Former Laguna Beach mayor, Martha Collison, passes in Colorado; while locally, candidates share thoughts on $100,000 campaign contribution
We’re right in the middle of this heightened political season, and some sad related news from local politics past has unfortunately reared its head.
Martha Collison passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 20. She was 92. Martha, of course, became mayor of Laguna Beach in 1985, following a unanimous vote of her City Council peers.
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Photo by Hilary Porterfield
Martha Collison
A longtime resident of Laguna, Martha had reluctantly stepped onto the political stage and served Laguna for four years.
But as her submitted obituary states, at the time, Martha “was already well known for her extraordinary leadership abilities and her very grounded sense of logic and fairness. Add her great sense of humor and she accomplished a very successful and productive term. Her passion for the community was always boundless and with zeal, as it was for life.
“Before and after her council service, Martha was always very active with the same zeal and energy. With a bachelor’s degree from U.C. Santa Barbara and a master’s degree from Whittier College, Martha became a teacher and guidance counselor in Temple City. She moved up to assistant vice-principal at Foothill High School in Tustin. In 1976, she entered the real estate business in Laguna and was very shortly thereafter the manager of Nolan Real Estate.
“Martha is also very well known for her rather enthusiastic cooking and the literally thousands of meals she prepared, entertaining friends and family and always with a party atmosphere. So, it was no surprise that she and Dar opened a general store with a small cafe and gas station in her second home of Redstone, Colorado. She sold memorable T-shirts that read: ‘Stop, eat & get gas!’
“In 1996, they purchased Skyline Ranch in the Roaring Fork Valley of Carbondale, Colorado which became their retirement home. Both Martha & Dar enjoyed their passions for animals, particularly their quarter horses. The ranch accommodated boarding facilities for horses and dogs and then Martha’s personal accumulation of cats, mini horses and donkeys, chickens, rabbits and tortoises. But Martha’s bigger claim to fame was her two, matching black Percheron horses (draft size), that pulled a beautiful carriage. Martha did special events, weddings and parades with this team, whom she named ‘Tom and Dick…and she was Harry!’
“The stories of Martha, her many accomplishments, her antics and her huge circle of friends are significant, and we pay tremendous homage to her special legacy, catapulted by a huge and gentle heart. We also extend sincere condolences to her partner of 55 years, Darlene Woodward.”
• • •
Is a $100,000 political contribution directed locally bad for Laguna Beach? One candidate challenging for one of the three City Council seats up for grabs would say, “absolutely.”
But, at the end of the day, the $100,000 donation from Regency Properties was made to an independent political committee supporting the incumbents, not directly to any candidate’s campaign. The committee operates independently of the candidates and may use those funds for independent expenditures.
Here’s what council challenger and local restaurateur Ashley Cintas proclaimed in advance of a self-organized local press conference yesterday in front of city hall challenging the $100,000 contribution.
“Regency Properties, the entity identified with Surf & Sand Resort, contributed $100,000 to a committee specifically supporting the incumbents Sue Kempf, Alex Rounaghi and Mark Orgill,” according to Cintas.
“We are not D.C. We are not Sacramento. Laguna Beach limits direct contributions to candidates and their controlled committees to $500 per election. Independent expenditures operate under different laws, and I am not alleging this contribution is illegal or that there was improper coordination. But legal does not automatically mean appropriate.
“If the incumbents truly believe this level of outside spending is inappropriate for Laguna Beach, they can say that clearly.
“My campaign has been built around integrity, transparency and accountability. If $100,000 were being spent independently to support me, I would expect exactly the same scrutiny.”
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Courtesy of Ashley Cintas
City Council challengers meet with supporters yesterday (Oct. 8) outside of City Hall
City Councilmember and incumbent Alex Rounaghi, in a statement to Stu News, said, “Residents have asked whether I can just give the money back. I wish I could. But the contribution was made to an independent political committee, not my campaign, which means I have no control over those funds.
“As mayor, I proposed, and the council approved, lowering our maximum individual campaign contribution to $500. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision allows corporations to make unlimited independent expenditures.”
Councilmember and incumbent Sue Kempf also disavowed any connection to the contribution supplying the video below.
Courtesy of Sue Kempf’s 2026 Laguna Beach City Council campaign
• • •
You might well be aware of the marriage proposal that took place last week in Crescent Bay Point Park. Surprisingly, it came with an unexpected – and decidedly unwanted – party crasher.
Emmanuel Banuelos seemed to have everything planned for his proposal to girlfriend Hayley Lugo. Flowers, check! Candles, check! A mariachi band…her favorite…check! And someone to capture the big moment for prosperity…also a check!
What he probably didn’t have on the list was an angry woman out walking her dog.
Before the couple even arrived, the woman was confronting those preparing for the proposal, complaining about the gathering and saying she had called the police. Then, as the mariachi band struck up the music and the couple arrived, things got downright ugly.
Video of the confrontation shows the woman shouting profanities and telling those there who were joining in the celebration to “go back to Mexico.”
Happy proposal, right?
Certainly not the kind of welcoming committee Laguna Beach tourism officials might have wanted.
The video quickly went viral, drawing widespread condemnation.
Fortunately, the city of Laguna Beach denounced the incident, saying through an official statement that such behavior does not represent the community’s values.
“The city of Laguna Beach is aware of the video from Crescent Bay Point Park on October 2. Laguna Beach has long been a place of acceptance and inclusion. We reject hateful language and behavior of any kind as it does not reflect our community’s values.
“Laguna Beach’s parks and beaches are open to everyone and are regularly the backdrop to celebrate milestones. Because of their frequency, they can also affect the general public’s right to enjoy the coastline. Therefore, pre-planned setups and professional photography have specific rules and permit requirements (information is available at lagunabeachcity.net). We ask all residents and visitors to follow the rules for our parks and beaches and to treat all park and beach users with respect and kindness at all times.”
In the end, the bottom line is that nothing spoiled the couple’s most important part of the day.
Banuelos did, indeed, pop the question.
And Lugo said, “Yes.”
• • •
The Laguna Art Museum will present an artist and curator insight on Sunday, Oct. 18 (11 a.m.) featuring the de la Torre brothers, who will offer a live demonstration into their world of glass blowing.
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Courtesy of Laguna Art Museum
The de la Torre brothers in action
The brothers, Einar and Jamex de la Torre, are internationally acclaimed artists known for their “imaginative, colorful and often provocative glass sculptures and mixed-media installations.” They have exhibited internationally, completed major public art projects, and received such awards as the USA Artists Fellowship, the Louis Comfort Tiffany Award and the Joan Mitchell Foundation Award.
And don’t forget, their renowned exhibition, The Tipping Point, is currently on exhibition at LAM through January 24, 2027.
The glass blowing demo is a limited, up-close opportunity for just 30 people.
