Rock slide shuts Agate Street beach access as city evaluates bluff
A rock slide below the Agate Street beach access stairway Tuesday afternoon prompted Laguna Beach officials to close the area while a geologist evaluates the stability of the bluff.
The slide occurred September 29 below the stairway viewpoint, sending a significant section of rock down toward the shoreline and leaving large boulders and debris beneath the access stairs.
No injuries were reported, according to the city of Laguna Beach.
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Courtesy of city of Laguna Beach
Large sections of the bluff and fallen rock are visible below the Agate Street beach access stairway following Tuesday afternoon’s rock slide
Laguna Beach Fire and Marine Safety personnel responded following the slide and closed the beach access as a precaution. The city advised residents and visitors to stay out of the area and follow all posted closures while the site is being evaluated.
A city geologist was at the site Wednesday to assess the bluff and determine whether additional instability or hazards remain. The city said it would know more once that assessment was complete.
The Agate Street beach access remains closed until the area is confirmed safe.
Video by James Pribram
A closer look at the large rocks and debris beneath the Agate Street beach access following Tuesday’s slide
The city-provided aerial images show a sizable portion of the rock face missing beneath the stairway, with large pieces of sandstone scattered along the shoreline below. The stair structure remains standing in the images, although officials have not yet announced the extent of any damage or whether repairs will be necessary before the access can reopen.
The incident comes as Laguna Beach continues to monitor coastal erosion and bluff conditions following recent strong surf and damage along portions of the city’s coastline.
City officials said updates on the Agate Street closure and the geologist’s assessment will be shared through the city’s communication channels.
Candidates don’t show their poker hands, but WE do let you know what they have to ante up
Running for office is not only about getting your name on the ballot, but also about raising money to promote all aspects of a candidate’s campaign. That includes but is not limited to printed literature, mailings, digital/online advertising, consultants, print advertising, yard signs, postage, polling, research and such.
So raising money is vitally important. The more you have, the more you can do.
Locally, with three seats up for grabs, here’s a look at the most recent filings from the end of September:
Incumbent Alex Rounaghi appears to be the big dog when it comes to his campaign war chest. He has raised $65,742, spent $25,728, has $36,404 in cash on hand and no debt.
Sue Kempf, another of the incumbents, has received $38,752 in contributions, spent $5,050 and has $33,702 in cash on hand. She also shows no debt.
Mayor Mark Orgill had contributions of $28,935, with $8,834 in expenditures, $22,059 in cash on hand and $1,958 of debt.
Ashley Cintas has raised $26,763, spent $8,856 and has $20,998 cash on hand, with debts of $17,091.
Joy Berry has raised $11,689, spent $1,043, with $10,646 in cash, also with no debt.
Nick Aronoff has raised $10,575, spent $4,852, has $6,908 in cash on hand and debt totaling $2,186.
Karen Martin raised $1,599, spent $1,169, has $430 of cash remaining and no debt.
The record search showed “pending totals” for both Edward Bayuk and Laura Parisi.
Donors of note, not necessarily by amount, but according to other factors are:
The Laguna Beach Firefighters PAC contributed $500 each to incumbents Kempf, Orgill and Rounaghi.
Howard F. Ahmanson & Fieldstead & Company reported a $2,710 independent expenditure supporting Rounaghi with a slate mailer. This is not considered a donation to Rounaghi’s committee and is legally separate from his campaign’s finances.
Sam Goldstein donated $500 to Rounaghi.
And former Laguna Beach Councilmember George Weiss gave $250 to Aronoff.
For the three seats open for the Laguna Beach Unified School District, five candidates are running. Here’s a look at their disclosure information.
Incumbent Dee Perry had contributions of $10,552, $3,388 in expenses and $7,164 in cash on hand.
Incumbent Joan Malczewski had contributions of $23,407, with expenses of $2,780 and $21,136 in cash on hand. She has outstanding debt of $784.
Elizabeth Bates has had contributions of $7,351, expenses of $3,484 and $3,867 in cash on hand.
Kimberly Smith has raised $28,105 this last period, with $2,666 of expenditures, and $25,438 in cash on hand. She also shows outstanding debt of $200.
Shaheen Sheik-Sadhal has raised $20,719, with expenses of $1,703, with $19,017 in cash on hand. She also has outstanding debts of $3,103.
Incumbent Malczewski is running on a slate with Smith and Sheik-Sadhal, while Perry is running with Bates.
Finally, there is the Measure E initiative. It asks a Yes or No to the following question: Shall an ordinance to amend the Laguna Beach Municipal Code by enacting a limit on consecutive years of service by members of the City Council to a combined total of two four-year consecutive terms, with the ability to again serve as a Councilmember after a lapse of service of at least two years, be adopted?
Reported Measure E contributions show $3,068 supporting the measure and $12,906 in opposition to it.
Ballots for Laguna Beach are expected to begin arriving Monday, Oct. 5.
• • •
We’d be remiss if we didn’t circle back to last week’s Promenade Grand Opening and give a shout-out to 133, the local band that took over the stage as the sun was setting and kept things going for another two-and-a-half hours.
The band put together a special setlist for the occasion, mixing their own originals with covers selected for the evening. And judging by the crowd, they hit the right notes. People stayed, listened, danced and simply enjoyed being together. In many ways, that’s exactly what the Promenade is supposed to be about.
And, although our photographer did not capture the band in action and they therefore weren’t mentioned in our previous coverage, they certainly deserve their moment in Stu.
So, here it is. Check out the video below featuring Bitchin Girl, written by Clay Berryhill and performed by 133, with lead singer Nick Hernandez on lead vocals, giving you a little taste of the band helping Laguna celebrate a pretty special night.
Courtesy of Clay Berryhill
133 bringing it home at the Grand Opening celebration for The Promenade
• • •
The South Laguna Civic Association membership will host the Laguna Beach City Council candidates for a panel discussion on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the Laguna Beach Community & Recreation Center (formerly St. Catherine’s).
This will be an opportunity for residents to hear directly from the candidates on topics relevant to South Laguna and the broader Laguna Beach community.
