic Design + Digital Media with a minor in User Interface and User Experience (UI/UX) Design
“We worked so hard to get here,” she said. “Even though the sudden change in our plans feels jarring, it’s important not to dwell on the things we’re missing, or we might overlook the beautiful aspect of where we’ve arrived.” She not only noted their achievements as artists and designers, but the way that the LCAD community came together to support each other through challenges.
LCAD also found an innovative way to continue its tradition of connecting industry professionals with graduating seniors at its 16th Annual Industry Open House. The annual event, hosted by LCAD Career Services, provides an exclusive opportunity for select industry professionals to meet the next generation of artists and designers.
With the theme “The Show Must Go Online,” select graduating seniors met with industry professionals online. Student projects were posted on a dedicated site, including mobile games and apps, character design, game design, virtual and augmented reality, brand design in action sports, illustration, drawing, and more. This year, there were more than 11,000-page views, double the views in previous years.
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Submitted photo
Grant Hier, longtime LCAD Liberal Arts Professor and Poet Laureate of the City of Anaheim, gives the class of 2020 a thumbs up
“The online format opened up this event to industry partners who had not been able to travel to our annual event, giving our students more opportunities to share their portfolios and receive valuable career insight from representatives of brands they aspire to work with,” said Robin Fuld, director of career services at LCAD. “This event opens up a pipeline for our students to make valuable connections to move forward into careers pertinent to their fields of study.”
More than thirty companies participated in this year’s Industry Open House including Blizzard, Disney Animation, Laika, Netflix, Nickelodeon, Scientific Games, Shawmut Corporation, Six Point Harness, Sony Pictures, Stance, Taco Bell, Vans, and more. Company reps reviewed student portfolios online and then conducted casual interviews through Zoom or phone.
For Stella Zhang, who received her BFA in Graphic Design + Digital Media, Industry Open House presented a new opportunity after her internship at Imaginary Forces was cut short by the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. “My experience with them exceeded my expectations. My experiences in the Nike honors class and the Anaheim Ducks class gave me an edge among my fellow interns and I feel more confident meeting with potential employers,” she said.
Tyler Letson, who majored in Animation has been a freelance storyboard artist during his last two years at LCAD. He stressed the importance for future grads to start working while they’re in school to get a leg up in their industry. “When you pursue work outside of class, it makes you a better artist, and you build a portfolio and skill sets that distinguish you as a professional,” he said.
Nonetheless, he looked forward to meeting with more industry representatives to broaden his network and job potential. “I love my work so much that I’ll never stop,” he said.
For more information about LCAD, visit www.lcad.edu.
LBUSD to hold information session for potential school board candidates
On Tuesday, June 23, the Laguna Beach Unified School District will hold a virtual orientation for those considering running for a position on the board of education in the Laguna Beach Unified School District. Superintendent Jason Viloria, Ed.D. will provide a general overview of the responsibilities and work of the Board for those considering becoming a candidate.
Voters in the Laguna Beach Unified School District will elect two members to the five-member board of education in the upcoming Biennial Governing Board Election on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.
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Photo by Mary Hurlbut
LBUSD to hold virtual orientation for potential school board candidates on June 23
In 2019, the board of education revised LBUSD Board Bylaw 9230 to include an orientation meeting with general information about school programs, district operations, and Board responsibilities to enable an educated and informed decision process. The filing period for candidates is July 13 through August 7, 2020.
The virtual meeting will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, June 23 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Anyone interested in participating should email Victoria Webber at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than 11 a.m. on June 23. Those who respond and request to participate will be sent a calendar invitation with the meeting information.
Spotlight on Seniors
Brought to you by Laguna Beach Seniors at The Susi Q
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The Susi Q building is currently closed, but “The Susi Q Without Walls” continues to offer classes, clubs, and support for the over-55 crowd
Taking care of vulnerable seniors and biking daily: volunteer Penny Poorman finds joy in the everyday
A typical Susi Q member, Penny Poorman (71) is curious and active and passionate about life. She loves yoga, sailing, and above all, biking. She’s traveled widely and has lived in places as diverse as the Netherlands and Costa Rica for a couple of years at a time.
But her great love is Laguna Beach.
“It was March 1969, and snowing in Michigan, where I lived. I came out here to visit a friend,” Penny explains. “When I woke up the morning after arriving and walked out of my friend’s house, there in front of me was Main Beach and the Pacific Ocean. I put my toes in the sand.
“Then I ran, not walked, to Vacation Village – now the Pacific Edge – and applied for a position as a maid. I didn’t care about anything except making sure I could live here, in Laguna.”
Subsequently, Penny studied the culinary arts at a college in Pasadena, rising in her profession to become the Director of Food and Beverage for Coco’s and Carrows.