Candidates face off over donor money, hospital future at South Laguna Civic Association forum
By CLARA BEARD
The South Laguna Civic Association’s city council candidate forum started out as a chance for the eight candidates – Ed Bayuk was absent – to talk about the neighborhood’s needs: the emergency room, beach restrooms, parking, parks and the city-owned St. Catherine property.
Instead, a late $100,000 contribution to an independent expenditure committee supporting the three incumbents quickly became the issue hanging over nearly every answer during the October 6 forum.
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Photo by Clara Beard
Candidates discuss campaign contributions, emergency medical services and neighborhood priorities at the South Laguna Civic Association’s October 6 forum
The contribution came from Regency Properties, L.P. and affiliated entities to the Laguna Beach Good Leadership Committee, an independent expenditure committee supporting Mayor Mark Orgill and Councilmembers Alex Rounaghi and Sue Kempf. The committee is separate from the candidates’ own campaign accounts.
Candidate Ashley Cintas raised the issue during the first question of the night, which focused on the future of Providence Mission Hospital’s emergency room.
“There’s a bigger issue and the elephant in the room that has happened in the last few days that needs to be discussed,” she said.
Later, Cintas called on the incumbents to appear with challengers at a press conference and denounce “any corruption of buying an election.”
Rounaghi addressed the contribution during a later discussion about the hospital site, saying he was asking the same questions residents were. He said he could not coordinate with the committee and had no control over its spending.
“If I were a resident, I’d ask the same questions that you are asking: Why would they want to spend that $100,000?” Rounaghi said. “I have no idea. I don’t want their support.”
Kempf echoed that sentiment in her closing comments.
“I don’t like PACs. I’ve never liked PACs,” she said. “You can’t do anything. You can’t talk to the PAC. It’s against the law.”
Cintas and several challengers also questioned whether city decisions on tourism, development and public property have been shaped more by outside interests than by residents.
All candidates agreed on one major point: Laguna Beach needs to retain emergency medical services. However, they did disagree about how to do it and what should be allowed on the larger hospital property.
Nick Aronoff said the city should push Providence to keep its commitment to the community or find another operator. He opposed a new local tax to keep an emergency room open.
Karen Martin also opposed a tax and said Laguna Beach should work with surrounding cities to increase pressure on Providence.
Current City Treasurer and City Council Candidate Laura Parisi agreed and said preserving emergency care was a high priority but that the city would need to understand what level of service is financially sustainable before considering a tax. She said the hospital property should remain in medical use, warning that it would be difficult to restore that use once it is changed.
Rounaghi said the city’s land-use authority is one of its strongest tools and that officials were working with the state Attorney General’s Office. He said a smaller hospital or emergency facility, along with another use on the site, could be part of a financially workable plan.
Some challengers pushed back. Joy Berry said the property should remain medical because changing the use could make it difficult to bring health care back later. Aronoff called it “a community asset,” not “a development asset.”
A similar divide emerged over St. Catherine, the former church site the city bought in 2022.
Aronoff and Cintas said the city should stop discussing a sale and focus on making the site a real community center. Cintas said residents deserved a clear plan before the city considered splitting off or selling any piece of the property.
Rounaghi said the city does not have the money to turn the site into the kind of community center residents want without looking at tradeoffs. He said options could include a long-term ground lease or selling a portion of the property to help fund improvements.
Orgill defended the original purchase, saying the city bought the site for about $23 million and that it has gained value. But he said the city still has to decide what use makes the most sense both financially and for the community.
The candidates were generally supportive of more South Laguna park space, public restrooms and better beach access. The sharper disagreement was over how to pay for those things, how much the city should rely on development and whether city hall has listened closely enough to residents.
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PMMC celebrates 55th anniversary and Next Wave Expansion
On Sunday, Oct. 4, Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC) hosted 150 VIP guests to celebrate the center’s 55th anniversary, Next Wave Expansion, and to raise critical funds ahead of their grand public reopening on Monday, Oct. 12.
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Photo by Bill Lackey
Drone shot of PMMC
The center, established in 1971 by two Laguna Beach lifeguards, John Cunningham and Jim Stauffer, has been operating out of a temporary field hospital while under construction for the last three years, and has not been open to visitors since October 2023.
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Photo by Mary Hurlbut
Surrounded by joyous friends and supporters, Stephanie Cunningham, wife of co-founder John Cunningham, cut the ribbon to officially open PMMC
PMMC responds to rescues of sea lions, seals, dolphins, whales and sea turtles. They are a West Coast Region Stranding Network Partner of the national Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program in which they are authorized to operate under a stranding agreement issued by NOAA Fisheries (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) to respond to live stranded, sick and injured, out of habitat, deceased or entangled marine mammals.
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Courtesy of PMMC
The Bob Barker Visitor Yard is ready for guests
What started as the Society for Prevention of Animal Cruelty barn in 1928, later became the Friends of the Sea Lion rehabilitation and care center in the 1970s. Now – at 55 years – Pacific Marine Mammal Center has expanded its mission and facilities to meet the challenges the ocean environment faces today, provide elevated marine mammal care and community education for generations to come.
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Courtesy of PMMC
(L-R) Councilmember Alex Rounaghi, Councilmember Sue Kempf, Vice Chair of OC Board of Supervisors Katrina Foley, Acting PMMC CEO Blair Contratto, Chairman of PMMC’s board of directors and CEO of Faubel Public Affairs Roger Faubel, Mayor Mark Orgill and Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones
At Sunday’s private event, VIP guests received complimentary shuttle service on the Laguna Beach Trolley to the red barn campus in Laguna Canyon. Guests enjoyed music by the Surf City Allstars and were welcomed with brief remarks by Vice Chair of the OC Board of Supervisors Katrina Foley, who presented PMMC with a proclamation honoring their 55th anniversary and grand reopening. Along with lively Beach Boys-themed music and food catered by Starfish Restaurant, PMMC hosted a programs fair that showcased the nonprofit’s mission pillars of Rescue, Rehabilitation, Research and Education, allowing guests the chance to ask questions and learn more about their work firsthand.
Chairman of PMMC’s board of directors and CEO of Faubel Public Affairs Roger Faubel, gave welcoming remarks thanking PMMC past and present board members, partners, donors and state, county and city officials, for their integral support of the expansion project and PMMC’s mission of ocean stewardship and conservation.
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Photo by Mary Hurlbut
Acting PMMC CEO Blair Contratto described the historic expansion
Blair Contratto, PMMC’s Interim CEO spoke next, detailing all that the historic expansion added to PMMC’s operations and campus, including:
–Massen Greene Education Center, funded by the Massen Greene Foundation, which provides the center with a brand new 1600-sq.-ft. classroom and educational spaces, doubling the capacity for onsite programs.
–MacGillivray Media Center & Studio, funded by Greg and Barbara MacGillivray, adding brand new broadcasting capabilities for PMMC’s distance learning programs, speakers’ series and presentations.
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Joan Gladstone paints the bright side of nostalgia
By CLARA BEARD
From Stu News Arts: Celebrating the people, places and performances that make Southern California’s arts community extraordinary. More at www.stunewsarts.com.
