Cutter Clawson: It’s all about the team

Story by SAMANTHA WASHER

Photos by Mary Hurlbut

Laguna Beach High School student Cutter Clawson has played baseball since he was three. His father was coaching his older sister’s t-ball team, they needed a player and so the toddler stepped in. “I’ve loved it ever since,” he says.

This is not to say he hasn’t done other things besides play baseball. He also played basketball and football, his other love. However, he gave up basketball before high school and quit football after being named MVP of the JV team his freshman year, once he verbally committed to Brigham Young University for baseball after 9th grade. “It has always been my dream school,” he says of BYU. 

Drafted by MLB Washington Nationals

The youngest of four LBHS graduates, Clawson said leaving Laguna for a bigger, more baseball-centric high school was never something he considered. “I always knew I’d go to LBHS,” he says. “I never thought it would negatively affect me.” And he seems to be right. On June 5th Clawson was drafted by Major League Baseball’s Washington Nationals in the 33rd round.

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LBHS senior Cutter Clawson had a choice to play baseball at BYU or go pro with the Washington Nationals. He chose college – for now.

Despite achieving what he acknowledges is a dream for any baseball player, Clawson has decided to postpone his major league dreams and go to BYU in the fall. He seems to have it all mapped out. “I told them the day I committed my plan was to do my freshman year of college, then go on a mission, and then when I come back, I will have my spot on the roster and see what happens. I will just work as hard as I can to have the opportunity to (go through the draft) again,” he says.

A two-way player with impressive stats

Clawson is a two-way player. He was selected as a pitcher in the draft but thinks of himself as both a pitcher and hitter. “Everyone thought I’d have one picked by now but I just keep working on both,“ he says with a shrug. 

The “working on both” thing seems to be a good strategy. As a sophomore at LBHS, he was named to the Cal-Hi All-State Sophomore 1st Team and Cal-Hi Underclass All-State 2nd Team. He received first team All-League honors for his batting .417/.463.616 (BA/OBP/Slugging) and had a fielding percentage of .991 at first base.

He also made the USA Baseball NTIS SoCal Team in 2017 and was one of just 80 players in the nation selected to play in the USA Baseball Tournament of Stars while also being voted to the Orange County All-County Team as a pitcher.

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Clawson was drafted as a left-handed pitcher, but considers himself a 

two-way player

In 2018 Clawson made 1st  Team All-League and was selected to the Brewers Area Code Team. He was selected to play in the MLB sponsored “States play” series where he pitched three scoreless innings. Currently, Clawson is ranked as the #2 left-handed pitcher in California, and 6th in the nation. For the third year in a row, he made 1st Team All-Conference.

Happy to shine the spotlight on others

And while that’s a lot of stats, that’s not all of them. His accomplishments on the field are lengthy and impressive. But you won’t hear about them from Clawson, who is polite, engaging, and extremely modest. 

So modest, in fact, that when I asked him to share his best high school baseball memories, he didn’t hesitate. He talked about a game when he was a freshman that went 14 innings. His former teammate Will McInerney, who was a senior when Clawson was a freshman, played catcher for seven innings and then was called on to pitch seven innings. Clawson mentions that he was called up to bunt, but the story he wanted to tell was his teammate’s story. “It was a game I’ll never forget,” he says. The fact that this was the highlight he wanted to mention, in a career filled with his own personal triumphs, said a lot to me about the kind of person Clawson is. 

Looking to the future while appreciating the past

I got the sense that Clawson would have happily talked about all of his teammates on the seemingly countless teams he has played and continues to play on, but his LBHS teammates seem to hold an especially dear place in his heart. These are the boys he has grown up playing with, either at Riddle Field or club teams. And now that his high school career is over, the reality that they are going their separate ways is bittersweet. “I’ll miss playing at Skipper Carilllo field,” he says. “I’m going to miss all of them. They’re incredible. We’d do anything for each other, and our coaches, as well.”

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Clawson happened to run into TMS PE teacher and former LBHS baseball coach Mike Bair. Clawson played for Bair when LBHS won their first and only CIF championship in 2016.

