By Robin Pierson, Special to the Independent Calm in demeanor, clear in vision and strong in her devotion to children’s education, Peggie Thomas acts with a quiet efficiency that the limelight often misses. But not this year. Thanks to an overwhelming number of votes, the Laguna Beach Woman’s Club named this unsung heroine Woman of [...]
By Mark D. Crantz Laguna Beach. Another perfect day in Paradise, but oh no, there’s big hair. According to friends (yes I have two and I pay them dearly to maintain that status), “Steel Magnolias” is a terrific show now playing at the Laguna Beach Playhouse. I’m afraid I’ll have to take their word [...]
By Robin Pierson, Special to the Independent What started as one woman’s dream to create a high-end, affordably priced shopping extravaganza to raise money to help alleviate homelessness, abuse and hunger, has turned into a community-wide effort that will come to fruition Saturday, May 18 at the Neighborhood Congregational Church. Thanks to the generosity [...]
Gay Rights Advocate Dies June Esther Campbell, 89, passed peacefully on Friday, March 29, 2013. She had been in failing health for several months and entered hospice care last summer. Campbell was an active real estate agent in Laguna Beach, selling homes even into her 80s. Legend has it that Campbell sold many local houses [...]
By Mia Davidson and Jan Sattler Midnight grunion runs are part of California lore. Having a geographic range from the coastal waters of northern Baja California to most recently San Francisco, the California grunion (Leuresthes tenuis) are found most commonly off the coast of Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties. The name is [...]
Editor, The steering committee of Citizens for View Preservation and Restoration has issued the attached position statement on the just released draft view ordinance. We strongly support Mayor Boyd’s initiative to create a view ordinance “with teeth in it”. However, we are concerned that the latest draft includes sections that will weaken the view ordinance. [...]
Editor, On Thursday, May 10 a ‘neighborhood’ meeting was held at Moulton Meadows Park. The meeting was called because Mayor Kelly Boyd, and Councilmen Steve Dicterow have been working tirelessly for months to finally get a skate park built here in Laguna Beach for our youth. They were able to get the renowned Tony Hawk [...]
Editor, Judging by the letters to the editor, public feedback to the city council and other community commentary, the decision to kill a dozen mature, healthy and beautiful trees may have been a mistake. If the ficus trees were buckling the sidewalks, the eucalyptus probably are too. Those could all come down also. Then change [...]
Editor, How many of us have parked on the north side of Laguna Canyon Road and crossed over to attend the Sawdust Festival despite signs warning us not to do so? So why do we make this perilous decision, especially at night? Because the nearest pedestrian walkway is waaaay too far!! Surely we can think [...]
Editor, May is National Bike Month, a perfect time for our community to recognize and celebrate all the benefits of bicycling. Bicycling keeps us healthy, carries us efficiently from point A to point B, saves us from high gas prices, and makes our air cleaner and our roads less congested. Bicycling is good for our [...]
Editor, I loved Susan Velasquez’ column today (“A Season for Change,” Arts, May 10 edition). Had my name, the band concert, the Laguna Tunes, the Healthy Girls Festival and all the news of each expressed so well. I think her writing is exquisite and I look forward to reading what she says and the way [...]
Editor, Well if there are no trees in downtown Laguna Beach, then it will definitely be hot this summer with no shade (unless the store fronts have canopies over the store front windows) and no breeze since the canyon acts as a block to the breeze. I visit Laguna Beach every two weeks on a Sunday and even [...]
by Chris Quilter To the young man on a skateboard outside my house: I wish to publicly apologize for being a crosspatch. I should not have called you a rude name and shouted at you to put on your helmet. Amazingly, you complied. But that’s not the point. I violated a sacred principle [...]
By Mia Davidson and Jan Sattler Colored a light sandy gray with an oval shaped body, Pacific mole crabs (Emerita analoga) also called Pacific sand crabs are found in great abundance in Laguna Beach. They are located in the exposed surf zone between the lowest and highest reach of the waves, buried in the shifting [...]
By Mark D. Crantz Laguna Beach. Another perfect day in Paradise, but oh no, there are makeovers. These changes are for the most part good. The Main Beach lifeguard tower is getting a makeover, which includes a new roof, stucco repair and new paint. And the former Laguna Federal Savings and Loan Association on [...]
Police Use Taser to Subdue Assault Suspect
An assault involving three men escalated into a struggle with Laguna Beach police, who ultimately deployed a taser twice to subdue the younger combative suspect in the 300 block of Cozumel around 1:15 a.m. Friday, May 10, police said. Police ultimately arrested Laguna Beach resident Sergio Gabriel Borgognone, 51, for allegedly resisting arrest and his [...]