The first thing that catches the eye in a Joan Gladstone painting is the color. It doesn’t sneak up on you. There is the familiar red of a lifeguard’s chair, the neon glow of an old hotel sign, the striking blue sky above Main Beach. Her work makes our familiar world seem a little more vivid and tangible.
Gladstone, a Laguna Beach artist, paints a variety of subjects, including her popular beach life series and, more recently, the roadside landmarks of Route 66. Her themes are often places people recognize or wish they had seen in their heyday: vintage motels, old signs, beach scenes and the kind of roadside businesses that make a long drive feel like an adventure. She says she’s not trying to paint them exactly as they appear but instead, capture the feeling people take away from them.
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Photo by Mary Hurlbut
Joan Gladstone holds a painting inspired by a vintage cocktail sign
“People ask me, ‘What’s your style?’ And it’s joy,” Gladstone said.
That sense of joy has become evident in her artwork, even though her path to painting was not a straight one. Gladstone grew up in Brooklyn near Coney Island and attended Boston University’s School of Fine Arts. She loved art, she says, but didn’t feel ready for the intensity of the program, so she switched to journalism.
That decision led to a long career in public relations. Gladstone moved to Orange County in 1980, launched her own company in 1990 and spent the last two decades of her career in crisis communications. Her clients were often businesses and nonprofits facing difficult situations, which meant walking into rooms where everyone was already stressed.
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Photo by Mary Hurlbut
Joan Gladstone at Skidmore Contemporary Art in North Laguna
Gladstone says her journalism background helped her in those moments. Rather than walking in and telling people what to do, she learned to ask questions and listen until the solution became clearer.
After years of helping other people navigate emergencies, she was ready for a different pace. When Gladstone left crisis PR in 2016, painting began to take a front row seat.
Her husband, Ed Gillow, had been gently encouraging her to return to art for years. Before leaving her career, Gladstone had already begun taking art classes through the city of Laguna Beach with the late artist Michael Hallinan, a longtime Sawdust Art Festival artist.
During one early class, Hallinan asked students to paint a tree. Gladstone said she was unhappy with her attempt, but Hallinan found something worth building on.
“That is a great branch. I love that branch,” she recalls him saying to her.
It was enough to keep her going. Gladstone stayed in Hallinan’s classes for seven years, learning not just how to paint but how to look honestly at a painting that was not working and figure out what to do next.
Her recognizable style began to emerge in a painting of a Laguna Beach lifeguard seated in a red chair. It was flat, graphic and rich with color, with the ocean reduced to bands of blue.
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Courtesy of Joan Gladstone
Joan Gladstone and her husband, Ed Gillow, at the Sawdust in June 2023; Gillow suggested their Route 66 road trips
“That’s when I felt I really turned the corner in developing a style that is recognizable now,” Gladstone said.
Gladstone’s Route 66 series has become one of her most personal bodies of work. She says she was drawn to the famous highway’s aging signs and dwindling landmarks, and what began as a fascination became a deeper interest in the people working to preserve those places. She donates proceeds from Route 66 paintings and prints to preservation efforts.
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Guest Letter
Alex Rounaghi
Laguna Beach City Councilmember and
Candidate, Laguna Beach City Council
“Citizens United” comes to Laguna
Earlier this week, it was reported that Regency Properties, L.P. and affiliated entities contributed $100,000 to an independent political committee supporting me, Mark Orgill and Sue Kempf. I found out the same way any resident could have, from an automated email from the City Clerk’s filing portal. Like other residents, I was confused. As I stated at the South Laguna Civic Association forum on Tuesday, I did not ask for this and do not approve of or welcome this expenditure.
Residents (including my dad) have asked whether I can just give the money back. I wish I could. But the contribution was made to an independent political committee, not my campaign, which means I have no control over those funds. As mayor, I proposed, and the council approved, lowering our maximum individual campaign contribution to $500, which is among the lowest in Orange County. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision allows corporations to make unlimited independent expenditures.
Voters should be skeptical of big outside money. I am. Why would a major company spend this kind of money on a small-town council race? It is a fair question, and one I have been asking myself. I have not contacted them, and I will not, because the law prohibits coordination between a campaign and an independent political committee. Even if the law did not prohibit coordination, I would not know who to ask as I have no ties to these entities.
City staff has confirmed there are no pending projects involving Surf & Sand or Regency Properties. If that changes, I intend to avoid participating in decisions that could raise concerns about my impartiality, regardless of whether recusal is legally required.
What I do have control over is the campaign I’m running, giving voters the chance to judge my past record and my vision. More than 200 Laguna Beach residents have given to my campaign, and as of the September reporting, I have received more funds from donors under $100 than the other candidates combined. I’ve participated in nine forums, attended numerous meet and greets, and volunteers are knocking on doors with me, neighbor to neighbor. This is a grassroots campaign focused on residents.
I love this town and the people who live here. Laguna faces complex issues, from the emergency room to wildfire, and residents deserve a candidate-driven campaign about them.
Coast Film & Music Festival brings back 10 days of big stories and live music
By CLARA BEARD
From Stu News Arts: Celebrating the people, places and performances that make Southern California’s arts community extraordinary. More at www.stunewsarts.com.
Laguna Beach is about to get 10 days of film screenings, live music, conversations and outdoor-minded storytelling as the Coast Film & Music Festival (CFMF) returns October 16-25.
Now in its eighth year, CFMF has become one of those events that feels made for Laguna: films about the natural world and people who move through it, paired with local venues that range from a surf museum to a downtown theater and the Irvine Bowl.
More than 80 documentary films are scheduled, along with workshops, panels, art and outdoor experiences. Screenings will be held at the Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center, Rivian South Coast Theater, Surfing Heritage and Culture Center, Festival of Arts, Forest Avenue Promenade and Hobie Surf Shop.
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Photos courtesy of CFMF
Jorge Tello in “Mariachi Matters”
Founder Ben Warner said the festival grew out of what already defines Laguna.
“This year’s festival is inspired by the things that make Laguna Beach special: film, music, art, and a deep connection to the outdoors,” Warner said. “We started Coast to bring the ocean and mountain communities together through storytelling.”
The film lineup reaches well beyond surfing and adventure, though both remain part of CFMF’s make up. This year’s features include Jack Johnson: SURFILMUSIC, tracing Johnson’s path from surfer and filmmaker to musician; Los Lobos: Native Sons, a look at the influential East Los Angeles Chicano band; Remaining Native, following Native American teen runner Ku Stevens; and The Last Place on Earth, about activists working to protect a threatened ecosystem in Sumatra.
There are also short-film programs focused on oceans, lands, cycling, adventure and the ways people find healing in nature. One of them, Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage, has a title that sounds lighthearted but fits the festival’s larger scope in ordinary people taking a stand for the places they care about.
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Swimmers gather collected debris in a still from “Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage”
Warner said a beautiful setting can bring someone into a film, but that it’s the people on screen who stay with an audience.