The question “What will you miss?” is a common topic for high school seniors before they go off to college. Clawson has clearly thought about it because his response after I ask is immediate. “I’ll miss the beach, obviously. I’m gonna miss my parents, but I have relatives (in Utah) which is nice. I’ll miss Baja Fish Tacos, and I’m gonna miss all my teammates, especially Colton Freeman. We’ve been teammates since we were 11 years old.”

“The most beautiful field…”

However, he cannot contain his excitement about going to BYU. “The baseball field is the most beautiful field I’ve ever seen,” he enthuses. He proceeds to list off the major league fields he has played on. “All of these are incredible, but nothing compares to BYU’s field,” he says. And there’s more to BYU for Clawson than just baseball.

 “It’s not just my dream school, but my best friend’s dream school, too. There’s a group of us going and that will make the adjustment easier,” he says. Academically, he says he’s interested in studying business or maybe sports recovery therapy. Whatever he decides, his priorities are firm: baseball, his church, and school.

Appreciating the importance of “we”

Community is clearly important to Clawson, but he is determined to make his way through his various communities his way. In that sense, his priorities mirror the sport he has committed himself to. Baseball is a team sport, but it’s the most individualized of team sports. “Baseball is weird,” he admits when asked about its unique dynamic. “But it’s definitely a team. Our quote we say (at LBHS) is we play ‘us’ baseball. That means everyone is on the same page, doing their job, playing their part.” 

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Clawson ran into some young fans and made sure to ask about their team

 And that must be what speaks to Clawson about the sport he has dedicated himself to because he clearly relishes getting the job done and doing his part. For now, the job will remain basically what it has been for the past four years, that of student-athlete.

A choice between two dreams

“It was a dream to get drafted,” says Clawson. “But it was in the 33rd round. I’m hoping to get drafted higher in a few years, and the college experience was worth more to me than where I was drafted.” Plus, attending college allows him the opportunity to fulfill his mission for his church, again playing his part. It’s all part of a very thoughtful plan for an extremely thoughtful young man who, for his age, just happens to be one of the best baseball players in the country. But don’t expect to hear that from him.

Cottie Petrie-Norris is making changes

Story by SAMANTHA WASHER

Photos by Mary Hurlbut

Cottie Petrie-Norris is already running for California State Assembly – again. She ran in 2018 as a Democrat and defeated Republican incumbent Matthew Harper by a margin of 52.7 percent to 47.3 percent, impressive results for a first-time candidate who was given no chance to win at the start. Her victory is a testament to the power of grassroots campaigning, which I see as something to celebrate, regardless of one’s political affiliation.

The 2016 election was a motivating factor

She was motivated to run for office because, as she says, “After the 2016 election I took a step back. I wasn’t happy about who was representing me at every level.” So, unlike so many of us who just like to complain, Petrie-Norris decided to do something about it. It was not a decision entered into lightly.

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Cottie Petrie-Norris, State Assembly member for District 74 and Laguna Beach resident

“Running for office was not part of my life plan,” she says. But, there was a “singular moment,” as she calls it, where someone she admired gave her the confidence to move forward in her ambitions. Connie Layva, a California senator was the mentor who convinced Petrie-Norris she could do it. “Having someone nudge you along is so helpful – and interesting. Women need to be asked so many more times to run than men.” However, after much urging Petrie-Norris decided, “I think I can do a good job – a better job – and get results.”

Crediting a motivated grassroots campaign for her win

Her campaign consisted largely of “friends sitting around my kitchen table.” Her volunteers put in full-time hours. “That’s why I won,” she says matter of factly. “The way people showed up to support me was unprecedented.” Those “people” helped Petrie-Norris turn what was predicted at the start to be a 7 percent Republican advantage to a decisive win in her favor. And now she gets to think about doing it all over again.

While she says the grassroots support is still important for her “and all of us,” campaigning the second time around is not as intimidating as it was before. “It’s less daunting. I know what we need to do and how to execute. That’s a good feeling,” she says. Plus she has had such an active start, she is motivated to see her work continue.

The State Assembly is “California’s congress”

The State Assembly can be described as “California’s congress.” A member of the State Assembly represents their district at the state level. Petrie-Norris represents District 74. By contrast, Rep. Harley Rouda represents the 48th District of California at the federal level. “When I first started running my friends would say, ‘I’m so excited! Wait…what’s the State Assembly?’” she says laughing.