SLCA Board Members will moderate the discussion.
The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for sign-in, social and light refreshments, with the forum beginning at 6 p.m.
For more information on the South Laguna Civic Association, go to https://solaguna.com.
• • •
Tonight (Friday, Oct. 2), don’t miss the Sunset Serenades Finale! Grab a low-back beach chair, pack a picnic dinner and head to Heisler Park (at Cliff Drive) to enjoy a breathtaking sunset and the last concert in the series. Uncanny Valley, with music you forgot you loved, will take the stage beginning at 5:30 p.m. Alcohol is permitted for guests 21 or older, but must be accompanied by a full meal. Solicitation of any kind is not permitted at city events. Enjoy!
Twenty-eighth Annual LPAPA Invitational kicks off tomorrow
Tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 3), Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting (LPAPA) welcomes the arrival of its invited artists and kicks off the 28th Annual Laguna Beach Plein Air Painting Invitational. Join them in celebrating Laguna’s living art legacy. Thirty premier artists descend on Laguna Beach to compete for more than $50,000 in prizes.
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Photos courtesy of LPAPA
From October 3 through October 11, 30 of the nation’s top award-winning plein air painters transform Laguna Beach into an open-air studio
As LPAPA’s flagship fundraiser of the year, and the core of its mission, these nine days are vital to sustaining their nonprofit, the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association (LPAPA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Here is how your participation makes a lasting difference:
Collect Art: Proceeds from every canvas sold support both LPAPA’s nonprofit mission and the hardworking artists behind the brush.
Attend Events: Ticket sales make premier experiences possible, including the Collectors Art Party and the Plein Talk at the Laguna Art Museum.
Become a member: LPAPA Membership is open to all artists and art lovers, living anywhere in the world.
Preserve Tradition: Your support safeguards Laguna’s 100+-year plein air heritage for generations to come.
With the Coast Film & Music Foundation’s Concerts in the Canyon rescheduled to 2027 and the unexpected change to beverage service at the Festival of Arts grounds, LPAPA is using its creative spirit – when given lemons, LPAPA makes lemonade. They’re excited to reshape their Collectors Art Party by hosting open on-trend craft zero-proof mocktail bars. To keep members and e-news subscribers “in the know,” here is the schedule.
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Artist participates in the Welcome Paint Out
Welcome Paint Out
Saturday, Oct. 3, Heisler Park, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
LPAPA is kicking off the week-long celebration with a “Welcome to Laguna” Paint Out to celebrate plein air painting and extend a warm welcome to the arriving Invitational Artists.
Gather along the cliffs of Heisler Park to join LPAPA in welcoming our Invitational Artists as they arrive to paint the town and compete for top awards.
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Quick Draw competition on October 4
Sunday Quick Draw & Silent Auction
Sunday, Oct. 4 (Free Community Event)
Heisler Park, 1-3 p.m. | Festival of Arts, 3-6 p.m.
Join LPAPA for an action-packed opening Sunday as their 30 Invitational Artists compete in a live two-hour painting challenge.
Meet the artists, place your bids in the live Silent Auction, and cast your vote for the Quick Draw Award winner. Festival of Arts | 3-6 p.m.
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LBUSD student joins Invitational Future Generation Paint Out
Invitational Future Generation Paint Out
Monday Oct. 5, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Heisler Park
LPAPA is proud to empower local LBUSD students (4th-12th grade) through their youth mentoring program. Paired with professional plein air artists, students experience creating a plein air masterpiece.
The students’ work will be exhibited at the LPAPA Gallery October 15 through November 30, with 100% of all proceeds from student art sales directly benefitting LBUSD schools’ art programs.
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The Cheng Family Foundation announces $25,000 matching challenge for Laguna Art Museum’s Art + Nature 2026
The Cheng Family Foundation has established a $25,000 matching challenge for Laguna Art Museum’s Art + Nature 2026. Through November 1, eligible contributions will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $25,000, giving donors the opportunity to help generate as much as $50,000 for the museum and its annual Art + Nature series.
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Courtesy of LAM
Art + Nature, 2024 Christian Sampson, “Ocean Ions”
“Laguna Art Museum is one of our favorite cultural institutions, and The Cheng Family Foundation is proud to support the programs and exhibitions that make it such a meaningful part of our community,” foundation representatives said. “Art + Nature is especially important because it invites us to appreciate the beauty of our environment while also reflecting on the urgent realities of climate change and our shared responsibility to care for the natural world. We hope this matching challenge will encourage others to join us in supporting the museum and this distinctive initiative.”
Now in its 14th year, Laguna Art Museum’s Art + Nature initiative explores the dynamic relationship between artistic expression and the natural world. The 2026 initiative will unfold from fall 2026 through January 2027, encompassing two companion exhibitions, outdoor art, educational and community programs, artist conversations, participatory experiences and the return of the museum’s Upcycled Couture fashion show.
“Art + Nature reflects something essential about Laguna Beach: the understanding that creativity and the natural world are deeply connected,” said Julie Perlin Lee, executive director of Laguna Art Museum. “We are tremendously grateful to The Cheng Family Foundation for helping us bring that connection to life, particularly for young people. Their generous matching gift will support local school vision.
Highlights of Art + Nature 2026 include:
–Two companion exhibitions: Radiant Terrains: Elements of Light in Contemporary Art from the Permanent Collection, on view September 19–January 10, 2027, explores how artists have used light as atmosphere, physical energy, environmental condition and metaphor. Kim Manfredi: View with a Grain of Sand, on view October 3–January 18, 2027, features paintings that examine perception, landscape and humanity’s relationship with the natural world.
–Art + Nature Celebration Week: Beginning November 1, the week kicks off with a community Block Party on the Main Beach Cobblestones and continues with artist conversations, collaborative artmaking, wellness and environmental programs, and opportunities for indoor and outdoor engagement.
–Kim Manfredi’s A Flag Walk for Our Future: Presented November 5–9 along a 0.7-mile accessible pathway through Heisler Park.