“We look for films that offer a fresh perspective on adventure, outdoor culture, and our relationship with nature and community,” he said. “With conservation stories, we want people to understand what’s at stake while also seeing possibilities for making a difference.”
Opening night will feature Jack Johnson: SURFILMUSIC, followed by an after-party at the Surfing Heritage and Culture Center on Broadway. The choice feels especially fitting in Laguna, where Johnson’s connection to surfing, filmmaking and music is likely to resonate with locals.
Other highlights include photographer Chris Burkard’s Searching for the SuperCrust: The Lost Tapes, followed by a full-day photography workshop at the Susi Q. On Sunday evening, the Rivian South Coast Theater will host Los Lobos: Native Sons, with members of the band expected to be there.
The festival will also hold its Coast Summit on Thursday, with the theme “The Intelligence of Nature.” The all-day program will investigate what the natural world can teach people about the ways they live, work and create.
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A young skateboarder in “Montana Grind”
The final weekend shifts to music at the Irvine Bowl. Rainbow Body will perform October 23, followed by Ben Harper, Donavon Frankenreiter, G. Love and Lily Meola on October 24. Amos Lee, Donavon Frankenreiter, G. Love and Lily Meola close out the festival on October 25.
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Lagunatics still finds plenty to laugh about
By CLARA BEARD
Photos by Mary Hurlbut
From Stu News Arts: Celebrating the people, places and performances that make Southern California’s arts community extraordinary. More at www.stunewsarts.com.
There are few places where a joke about parking lots can land so well.
That is the magic of Lagunatics, No Square Theatre’s long-running musical roast of Laguna Beach. At the September 26 performance of this year’s edition, Lagunatics: May the Farce Be With You, the audience was in on it from the start: the references to traffic, city issues, familiar characters and the kind of local foibles that would sound made up anywhere else.
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Parking woes take front and center in a Lagunatics number
But alas, the issues are all real, according to Bree Burgess Rosen, No Square Theatre’s founding artistic director and the creator and director of Lagunatics.
“Nothing is made up in Lagunatics,” Burgess Rosen said during a post-show Stage Talk. “You do not have to make up any of this weird stuff. This town has been providing crazy stuff for 34 years.”
That truth is what has kept the show going since its 1992 debut. Equal parts variety show, musical revue and roast, Lagunatics turns the past year in Laguna into a string of parody songs, quick sketches and local references. The audience may not recognize every name or episode, but the bigger joke is always recognizable: this is a town that takes itself seriously enough to make a decent target and loves itself enough to laugh.
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Eucalyptus trees and their plight play a recurring role throughout the performance
Burgess Rosen described the show as “recess for grown-ups,” which feels about right. There is a freeness to the production that comes from watching performers clearly enjoy one another, even as they pull off tightly timed musical numbers and jokes that need to stay somewhat current almost until curtain.
“I collect stuff through the year,” said Burgess Rosen when asked about the process. “Things will fall off because then they’re old news. And I’ve added songs as late as half-hour call.”
A last-minute decision by a local board, a fallen tree or some new city controversy can suddenly become a song. The show’s writers, led by Burgess Rosen and longtime collaborator Chris Quilter, have spent years turning Laguna’s quirks into theatrical material. And, sometimes, the subject arrives faster than the punch line.
Burgess Rosen recalled the year a sewage pump failure finally gave the cast an excuse to use a number they had been considering. The first time it was staged, the cast carried rolls of toilet paper into the audience, where theatergoers happily joined in.
“It was incredible,” she said. “We were watching the crème de la crème, glitterati of theater, toilet-papering themselves, squealing and having fun.”
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The Lagunatics cast performs “Hey, Big Spender”
The perfect mix of silliness and local history is what makes the show so treasured.
“I wish I had the money to do a coffee table book because it’s a social studies class of Laguna Beach,” she said.
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Rising fuel prices have their moment in the spotlight
The production’s community roots are just as important as its jokes. No Square Theatre’s cast members are mostly volunteers who juggle rehearsal with jobs, family and long commutes. Burgess Rosen said some are trained thespians who choose to keep theater in their lives through a community setting. The commitment can be substantial, around six days a week for two months.
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Guest Letter
Kimberly Smith
Candidate, LBUSD School Board
Looking forward to Laguna Beach schools
Laguna Beach has been my family’s home since my oldest daughter started kindergarten. She is now at Thurston Middle School, and over those years I have become deeply invested in our schools and the experience we create for every child who grows up here.
This is why I am running for School Board alongside Shaheen Sheik-Sadhal and Joan Malczewski. We bring different backgrounds and perspectives, and we don’t agree on everything. What unites us is a shared commitment to putting students at the center of every decision, supporting exceptional teaching and providing the thoughtful, accountable leadership our schools deserve.
The most meaningful part of this campaign has been seeing our community rally around that same belief.
More than 300 people have donated to help elect Joan, Shaheen and me, with a median contribution of $100. More than 200 have volunteered. Families have hosted events, neighbors have knocked on doors, friends have called friends, cars have been chalked, buttons made, banners hung and kids have helped their parents display roughly 1,500 yard signs across Laguna Beach. All because they, too, believe our schools belong to this community, and they care deeply about the leadership entrusted with their future.
We have proudly been endorsed by Laguna Beach teachers and classified staff, along with all five members of the Laguna Beach City Council.
These numbers tell the story of a true grassroots campaign. Parents, teachers, staff, grandparents, retirees, alumni, students and residents without children in the district are giving their time, resources and voices because this community takes enormous pride in its schools and wants the best possible education for our kids.
I am one of the many people who decided I could no longer sit on the sidelines.
In 2024, I voted for Sheri Morgan and Howard Hills. But from attending their first meeting in December, I knew something was not right. I kept showing up meeting after meeting, watching the decisions being made. It became obvious that the direction set by the board majority of Dee Perry, Sheri Morgan and Howard Hills was not serving our students or strengthening our schools. I feel a responsibility to help change that direction.
To me, that is accountability: considering new information, recognizing when change is needed and acting.
After months of talking with families and residents across our district, I see a community looking forward. Hundreds of people are choosing to participate and putting their time, voices, resources and trust behind our schools and the kids sitting in our classrooms today.
I am incredibly grateful to be part of it and ready to get to work.
Thank you, Laguna.
After 40 years, Funny Friends finds an unexpected final chapter
After more than 40 years in business, Funny Friends creator Jennifer Mazur announced she is closing her soft-sculpture plush company, only to discover that generations of customers weren’t ready to say goodbye.
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Submitted photos
Jennifer Mazur as she winds down her business, Funny Friends
Funny Friends began in Mazur’s garage in 1982 and grew from a small, artist-run operation into exhibitions at Sherwood Gallery, a decade-long presence at the Laguna Beach Sawdust Festival, Fresh Produce boutique in Laguna and eventually an international wholesale business.