With her role clearly outlined, Petrie-Norris’ passions reside in environmental policy, the student debt crisis, and the opioid epidemic. She is also on the Accountability Committee, which was not something she expected, but now that she’s on it, she is finding it “Right up my alley.” 

A very active freshman year

The first bill she authored was to invest in infrastructure to combat sea level rise. She was equally proud to say she worked on a bill with Planned Parenthood to expand access to birth control via a smart phone app. There is also the committee she is on regarding student debt. “My goal is to use my position to bring experts in so we can find solutions. There are real opportunities to do that,” she says. And she is working on The Future of Work Commission. Though in its early stages, the goal is to be proactive about the ways automation and artificial intelligence will change the workforce. “We should be thoughtful and plan for the future, rather than get left behind.”

Away from home and family for much of the year

Her work means she’s away from home Monday-Thursday roughly eight months a year. Her two boys are in school in Laguna so her new responsibilities aren’t without personal sacrifice – sacrifices born by everyone in her family. Nevertheless, it is something she is glad she has taken on, hence her campaign for 2020.

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Cottie Petrie-Norris with her two sons during some much appreciated time at home. Her husband was away on a business trip.

Finding inspiration from others

When she is in Sacramento, there are meetings with different groups, press conferences, the business that goes along with getting bills passed. When she’s home, her days are filled with constituent outreach and meetings with local officials to make sure everyone is working on the same (or similar) pages. “I connect with so many people pouring their hearts and souls into their parts of the world. I find that so inspiring,” she says…

Chuck Harrell and the Sandpiper: Two Laguna institutions

Story by SAMANTHA WASHER

Photos by Mary Hurlbut

The Sandpiper Lounge is a family business that also happens to be a Laguna Beach institution. Chuck Harrell, his brother Chip, and their mother Jeana officially took ownership of the bar on December 6, 1969. Part of its longevity can be attributed to the fact that it hasn’t really changed since – but only part. The rest must be attributed to the Harrell family and the way they have chosen to run their business. They are as much a part of the fabric of Laguna as their establishment.

The Sandpiper opened in 1942

Chip and Chuck’s uncle opened the Sandpiper in 1942 as a fine dining establishment. Their dad moved his young family from New York to Laguna join their uncle in his business.  After a few years, Chip and Chuck’s dad decided to get a different, better paying job. Tragically, in 1952, their dad was killed in a car accident.

“A really bad ‘50s”

“We had a really bad ‘50s,” says Chuck. “We lost my dad, my uncle, another aunt, and uncle in another car accident.” All of this loss meant the uncle who owned the Sandpiper had to sell it so he could help the family deal with all of the upheaval. However, while he sold the Sandpiper, he did not sell the building that housed the Sandpiper. “In 1959, he called my mom and asked if she’d manage the property and live in the apartment upstairs with us boys,” says Chuck. The quarters were tight but, he says, “We managed to survive.”

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Chuck Harrell, owner of Laguna’s iconic Sandpiper Lounge (a.k.a the Dirty Bird)

They survived by working odd jobs. Chuck says he worked in restaurants as a kid, dutifully handing his paycheck over to his mom. “Being a single mom, every penny counted. But I kept the tips,” he says mischievously. 

The Boys Club of Laguna Beach deserves a lot of credit

The other thing he credits with aiding their survival was The Boys Club (now the Boys & Girls Club). “It was a saving grace,” he says. It’s worth mentioning that another well-known Laguna local, Donnie Crevier, also credits the Boys Club with no small degree of salvation. And, coincidentally, according to Chuck, Crevier and Chip were best friends growing up. As to how that friendship started? It’s not my story to tell, but I can say that it sounds like the Boys Club had its hands full. Not too full, however, to recognize the Harrell brothers with the Crevier Legacy Award in 2019.

In middle school, Chuck says he was placed in the “7-5” class. Back then, students were apparently organized by grade (e.g. 7 for 7th grade) with a one through five denoting A-F (A=1, B=2 and so on). Whether Chuck is being truthful as to his academic standing or not, he eventually graduated from Laguna Beach High School in 1963, his brother in 1962. Both were drafted and spent two years in the military. Chuck got out in March 1969. 