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Penny in her element with her bike
“I spent a lot of time in the kitchen in those days. The food wasn’t fancy, because we were catering to families, but it was fun coming up with new ideas. We made great pies. I enjoyed my job. I mean, I love eating, so that makes sense, right?” she says.
Penny’s current profession – caregiver of elderly seniors – grew out of the joy she found in taking care of her mother, who lived to 103.
She smiles. “We called my mom the Amazing Mabel. She was willing to do anything I suggested, even though she was virtually blind because of macular degeneration. She flew in a hot air balloon in her eighties, had a great time on a helicopter tour in Maui in her later years, and took joy in outings as simple as going to Costco.
“I realized how rewarding it was to help someone live out their later years to the fullest. It’s so important to provide the kinds of services that enable seniors to stay in their homes as long as possible. It makes such a difference when they feel safe and secure.”
Penny’s philosophy is an exact match of Susi Q’s Lifelong Laguna program, where she has also volunteered.
Her experience in caregiving was augmented when her next door neighbor was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Penny was able to help out with rides to the radiation center. It’s also when her involvement with The Susi Q began.
“I met Martha [Hernandez, Care Manager] at that time, and my clients and I have benefited in so many ways from that connection,” she says. “One of my clients is blind and in a wheelchair; another has macular degeneration and no family or friends who can help her.
“Depending on their needs, I do their laundry, put out trash, cook breakfast and lunch, do simple errands, read to them,” Penny says. “One of my ladies in particular has such an inquisitive mind and I love talking to her.”
Long-distance caregiving is challenging
Penny says that Martha’s advice and help have been vital for her personally – especially in helping her to take care of her sister, who lives in Georgia in an assisted living facility following a stroke four years ago.
“It’s very hard being a long-distance caregiver,” says Penny. “But Martha has made my life so much easier. She listens to my every issue and has helped me apply on for VA benefits on behalf of my sister.”
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Martha Hernandez, Care Manager at The Susi Q
Turns out, then, that The Susi Q’s geographical reach goes way beyond our town. That ripple effect will likely grow over time, as distant adult kids and relatives of local seniors discover the resources they can draw on, if virtually, from Laguna Beach Seniors – resources that can improve the health and happiness of their aging loved ones, no matter how far apart families live.
Biking is Penny’s passion
Like many of us in recent months, Penny has found great joy in being outside, and every day since the sheltering-in-place policy, she’s biked dozens and dozens of miles through Orange County neighborhoods.
“With all the recent challenges, biking has saved my life, honestly,” she says. “I love my new E-Bike! I call it my stealth bike, because it’s hardly noticeable that it’s electric.”
Not that Penny, who lives in South Laguna, has ever been one to stay sedentary. In addition to weekly outings with the Irvine Bicycle Club – on a regular bike – most years she also participates in bike tours in Europe.
“That won’t happen this year, of course. But I’ve so enjoyed exploring local streets as well as those in San Clemente, Ladera Ranch, and Laguna Niguel,” she says. “I couldn’t do that when I was working full-time. It’s an unexpected benefit of the shelter-in-place order.”
In her younger days, Penny even tackled the dauntingly steep Going to the Sun Road that leads to Glacier National Park.
“Such a spectacular ride,” she says. “I’d love to do that again. But meanwhile, I’m getting to bike every day, and that’s bringing me such pleasure!”
Stand up, stand up for yoga with Wayne Lawrence
Standing yoga – sounds almost too easy, doesn’t it?
But in fact it’s not that easy…oh, for people who find some difficulty getting up and down from a mat on the floor, it’s perfect, of course, but the practice stands (apologies for the pun) on its own as a great way to get healthy no matter your physical condition.
A major benefit: You don’t have to fear tweaking back muscles in rising from the floor. And the reality is that standing poses can be among the most challenging, so the class is more than just a walk in the park. (Not that there’s anything wrong with a walk in the park.)
“Most of the poses will be familiar to people already accustomed to yoga,” says Wayne Lawrence, lead instructor of the Standing Yoga program at The Susi Q (now offered via Zoom videoconferencing).
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Wayne Lawrence, instructor, is taking a stand for healthy aging
“Balance is very important to maintain as we age – the better your balance, the fewer falls and injuries. Some of the best poses to improve balance and strengthen muscles include warrior two, tree pose, mountain pose, and chair – all standing poses,” he notes. “Those form the backbone of our class.”
“We do some spinal twists while sitting also,” Wayne adds. “Believe me, it’s a complete body workout. Our members range in ages from the mid-fifties to our oldest, a lady of 91. I’d say 90 percent are younger than me. I’m 81.”
In other words, you don’t have to turn yourself into a pretzel to benefit from the stretches that form the basis of yoga practice, along with a focus on breathing and a brief meditation.