Known for their colorful velour, quirky human-like expressions and unmistakably silly personalities, Mazur’s creations found their way into retail stores, gift shops, aquariums and homes around the world. Her Sea Creatures line was beloved in Hawaii, the Caribbean and beach towns alike.
Mazur recently retired to Nevada City, California, a small town in northern California, where she planned to quietly wind down operations. Then The Union newspaper published a story about her career and move, and it went viral. Overnight, a business preparing to close its doors was flooded with orders and messages from people racing to find one last Funny Friend. In the first day of release, the company received more than 100 orders, followed by product videos on social media going viral.
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Jennifer Mazur 30 years ago with her Funny Friends
As the orders poured in, customers began posting their stories online. The comments became a “digital scrapbook” of adults recalling the Funny Friends who lived in their childhood bedrooms. After four decades, the love has become multigenerational, with many saying they want Funny Friends for their own children.
The remaining Funny Friends now make up the company’s last collection. Mazur and her daughter are working together to wind down the business, shipping orders until every remaining character has found a home. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.
Founded by artist Jennifer Mazur in 1982, Funny Friends is a soft-sculpture plush company known for its colorful velour characters and whimsical, human-like personalities. Over more than four decades, the brand grew from a home studio into an internationally recognized line carried by gift shops, aquariums, baby furniture stores and many other retailers around the world. The company is now closing after more than 40 years in business.
Updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses of the closeout are shared on Instagram and TikTok at @funnyfriendsplush. The remaining collection is available at www.funnyfriends.com, where visitors can also join the mailing list for announcements about vintage pieces discovered along the way.
Fall 2026 Sports Update
Football (4-2)
Up next:
The 70th Homecoming Game is on Friday, Oct. 16 vs. Dana Hills. The Breakers will be meeting Dana for the 26th time in a series that began in 1972 with Laguna leading 13-11-1. The #52 Dolphins are currently 6-0, but host undefeated #25 Huntington Beach on October 9. The Breakers have spoiled Dana’s unbeaten seasons the past two years with a 49-40 win last year and a 35-32 homecoming win in 2024.
This week:
Laguna had a Thursday, Oct. 8 game at #48 El Modena. Results will be in Tuesday’s (Oct. 13) report.
Injury Update:
The regular season ends on November 6, and both Jack Hurst (knee) and Charlie Christian (ankle) could return before then. Based on the post-season qualifying guidelines, Laguna has a very good chance of an at-large playoff spot if they don’t earn one as the Delta League’s two automatic qualifier spots. The playoffs begin November 13.
(Follow the team on Instagram @lbhsbreakerfootball.)
Game and season statistics are posted on MaxPreps.
Cross Country
The team has traveled to Fresno for the Clovis Invitational today (Oct. 9) on the State CIF course at Woodward Park in Fresno.
Boys Beach Volleyball (6–2, 2–2)
The Breakers faced San Clemente this past Wednesday (Oct. 7) and the Newport match yesterday (Oct. 8), both at Main Beach.
No word yet on the playoff schedule.
(Follow the team on Instagram @lbhsboysbeachvolleyball.)
Girls Golf (4–5, 2–2)
They faced Rosary Academy this past Wednesday (Oct. 7) and Irvine on Thursday (Oct. 8). The final season match is at Sage Hill on October 22.
Flag Football (6–11, 4–3)
The Breakers lost to league champion St. Margaret’s 40-19 in a game played at Guyer Field on Monday (Oct. 5). The final league game was Wednesday at Pacifica Christian (0-7, 8-14). The final regular season contest is a non-league home game on October 14 against San Juan Hills.
Playoff brackets will post on October 16.
Girls Tennis (3–7, 0-3)
The updated schedule currently has Laguna hosting University on October 13 and then at Woodbridge on October 15, all pending the effects of Hurricane Rachel.
Girls Volleyball (9-13, 6–1)
Laguna closed out the league season yesterday (Oct. 8) at Irvine with the match winner clinching the Pacific Hills League title. The Breakers’ last league crown was in 2019, and the program has captured 40 previous titles over the past 53 seasons under SSCIF sponsorship.
Laguna will host San Clemente in a non-league match on October 12, 5:15 p.m. at Dugger Gym for the final regular season contest.
Playoff brackets should post on Friday, Oct. 16 at www.cifss.org and playoff division placement will be based on final regular season results for all 523 schools playing girls volleyball in the Southern Section CIF.
Boys Water Polo (15–6, 3-0)
This past Tuesday (Oct. 6), Laguna defeated Irvine 15-3 in a Pacific Coast League match at Irvine’s pool. The Breakers are currently #9 in the latest SS-CIF rankings and still hope to make the Open Division Top 8 when the final rankings are issued with the SS-CIF playoff brackets on Friday, Oct. 23 on 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 @lagunabeachathletics.
Letters to the Editor
Good governance requires more than following the rules
One of the clearest lessons from the last two years at LBUSD is that good intentions do not automatically produce good governance.
School board members have broad authority but are not district administrators. Their job is to set policy, approve budgets and contracts, hire and evaluate the superintendent, establish goals and hold the district accountable. The superintendent and staff manage the district’s day-to-day operations. This distinction matters because, in my view, LBUSD has repeatedly blurred that line.
In February 2026, the board majority of Dee Perry, Sheri Morgan and Howard Hills approved a change to the agenda-setting bylaw giving the board president final approval authority over meeting agendas, subject to the full board’s authority to make changes. Later that month, the board addressed the location of Laguna Beach High School’s graduation ceremony, a decision then-Superintendent Jason Glass indicated had historically been handled at the school-site level.
The board could have required a better process, broader student input or clearer criteria. Instead, on February 26, the majority voted to move the 2026 graduation ceremony to the Irvine Bowl, making the venue decision itself.
We have seen what I consider a similar approach in the board’s handling of superintendent selections. In December 2024, the new majority voted 3-2 to direct staff to prepare an agreement with Joanne Culverhouse to serve as interim superintendent. That appointment ultimately did not move forward. On May 12, 2026, the board approved a mutual separation agreement with Superintendent Jason Glass. Two days later, the district announced the appointment of Dr. Don Austin as the next permanent superintendent, without announcing a new public search process.
Board authority is broad, but it belongs to the board collectively, not to individual trustees acting as administrators. Legal authority is only the beginning of the question. Good trustees should also ask whether a decision respects professional roles, adopted policies and a process the public can trust.
Policies and bylaws matter most when the people with the votes already know what they want. That is what I am looking at in this election.
I want trustees who understand the difference between governance and management. I want people who can ask hard questions without trying to run the district from the dais, listen to public pressure without assuming the fullest room represents the entire community and respect adopted policies even when they are inconvenient.
Nearly every candidate will promise transparency, accountability and putting students first. Those words are easy.
The more revealing question is what happens when those values compete with a preferred outcome.
LBUSD will be stronger with trustees who understand that restraint is not weakness but part of responsible governance.
Three candidates I believe meet our needs for a responsible school board are Joan Malczewski, Shaheen Sheik-Sadhal and Kimberly Smith.