Why not try the bar business?

“We found out the guy who owned the bar was going to sell it. My mom asked us, ‘Do you want to try the bar business?’” With Jeana later telling her sons she was “rolling quarters to close the deal,” the Sandpiper became a Harrell family business venture.

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A painting to memorialize Chip Harrell, Chuck’s older brother and partner, who sadly passed away last year

When they took over, the brothers were 23 and 24. Luckily, Jeana had a lot of experience as a waitress. She had her spot at the end of the bar where, according to Chuck, she would sip on her “vodka seven.” “She came in every night. No matter how crowded we were she’d sit at the end of the bar and I could tell if something was bothering her just by the way she looked. She was very wise.” 

Jeana was “mom” to a lot of people

Jeana’s photo hangs at the end of the bar. Underneath it just says “Mom.” “A lot of kids in high school called her ‘mom.’ People here called her ‘mom,’” explains Chuck. The photo is a fitting tribute. There are a lot of photos hanging at the Sandpiper. There is an old, smudged photo of Chip, Chuck, and Donnie Crevier in their LBHS football uniforms. There is a painting hanging in tribute to Chip. There is a huge painting on the ceiling that Chuck says is him, but it’s really Jerry Garcia (the similarities are striking). There is 56 years worth of memorabilia on the walls that, frankly, most likely get overlooked when the bar is packed, and the live music is going. But in the light and quiet of day, it’s like a museum of days gone by.

Live music seven days a week

This is not to say the Sandpiper hasn’t progressed. Its progress is just very…subtle. “We have tried to stay with the times,” says Chuck. “But we do keep it old school. We like rock-n-roll. We tell the bands, ‘You gotta play some oldies but goodies. Our age range is 21 to god-only-knows, so…that’s how it is.” 

Chip and Chuck started the live music when they took over the Sandpiper. Chuck says he had friends who were in bands, so it seemed like a good idea. Slowly but surely the nights with live music grew to seven. 

The next generation, as well as the current generation, joins in

Now, Chuck’s son Spencer chooses the bands, in addition to working the door. For him, the Sandpiper is a part-time gig. He works at El Morro Elementary as a PE Coach and is going to get his master’s degree so he can “maybe become a teacher,” says his dad. 

For Chuck’s other son Grant, the Sandpiper is “more of his life,” says Chuck. For now, Grant orders the alcohol and helps with the bartending. And just to make sure everyone is represented, Chuck says he asked his wife Jeannie to come join them when his brother died. Jeannie has been involved with the Laguna Beach High School Scholarship Foundation for many years and has served as a director since 2014, according to the group’s website. “She’s been golden,” he says emphatically. “She changed things that needed changing. She has brought me up to the 19th century,” he says smiling. 

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Chuck, behind the bar at the Sandpiper, his home away from home since 1969

“It has been quite an experience,” says Chuck. When asked if the idea of selling has ever been entertained, he says in mock outrage, “I’d have to get a job! I wouldn’t know what to do if I had to get a job!” This is after he confesses that coming home at 3:30 a.m. is not unusual. “It’s a tough business,” he admits. But it also never gets old. “If you keep your ears and eyes open all the time, you’re going to learn something new,” he says thoughtfully. “Like people may not be as bad as they think they are.”

What really makes the Sandpiper special

And this is, I think, the foundation from which the Sandpiper’s success is built. Yes, the live music is great. Yes, the bar’s frozen-in-time décor gives it a unique ambience, but there are other bars that offer some versions of those things. What truly makes the Sandpiper special is the way the Harrells have regarded – and continue to regard – their customers.

Because, let’s face it, lots of people in a small space drinking alcohol is a recipe for the occasional unruly behavior. “You talk to people, instead of arguing with them,” says Chuck. “Don’t take their dignity away from them. We tell them, ‘You can come back tomorrow, but tonight you gotta go.’” Of course, over the years, this strategy has gotten harder to execute. “Nowadays you don’t know everybody,” he admits.