Wayne, a retired hairdresser, inherited the program from a former instructor, and, with the help of mentor Carrie Pitt, has added new elements drawn from Chinese as well as traditional Indian approaches.
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Standing yoga poses can be among the most challenging
Chinese ba duan jin qigong exercises use special breathing and concentration techniques to improve both the body and mind, with eight well-designed sequences of movement, Wayne explains.
Readers can perhaps picture some of the moves, given names such as “sway the head and shake the tail” and “wise owl gazes backwards.”
“I’m so grateful to Carrie Pitt for teaching me in the first place and being so generous in helping me set up and improve this class over the last five or so years,” he says. “I don’t know why it took me so long to take up yoga.”
Don’t take aging lying down
Wayne is clearly not taking aging lying down – instead, he’s making a stand to ensure healthy living.
And there’s an added bonus to Standing Yoga at The Susi Q: the friendships formed in the class.
“It’s such a great group of people,” he says. “There’s lots of laughter and cheering on. Quite a few people stick around after the class to chat and have coffee.”
Wayne says that since The Susi Q started offering the class via Zoom videoconferencing, they’re up to nearly 30 participants from the average of 25 or so.
“Still, I can’t wait to get back to The Susi Q when it’s safe,” he says. “I used to love traveling, but it’s more challenging for Lee, my partner now. So for me, Susi Q is it for friendship and fun – it’s the place I love best in Laguna Beach.”
To learn more about Standing Yoga, visit www.thesusiq.org.
Please send suggestions about seniors to spotlight or other topics you’d you’d like to see covered in this column to Jo Ann Ekblad at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 222 welcomes first male member
For over 100 years, American Legion Auxiliary membership has been open only to women related to veterans. Auxiliary membership eligibility has now been extended to include female veterans’ male spouses, even if they haven’t served in our military.
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 222, Laguna Beach, recently welcomed Richard Moore as its first male member. Richard, an Air Force veteran, is the husband of Marine Corps veteran Evelda Loftsgaard. Both are members of American Legion Post 222 and now both are Auxiliary members.
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Richard Moore, 2017 Patriots Day Parade
Richard served as Post 222 Commander for more than nine years and now is 2nd Vice commander. On Veterans Day 2019, Richard and Eve were presented with a California Legislative Assembly resolution by Cottie Petrie-Norris, 74th Assembly District for service to our country.
For information on Auxiliary membership, contact Sandi Werthe at (949) 494-6016 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Where’s Maggi – the answers!
Easy peasy…for our readers who frequent El Ranchito!
Who knew where Maggi spotted this mosaic?
Ernest Farnisi thought it was way too easy. Steve Hoffman also said, easy peasy. Diane Chelsey knew where to find it. Maggi loses out this week!
Thanks for playing along.
Look for the next photo challenge coming up on Friday.
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Tile mosaic at Avila’s El Ranchito in Laguna Beach
LBHS Model United Nations class holds virtual fundraiser for Maasai Oololaimutia Village in Kenya
By DIANNE RUSSELL
As with most fundraisers during the past few months, Laguna Beach High School’s Model United Nations (MUN) annual conference was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since this is their main fundraiser in support of the Maasai Oololaimutia Village in Kenya, and the pandemic has hit the village with devastating results, the class produced a virtual fundraiser.
To view the video, click here.
It all began in 2012 when Jun Shen, one of the MUN program’s advisors, visited the Oololaimutia Elementary School in Maasai Mara, Kenya.
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Maasai Oloolaimutia school in 2016 when LBHS teacher Mindy Hawkins visited with her LDS group
Shen says, “I was in Kenya at the time on vacation with my wife. The camp we stayed at for a safari was next to Oloolaimutia village. The Maasai invited us tourists to visit their village, including the school. The teacher showing us the school was Gladys, no relation to the student we sponsor, and is still my contact there today. At the end of the school tour, she asked the tourists for donations to the school. It was toward the end of my trip, so I had very little cash left, so I got her email instead. When I came back and told the 2012-2013 MUN class about my trip, three girls started the Foundation.”
Oloolaimutia school has about 700 students, but only 10 teachers.
“The school is impoverished, overcrowded, and underfunded, lacking comforts that range from sanitary water to adequate school supplies,” says Shen. “The Foundation aims to raise money both for the Oololaimutia school and for the entire village in which it is located.”
MUN students work to preserve the traditions of the village by marketing the handmade jewelry and by maximizing opportunities for children by supporting the village school.
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In 2016, fundraising provided a hybrid wind solar generator for electricity at the school
Odin Flores, a sophomore enrolled in the Model United Nations class, says, “The COVID-19 epidemic has hit our community hard, many people have become sick, others have lost their jobs, businesses have had to close. Our Laguna community is strong and caring, we help each other. For example, the Laguna Food Pantry is providing food for families having a hard time putting food on the table.