Erika Hennon Rule
LBUSD Parent
Aliso Viejo
Term limits: A solution in search of a nonexistent problem
Term limits are a hot topic on the November ballot, and they deserve careful examination. Some argue that term limits are the cure for political stagnation, but in our opinion, they’re a shortcut that undermines the power of the people. The best and only term limits democracy needs are elections themselves.
Every election gives voters the opportunity to remove underperforming politicians and reward those who serve effectively. Imposing arbitrary limits on how long someone can serve in office takes that choice away from the public. Laguna Beach’s Measure E would limit City Councilmembers to two consecutive four-year terms. Why should voters be forced to say goodbye to a representative who continues to reflect their values and deliver results?
Moreover, term limits rob government of something it desperately needs: experience. Governing is complex work that takes time to learn. Stripping away institutional knowledge can strengthen the role and power of unelected government staff, lobbyists and special interests. Steve [Chadima] was working in Sacramento during the transition to term limits and witnessed the loss of an incredible amount of legislative experience and talent. One longtime Senate policy adviser, Kip Lipper, became so influential that legislators and others referred to him as the “41st Senator,” despite California having only 40 elected state senators.
We also question whether term limits are necessary when voters already have the power to replace incumbents at every election. Some argue that term limits create opportunities for new candidates, but those opportunities already exist through the electoral process. There’s a reason incumbents are elected in the first place: Voters believe they are the best people for the job. Why should voters be forced to choose from a smaller pool of candidates simply because experienced representatives have reached an arbitrary limit?
This is a “solution” in search of a problem that, in our opinion, doesn’t exist. According to the Orange County Registrar of Voters, 70.43% of registered Laguna Beach voters participated in the November 2024 general election. This isn’t some cabal of insiders hand-picking who gets to serve on the City Council. These are Laguna Beach voters choosing their representatives from among eligible candidates, whether they currently hold office or not.
We believe that choice should remain with the voters.
Mark Porterfield and Steve Chadima
Laguna Beach
Why I support Measure A
In 2001, I helped lead the campaign for our school district’s first bond measure, which was approved by 80.3% of voters. The improvements to our four schools financed by those bonds greatly benefited my four children and their classmates, helping keep our schools among the best in California.
Just as my children have gotten older, so have our schools. Our school district’s Facilities Master Plan identifies approximately $145 million in needed repairs and upgrades. Bond funds are an effective way to finance capital improvements like these, but the bonds approved in 2001 are nearing expiration. Measure A would replace the district’s existing school bond tax as it expires, with an estimated rate of approximately $8.85 per $100,000 of assessed property value, consistent with the current rate.
Measure A’s bond proceeds could only be used to repair and improve school facilities. They could not be used for teacher or administrator salaries or pensions. The measure also requires independent citizens’ oversight and annual public spending disclosures. Additionally, these funds could help our district qualify for millions of dollars in state matching funds.
One measure of a successful community is how well it takes care of its children and supports their education. I am fortunate to live in a community that does both, and that is why I am asking you to join me in voting “yes” on Measure A.
Bill Steel
Laguna Beach
Vote NO on Measure A: Laguna Beach School District bond
Much of the information being used to promote the Laguna Beach Unified School District bond focuses on aging facilities and concerns about leaking roofs, gas lines and asbestos. In my opinion, this messaging creates an unnecessarily alarming picture of our schools without adequately acknowledging the significant improvements already made over the years.
While some of our school buildings were originally constructed in the 1930s, 1950s and 1960s, they have undergone substantial renovations and modernization. The district has invested in its campuses through previous bond funding, maintenance budgets and capital improvement projects.
Laguna Beach High School has undergone major renovations and modernization, including seismic improvements and technology upgrades. Thurston Middle School has received classroom improvements and a renovated athletic field. El Morro Elementary has undergone extensive modernization, while Top of the World Elementary has benefited from upgraded classrooms and specialized learning facilities. These improvements should be part of any honest discussion about the current condition of our schools.
The district has also committed substantial funding to modernize the Laguna Beach High School swimming pool, with the project’s estimated cost potentially reaching $25 million. While the facility serves students and the broader community, I question whether an investment of this magnitude represents the best use of district resources at a time when voters are being asked to approve additional borrowing.
Meanwhile, declining student enrollment raises legitimate questions about the district’s long-term facility needs and spending priorities. Before approving another bond, taxpayers deserve a clear accounting of how enrollment projections, existing resources and previous capital improvements have been considered.
The district already benefits from substantial local property tax revenue and spends significant amounts on employee salaries, benefits and retirement obligations. In my opinion, these expenditures deserve greater public scrutiny, particularly when the district is asking residents to assume additional long-term debt.
Measure A would authorize up to $83 million in bonds. According to the district’s filed tax rate statement, estimated principal and interest payments would total approximately $157.3 million if all bonds are issued and sold. That is a substantial financial commitment extending decades into the future.
I believe the district should prioritize existing resources, demonstrate why its proposed improvements cannot be funded through other available means and provide taxpayers with a more complete picture of the financial implications before seeking additional borrowing.
Laguna Beach residents deserve transparency, fiscal responsibility and a careful evaluation of what our schools truly need.
Vote NO on Measure A. It is time for the district to operate within its means, just like the rest of us.
Anne Morreale
Laguna Beach
Join the Laguna Beach Beautification Council in celebrating the community’s beautification efforts on October 22
The Laguna Beach Beautification Council cordially invites the community to join them in honoring those individuals whose homes, businesses, landscapes, gardens and special places add beauty and character to Laguna Beach, and have continued the tradition of civic pride established in part by Harry Lawrence. Awards will be given in multiple categories: residential, business, art in public places and trees.
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Courtesy of the MacGillivrays
Barbara and Greg MacGillivray will receive the Harry Lawrence Award of Excellence
The event will be held at The Woman’s Club, 286 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 6 p.m. Dinner and drinks will be served.
The Laguna Beach Beautification Council was founded in 1952 through the vision and leadership of Harry Lawrence, a devoted civic leader whose efforts helped shape the beauty and distinctive community we appreciate today. Lawrence was instrumental in the campaign to acquire and preserve Main Beach as a public park, and he led the early efforts to clean up Coast Highway and Laguna Canyon Road, promoting tree planting and landscaping.
This year the Harry Lawrence Award of Excellence will be presented to Greg and Barbara MacGillivray, in recognition of their enduring contributions to our community, and their commitment to preserving Harry Lawrence’s vision of a beautiful and distinctive Laguna Beach. Besides their work in documentary filmmaking, the MacGillivrays have been mainstays in local conservation efforts, in particular with tree preservation and ocean sustainability.
Tickets for the Awards Event are $45 for an individual, $250 for a table of six and $400 for a table of 10. Tickets and additional information can be found at www.lbbeautificationcouncil.com. Sponsorships are also available.
The Beautification Council hopes the community joins them. All are welcome.
For questions contact Mary Raber at lbbc.us@gmail.com, or at 808.931.0914.