“Everyone blends right in”

But whether you know everyone in the Sandpiper or not, most of the time you’re amongst friends. “It’s such a unique vibe. There isn’t one type of people that come in here. There are artists, surfers, business men and women, restaurant people…you put the whole thing in a barrel, mix it all up and everyone blends right into the crowd so easily,” muses Chuck. And there’s your recipe for success. Local or not. Wealthy or not. Young or not. Whatever you are (or are not), you are welcome at the Sandpiper. And it’s not changing anytime soon. 

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A photo of Jeana Harrell, Chip and Chuck’s mother and partner, hangs in a place of honor over the bar

“The best thing of the whole deal is Grant and Spencer love this place,” says their dad proudly. They are the third generation of Harrells and eventually they will put their stamp on the Sandpiper. But for now, the second generation of the Harrells is still coming in every Tuesday and Thursday. Chuck says when they first took over ownership of the bar, “We had a good name for being good guys.” He credits that for their initial success. Some things never change.

LBFD Captain Crissy Teichmann: Passionate about her profession

Story by SAMANTHA WASHER

Photos  by Mary Hurlbut

Captain Crissy Teichmann has been with the Laguna Beach Fire Department (LBFD) for 18 and a half years. Laguna was the first department that offered her a position and she was happy to take it. “I didn’t pick Laguna, they picked me,” she says. New firefighters have a bit of a fatalistic attitude when it comes to getting a job. It’s so highly competitive, if a department makes an offer, a new recruit generally accepts, no matter where it is. In Teichmann’s case, Laguna was a great place to start. 

However, starting and staying are different matters. Once you’re in and you’ve completed your “grueling” probation, it’s not out of the question to transfer to different departments – larger departments, for example, but even that isn’t seamless or without risk. And while Teichmann said she contemplated making a change after her first five years in Laguna, she ultimately decided to stay. Almost four years ago, she was promoted to captain, so the decision seems to have paid off.

Knowing what she wanted at the start

Promotions aside, when you talk with Teichmann about her job, it becomes very clear, very quickly that she loves what she does. “I knew in high school I wanted to be a firefighter,” she says. So she got to it. She worked for the Fire Service as a seasonal firefighter. She became a paramedic. She went to the fire academy. “I didn’t have to sit around and ponder life. I knew what I wanted to do,” she says. 

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Captain Crissy Teichmann has been with the Laguna Beach Fire Department for over 18 years

Doing what is necessary to stand out 

Sitting around is definitely not recommended if you want to become a firefighter. “You have to find ways to make yourself marketable,” she says. It’s a theme that comes up a few times during our conversation. Articles on the topic say it can take anywhere from two to seven years to become a firefighter, and that’s for the ones who get selected, many people don’t ever get the chance. So making yourself “marketable” is a surprisingly important part of the process.

To be a mom, or not is a serious question

Another important part of the process, for Teichmann at least, was deciding whether or not she wanted to have children as a firefighter. She says she really gave the subject a lot of consideration. “It’s not unrealistic to take time to ponder what type of parent you want to be,” she says. “I can be gone for 21 days at a time. How does that work? Women definitely do it and make it work.” But, she adds, “I was passionate about getting into the fire service. You have to be really dedicated to this profession. I decided I didn’t want to give up what I’d worked so hard for.” Fortunately, her husband, a policeman, was in agreement. 

And while Teichmann is at peace with her decision not to have a family, it’s a topic we spend a fair amount of time discussing, mostly because I am interested in what it’s like to be the only female in an entire department.

Laguna’s only female firefighter

Teichmann is not unaware that as the only female firefighter in Laguna Beach, it’s a point of interest. And, like many women in male dominated fields, she is happy to acknowledge her unique status but is determined not to make it the central part of her story. “The guys judge you, making sure you can carry your own weight,” she says. Everyone must meet the same physical requirements, for example. However, while everyone is accountable, there is a team aspect to all of it. “We help each other out. We’re doing it all together,” she says. 

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Capt. Teichmann with Engine One at the downtown fire station

Taking physical fitness very seriously

The physical aspect of firefighting is something Teichmann and the rest of the LBFD takes seriously. The LBFD provides its firefighters the time to stay in shape. Teichmann says that she and her current crew meet at 1,000 Steps at 5:30 a.m. to get their workout in, for example. 