“Each year our Model United Nations class has raised funds for Maasai Oololaimutia Village in Kenya. In the past, our organization has brought the village sustainable energy, desks for the school, and funded two kids to go to secondary school. However, all our fundraising is done through our annual conference which isn’t happening this year as a result of COVID-19.”
Since 2012, the MUN class has supported the Maasai Oololaimutia Village. In 2014, the class donated 75 new desks to the school and also helped the women of the village sell their handmade jewelry. In 2016, they provided electricity for the classroom through a hybrid wind solar generator. In 2018, they sponsored two students ($1,000 per year) Mainka and Gladys to go to secondary school.
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In 2018, funds from the conference sent Mainka and Gladys to secondary school
Flores continues, “Unfortunately this pandemic has hit the Maasai people even harder than our community as they are dependent on tourism for work and receive no government safety net. The pandemic has exacerbated their ability to keep their families from starving, and it is a battle for survival.”
LBHS Teacher and Technology Coordinator Shen says, “I can’t express enough my amazement and pride in our MUN students. Since the moment school closed in March, they have been engaging in some deep learning and discussions about pandemics, especially how they impact developing countries like Kenya. They are the ones who initiated and organized this fundraiser event out of their willingness to serve and learn; that’s exactly the kind of future leaders I want our young people to be.”
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The Maasai Village needs help fighting poverty, starvation, and disease
“The students not only organized this fundraiser, but a Virtual UN Debate Simulation in which they studied and role-played as world leaders in order to discuss solutions to this pandemic. The level of discussion and critical thinking was truly amazing.”
One thing Shen would like potential supporters to know is that there is no middle-man in their fundraising activities. Other than a $45 international bank transfer fee, every penny makes it to the village. “I work directly with a teacher from the village school that I met eight years ago when I was there and I send funds straight to her to be used to help her people and school. We are at $847 so far, and we hope to reach $2,000 by the official end of the school year on June 12.”
To help the Maasai Village fight poverty, starvation, and disease, donate on Venmo @Laguna-Maasai.
South Laguna Food Drive a rousing success for Laguna Food Pantry and “No Empty Bowls”
The South Laguna Food Drive that SoLag residents Rhonda O’Connor and Cindy Love spearheaded on Saturday to benefit Laguna Food Pantry and “No Empty Bowls” went beyond expectations.
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Volunteers and organizers
Rhonda says, “We brought in approximately two truckloads of people and pet food…all well received! We also raised over $2K in donations, which was unexpected. I think the Laguna Food Pantry was as surprised as we were with our overall results!”
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Donated food and pet food
The food and cash donations will help provide healthy protein, fresh fruit, and vegetables for the hundreds of families served weekly by the Laguna Food Pantry.
The bags and cans of pet food donated to Orange County Animal Allies “Your Empty Bowls” program will assist pet owners in preventing their pets from going hungry or being relinquished to a shelter due to lack of resources during these challenging times.
Flight
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Photo by Scott Brashier
Riding the wind – take-offs and landings on Bird Rock
Dennis’ Tidbits
By DENNIS McTIGHE
June 2, 2020
Wimpy Amanda, Arthur, and Bertha launch the hurricane season
The first tropical system of the 2020 Eastern Pacific season, named Amanda, was very short-lived, forming just off the coast of Guatemala late Friday and making landfall at noon the very next day. The system was more about rain than winds, with her top winds hitting only 40 mph as she made landfall.
On Sunday, she was just a remnant low near the east coast of Nicaragua, posing no threat except some heavy showers in that area. Early and late in the tropical seasons, for example in late May and again in October, most systems that form way down there tend to veer back toward the north or northeast. Usually they make landfall in close proximity to their birthplace, either in Southern Mexico or Central America, instead of trekking to the west or northwest out into the Pacific, and cause no harm.
On the Atlantic side there’s already been Arthur and Bertha, both tropical storms, and they, too, were more about rain than wind with little or no storm surge reported. With the absence of El Nino this year, the 2020 Atlantic season is predicted to be busier than normal, thanks to warmer ocean temps and greatly reduced upper-level shear winds to stunt their growth.
Not that increased storm production necessarily means more damage at landfall points, as it only takes one to create terror, but the opportunity is there for a greater risk of severe damage and/or casualties.
Nearly every year, there is a landfall of at least one system on the Atlantic side because there is such an expansive target for such an event – so with that geography, a landfall is almost inevitable. States from Texas to Maine, and even places like Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, become potential targets.
