2009 was a year of firsts for Laguna. First off, the town almost lost the hospital where, for 50 years, many of its native sons and daughters were born. Under a new name and new owners, the hospital is focusing on emergency service and acute care as its lifeline. Another first, or at least [...]
A look back over developments in Laguna’s nonprofit sector for 2009 proves that our community’s philanthropic activities are as vibrant as ever. The year marked new beginnings, milestones and farewells. A sour economy put a strain on personal pocket books; the state’s budget crises and consequent raid on local government coffers reduced grants for nonprofits; [...]
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” Charles Dickens’ timeless pronouncement from “A Tale of Two Cities” proves a fitting corollary for arts organizations in 2009. The worst? That would be the over-arching recession that shriveled the support of donors and the size of audiences. Yet, it appears that the [...]
An anonymous animal lover stopped on Christmas Eve at Laguna Beach’s Pacific Marine Mammal Center and stuffed a pile of bills eventually amounting to $5,700 into the hands of a surprised volunteer. “I was so taken back by her generosity that tears started flowing down my face and I gave her a big hug and [...]
Resolutions 2010 Of course you don’t make New Year’s resolutions. I’m certainly not accusing you of such a thing. No sophisticated, grounded, pragmatic or even dreamer person over the age of 12 makes New Year’s resolutions. Preposterous. Nor am I about to suggest you make this year, the start of a new decade, in a [...]
Latin Roots Influence New Exhibit at Demossa Gallery Demossa Gallery presents an exhibit of the works by Vincent Serritella and Gilbert Reyes, Jan. 7 to 24, with a reception for the artists from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. during First Thursdays Art Walk on Thursday, Jan. 7. Of Cuban-Italian American parents, Serritella was born in [...]
Taking On The New Year Challenge “I could never tell if it was opportunity or the wolf knocking.” Anne Ellis wrote in “The life of an Ordinary Woman” (1929). Do you avoid taking a deeper look into your present conditions because of the overwhelming harshness of your self-judgments? When you evaluate yourself through good [...]
Advanced reservations are now being accepted for a Saturday morning art workshop Jan. 2 set at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Canyon. The 9 a.m. workshop through Laguna Outreach for Community Arts includes a docent lead tour of the center and a close up view of live sea lions, purple urchins, and actual [...]
The Art-A-Fair Festival is now seeking new artists for its 44th annual season, which will run for nine weeks from June 25 to Aug. 29. And, for the first time, Art-A-Fair is offering entry online via ZAPP, in addition to the usual options of mailing in entries or bringing them in person on jury day. [...]
Fans of comedian, author, and television personality Kathy Griffin lined up around the block for a chance to chat and have their picture taken with the author visiting at Laguna Beach Books last week. An estimated 350 fans turned out in Laguna, creating a party-like atmosphere at the second stop in Griffin’s three-city dash between [...]
The ninth annual Homeless Christmas Breakfast, held on Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Neighborhood Congregational Church, brought the spirit of Christmas giving, complete with breakfast, gifts, and entertainment, to its guests. The event was organized by the Laguna Resource Center and Laguna Presbyterian Church’s outreach committee, with the help of “more volunteers than ever before,” according [...]
Highlights of 2009 By Dennis McTighe Hottest Days: 93° – Aug. 28, Nov. 3 Coldest Nights: 34° – Jan. 8, Dec. 21 Strongest Wind: 47 m.p.h. from the WNW on Monday, Dec. 14 Highest Barometer: 30.32 inches on Nov. 3 Lowest: 29.53 inches on Dec. 14 Warmest Ocean Temp: 77° on Aug. 3-5 [...]
Application Deadline January 8, 2010 The Orange County Superior Court is urgently seeking applicants to serve on the 2010-2011 grand jury as applications have nosedived by 50 percent compared to last year’s applicant pool of 208. The application deadline is Jan. 8. Grand jurors review and evaluate county government agencies, schools, and special districts. Past [...]
An educational and informative program devoted to mother-daughter communication will be held on Thursday, Jan. 21, at the Woman’s Club of Laguna Beach. Three speakers, all mothers of daughters and all trained professionals, will share practical information and answer questions on a topic that challenges many women today. Co-sponsored by the Woman’s Club and the American Association of University Women, this program is the [...]
Patrons of the fifth annual Alternative Christmas Market, sponsored by the Neighborhood Congregational Church’s JOY (Justice, Outreach and You) Ministry, contributed $6,079 to 14 organizations with their purchses. The tally follows: American Friends Service Committee, 26 bottles of olive oil for $520; Campaign for Female Education – school shoes for girls in rural Africa, 10 [...]
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 [...]