–The return of Upcycled Couture: On January 9, 2027, Laguna Art Museum’s Upcycled Couture fashion show will celebrate the intersection of art, fashion and environmental responsibility through imaginative wearable works created from repurposed and unexpected materials.
Gifts made through The Cheng Family Foundation matching challenge will help Laguna Art Museum present these exhibitions and programs while expanding opportunities for students, families, residents and visitors to engage with art and the environment.
To make a matched contribution by November 1, visit www.lagunaartmuseum.org/donate.
For information about Art + Nature 2026 and the latest program details, visit www.lagunaartmuseum.org/art-nature.
Laguna Art Museum is located at 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach.
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Closed Mondays, except Martin Luther King Jr. Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, and Labor Day. Closed on the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
For more information, visit www.lagunaartmuseum.org.
In Loving Memory and Gratitude
Keith Norman Thomas Jr.
June 29, 1935 – August 1, 2026
Photo by Tory Thomas
Keith Norman Thomas Jr.
Keith Norman Thomas Jr. passed away peacefully at home on August 1, 2026, surrounded by family. He was loved dearly and lived his life rooted in faith, family and service.
Born on June 29, 1935 in Santa Monica, Keith was raised in Los Angeles by his parents, Keith and Betty Thomas, alongside his younger brother Wayne. Keith attended Dorsey High School before enrolling at Occidental College, where he played football. After graduation, he served as a Captain in the United States Air Force and was stationed primarily in Okinawa, Japan, in the mid-1960s. During this time, Keith met Wendy Lou Jensen, a nurse who lived in his apartment building. They were married in 1963 and had three sons: Tyler, Toby and Tory. Keith and Wendy created special family memories with their boys through coaching many Little League teams, going to Rams and Angels games and going on many trips, including Keith and Wendy’s favorite annual week at Forest Home Christian Family Camp, where Keith served on the board of directors for many years. Keith enjoyed time with his friends at the Portola and Los Caballeros clubs, riding horses throughout Southern California during the 1980s and 1990s, and, in the early 2000s, spent his free time golfing with friends and his sons at El Niguel Country Club. As always, however, Keith and Wendy made spending time with family their focus, and cherished family pool parties and holidays, going to the games and performances of their grandchildren and staying connected by remaining happily available to join in the fun whenever possible.
Keith was an accomplished entrepreneur and graphic designer, most notably designing logos for Sunkist, RJR and Hidden Valley Ranch. In 1972, he moved his business, Keith N. Thomas Design, from Los Angeles to Irvine, where he and Wendy raised their sons. Keith and Wendy moved again in 1987 to Laguna Beach, where Keith spent most of the remaining years of his life. Sadly, Wendy passed away in 2005, after 42 years of marriage. In 2010, Keith married Anita Sands, and the two lived together in Laguna Beach for more than 15 years. They met and served together at Laguna Presbyterian Church.
A man of deep faith, Keith served many terms as an elder and taught numerous group Bible studies at his church. He retired in 2015 at the spry age of 80 years old. During his retirement, Keith loved to travel with Anita, fellowship with his Men’s Group at church and especially looked forward to his annual “Dad and Lads” trip to Paso Robles with his three sons. He also found joy painting in his garage studio, where he created beautiful paintings that are cherished by his family.
Keith was a loving husband, father and friend. He is survived by his wife, Anita, his sons Tyler, Toby, Tory and his eight grandchildren.
His Celebration of Life will be held at Laguna Presbyterian Church on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 2 p.m.
Community invited to Just Gather for Love Laguna Beach and Sunday fall fun
Just Gather Wellness, the nation’s first digital detox nonprofit, invites the community to connect through two wellness opportunities this fall.
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Photos courtesy of Just Gather
Volunteer making cards at Just Gather Wellness event at Alta Laguna Park
Tomorrow, Saturday, Oct. 3, Just Gather Wellness invites friends and families to show gratitude for local Downtown businesses. All are encouraged to participate in Love Laguna Beach, a community-wide effort focused on bringing people together through service and acts of kindness. Participants can meet at the Susi Q to color gratitude heart rocks, make handmade cards and write thank-you notes. Those who want to join for delivery will walk through town with the gifts.
According to Just Gather Co-founder Michelle Highberg: “This stewardship activity is a simple way to express appreciation for local businesses who contribute to the character and vitality of Laguna Beach. We’ll have lots of supplies and plan to reach as many as possible. All ages are welcome to sign up for this high-vibe activity. As always, we provide community service hours for youth.”
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Participant relaxes at a wellness event during the summer
Beginning October 4, the team welcomes all ages to Just Gather Sundays, a weekly event from 3–4:30 p.m. at Alta Laguna Park, 3300 Alta Laguna Blvd. These Sunday events continue after 11 summer wellness weekday offerings at Alta Laguna Park.
According to Advisory Board Chair Sara Garske, “We are grateful to the Gupta Family for their generous grant to promote wellness and connection in Laguna Beach at Top of the World. We could not ask for a more beautiful outdoor well space. Just Gather Sundays offer a consistent weekly opportunity for community to relax and recharge before the starting of the work/school week.”
Each gathering will include sound, stretching, as well as arts and crafts, creating a welcoming space for movement, creativity and relaxation.
To learn more, visit www.justgatherwellness.org. For questions or to get involved, email michelle@justgatherwellness.org.
October brings a rich shift in the landscape
“October is a symphony of permanence and change.” –Bonaro W. Overstreet
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Photos courtesy of Steve Kawaratani
Agapanthus can be divided in early autumn after flowering, giving each new clump time to establish before next summer
October has arrived, bringing cooler mornings, shorter days and the promise that autumn has arrived. Of course, Laguna weather has been known to change its mind, so keep the sunscreen and water bottle near the garden gloves.
Here are a few garden questions for the beginning of the 10th month of 2026.
Q: Can I plant sweet peas now?
A: October is an excellent time to sow sweet peas in our coastal clime. Select a sunny location with well-prepared soil and provide a trellis or other support before the vines begin climbing. Plant the seeds about an inch deep and keep the soil evenly moist. Protect young seedlings from snails, slugs and sowbugs with iron phosphate, which consider them a fall delicacy.