The fact that they all do their workout together is one of the things Teichmann says she loves about her job. “I love the camaraderie. It’s a forced relationship. Everybody has a personality, but that bond we form here is what makes us so successful,” she explains.

Committed to fitting in

Being the only woman has not hampered her ability to fit in, even in the beginning when it really could have. Teichmann was hired just as the city was being sued by one of its female firefighters. “The guys were a little standoffish at first,” she recalls. “But I’ve always been part of the group. There’s never been that feeling of being different.”

“Goofing around a lot” is one of the ways Teichmann says the group bonds. “We’re lighthearted. You get to know people’s strengths and weaknesses. I love the guys I work with,” she says emphatically. And, in case you’re wondering, as I did, cooking at the station is a “thing.” “There can be some elaborate meals. But it is not OK to try out a recipe on the crew for the first time,” she says. “Guys who cook one bad meal are banished for life,” she adds only half in jest.

The job checks all of her boxes

In addition to the camaraderie, Teichmann says she was drawn to the job because it’s different every day. Plus, ”It’s cool to be able to help people. Every day is different. I’m an active, outdoorsy person and I like making decisions.” The only thing she doesn’t like about the job? “Getting a call when I’m in the shower, in the middle of shampooing my hair. That’s the worst part of my job. I’m serious!” she laughs.

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The fire station kitchen is an integral and important part of station life

The shampoo issue aside, Teichmann loves her job, the people she works with, and she has embraced the challenges Laguna provides. “I’d love it either way,” she says. “Small town or big agency. The plus side is I’m working with crews I know. And nothing is easy here,” she says. “We train harder.” 

Laguna may be small, but it’s never boring

The LBFD must contend with the open space and its dangers, both in terms of fire and injuries sustained on trails; they must execute a lot of water rescues which entail landing the helicopter “all the time,” she says. The houses and the access routes to them can be tough to navigate and lacking uniformity. There are even radio issues due to the terrain. “You just don’t have that in LA,” she says. “We see it when outside people (firefighters) come in. There is a huge learning curve.” In short, while Laguna may lack size, it doesn’t lack for action. “That’s part of the appeal,” she says.

Of course, Teichmann doesn’t mean disasters are appealing. But for someone who likes to do something different every day, Laguna provides ample opportunities. In the event there is a disaster, something that is on everyone’s mind with the knowledge that our very lush hillsides will eventually turn to fire fuel in the months ahead, Teichmann would like Laguna’s citizens to take the time to make a plan. 

Make a plan and stick to the plan

“People need to be able to stand on their own for awhile,” she says. “The city is doing a lot, but you can’t prevent it (fire),” says Teichmann. That means stock up on supplies, check and maintain landscaping to mitigate the threat to your residence, stay off the phone lines, and sign up for the city’s NIXLE alert system. Also, in case of evacuation, Teichmann says it’s incredibly helpful for people to put a sign in their window when they leave letting emergency responders know that no one is home. It saves time as they check the neighborhoods.

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The station gym, like the kitchen, sees a lot of action due to the importance of physical fitness 

Laguna is beautiful, but vulnerable. The LBFD never forgets that fact, and neither should we. Captain Teichmann is extremely serious when she says the best thing residents can do is “Be prepared. Have a plan and stick to the plan.” She’s talking about disaster preparedness, but she could just as easily be talking about her career path.

“I’m surprised by how many girls aren’t interested in (becoming a firefighter),” she says. “I wish we could get more women interested, but I want them to be realistic about the job and whether they want to do it.” Because, not to sound cliché, being a firefighter is more than a job. As Teichmann describes it, “It’s an intense profession. It’s also your second family.” And Captain Teichmann embraces both parts equally.

Laguna’s Crown Jewel: David Rubel, co-owner of Fredric H. Rubel Jewelers, celebrates 90 years in the
celebration business 

Story by MARRIE STONE

Photos by Mary Hurlbut

David Rubel, co-owner of Fredric H. Rubel Jewelers on Forest Avenue, has spent his life in the celebration business. From engagements and marriages to births and anniversaries, Fredric H. Rubel Jewelers has been a trusted resource for helping clients mark significant milestones. This year, they’re celebrating a major milestone of their own. The store has been in business for 90 years, stretching across three generations, with the hope of adding a fourth in the near future. 