In both the Atlantic Basin and the Eastern Pacific, these tropical systems generally move to the west, northwest, or even north. Here in the Pacific, once these cyclones form, there is little land to become their target unless one moves toward the tip of Baja.
After that, the next target is Hawaii, which is well over 2,000 miles away, and a lot can happen over that distance. With the exception of an El Niño, the Pacific between Baja and Hawaii, at say latitude 18-20 degrees north, surface ocean temps are generally not warm enough to support such a system, as it needs at least 80 temps to keep going. Temps in that zone are normally around 76-78 degrees, so even if that system gets as far as Hawaii, it will have weakened down to a low-grade tropical storm or tropical depression.
But when there’s an El Niño in the water, that area transforms from a hostile environment into an inviting environment, as in 1958, when Category 1 Ella barely missed the Big Island, or in November of 1982, when Category 1 Hurricane Iwa greatly affected Oahu and Kauai, or in September of 1992 when Category 4 Hurricane Iniki thrashed most of Kauai.
Since 1858 only two systems made it all the way to our neck of the woods: a Category 2 made landfall in 1858 near San Diego, and a high-end tropical storm made landfall near San Pedro in September of 1939.
In both cases there was a strong El Niño with ocean temps near 80, so those two systems held together long enough, otherwise local ocean temps are much too cool to support a cyclone’s life span.
More on hurricanes next time, ALOHA!
Council approves steps to implement trial of a Promenade on Forest
By BARBARA DIAMOND
Lower Forest Avenue will be closed this summer to vehicles to make way for a pedestrian promenade as the city takes steps to energize businesses adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Laguna Beach City Council voted unanimously on May 26 for mechanics needed to move ahead on the three-month trial of a vehicle-free lower Forest Avenue. Councilman Peter Blake angrily complained that the hearing was redundant. However, the item was not a referendum on the concept approved on May 12, but on how to establish the promenade, adorn it, and make it function, at least through September 7.
Staff’s goal for the promenade is to create a safe environment, including four landscaped decks for dining, retail displays, and mingling at safe distances, designed to encourage folks to patronize restaurants and nearby businesses, thus stimulating economic recovery. Recommendations approved by the council included a $145,703 contract with Choura Events to organize the area and construct and furnish the decks. Stores will be allowed to display merchandise outside their premises.
“Choura puts large events together (such as the Grammys and Coachella),” said Assistant City Manager Shohreh Dupuis, who leads the Working Group assigned the task of developing solutions to support existing business and promote economic development in Laguna Beach.
Nearby businesses supported the proposed concept of the promenade, according to Dupuis.
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Courtesy of City of LB
Proposed Design of Forest Ave Promenade
Dupuis and Chamber of Commerce representatives visited 27 businesses on Forest Avenue between Glenneyre Street and South Coast Highway.
“Four stores were closed, three businesses were opposed, but the rest were excited,” said Dupuis.
Opposition to the proposed plan included Bushard’s Pharmacy, Violet’s Boutique, and Fresh Produce.
The layout for the promenade was designed by SWA, a local landscaping firm. Dupuis said the project could be implemented by June 15.
Approval of Temporary Use Permits (TUPs) for outdoor dining and minor deviations from temporary sign and banner standards were consolidated under the authority of Community Development Director Marc Wiener through September 7. TUP application fees will be waived during the trial period.
Delay of the conversion of Ocean Avenue to one-way from Beach Street to South Coast Highway was also approved.
More than 110 emails from the public were sent from the City Clerk’s office to the council prior to the hearing: 101 were in favor of the proposed promenade, 12 were opposed. Additionally, 31 members of the public contacted the council by telephone during the meeting.
Twenty of the calls gave unqualified support to the proposed concept. Five outright opposed it.
“The council needs to do some belt tightening,” said Michele Monda. “Do we need to spend top dollar on this?”
Total cost of the promenade trial is estimated to be $248,703.
Others supported the proposal but had questions: “I support the entire proposal,” said Joe Hanauer, developer of The Old Pottery Place. “The positives outweigh the negatives, but I suggest, as you move forward, you add an evaluation plan to be completed before implementation.”
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Photo by Mary Hurlbut
Forest Ave as it appears currently
The approvals Tuesday did not include an evaluation, as suggested by Councilwoman Sue Kempf, but Dupuis said one would be conducted after the trial.
Also of concern to some, including Councilwoman Toni Iseman, is the loss of 48 parking spaces on Forest Avenue. Staff maintained that not as many spaces were needed because of the lessened demand due to the cancellation of the Festival of Arts and the additional parking at the Village Entrance and the bus depot on Ocean Avenue where trolleys will not be parking.
However, traditional summer parking leases have been canceled, and the Sawdust Festival and Art-A-Fair have proposed tactics that would allow them to open in July, if approved by the council.