Q: Is October a good time to plant California natives?
A: Autumn is generally the best planting season for California natives because the soil remains warm while the air becomes cooler. Planting now gives roots several months to become established before next summer. Choose a well-drained location, avoid heavily amending the planting hole and water regularly during the plant’s first year. “Drought tolerant” describes an established plant, not one that was planted recently.
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Healthy autumn leaves can be shredded for compost or used as a light mulch rather than simply discarded
Q: Is this a good time to divide perennials?
A: Many perennials, including daylilies and agapanthus, may be divided during early autumn after flowering has finished. Lift the clump carefully, separate it into healthy sections and replant at the same depth. Water thoroughly and keep the soil moist while new roots become established. Recently divided plants may flower less abundantly next year, but they should return with renewed vigor the following season.
Q: Should fallen leaves be removed from the garden?
A: Healthy leaves can be shredded and added to the compost pile or used as a light mulch. Whole leaves left in thick layers may block water and air from reaching the soil and provide shelter for unwanted pests. Discard leaves showing signs of disease rather than returning them to the garden.
Q: How should I prepare my garden for Santa Ana winds?
A: Inspect young trees and newly planted shrubs to make certain they are securely supported but allow trunks some natural movement. Remove dead or broken branches, secure lightweight containers and garden furnishings and water dry soil deeply before strong winds arrive. Well-hydrated plants are better able to withstand the hot, dry conditions.
October offers gardeners a welcome balance of cooler air for working and enough daylight to complete a few chores before dinner. And with Halloween approaching, remember to identify and manage frightening pests in the garden. 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.
The Sacramento Chronicles
By ASSEMBLYMEMBER DIANE DIXON
October 2, 2026
Hello Laguna Beach!
Hello October! Last week, fall began. The humidity is finally retreating, yet we are anticipating a historic “super” El Niño storm coming our way.
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Courtesy of Diane Dixon
Assemblymember Diane Dixon
Earlier last month, after multiple rainstorms hit Orange County, my Orange County Assembly and Senate bipartisan colleagues sent a letter to Governor Newsom requesting that he declare a State of Emergency for our coastal communities. In addition, Assemblymember Davies and I called on the leaders of Orange County’s coastal cities to formally request the County Board of Supervisors to declare an emergency declaration, later declared by Chair Doug Chaffee. These requests were necessary to set in motion the emergency declaration request to FEMA.
This year’s El Niño is anticipated to be the strongest in recorded history.
My office and I are monitoring this situation closely and working with local and state agencies to ensure that our communities are prepared and kept safe. Please reach out to my office if you have any questions or need assistance.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month is observed every October to raise public awareness, support survivors and honor victims. It was first observed in 1987, and by 1989, Congress passed legislation to make its observance permanent.
Last year, I authored AB 1239, which established a public database of human trafficking data and allowed law enforcement to allocate resources appropriately. This data hadn’t been updated in 13 years! This year, I introduced AB 1918, the Ink of Hope Act, which would require tattoo operators or artists to complete training on how to recognize, respond to and report signs of human trafficking. AB 1918 is awaiting the governor’s signature. I also authored AB 2261, which will clarify and restore judicial authority to issue criminal protective orders (CPOs) to a victim’s family and household members. I am proud to share that the governor signed AB 2261 into law earlier this week, further building on my record as a fighter for crime victims.
This month, we honor those who have lost their lives and those who continue to be crime victims. We have made significant progress in this space, but the work is far from over. I will remain committed to this important fight and to putting the safety of our communities and victims at the forefront.
I am hosting various district events to kick off the fall season!
Calling all animal lovers! I am hosting a Fur-Ever Friends Fall Festival with my colleagues, Assemblymembers Sanchez and Davies, on Saturday, Oct. 10 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. We will be joined by more than a dozen adoption partners that will provide wildlife education, hands-on activities for kids and more! Learn more about this special event here.
The holidays are approaching, and the scams are on the rise. Join me for a Senior Scam Prevention series throughout Orange County. I am bringing in the experts to educate guests on how to recognize the signs and stop a scam before it’s too late. I hope to see you at one of the events below. Spaces are filling quickly, so please secure your spot as soon as possible. These events are free and open to all.
Laguna Woods: Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Laguna Woods Village, Clubhouse 7 (24111 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Woods, California 92637)
Click here to RSVP.
Laguna Beach: Tuesday, Oct. 13 from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Laguna Beach City Hall (505 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach, California 92651)
Click here to RSVP.
Newport-Mesa: Wednesday, Oct. 14 from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Norma Hertzog Community Center (1845 Park Ave., Costa Mesa, California 92627)
Click here to RSVP.
On Halloween, I am hosting a Spook-Tacular event on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Laguna Hills Civic Center. We will be joined by the Laguna Hills Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations for this free community gathering.
This family-friendly event will include games, a trunk-or-treat and much more. I hope to see you there.
Looking for a way to make a difference in your community? I am excited to welcome volunteers to help make our Spook-Tacular event come to life for the community.
If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a volunteer, you can sign up here. My staff will be providing a letter for community service hours upon completion of the event. Please feel free to share this opportunity with family and friends.
We are hiring a Paid Community Outreach Intern in my district office. This intern will gain hands-on experience in public service while serving as a vital bridge between our community and state government. In this role, you will assist with constituent services by connecting residents with vital state and local resources while also supporting the planning and execution of district events throughout Assembly District 72. To apply, please email your résumé to assemblymemberdixon@assembly.a.gov.
My team is ready to assist you with any state issues you may have, like DMV, EDD, Franchise Tax Board and more. We’ve assisted hundreds of your neighbors this year, and it’s always free.
Not receiving invitations to my events? Send an email to assemblymember.dixon@assembly.ca.gov to be added to our distribution list, or visit my website: Diane Dixon website. Be sure to follow me on Instagram and Facebook.
Thank you, Stu News, for keeping our local residents informed.
Diane Dixon is a two-term Newport Beach City Councilmember and two-time Mayor. She is currently serving her second term in Sacramento as Assemblymember of California’s 72nd District. She is also in a November-runoff for Orange County Supervisor, Fifth District.
