Lexi Del Toro, 17, a top water polo player at Laguna Beach High School, spent spring break surfing in Mexico as well as taking the ACT, a college entrance exam. Even so, she’s no typical teenager. Two years ago, she confronted her own mortality, learning she is afflicted with incurable kidney disease, the same disorder [...]
Top Employee Also a County Finalist School district technology technician Long Le, selected as classified employee of the year, is also one of six finalists for a similar award by the county’s Education Department. The award pays tribute to the efforts of non-teaching school employees. Supt. Sherine Smith said “Long provides technical help and assistance [...]
Thirty-five fifth grade finalists from El Morro and Top of the World Elementary faced off in the Laguna Beach Spelling Bee Finals, held at TOW’s multi-purpose room at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 26. The fifth year of the friendly competition, where TOW will defend its 2011 title, will be judged by Asst. Supt. Nancy [...]
The students of Laguna College of Art & Design will be displaying their talents live at Tivoli Too! on Sunday, April 29, from 12-4 p.m, at the seventh annual Grapes for Grads Wine Tasting & Scholarship Fundraiser hosted by Rotary Club of Laguna Beach. Attendees will enjoy a day of fine wine and art while [...]
Earth Day celebration organized by Transition Laguna on Park Avenue between Coast Highway and the library drew hundreds of people to its habitats. The eco-village set the example for water reuse, solar, composting and gardening. The eco-exhibition showcased vendors covering relevant topics and the eco-lounge provided old-fashioned live musical entertainment. Photos by Mitch Ridder [...]
The Good Fight This week marks the end of a 60-day period where Laguna Beach’s City Council gave us (who is us? Parents of skateboarders? Supporters of skateboarding?) the task of trying to resolve ongoing complaints about skateboarders. A year ago, the current skateboarding ordinance went into effect. Since then, hundreds of new skaters [...]
Magical gardens, the stuff of fairytales, exist in Laguna Beach if one knows where to look. Those with tickets to the Laguna Beach Garden Club tour on May 4 will need only follow the pixie dust between eight such gardens during the annual tour, which this time threads through the private community of Three Arch [...]
Have a Heart This week, as I read our letters to the editor, I noticed that our reputation as a hospitable, tolerant, free-spirited environment seems to be getting a bit tarnished. At the same time, the wondrous opportunity to experience heart-felt connections was also validated. Is this simply different points of view colliding? Is [...]
By Robin Pierson, Special to the Independent In the midst of chaos and poverty of India, five Laguna Beach travelers recently received an abundance of individually tailored gifts: glimpses into the nature of the divine, insights about themselves and the realization that the West can learn much about living well from the people of the [...]
Ed Drollinger Ed Drollinger, a rail-thin fixture at Laguna Beach’s public meetings and an often obsessive volunteer for several local organizations, died Saturday, April 21. He was 86, had lived in Laguna since 1976, and recently fell and was hospitalized. His wife of 61 years, known as Kit, died in October 2010. They most their [...]
One Lane of Glenneyre Closed Work on the Glenneyre Street parking structure required closure of the No. 2 southbound traffic lane on Glenneyre in front of the parking structure as well as closure of the structure during business hours this week. Difficulties due to groundwater extended construction, due to be completed this week. Auction [...]
Multi-faith Prayer Breakfast Set The Laguna Beach Interfaith Council invites all residents and guests to its fifth annual prayer breakfast corresponding with the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 3, at 8:30 a.m. at Mission Hospital, 31872 S. Coast Highway. Two speakers will take up this year’s topic, “Service is a Form of Prayer: [...]
New Executive Director Wanted Pacific Marine Mammal Center is seeking for a permanent executive director effective July 1 for a 32-hour per week post. The organization seeks a visionary and experienced strategic leader who will implement plans for the agency’s growth, oversee construction, contribute to fundraising goals and enhance education and advocacy. Applicants are invited [...]
By Christopher Trela Eight hundred volunteers, 450 films, 50 countries, 14 screens and seven days comprise the staggering statistics behind an incredible experience for cinema junkies. They define the Newport Beach Film Festival, which takes place April 26 – May 3 at venues throughout Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. Add another number, in this [...]
Sculptor Steven Harmon’s abstract “Cathexis” of intertwining metallic scrolls once enjoyed great popularity, recalled the late artist’s mother, Irvine’s Alice Harmon. Children in Riddle Field liked to climb it. Some likened it to a Christmas ornament, becoming a favorite backdrop for holiday photographs. Over time, the elements took their toll. The gift by the emerging [...]
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 [...]