The promenade is one of several strategies proposed by the Working Group appointed by City Manager John Pietig and approved by the council at the May 12 meeting. The council on Tuesday approved a recommendation from the staff to bring modifications to the business and parking regulations – proposed in the Downtown Specific Plan Update and the Retail Market Study to modify and streamline the new business permitting process – to the council on June 16, one of the four council meetings scheduled for that month.
Tuesday’s council meeting can be seen in its entirety on the city’s website here. Scroll to the May 26 meeting and click on video.”
Sky architecture
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Photo by Scott Brashier
The arcs of the building mimic the curvature of the moon
Local launches Kickstarter campaign to expand cutting edge Forge to Table culinary craft tools
By DIANNE RUSSELL
Three years ago while studying the culinary arts, Laguna’s Noah Rosen founded Forge to Table, and since that time, his products have proven to be a cut above any other culinary craft tools.
To introduce a new knife and initiate a new high-end line, Rosen is excited to announce Forge to Table’s new Kickstarter campaign. The Kickstarter is currently live and will be active until June 12th. The purpose of the campaign is to expand Forge to Table’s product line to provide the most requested products including cleavers, and 67-layer Damascus forged blades.
Interest in all things culinary begins
Rosen attended El Morro Elementary and Thurston Middle School, and was immersed in the town’s culture since his mother Bree Burgess Rosen is the powerful force behind No Square Theatre. Rosen began his gastronomic journey at Orange County School of the Arts Culinary Program and continued it at the prestigious Johnson & Wales University in Providence, R.I. While at Johnson & Wales, Rosen recognized a need for quality, affordable kitchen tools, and Forge To Table was born.
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Noah Rosen
Rosen says, “This Kickstarter is actually the second I have done for the knives (and third ever, back in high school I Kickstarted to launch my popup restaurant, CLASS Kitchen). With this round, I, and my team (which is an exciting thing to get to say with a small startup) will be able to roll out more new knives than ever before. Included in that are a few that I might be the most excited about of any knife I have worked on to date.”
Forge To Table is dedicated to empowering culinarians with high-quality products. All knives are hand-forged by third generation bladesmith Alex Zheng, in southeast China. From offering just one knife in 2017, Forge To Table has grown to dozens of products, partnerships, and scaling production in its third year. Whether you are a Chef de Cuisine or simply enjoy preparing extensive meals for your family gatherings, you can find tools to further your culinary craft with Forge To Table.
One of the new knives to be introduced is one Rosen worked on himself.
New products
“The new Chinese Chef’s Cleaver. This knife I got to design hands on during my trip to south China to work with the forge!” says Rosen. “It came when I spotted an old carbon steel cleaver in the far corner of their office on display. It was one of the first knives ever produced when Alex’s grandfather first founded the forge after retiring as a fisherman. We took that knife and updated the style and steel to better fit American chefs’ hands while keeping the classic style and performance of the most popular knife style in all of China.”
Rosen adds, “Along with the cleaver, we are also launching a new high-end line, our Damascus blades. With these I am really hopeful to compete with the big name companies charging hundreds and hundreds of dollars through our same direct to consumer model that has allowed FTT to offer our existing line of blades at significantly lower, far more competitive prices without ever skimping on quality.”
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Classic Chef’s Cleaver
It’s no surprise that his mother Bree is one of his biggest fans.
When asked if she uses her son’s knives (a silly question, I know), Bree responds, “Of course I use his knives! I also have a couple he’s made just for me. I’m a baker, and he gave me a gorgeous Damascus Steel bread knife. I also have arthritis in my hands, and he’s made me a paring knife with an over-sized handle so my grip doesn’t hurt when I’m doing lots of small work like prepping Brussels sprouts or such. I’m spoiled and insanely proud of all he has accomplished, does, and is.”
Interests aside from playing with knives
Bree continues, “In addition to Forge To Table, he also volunteers so many hours doing good deeds. He put in hundreds of volunteer hours while he was at university. Now that he’s back in Laguna, he continues to help out using the skills and education he’s absorbed. In addition to tending bar and catering for No Square events, he does all the tech, video editing, and streaming for No Square Theatre now that we’re shut down due to this damn virus. He’s also currently spending a massive amount of time (and RAM) editing streaming concerts for LagunaTunes Community Chorus. And he makes delicious meals for a few of our solo friends, delivering them and visiting safely for a bit to help stave off the lonelies. He’s up for all kinds of kindnesses – our close friend Carrie Reynolds ‘volun-told’ him to make almost a hundred sandwiches for a home for special kids. I love his invented word – volun-told. Makes me laugh. We’ve all been there, right? But truly, he’s such a mensch.”
There’s no doubt that Bree is a proud mom.