LBBC is supported solely through grants and personal donations of concerned and supportive community members. LBBC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; tax deductible donations are accepted through the website www.lbbeautificationcouncil.com.
Consider California natives for your garden
“It is easier and advisable to select plants that suit the site rather than to modify the site to suit the plants.” –California Native Plant Society
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Photos courtesy of Steve Kawaratani
Dwarf coyote bush carpets this familiar courtyard, a drought-tolerant California native that is easy to grow and adds year-round greenery
October offers Laguna gardeners an opportunity to try something new. You needn’t tear out the weed–infested lawn or order a truckload of plants for the Halloween garden. Sometimes garden satisfaction begins by simply replacing the one shrub that has been disappointing since last spring.
Perhaps it wilts every warm afternoon, requires more water than neighboring plants or has grown beyond its intended space. Whatever the horticultural issue, this may be the season to consider a California native as its replacement.
Autumn and early winter are favorable planting times for most California natives. As temperatures moderate and seasonal rains eventually arrive, new plants have an opportunity to establish roots before next summer. Of course, rainfall operates on its own schedule, so keep an eye on soil moisture rather than assuming October will handle the watering.
Study the proposed location carefully. How many hours of sunlight does it receive? Does water drain readily or pool after irrigation? Is the planting area exposed to ocean wind, or sheltered behind a wall? And will the plant have ample space when it reaches maturity?
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Golden flannel bush blossoms offer a bright reminder of the beauty California natives can bring to the garden
Laguna’s coastal slopes and nearby open space offer useful clues about plants adapted to our surroundings. Toyon, the many manzanitas and locally appropriate sages are possibilities to consider, depending on the locale. Confirm each plant’s mature dimensions and requirements before bringing it home. A small nursery container can conceal considerable growth ambition.
When planting, keep the root crown at the appropriate soil level and water thoroughly. Avoid adding rich amendments or fertilizer, as many natives have adapted to leaner soils. Ask a knowledgeable nursery about the species and its cultural needs.
Not to forget, drought tolerance develops with an established root system. A newly planted native still needs attention, and different species have different watering requirements. Placing it among thirsty plants on the same irrigation schedule may create problems in the future.
There is another reward beyond replacing a problematic shrub. Locally native plants can provide food and shelter for birds and insects, bringing more life into a garden. Select one native for your garden this month, give it a good start and let it show you what it can do. See you next time in the garden.
Steve Kawaratani, a regular columnist with Stu News Laguna, has been a local guy for seven decades and likes to garden and drive the Baja Peninsula with Catharine and Loki. He can be reached at plantman2@mac.com or 949.494.5141.
Laguna Beach Business Club 2026 Speaker Series hosts Clint Hufft on October 15
The Laguna Beach Business Club (LBBC) has announced its October 15 speaker is Clint Hufft – officiant, podcast producer and auctioneer. The LBBC holds monthly breakfast meetings starting at 7:30 a.m. hosting speakers that discuss topics valuable to achieving personal and professional success.
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Courtesy of LBBC
Clint Hufft will offer insights into his career officiating and as an announcer and master of ceremonies
Hufft is a versatile officiant, host, podcast producer and benefit auctioneer with decades of experience bringing energy and heart to high-profile events. Known for his warm, engaging presence, Hufft has officiated weddings for couples across the globe, bringing a deep respect for diverse traditions, cultures and spiritual beliefs to every ceremony he leads.
His officiating work has made a splash in pop culture, with notable roles presiding over celebrity weddings for stars like Britney Spears and Paris Hilton, as well as landmark televised nuptials including ABC’s Trista & Ryan’s Wedding and Fox’s MasterChef. Beyond officiating, Hufft is a sought-after live announcer and master of ceremonies, having hosted events for ESPN, Fox Sports West and the Arnold (Schwarzenegger) Sports Festival.
Hufft hosts and produces several popular shows, including the Wedding Ceremony Podcast and the Wedding MBA Podcast. He also lends his talents as a professional charity auctioneer, raising critical funds for organizations such as Make-A-Wish, Susan G. Komen and the Southern California Hospice Foundation.
Hufft will discuss the wonderful ways the humans are alike and unique.
The LBBC is a group of local business professionals and entrepreneurs that meet monthly to discuss current events, business opportunities and share insights within the context of their community and lives with the goal of building and maintaining relationships with local professionals and businesses that they can proudly recommend to clients and friends. LBBC also supports their community by providing and participating in community services and/or events that benefit the citizens of Laguna Beach.
Club meetings begin with a buffet breakfast and brief networking roundtable. The October meeting will be held at Carmelita’s, 217 Broadway St., Laguna Beach. Non-members are welcome. The non-member guest fee is $30 payable by Venmo or cash/check payable to the Laguna Beach Business Club on the day of the meeting. Space is limited. Guests, be sure to receive your RSVP confirmation.
For more information about the LBBC or to register to attend the meeting, either visit www.lagunabeachbusinessclub.com, or email info@lagunabeachbusinessclub.com.
Bart Zandbergen returns to the stage as master of ceremonies for SAVOR 2026
Showcasing the True Wealth pillar of Service to Others, Bart Zandbergen returned for the third consecutive year as Master of Ceremonies for The Literacy Project’s annual Orange County fundraiser, SAVOR 2026.
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Submitted photo
Bart Zandbergen joined Anne Wortmann at SAVOR 2026. In 2024, Anne and her husband John were honorees at the Literacy Project’s soirée.
Held at Newport Beach Country Club, the Napa-chic soirée unfolded beneath the stars as guests gathered to enjoy an evening dedicated to raising both funds and awareness for The Literacy Project’s mission: Helping struggling young readers develop the literacy skills they need to succeed.
Earlier this year, Zandbergen launched his first book, True Wealth Defined, now available through Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The book explores the True Wealth pillars that serve as the foundation for his namesake wealth management firm, The Zandbergen Group. Among those pillars is Service to Others – a principle that Zandbergen strives to put into action through both his professional and personal commitments.
“Giving back is one of life’s greatest privileges. That can mean time, resources, mentorship, or financial support,” shared Zandbergen.
That commitment is deeply personal. Reflecting on his own journey, including a season of bullying during elementary school, Zandbergen has developed a particular passion for helping young people facing challenges gain access to the tools and support they need to build successful futures – including the fundamental ability to read and write.
“I have seen firsthand the impact that each person can make through service, which becomes part of their legacy,” Zandbergen noted.
Through the True Wealth pillars, Zandbergen and The Zandbergen Group are helping individuals, families and entrepreneurs look beyond financial success to create greater meaning, purpose, and impact in their lives – and build legacies that extend well beyond wealth.
More information on The Zandbergen Group’s True Wealth pillars is available here.