No two sunsets are alike: Laguna edition
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Photos by Mary Hurlbut
Temple Hills sunset, an other-worldly end to the day
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Tropical clouds mix with a marmalade sky
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 will be available at the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter from October 1 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.
Friends of the Hortense Miller Garden presents Katlin Evans’ Sky Wonder at Aviary Gallery
The Friends of the Hortense Miller Garden (FHMG) is excited to present its autumn show, Sky Wonder, with local Laguna Beach artist Katlin Evans. This body of work is an invitation to examine the liminal spaces between the earth and the sky above. As you walk through the garden paths you’ll witness both subtle and dramatic changes as the season shifts. We tend to look down and view the growth cycles around us, a micro view if you will. But looking upward provides an important macro view, how we sit in a broader context. Being able to hold both micro and macro views are essential to appreciate a thriving ecosystem.
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Courtesy of FHMG
Kaitlin Evans’ exhibition “Sky Wonder” will be on view until mid-December
“My intention is to showcase the spontaneity of nature, particularly in plant growth cycles,” said Evans. “I feel abstract painting is the best vehicle to capture spontaneity. Some brush strokes might be intricate and feel more intimate, while others are bold gestures that hold the energy of the always changing air around us. The work unfolds to me as I move through the process of applying paint to canvas. In natural landscapes forms come into view while others dissipate and go back into the earth or atmosphere. Each piece in this collection conveys a sense of renewal and introspection, allowing for the viewer to discover new elements in the work as time goes on, much like the unfurling natural world.”
Evans doesn’t paint objects – she paints the space between them. Working in acrylic on canvas, she investigates how opposites coexist in a single visual field: hard angles against soft edges, tension held in quiet equilibrium. Her work seeks stillness in an over-sensory world –an invitation for the viewer to stop labeling and simply feel.
Sky Wonder will remain on view through mid-December. FHMG hopes you can visit the garden during this season of change and admire Evan’s stunning artwork on display in the Aviary Gallery.
Evans graduated with a BFA in Painting and Drawing from the University of Montana in 2001. Upon graduation, she exhibited her work across the country from San Francisco to New York City. In 2009, she received her MFA in Painting and Drawing from CSU, Fullerton. She now teaches Foundations at CSU, Long Beach and Fullerton, while maintaining a regular studio practice. She has shown her work at the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach since 2005.
For more information on Kaitlin Evans, go to https://katlinevans.com.
Lend a hand at the Fifth Annual Love Laguna Beach Citywide Service Day on October 3
Love Laguna Beach is a city-wide volunteer day connecting residents with one another to serve and support local causes and charitable organizations in real and tangible ways. The event brings people from all walks of life together to beautify and enhance this well-loved, seaside community and is an example of what happens when engaged citizens come together to help one another through volunteer service projects. Nonprofits, faith-based communities, organizations, city government, service groups and schools work side by side based on the idea that loving and caring for the community helps it to continue to thrive.
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Photos courtesy of Love Laguna Beach
Volunteers were excited to help beautify the late, beloved Skipper Carrillo’s home in support of his family
Love Laguna Beach has become one of the easiest ways for people of all backgrounds to serve in practical and sustainable ways, bond with one another and have a great time in the process. This year’s city-wide volunteer day kicks off at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3 at Susi Q Community Center, where Jedidiah Coffee and refreshments from local bakeries will be served while volunteers meet their service teams. Volunteers will then depart to work on projects throughout the city from 9 a.m-12 p.m.
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Girl Scouts partnered with Sally’s Fund to assemble and deliver blessing bags for residents of Vista Aliso and Alice Court
Inspired by the parent organization, Love Our Cities, Love Laguna Beach is now in its fifth year of serving the residents and nonprofits of Laguna Beach. Love Our Cities originated in Modesto and has grown into a worldwide, inter-generational movement in which 330,000 people have generously donated more than 1.4 million hours of volunteerism. This equates to an impressive $47 million in service given to the communities involved (click here). Love Laguna Beach alone had more than 250 volunteers working on 24 service projects in 2025, and the numbers continue to grow year after year.
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Community leaders supporting Love Laguna Beach in 2025
Volunteers work together in teams and choose from a wide variety of service projects ahead of time, including ones that are kid friendly. Here are just a few examples: beautification projects for our schools, American Legion, public areas, the Laguna Day Worker Center and areas in Laguna Canyon for the Laguna Canyon Foundation; BINGO with residents at Vista Aliso senior community; beach clean-ups; sorting food donations for Laguna Food Pantry; pet adoptions and a blessing of the animals; Boys and Girls Club refurbishments; helping at Glenwood Housing Foundation and more projects that can be found on the website here.
Love Laguna Beach has become such a meaningful way for younger citizens to develop strong, community-wide connections at an early age that will hopefully instill in them a desire to give back to their community in the future. It is also a way that Laguna Beach residents of all ages can connect with city of Laguna Beach government leaders and those who protect our beautiful city, such as the Laguna Beach Police Department.
Editor’s Note: There is still a need for volunteers, sponsors and projects, so if you can contribute to any of these areas, it will be extremely appreciated by Love Laguna Beach.
Small grain, big view: View with a Grain of Sand opens at LAM on October 3
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Courtesy of LAM
“Kim Manfredi: View with a Grain of Sand” opens on October 3 at LAM. Artist Kim Manfredi explores perception, landscape and the human desire to impose meaning on the natural world through paintings. The works draw from direct observation of elemental phenomena, transforming place into an abstract visual language. Using color layered with drips, bleeds and oversprays, the paintings evoke the vitality and unpredictability of nature. Fragmentation within the compositions reflects humanity’s imprint on the environment.
Get outside with Crystal Cove Conservancy’s inaugural Accessible Coastal Ecology Hike on October 10
Crystal Cove Conservancy (CCC) is launching a new addition to its Explore the Cove series – the Accessible Coastal Ecology Hike, a free guided walk designed for visitors who use wheelchairs or face other mobility challenges on the trail.