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Gary, Fredric and David at Fredric H. Rubel Jewelers

“When our grandparents started their jewelry business in October 1928, they probably were not thinking of building a legacy of three generations that would survive the Great Depression and World War II and witness the lunar landing and countless other memorable events,” the Rubels wrote in the opening to the Fredric H. Rubel Magazine last winter.

David and his brother Gary now operate two stores – one in the heart of Laguna’s village and the other in the Mission Viejo Mall. They both know the business well, having learned it from their dad, who learned it from his own father. The story of how it all came to pass is an interesting one, as is the not-so-hidden secret of their enduring success. 

Whether you’ve known David for a long time, or you’re just getting acquainted, there are several things about his family’s unique history that are bound to make you smile. And perhaps tempt you into treating yourself, or someone you love, to a timeless treasure from their store.

In the beginning

David’s grandparents met in the mid-1920s. His grandfather, Bernard, grew up in North Dakota, working in a pawnshop that specialized in jewelry. Rose, his grandmother, came from Minneapolis. She was a fiery woman, in every sense of the word. Rose stood no more than five feet tall with brilliant red hair and lived well into her 90s. “She was quite a character,” David recalls. The couple met and married in Los Angeles and honeymooned in Big Bear Lake. 

On the long car ride up, they happened upon new storefronts being built in San Bernardino, immediately realizing this would make the ideal location for a jewelry store of their own. Soon after, Crescent Jewelers was born. 

Typical of the day, the shop sold more than jewelry. “They stocked silverware and flatware, movie projectors, razors, all these sorts of things,” David says. “They sold on credit. Clients could put down $1 a week to buy an engagement ring for $35.”

Location, location, location

By 1940, the shop grew successful enough to open a second location. Frederic – Bernard and Rose’s son – was a teen. He had little interest in following in his father’s footsteps, studying at Berkeley, and meeting and marrying his wife Joan in the late ‘50s. 

But, in the mid-1960s, Frederic’s father suffered some medical issues and Frederic returned to assist his mother with the business. “My father has always made strong decisions,” says David. “He brought the stores into the modern era, figuring out how he could build the business and make it his own. He’s very adaptable and a great visionary.”

Frederic studied market trends and similarly structured businesses. He sought out the latest jewelry designers, bringing his clients interesting, yet classic, pieces ahead of what other jewelers offered. He focused the business on watches and high-end gems, dispensing with the “other stuff” his father sold.

By 1971, Fredric was ready to open a third location in San Bernardino, its first inside a mall and by far the most stylish, utilizing black glass and chrome highlights. This is also the time the business adopted the name change from Crescent Jewelers to Frederic H. Rubel Jewelers.

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Fredric Rubel changed the course of his father’s business, setting the stage for the stores to become known for luxury brands and classic, hand-fabricated designer jewelry

From San Bernardino, the business soon grew and relocated from Riverside to Santa Ana in 1987 and, eventually, Laguna Beach and Mission Viejo. “When my brother and I came into the business, we were in one tiny store, bursting at the seams. We needed to branch out, but also needed the right place that fit what we were doing.”

Frederic and Joan still live in Laguna Beach and are celebrating 61 years of marriage this year. 

A relationship of trust

For over 50 years, the shops have offered some of the finest luxury brands available. They’re known for classic hand-fabricated designer jewelry in platinum or gold, ideal cut diamonds, and fine timepieces. They assist clients with custom jewelry design. They also offer watch services for Rolex. Both David and Gary are members of the American Gem Society, and five of their associates hold the coveted title of Certified Gemologist Appraiser. 

“Ultimately, we’re in the trust business,” David says. “Our designs are very classic. We see ourselves as advisors [as opposed to jewelry-makers or designers]. Our clients require good advice, and we’ve built strong relationships over time. We’re fortunate to have this longevity, allowing clients to get comfortable with us across generations. We’ve helped grandparents, their children, and their grandkids.”

