By Ellen Girardeau Kempler With “trees” and a canopy that shelters a colorful variety of species, Southern California’s version of a rainforest grows just off Laguna’s shore. Environmental groups like Nancy Caruso’s Get Inspired (and many others) have helped restore giant kelp forests and beds. From its holdfast (not a root) anchored to rocks [...]
By Ellen Girardeau Kempler If you’re a stargazer, you already know the darkest places are best for viewing the night sky. In Laguna, this usually means spots off the traffic grid and above the frequent coastal cloud cover. Because you never know when the clouds will lift, it’s wise to head inland for special [...]
Editor: Social and economic issues make this the most important election to Laguna Beach voters in years. Irvine is about to approve the construction of 10,000 new homes in our back yard. In the next few years, developers intend to build 4,000 new homes in Lake Forest. Taken together, this could result in 50,000 additional [...]
Editor, Thank you for including information about the dangerous section of trail connecting the fire trail from Top of the World neighborhood to Arch Beach Heights and council plans to review the situation (“Looking for Safer Footfalls,” Aug. 24). Having lived in both neighborhoods during my four years as a Laguna Beach resident, I can [...]
Editor, Have you traveled on Cypress or Hillcrest Streets lately? If so, you may have noticed the painted sharrows on the pavement there. We want to let you know what sharrows are, and what they mean for Laguna drivers and cyclists. Sharrows are: one simple, cost effective, “bucket of paint,” way to make Laguna Beach streets [...]
“Mauli Ola put the ‘fun’ in ‘fundraiser’!” –Paul Hamilton. Giving back doesn’t have to hurt. Mauli Ola, the local non-profit that takes young people with cystic fibrosis surfing to help them breathe easier, put on what may be the most fun charitable event I’ve been to in a long time. Hans Hagen hosted the [...]
It’s About Time Time has become a speed freak. In fact, I suspect it has been taking professional driving lessons and thinks my weekdays are a NASCAR race. It’s Monday and then I blink and it’s Friday. This has been going on for quite awhile now. Truth is, I need five full days to [...]
Editor, I’m excited about the idea of Laguna Beach become a bike-friendly town. I’d like to see a system in place here similar to what we have in my hometown in Europe (another ridiculously picturesque beachside tourist town, very similar to Laguna) There, they have set up several bike kiosks at opposite ends of the [...]
Editor, Relating to your article on Laguna Beach working and striving toward climate protection and conservation, I am amazed that the City does not resolve and correct the greatest negative pollution creator in this area, which overwhelms all/any other in comparison. Every time I drive through Laguna Canyon I am most thankful to those [...]
Let’s Make Progress By Michael Beanan Every day each of us contributes to a sewage system serving 232,000 residents from Emerald Bay and Laguna Beach to the Dana Point Headlands plus another half dozen inland cities. Annually, 3.9 million visitors add their contributions. The Aliso Ocean Outfall, operating since Oct. 1 on an expired permit, discharges [...]
Editor, Regarding Sandi Cain’s complaint (“Stepping on the Soapbox for Sidewalks,” Sept. 30) that a few zealots have been writing too many letters advocating more biking in town, I tip my hat to Les McCloskey, Charles Alban, Justin Gersh, Michael Hoag and Chris Prelitz for their tireless efforts to reduce traffic and pollution while increasing [...]
The Orange County Transit Authority recently received a $200,000 award to minimize transportation-generated pollution for projects in Laguna Beach. The city is matching those funds with more than $360,000 of its own. The funds are derived from the Measure M2 environmental program, 2 percent of the half-cent sales tax approved in 2006 that [...]
Editor, Banning must be fun since we seem to want to ban so much. Some bans are needed and others may be just “nanny state” irritants or losses to freedom. To mention a few we have banned: animals off leash, most downhill skateboarding, smoking on the beach, smoking on some public streets, and late night/over [...]
Taxes Underwrite Water Clean Up The Orange County Transit Authority recently received a $200,000 award to minimize transportation-generated pollution for projects in Laguna Beach. The city is matching those funds with more than $360,000 of its own. The funds are derived from the Measure M2 environmental program, 2 percent of the half-cent [...]
Editor, (The letter also went to council members.) Thank you so much for the new lighting ordinance and printed guidelines. Already our neighborhood is more pleasant at night thanks to the neighbors who have turned off offending lights or modified their fixtures. It may be a coincidence but the night lighting at the [...]
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 [...]