Festival of Arts serves up a feast for the eyes with new foaSOUTH exhibition, Substance and Sustenance: Food as Art
The Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach has announced the opening of its latest off-site exhibition at foaSOUTH, Substance and Sustenance: Food as Art, on view October 12 through January 25, 2027. The gallery, located inside Active Culture at 1006 S. Coast Highway., Laguna Beach, is free and open to the public daily from 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
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Courtesy of FOA
Anthony Salvo, “Big See’s The Day” is part of the exhibition at foaSOUTH
Substance and Sustenance: Food as Art explores the many roles food has played throughout art, culture and everyday life. From its appearance in some of civilization’s earliest creative expressions to its symbolism in traditional still lifes, food has long represented sustenance, abundance, wealth, the passage of time and global relationships. Beyond the art world, it has also become a universal symbol of connection and community.
“Food is one of those rare subjects that is both deeply personal and universally understood,” said exhibition curator Morgan Matthews. “It nourishes us, but it also brings us together and becomes part of our traditions, celebrations and everyday routines. With Substance and Sustenance, we’re inviting visitors to look at something incredibly familiar through the eyes of artists and consider the many ways food can represent culture, connection and community.”
The exhibition features works by Festival of Arts artists including Anthony Salvo, Michaela Yoro, Renae Wang, Debby Scherer and Carol Heiman-Greene. Highlights include Salvo’s Save Room for Pie and Big See’s The Day, along with Yoro’s Onion Trio (2026) and Green Apple (2026). Additional works by Wang, Scherer and Heiman-Greene will also be featured throughout the exhibition.
The public is invited to a special reception on Thursday, Nov. 5, offering an opportunity to explore the exhibition and enjoy an evening celebrating art, food and community.
The foaSOUTH gallery is part of the Festival’s commitment to providing year-round art experiences for the public. As a nonprofit organization, the Festival of Arts supports the arts in and about Laguna Beach through exhibitions, scholarships and educational programs.
Substance and Sustenance: Food as Art is on view daily, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., from October 12 through January 25, 2027, at the Festival of Arts’ foaSOUTH gallery inside Active Culture (1006 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach).
For more information, go to www.lagunafestivalofarts.org, or call 949.494.1145. To support the Festival of Arts and its programs, visit the Festival’s support page.
Capturing iconic Newport Beach and beyond: Douro River, Portugal
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Artwork by Don Krotee
The city of Porto sits where Portugal’s Douro reaches the Atlantic. Famous for its centuries-old tradition of port wine production, is home to port, found on menus the world over. The distinctive winemaking process interrupts the usual fermentation process. The process changed because, in the early years of production, it was nearly impossible to transport the wine from a family vineyard to London, the eventual market. Initially, the boat journey descending the steep Douro was already hazardous, and the longer journey to reach London’s wealthy merchants added further challenges. The trips were so long that the wine often arrived sour or ruined. The solution began a centuries-long evolution of port wine as we know it today. Original production changed to include blending a brandy-type “spirit” into the wine, fortifying it to withstand the long transport. The brandy substance functioned as a preservative, stabilizing the wine. The result, over the years, was a process of trial and error involving complex ingredients, toil and technique, ultimately resulting in today’s famous port. This painting depicts a family vineyard along the Douro and is an 11” x 15” transparent watercolor on 300# Fabriano paper, originally painted during a small-boat cruise down the Douro.
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Artist Don Krotee is a Corona del Mar resident and has had a long interest in local politics, environmental issues and housing. He is an architect, sailor and SPON board member (Newport Beach’s oldest environmental nonprofit) who has provided Stu News with images of his paintings and drawings depicting Newport Beach and scenes from around the world.
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From Stu News Arts: Celebrating the people, performances and places that make Southern California’s arts community extraordinary. More at www.stunewsarts.com.
BGCLB presents A Night Under the Stars on October 17
Get ready for an unforgettable night of music, energy and community impact. The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach (BGCLB) invites you to their 11th Annual Night Under the Stars on Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Lake Forest Community Center at 6 p.m. – an evening of fun, philanthropy and connection you won’t want to miss.
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Courtesy of BGCLB
BGCLB, empowering kids to reach their full potential. Best of all, 100% of proceeds raised go directly to supporting Saddleback Valley area programs making a real difference in the lives of local children and families.
This year’s entertainment features Satisfaction – A Rolling Stones Tribute Band, delivering a high-energy performance of iconic hits that will have you dancing all night long.
Enjoy an evening filled with wine, craft beer, delicious food, silent and live auctions, along with great company under the stars.
Click here to register. For questions, contact Michelle Fortezzo at 949.715.7584, or michellef@bgclaguna.org.
BGCLB is located at 1085 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach.
Laguna Food Pantry joined “Stuff the Van” event
Earlier this week, Laguna Food Pantry joined 108 nonprofit organizations nationwide in Whole Foods Market’s “Stuff the Van” event on October 6. During the event, Whole Foods Market team members filled the Pantry’s refrigerated van with donated food, including fresh produce and pantry staples. The Pantry received the van last year through the company’s Nourishing Our Neighborhoods grant program.
The refrigerated van has become an important part of the Pantry’s grocery rescue program, allowing the Pantry to pick up more donations while safely transporting fresh and refrigerated grocery items.
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Courtesy of Laguna Food Pantry
Whole Foods Market Irvine team with Anne Belyea, Pantry executive director; Parker Harvey, Pantry driver and Hunter Weller, Pantry distribution expeditor at the “Stuff the Van” event in front of the Pantry’s refrigerated van
The donated food during this year’s “Stuff the Van” event will help provide fresh produce and pantry staples to local families, seniors, children and individuals who rely on Laguna Food Pantry for groceries.
A heartfelt thank-you to Whole Foods Market, Whole Foods Market Irvine and the Nourishing Our Neighborhoods team for supporting the Pantry’s mission to provide free, fresh, nutritious groceries to those facing food insecurity.
Laguna Food Pantry is open Monday through Friday, 8-10:30 a.m., offering free, fresh, nutritious groceries via a drive-through system. Visit www.lagunafoodpantry.org to learn more, volunteer, or donate. The Pantry currently needs more volunteer drivers to help with grocery rescue. Your support is vital to their mission of ending food insecurity and hunger in our community. They believe no one should go hungry.
Village Laguna October general meeting features Norm Grossman on October 12
The Village Laguna October general meeting on Monday, Oct. 12 at 7 p.m. will feature a PowerPoint presentation by Norm Grossman explaining the importance of the Irvine-Laguna Wildlife Corridor. This project has been in the making for many years and is led by Laguna Greenbelt, Inc.
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Courtesy of Village Laguna
Norm Grossman will discuss the Irvine-Laguna Wildlife Corridor
Join the Zoom meeting and learn about the more than six miles connecting the 22,000-acre South Coast wilderness to the mountains beyond, including a 2.5-mile segment already being developed by Five Point in conjunction with the Great Park.
For the Zoom link, go to www.villagelaguna.org under LATEST, or send an email to villagelagunainfor@gmail.com. All are welcome.
Tropical skies in Laguna
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Photo by Robert Wenger
Pacific gold and palm silhouettes create a dreamy evening
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