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Courtesy of CCC
This inaugural hike marks the Conservancy’s latest step toward making our trails and programs open to a wider range of visitors, from first-time beachgoers to longtime regulars
The hike takes place Saturday, Oct. 10 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m., along a flat, hard-packed blufftop trail. Participants will walk alongside Conservancy ecologists and fellow disabled community members to learn about the native plants, wildlife and coastal ecosystems that define Crystal Cove State Park as a treasured California landmark.
Extending beyond a single hike, their hope id to instill their core belief that access turns into advocacy.
Cost: Free.
For more information and to register, click here.
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, Acorn, a male domestic short hair cat, who is between 3-8 years and weighs in at 12-16 lbs. He is affectionate, friendly, funny, gentle and playful (and house trained). Currently, his backstory hasn’t been added to his profile, so for more information, contact Laguna Beach Animal Shelter at 949.497.3552. Acorn would be a wonderful housemate.
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Courtesy of Laguna Beach Animal Shelter
Stop by the shelter and check out Acorn
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.
Artists coming to Laguna Beach for Invitational will create their artwork in Plein sight
Thirty of the nation’s master plein air painters will turn Laguna Beach into their playground, or maybe better stated, their open-air studio with the 28th Annual Laguna Plein Air Painting Invitational beginning this Saturday, Oct. 3 through Oct. 11.
Here’s what’s available to you – watch these artists’ work, meet them in person and discover the paintings they create.
“Plein air” is painting outdoors, directly from the scene. This means the artists work as the light, weather and landscape change.
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Courtesy of Laguna Plein Air Painters Association
Plein Air at its finest
Because of that, over the decades, painters have been drawn to our city’s coastline and light. What has followed is an art colony that inspired plein air painting that has flourished on the West Coast, shaping California Impressionism.
Today, the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association (LPAPA) is the nation’s premier organization, bringing top artists from the U.S. and around the world together to explore where plein air will go next.
LPAPA has not been without challenges. With the Coast Film & Music Foundation’s Concerts in the Canyon recently being forced to reschedule those to 2027, primarily because of an unexpected change to alcohol beverage service at the FOA grounds (canyon concerts only), LPAPA has remained undeterred.
“Resilience is part of plein air painting. Light changes, weather turns and artists keep painting. LPAPA has carried that same spirit through 28 Invitationals,” said Toni Kellenberg, LPAPA board president. “When given lemons this year, we made lemonade – and created an on-trend craft mocktail bar for the Collectors Art Party. We can’t wait to welcome everyone there.”
Three main events will bring this creative Invitational to life:
–The Quick Draw Painting Competition scheduled for this Sunday, Oct. 4 which is free to the public.
From 1-3 p.m. at Heisler Park, you may watch 30 artists race the clock to complete original paintings. Then follow the art, which then will be drying, while it’s transported to the Festival of Arts grounds for a showing from 3-6 p.m. Meet all of the painters, see what they’ve created and bid on them in a silent auction.
–Then there’s the Collectors Art Party planned for Saturday, Oct. 10. This is a ticketed event.
Attendees will be the first to view and have the opportunity to purchase from more than 250 original paintings. This evening brings together artists and collectors for the artworks’ unveiling, live awards, hors d’oeuvres and sweet bites by Chef Lindsay of Nirvana, and, of course, the creative craft mocktail bar.
A sampling of those mocktails for the party to enjoy are:
LPAPA Lemonade
2 oz. Ritual Zero-Proof Gin
4 oz. lemonade
2 oz. club soda
Rosemary sprig (lavender or other herb)
Pinch of flaky sea salt
Golden Hour Margarita
2 oz. Ritual Zero-Proof Agave (Tequila alternative)
4 oz. Blood Orange Margarita Mix (Blood Orange and Lime juices)
Lava salt rim
Freeze-dried lime wheel garnish
Tropical Palette Punch
2 oz. Ritual Zero-Proof Rum
3 oz. POG (Passion Orange Guava)
1/2 oz. fresh lime
1 oz. club soda
Edible orchid garnish
The party begins at 6 p.m. at the FOA grounds.
Tickets are $250, or $225 for LPAPA members; online sales close at 10 a.m. on October 9. Sponsorships offering 5 p.m. early access are also available.
–Finally comes the Laguna Plein Air Art Festival on Sunday, Oct. 11. This one, too, is free to the public.
This is the Invitational’s conclusion with a public exhibition and sale at the Festival of Arts grounds from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Meet the artists, watch live demonstrations and explore original works, including fresh paintings added just that morning.
The Sunday Best small works award ceremony will begin at 11 a.m.
Outside of those, visitors can also find artists painting Downtown after dark at the free Just Plein Happy Nocturne Paint-Out on Tuesday, Oct. 6, beginning around 5 p.m. Then on Wednesday, Oct. 7, Plein Talk at Laguna Art Museum brings artists, collectors, and art experts together to discuss the genre’s past and future. A wine and charcuterie reception begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by the panel and audience questions from 6-7:30 p.m.
Tickets are available through the museum.
This is just a sampling of a few of the exciting live events planned across nine days. For the complete Invitational schedule, event details and tickets, visit lpapa.org/2026-invitational-events/.
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Elsewhere in the world of art, the Festival of Arts has announced the acquisition of two paintings by artists who exhibited in the 2026 Fine Art Show. The newly acquired works: Moon Light by Michael Situ and Time of Reflection by Jason Li, will join the Festival’s Permanent Art Collection.
Both paintings capture the beauty of Laguna Beach at distinctly different moments, from moonlight illuminating Heisler Park to the warm glow of a coastal sunset. Together, the works offer two unique interpretations of the landscape that has inspired generations of artists and helped shape Laguna Beach’s artistic identity.
“These acquisitions are a wonderful reflection of the artistic excellence we see each year at the Festival of Arts,” said Christine Georgantas, exhibits director for the FOA. “Michael and Jason each bring their own perspective and style to the Laguna Beach landscape, and we are thrilled to preserve these works as part of the Festival’s Permanent Art Collection for future generations.”
