OCDE sends Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team to LBUSD to conduct independent review
The Orange County Department of Education has tapped the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) to conduct an independent review of Laguna Beach Unified School District’s financial records.
OCDE said the review was prompted by requests from members of the Laguna Beach community and will focus on employee health benefit contributions, related contracting decisions and the use of district resources.
While OCDE emphasized the review is not, by itself, a finding of fraud or other illegal fiscal practices, it should provide an independent assessment of issues that have generated considerable public discussion in recent months.
The district said it will cooperate fully with the review.
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The Festival of Arts is offering guests the opportunity to experience the rich traditions of cultures from around the world during their inaugural Cultural Arts Day this Sunday, July 19. This new Festival program celebrates global cultures through art, music, dance and hands-on activities, offering visitors of all ages to enjoy an afternoon of immersive cultural experiences.
It takes place from 3-6 p.m. at the FOA, where guests will enjoy a vibrant line-up of live performances throughout the Festival grounds.
Some of those experiences will include a Chinese Lion and Dragon dancers or the traditional Hawaiian Hula with the accompaniment of a ukelele.
There will be a themed scavenger hunt which will encourage guests to explore and discover global artistic traditions throughout the Festival.
And, in collaboration with the Bowers Museum, Cultural Arts Day will also offer interactive art experiences including paper lei making, Asian brushstroke painting, African-inspired art activities and hands-on workshops in the Festival Art Center.
Then, from 5:30-7 p.m., we can’t forget about the special performance by ADAAWE (A Dance and African American World Expressions). ADAAWE’s acclaimed production, Global Soul, blends music, storytelling and movement inspired by cultures around the world in a powerful celebration of connection, community and cultural expression.
Admission to Cultural Arts Day is included with Festival of Arts Fine Art Show admission. Otherwise, tickets are $15 on Sunday, July 19, with free admission for children ages 5 and under, active-duty military and veterans, and Laguna Beach residents.
If you’d like guaranteed seating for ADAAWE, you may purchase a ticket in the reserved section (“Nightclub” VIP seating) for $40. This ticket includes admission to the Festival of Arts Fine Art Show and the concert. Reservations must be made prior to 3:30 p.m. the day of the performance. Limited free seating is also available for each concert.
The Festival of Arts Fine Art Show runs all summer long until September 3, with a number of special days, concerts and events. To stay up to date on all things Pageant of the Masters and Festival of Arts, follow the Festival on social media at @FestivalPageant and visit www.foapom.com.
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Hopefully you noticed Stu News Arts on your electronic device of choice this past Wednesday (July 15). It debuted to much fanfare and lots of great response. If not, make certain you go to www.stunewsarts.com to check it out.
Congrats to Victoria Kennedy of Kennedy Contemporary who was our initial cover star of the debut issue. The story details the new vision of her gallery that just opened on Balboa Island in Newport Beach.
This new location “champions contemporary art and gives people a place to enjoy it.” It’s located at 323 Marine Ave. “The gallery represents 21 artists working across a wide range of mediums, from abstract painting and wood sculpture to contemporary glass installations,” as detailed by our own Clara Beard in Victoria’s story.
The gallery’s newest exhibition, Boundless Palette: Three Voices, is on view through August 15 and features the work of three Sausalito-based artists: Leslie Allen, Terri Froelich and Sharon Paster.
Worthy of note, an opening reception will be held this evening (Friday, July 17) from 5-8 p.m. at the BI gallery.
For members of the arts community, I remind or inform you that there are a number of partnerships available to you, too, to get fully engaged, just as Victoria Kennedy did, with future editions of Stu News Arts. To find out more, chat with Shaena Stabler of our team at shaena.stabler@gmail.com.
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Tomorrow (Saturday, July 18) from 10-11 a.m., the city of Laguna Beach and CR&R are hosting their first virtual composting workshop to help residents transform food and yard waste into rich, organic fertilizer through traditional composting techniques. This free event is perfect for both beginners and compost experts.
Space is limited. To RSVP, email lagunabeach-recycles@crrmail.com. A Zoom meeting link will be provided upon RSVP.
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News and Notes: Frank Aronoff reminds us in this week’s Breakers Sports Roundup that Chris Esperanza is “now on campus” as LBHS’s new Athletic Director. Congrats to Chris.
Separately, in a recent perusal of campaign disclosure statements on the city’s website under City Clerk Ann Marie McKay, are a couple of items of interest:
The first was a Termination Statement, dated June 8, listing George Weiss and an account with a balance of $2,184.21. In checking with Ann Marie, the account was for a campaign committee from his 2024 campaign. The money in the account was given to, the Nimblegov PAC, which is behind the term limit proposition.
Second, Citizens for Laguna’s Future/Joy Dittberner, in opposition to “an ordinance to establish term limits for City Councilmembers” reported an ending balance of $10,588.81.
