Laguna Beach Local News

Friends and supporters of the Laguna Beach Community Clinic gathered on Thursday, April 4, for the Clinic’s annual lunch and live auction. The event was held at the Montage’s oceanfront banquet room. Board President John Link and Past President and Governance Committee Chair Roya Cole teamed up to co-host the event,...

On Saturday evening, April 6, Laguna Beach Seniors and Susi Q celebrated its 15th Legacy Ball fundraising event, which raised $380,000 for the nonprofit. “We had a great time hosting 200 guests at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort in Dana Point,” said Nadia Babayi, executive director of the Susi Q. “This...

The Hortense Miller Garden, a hidden gem in North Laguna, welcomed nearly 300 visitors to its free open house on Saturday, April 6. The event included guided home and garden tours, a children's art workshop, and a fascinating talk on "bees." The open house also featured roaming plein air painters. The garden's unique...

Longtime writer of letters to the Laguna Beach Independent Roger Carter celebrated his 90th birthday at Las Brisas with Rachael Berger, executive director of Sally’s Fund. Carter is a longtime fan of the nonprofit, which provides low-cost, escorted and assisted transportation for Laguna Beach’s seniors and disabled individuals. His most recent...

Emanual By Mark D. Crantz I envisioned my later years to be one of coasting. Ah, you know, retirement, a period of time when you aren’t on the road chasing down dollars. Well, I had it half right. I’m coasting on Coast Highway. But… There’s not much coasting going on Coast Highway....

As the city moves forward with its own pool, you may wonder where this leaves the school district project.  For clarity, city recreation manages and operates all aquatics programs except high school teams. That means virtually everything, and everyone moves to the new city pool facility when it opens. For the...

Blue Moon      For maybe six months, I had been dating the woman who was to become the love of my life. It was New Year's Eve, but I was alone in Laguna at my place, and she was alone in L.A. at her place. I wanted to ask her down...

Earth Day 1970 and 2024  Earth Day. It’s my favorite societal event. Even though it’s not a government-sanctioned national holiday, it should be. What other single event is celebrated globally in 192 countries by people of diverse faiths, ethnicities and customs? Earth Day observances have remained true to its founders’...

Blake T. Franklin was born September 28, 1942, in San Mateo, Calif., to parents Harvey James and Marie Agnes Franklin. He attended Menlo-Atherton High School. Blake graduated from Dartmouth College, cum laude, in 1963, and from Harvard Law School in 1966. He taught law in Costa Rica through the U.S. Peace Corps upon graduation. In...