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David Rubel believes in building relationships of trust and longevity with his clients

Multigenerational businesses aren’t wholly uncommon in the jewelry industry. “We were at a tradeshow in Switzerland five years ago, sitting with three other family-owned businesses,” David recalls, “and – at nearly 90 years old – we were still the youngest one.” In the digital age of the Internet, online shopping, and big box stores, the jewel industry is still one built on confidence and strong relationships.

He laughs, thinking about clients who have come in for special anniversary surprises for their spouses. “We’ll secretly help them both, neither one knowing the other has come in.”

The family has also sustained a state of trust among their staff and associates, many of whom have been with them for decades. Valerie Wilshire, the company’s trusted buyer, has worked with them since 1987. She was only 23 years old and, even then, interested in someday becoming a buyer. The opportunity arose in 2012. “She’s the best buyer we’ve ever had,” says David. “Obviously better late than never.”

But the award for longevity goes to Elsa Carlton, who’s been in the business with the Rubels for 50 years. “She was in high school when she was hired by my dad, around the time Bobby Kennedy was assassinated,” David says. Elsa drives over an hour and a half to work every day. “It’s worth it,” she says. “Watching the evolution of the store over the decades, moving from various locations and watching it grow…it’s been an amazing experience.”

Integrated into the Community

Much of this confidence has been earned through David and Gary’s deep and extensive ties to our community. David and his wife, Kerry, raised their two sons in Laguna. David coached Little League. Kerry was the quintessential team mom. “The whole world opened up to us with Top of the World Elementary. We met all sorts of wonderful families and got involved,” he says. David and his sons – Michael (27) and Evan (25) – participated in Indian Guides. They played basketball and soccer. 

The convenient location of the store allowed David to attend his sons’ games and events. “I could be working in the store and get down to Riddle Field or up to the high school in minutes. Then back to the shop afterwards.” 

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Fredric H. Rubel Jewelers is located on Forest Ave 

David is also heavily active in the local business community, serving as Vice President of the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce. He has strong relationships with other busainess owners, the City Council, and the Design Review Board. “We all work really well together,” he says, referring to recent remodels of his store.

A tight-knit family

For the Rubels, the family business isn’t all about business. Those close ties across generations, and between siblings, aren’t by accident. The sons of all generations came home to help out when their parents needed them. The parents were actively involved in their children’s lives. Fathers and sons talk almost every day. Brothers too. 

“We’re a huge sports family,” David says. “I played Little League as a kid. My brother, my dad, my boys – we all still text at night about the games. The families all get together.”

David’s son Mike, now living in New York, works for a diamond wholesaler. “We’re hoping he’ll come back,” David says. Adding a fourth generation to the family business would mean much to him. 

The business of giving back

“Because we live and work in the communities where our stores are located, it’s important for Fredric H. Rubel Jewelers to assist local causes,” they say. Outside of Laguna, the company supports Mission Hospital Foundation, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, and Camino Health Center (affiliated with Mission Hospital and St. Joseph Health), to name just a few.

But David’s passion lies in Laguna. In 2013, Fredric H. Rubel Jewelers received SchoolPower’s Hall of Fame Award, recognizing 10 years of commitment to the Laguna Beach Education Foundation and Laguna Beach public schools. “Supporting SchoolPower is a no-brainer for us because we feel so lucky to be part of this community,” David said upon receiving the award. Gary, David’s brother, is on the SchoolPower Board, along with his wife Belinda. “It is such an easy relationship with SchoolPower,” he said. “Everyone is invested in the same thing. Everyone is pulling in the same direction.”

SchoolPower is not the brothers’ only local cause. The Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach has also been an organization they’ve committed to throughout their time in Laguna. David coached basketball when his boys were small.

To show their continued support, throughout May and June, Fredric H. Rubel Jewelers will be donating $100 for each purchase of $1,500 or more to the Club.

In many ways, Fredric H. Rubel Jewelers exemplifies what’s best about our town. What matters most is family and community, what’s valued highest is trust. The bonds they’ve built over the past century are as strong and enduring as the timeless pieces they sell. And they recognize the importance of giving back wherever and whenever they can. Along with the Rolex watches and Lazare Diamonds, these are the qualities that make Fredric H. Rubel Jewelers – and David Rubel in particular – the true gems in our little town.