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Trio of Forge to Table knives: (L-R) Bench knife, Classic Chef’s Cleaver, and 8” Damascus Gyuto
“His culinary and business skills are only outweighed by his heart. And he’s got a wicked sense of humor too. Loves music and theatre almost as much as he loves playing with knives. He’s been raised by the No Square and Lagunatics village, which means he’s had so many wonderful people in his life. He’s a fiercely enthusiastic learner too, so he takes the best of all of them and makes it his own. Smart. Ethical. Kind. Funny. And very loved by his mom.”
“Supporting Forge to Table through the Kickstarter will be a driving force in continuing the amazing growth of the past few years since I started FTT,” says Rosen.
To access the Kickstarter campaign, click here.
For more information about Forge to Table, go to www.forgetotable.com and follow on Instagram @forgetotable.
Sunset Serenades from your sofa continues with Jazz ensemble Sibarg
The City of Laguna Beach Arts Commission Sunset Serenades series has been postponed due to COVID-19. Scheduled to perform on Friday, May 29, was traditional Iranian music and Jazz ensemble Sibarg. Founding Member Hesam Abedini has filmed a special performance and message to the Laguna Beach community from his home.
The Arts Commission works with local musician Jason Feddy in curating the performances, bringing a variety of genres and cultures to the season. Although postponed, the Commission is working on other opportunities for future music experiences which it hopes to present over the summer.
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Courtesy of Sibarg Instagram
Enjoy the music of Sibarg from the comfort of your home, courtesy of the Arts Commission
Commission Chair Adam Schwerner, who replaced Suzi Chauvel on the Arts Task Force, said, “I am thrilled to be working with this innovative group of people with imagination and expertise to look towards our future with opportunities for artists, performers, organizations, and businesses. We need to think outside the box and that requires the support of the community. We want our community, our residents, and artists to be safe, be healthy, and ultimately be able to continue to enjoy our city of artists.”
Cultural Arts Manager Siân Poeschl explained, “In response to the COVID-19 pandemic an Arts Task Force has been appointed by the City Council to reimagine opportunities to reinvigorate the Arts for economic success. Our industry is completely in free fall. But we are reminded that in 1932 [when] artists were in a similar situation, patrons funded artists and they established the Festival of Arts – we know great things can come from situations like these.”
To watch the performance, click here.
Sunset Serenades is funded by the lodging establishments and City of Laguna Beach.
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A touch of red
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Photo by Tom Berndt
The red and green of spring
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Photo by Tom Berndt
Red invades the prickly cactus
Graduating seniors host book drive for children in Club Juntos through June 4
Now through Thursday, June 4, LBHS seniors Elleni Solomon and Sara Jacobs are hosting a book drive for children in Club Juntos.
Club Juntos supports Elementary level ESL (English as a Second Language) learners within the Laguna Beach Unified School District. Juntos mentors provide academic as well as emotional support for their Elementary level mentees.
Elleni and Sara formulated the service project for their AP Government and Politics class.
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Courtesy of LBUSD
Book drive will support children in Club Juntos
Elleni and Sara have been Juntos mentors for the past three years. They work alongside other dedicated mentors under the leadership of Mrs. Ivonne Redard, the Community Liaison for LBUSD.
As mentors, Elleni and Sara have learned that their roles go far beyond academic tutoring – they have become leaders to their mentees, focusing not only on teaching them what to do, but also on making sure they feel strong, capable, and confident along the way.
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Courtesy of LBUSD
Club Juntos mentors provide mentees with academic and emotional support
Throughout their experience serving as mentors, Elleni and Sara have realized that ESL learners have faced significant barriers, both culturally and academically. Students often struggle with confidence as a result of having to learn English amidst the culture of American hyper-individualism.
To drop off children’s books and journals or to schedule a contactless pickup from home, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
New orders and recommendations issued to slow spread of COVID-19
Last Thursday, May 28, the Orange County Health Officer issued amended Health Officer’s Orders and strong recommendations to help slow the spread of COVID-19 as more businesses move toward reopening. They revise and supersede the May 23 orders and recommendations.
Effective last Friday, and continuing until further notice, the following are in effect in unincorporated and incorporated areas of Orange County:
--Self-isolation of persons who have been diagnosed with or are likely to have COVID-19 in their home or another residence. Individuals with COVID-19 symptoms shall isolate themselves until at least three days (72 hours) after they have recovered, meaning their fever has resolved without use of fever-reducing medications and their respiratory symptoms (e.g. cough, shortness of breath) has improved; and until at least 10 days has elapsed from when their symptoms first appeared.
Individuals who have a positive COVID-19 PCR laboratory test result and are without COVID-19 symptoms shall isolate themselves for 10 days from the date when the specimen for the positive COVID-19 PRC laboratory test result was obtained.