The two works, first, Michael Situ’s Moon Light, a 16-by-20-inch oil on canvas panel. It captures Heisler Park under the glow of the moon. Working in a style he describes as Contemporary American Impressionism, Situ uses the familiar coastal landscape to explore the light and mood of Laguna Beach after dark.
For Situ, having the work selected for the Permanent Art Collection carries special significance. “I am deeply honored that the Festival of Arts has acquired my painting for its Permanent Art Collection,” he said.
Jason Li, on the other hand, captures the coast during another fleeting moment of the day in Time of Reflection. The painting depicts a Laguna Beach sunset, a setting Li describes as one of the most iconic in the world.
His work combines elements of Realism and Impressionism, balancing recognizable scenery with the atmosphere and emotion of the moment.
The acquisition of his work is both an honor and an encouragement to Li’s journey. “It means a lot to me. The Festival of Arts has a long history of excellence. To be part of its Permanent Art Collection is a huge honor and encouragement to continue creating,” said Li.
He further added, “The journey of pursuing art is a lonely one. The recognition from an institution like the Festival of Arts gives me confidence.”
The Festival’s Permanent Art Collection features more than 1,000 two- and three-dimensional works, representing a century of creativity and artistic innovation. As a living archive, the Collection preserves the region’s cultural and artistic history while chronicling the artists and works that have shaped the Festival of Arts throughout its history.
To learn more about the Festival of Arts and the Permanent Art Collection visit foapom.com/collection. The Festival presents them in themed exhibitions at foaSOUTH, and they loan them out to museums and institutions for specific exhibitions.
• • •
I enjoyed the interaction with the City Council candidates at Saturday morning’s (Sept. 26) Laguna Beach Arts Alliance political forum. All nine candidates showed up, were responsive in answering a number of issues directly related to our arts, from land trust housing opportunities to extra use of the Irvine Bowl to how The Promenade might be incorporated into better uses for the arts in the future.
The incumbents performed admirably as one might expect because of the many reasons for direct involvement with the arts, but it was also refreshing to see the challengers with an abundance of knowledge, understanding and all with a specific love for that particular community.
I would encourage all residents to get to know those running, what they stand for, and then, at the appropriate time, make certain you vote.
Ballots will begin hitting the mailboxes early next week, followed with the opening of voter boxes to deposit your ballot into.
Stay tuned.
• • •
Reminder that this Thursday, Oct. 1 from 5-9 p.m. is another First Thursdays Art Walk! This monthly cultural event celebrates the diverse art scene that makes up our fair city.
It’s free. You’ll see your neighbors as well as a number of the candidates running for office, open businesses and more. Get out there and enjoy the town.
The Promenade on Forest comes alive at Grand Opening
Photos by Mary Hurlbut
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All decked out for fall, the Forest Avenue Promenade was a welcomed gathering space for the community with a ribbon cutting on September 25
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Joanna Bear (CEO of Visit Laguna) and Mayor Mark Orgill getting ready for the festivities
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(L-R) Councilmember Alex Rounaghi, Mayor Mark Orgill, Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones and Councilmember Sue Kempf get down to business cutting the ribbon
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The Promenade is officially open!
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Kelp forest-inspired fountain: A newly added water feature that anchors the upgraded pedestrian streetscape
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Mayor Mark Orgill with California State Assemblywoman Diane Dixon who presented him with a proclamation
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(L-R) George Heed and Michael the Greeter celebrated the opening
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Attendees enjoying the beautiful weather and chatting with friends
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Joy Berry and Nick Aronoff who are both running for City Council
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(L-R) Assemblywoman Diane Dixon, Mayor Mark Orgill, Councilmember Alex Rounaghi, Mayor Pro Tem Hallie Jones and Councilmember Sue Kempf reveling at the event with enthusiastic community members
Jahraus Park rehabilitation moves forward with accessibility, landscape upgrades
By SARA HALL
The Planning Commission recently unanimously approved plans for the Jahraus Park rehabilitation project, which will improve accessibility, address deteriorated infrastructure and enhance the landscape.
Commissioners voted 5-0 on September 16 for the design review and Coastal Development Permit for the proposal at the small park, located at 260 Cliff Drive.
The plans are carefully thought out and respectful of the park’s historic features, said Commissioner Susan McLintock Whitin.
This park has suffered from neglect over the decades and the ground planting has run wild, she commented, creating a “mishmash of planting.”
“Once this renovation cleanup is done, it’s going to be transformative. It’s going to be a completely different park,” Whitin said. “Whereas now people drive by it and walk by it and just don’t pay any attention to it, I think it’s really going to come to life and be a pretty beautiful feature in our park system.”
This is a “little jewel of a project,” she added.
The primary objectives are to improve pedestrian circulation and accessibility, rehabilitate existing infrastructure, enhance safety and functionality and upgrade landscape and irrigation performance, explained Project Manager Yun-Yun Lee.
“We are trying to address the aging and deteriorated infrastructure, while retaining the features that give Jahraus Park its existing character,” he said. “We are not looking to substantially change how the park functions or introduce new active uses.”
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Photo by Mary Hurlbut
A rehabilitation project at Jahraus Park will clean up the landscape, improve accessibility and protect existing art, including the sculpture “Deer Warrior” by Cheryl Ekstrom
Plans call for better connectivity and improved ADA accessibility through rehabilitated walkways and a more continuous pedestrian route. The project also includes a new curb ramp and ADA-accessible parking stall.
Commissioners also directed staff to use stabilized decomposed granite and add an ADA-accessible curved pathway to the existing bench in the grass area facing north.
The project will also address deteriorated and uneven surfaces. The design extends and realigns the existing pedestrian walkway to create a continuous connection through the park and to North Coast Highway.
Following a concept review last November, staff updated the design and incorporated commissioner feedback.
The revised plans include preservation of stonework and stairs, new handrails, removal of the parking meters and installation of a centralized pay station, along with protection of existing art and furnishings.
Removing the parking meters and using the centralized pay station will improve traffic flow and provide more breathing room on the sidewalks, commented Chair Pro Tem Jorg Dubin.