This self-isolation order DOES NOT in any way restrict access by first responders to an isolation site during an emergency.
--Self-quarantine for all residents who know that they have been in close contact with a person diagnosed with or likely to have COVID-19. They should quarantine themselves in their home or another residence until 14 days from the last date that they were in close contact with a person that has been diagnosed with or likely to have COVID-19.
Exposed persons shall self-quarantine themselves for the entire 14-day COVID-19 incubation period, the typical time between exposure and when symptoms and signs of the disease may develop. They may not leave their place of quarantine except to receive necessary medical care or to obtain such other goods or services necessary for their basic subsistence.
This self-quarantine order also does not in any way restrict access by first responders to a quarantine site during an emergency. This self-quarantine shall not apply to health care professionals and law enforcement personnel.
All businesses, industries, and entities listed on the State’s website at https://covid19.ca.gov/industry-guidance/ and at https://covid19.ca.gov/roadmap-counties/ that reopen in Orange County as part of Stage 2 of the State’s Resilience Roadmap shall post their corresponding industry-specific checklist at a location visible to the public at the public entrance of each property.
In addition to the foregoing industry-specific checklist, all businesses, industries, and entities shall post a document at a location visible to the public at the public entrance of each property that specifically includes an attestation by the business, industry, or entity owner and/or operator that it has:
--Performed a detailed risk assessment and implemented a site-specific protection plan
--Trained employees on how to limit the spread of COVID-19, including how to screen themselves for symptoms and stay home if they have them
--Implemented individual control measures and screenings
--Implemented disinfecting protocols
--Implemented physical distancing guidelines
Additionally, all Orange County residents and visitors shall wear a cloth face-covering outside their home when they are not able to maintain at least six feet of physical distance from another person who is not a family/household member or does not reside in the same living unit. The cloth face-covering order shall not apply to the following persons:
--Children under the age of 2
--Anyone who has trouble breathing, or who is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the cloth face-covering without assistance
--Persons with a medical or mental health condition or development disability that prevents wearing a cloth face-covering
For more information and resources about COVID-19, visit www.ochealthinfo.com/novelcoronavirus.
Police Beat Primer
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.
Incident Reports
Saturday, May 30
Forest Ave | 300 Block | DUI, Driving with a Blood Alcohol Content 0.08% or Higher
10:09 p.m. A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher. Bail was set at $2,500.
S Coast Hwy & Wesley Drive | Vehicle Burglary
8:49 p.m. LBPD received a report regarding a vehicle burglary that occurred while the RP was at the beach. The approximate loss was $1,300.
Friday, May 29
Ocean Ave | 300 Block | DUI
8:18 p.m. A 50-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of DUI. Bail was set at $2,500.
Dunning Drive | 1200 Block | Animal Calls
1:17 p.m. LBPD received a report regarding an aggressive coyote.
N Coast Hwy | 100 Block | Flash Hold, Shoplifting
10:29 a.m. David Lara Martines, 24, was arrested on a flash hold and for shoplifting. No bail was set.
Unknown | Trespassing
2:09 a.m. Edward Patrick Schillizzi, 64, was arrested for trespassing. No bail was set.
Forest Ave | 200 Block | Trespassing
1:45 a.m. Terry Dwayne Sanders, 42, was arrested for trespassing. No bail was set.
Unknown | Driving with a Suspended/Revoked Driver’s License
Skye Juliana McNerney, 20, was arrested for driving with a suspended/revoked driver’s license. No bail was set.
Thursday, May 28
S Coast Hwy & Eagle Rock Way | DUI, Driving without a Valid Driver’s License
5:45 p.m. A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving without a valid driver’s license. Bail was set at $2,500.
Wednesday, May 27
Cedar Way & Acacia Drive | Probation Violation, Vehicle Theft, Possession of Controlled Substance Paraphernalia, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Possession of a Narcotic Controlled Substance, Possession of a Controlled Substance without a Prescription
8:16 p.m. Kevin Ray LaBossiere, 40, was arrested for violating probation, vehicle theft, possession of controlled substance paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a narcotic controlled substance, and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription. No bail was set.
Unknown | Driving with a Suspended/Revoked Driver’s License, DUI, Driving with a Blood Alcohol Content 0.08% or Higher
12:42 a.m. A 23-year-old man was arrested for driving with a suspended/revoked driver’s license, on suspicion of DUI, and driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher. Bail was set at $2,500.
N Coast Hwy | 100 Block | DUI, Driving with a Blood Alcohol Content 0.08% or Higher
12:08 a.m. A 55-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of DUI and driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08% or higher. Bail was set at $2,500.
Editor’s Note: An arrest contains allegations that a suspect has committed a crime. Every suspect is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