Proposed landscape work includes general cleanup and maintenance, including elimination of overgrown, invasive or deteriorated vegetation and restoration of planting beds. Plans include removal of all ivy and, after commissioner discussion, selective removal of yucca trees and jade plants.
Proposed plants include society garlic, lily of the Nile, ballerina Indian hawthorn and kikuyu grass.
“The intent is to keep the planting relatively simple (and) compatible with existing landscape, rather than introducing a large number of new species,” Lee said.
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Laguna Beach – A Look Back: The Telephone Central Office
By Dr. Gregg DeNicola
The Telephone Central Office on Beach and Broadway streets had a dual function in Laguna Beach history.
Courtesy of Dr. Gregg DeNicola from his personal collection
The Telephone Central Office at Beach and Broadway, circa 1930s
It was the classic “number, please” setup for telephone communications for much of the mid-20th century.
It’s also one of the few remaining Art Moderne (aka Streamline Moderne) structures in all of Orange County. Less than 10 are still with us.
Here in town, the old Bank of America building on South Coast Highway and Forest Avenue was a classic Art Moderne building, but it has been remodeled in a different style. (Also featured in a Stu News “Looking Back” in October 2023.)
In South Laguna, the Richard Halliburton Hangover House, built in 1938, is a rare private residence in that style. Usually, Art Moderne was reserved for banks, public buildings, schools, or hospitals.
Art Moderne architecture exhibits curving forms, rounded corners, and flat roofs. It was the Depression era’s answer to the more ornate and artistic Art Deco of the Roaring ‘20s. Minimal ornamental features with a nod to efficiency were key features.
In this circa 1930s photo, many of these features are apparent. The staff likely gathered for a group photo, and the name on the front was Associated Telephone Limited. Western Union appeared to be a part of this, and where Dolce Gelato sits now was a hotel.
The building served as the central switching hub for phone lines in Laguna Beach. It began as the Laguna Beach Telephone Company in 1923, and a one-story new office was built on the corner of Foster Avenue (now Broadway Street) and Beach Street in 1926, according to old records.
In 1936, Smith Construction pulled permits to add a second level to accommodate the additional operators and phone lines needed to serve the growing city. It was supervised by a local, William Griffith. A serious challenge was the loose, sandy soil of the creek bed right under the building, forcing creative solutions.
Griffith had to completely refigure the original facade, making the bays wider and adding additional windows.
The second level was completed in 1938, confirmed by aerial photos.
A 1951 ad in the local paper informed customers they could pay their bills in person at the new business office at 295 Broadway St.
Calls during the 1930s required operator assistance. You would call the operator who would greet you with “number, please.” The number was telegraphed to the Santa Ana facility, which would then relay and connect the call.
Direct dial developed through the 1950s, becoming the norm in the 1960s. This advance, taken for granted by us today, dramatically reduced the need for staff at the building.
This building transitioned into a GTE building, and later, Verizon.
Although it may appear abandoned to the casual visitor, the beautiful structure still serves its core purpose – housing telecommunications infrastructure.
Inside, it is packed with active Verizon equipment, functioning as a central telephone equipment facility. Because digital switching requires minimal human oversight, the old switchboards are no more, and the building operates quietly with no personnel stationed inside.
The next time you’re walking by this amazing Art Moderne edifice, stop, close your eyes and listen carefully – you may just hear a pleasant 1930s operator asking, “Number, please?”
Mega El Niño brings hot water
Ocean temps are sizzling 94 degrees in the eastern Pacific tropical waters off Mexico. Historically, it’s never been above 87 degrees. So, when I saw that 94, I thought it was a misprint. Nope, it’s not a typo, it’s really 94! What’s even more amazing is how deep that pool of hot water is. Normally the 80+ water temp goes down at least 50 meters before reaching below the normal cooler water underneath. This current Mega El Niño is responsible for 80-degree+ water as much as 500 meters down before it hits water temps below that 80-degree threshold. The result of that hot water that deep is the prime factor in tropical system Polo’s sudden rapid intensification from a tropical storm into a Category 5 monster in a matter of just 24 hours.
Here’s another mind blower: For 24 hours, Polo was completely stationary which normally pretty much kills the storm, but because the water went 10 times deeper it added gasoline to the fire – so to speak – with all that available hot water to work with.
This has never happened before, at least in modern history. One thing we meteorologists have learned…the hotter the water, the more activity occurs as a result. Ninety-four-degree water is unprecedented, and we’re on pace to run out the alphabet which only happened once and that happened during the moderate El Niño from 1992.
Hawaii is being strongly affected by this El Niño as another strong system has affected the islands. It wasn’t a direct hit, but Cat. 4 Hurricane Nele came close enough to drop truckloads of rain to the normally drier leeward sides of the island chain. Now they have to worry about Oka, the next one in line setting its sights on the Big Island and he is gaining strength as he moves closer to the islands. There’s still October and November to deal with, and the waters have not cooled one bit and show no signs of dropping anytime soon. Meanwhile, in the waters off Mexico, Rachel is waiting in the wings, so this movie is far from over.
Meanwhile, the Atlantic remains dormant with only a few low-pressure areas scattered about. That’s great news for all the Easterners as conditions continue to be hostile for any development while looking ahead for at least the next seven to 10 days. There have been only six named storms so far with Gustav waiting for winds above 39 mph.
Turning our attention briefly to Major League Baseball, the 2026 regular 162 game season has officially come to an end as the post season begins today (Sept. 29). Our two local teams, the L.A. Dodgers and the L.A. Angels are going in opposite directions as usual with the Dodgers clinching their division title for the 11th time in the last 12 years, so they’re in the post season having won 100 games once again. The lowly L.A. Angels are staying home, having lost 100 games, coming in dead last in their division and tied for the worst record in baseball. Poor Mike Trout, one of the best players in the history of the game, who has been loyal to the same team for 15 years. His offensive numbers speak for themselves – First Ballot Hall of Fame hands down – but can you imagine what the numbers would be if he hadn’t played for such a losing team year every year. He’d be giving Ohtani a run for his money.
ALOHA!