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The Angel Ornament I began my Christmas shopping with a hot chocolate at Moulin Bistro to warm myself and to survey the shopping opportunities. A light rain from the dark winter sky permitted the reflection of colors from the shop windows onto the sidewalk. Ornaments hung in the...

Magnificent Seven Plus One While everybody had their eyes on the northbound caravan getting closer to our southern border, a group of 13 immigrants landed a panga boat ashore at West Street Beach in South Laguna. In a cleverly executed rear guard action, seven of 13 illegal...

I’m a 20-year-old student from Ladera Ranch that is worried about the ongoing climate crisis taking place in the world. After reading extensively about the recent wildfires in our beautiful state and their connection to climate change, I’ve realized that we need to...

At the Planning Commission meeting on the Cleo Street project on Wednesday, Nov. 7, someone attempting to defend the project against charges of incompatibility with the neighborhood asked rhetorically, “Who decided Laguna is supposed to look a certain way?” The answer to that...

Is it necessary for national political “debates” be taken up in a local paper? I can understand local issues and really digging in with passion for people who feel their opponents should be burnt at the stake. Local issues play into how we live here in Laguna. But national...

In response to Byron Nelson’s letter asking for intensification of brush management with goats, I would say, “bad idea.” Goats are no panacea. Some brush clearance with goats is useful, but more would promote a false sense of security against fire. Quite simply, brush clearance...

Read the Personals   CINDERELLA, IS THAT YOU?  I am a very lonely Prince Charming – owner of a designer women’s shoe salon. Older guy with hair and teeth searching for relationship with youngish woman –looks are not important (chemistry is). #IGotHotShoes   PROFESSOR – older...

Call Me Ishmael On the first page of “Moby Dick,” Herman Melville has Ishmael, the narrator of the tale, speak these words: “Whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul…it was high time to get to sea.” He goes on to say, “Almost all men in their degree, sometime or other,...

Dear Hanukkah Bunny I miss the Hanukkah bunny. When my girls were little, the pitter-patter of small rabbit feet would climb up the stairs while we were lighting the candles and eating latkes. At bedtime, the girls would squeal with delight as they found Barbie dolls and Miss...

Good Times Coming The Pageant of the Masters has selected its 2019 theme. Stand still for it. Hold that pose. Ta da. Let’s hear it for “The Time Machine.” No. No. Stop clapping. Stay in character.  That’s better. No reaction. Ah, picture perfect. The Pageant of Masters director,...

I am a poet and essayist who is writing a book about Jeanne Lattin, a forgotten media sensation who fell from the public eye around 1913. Based on what I’ve found in ancestry databases, it seems she spent the last 30 years of her life in Laguna Beach. Jeanne’s story before...

A column by Billy Fried is bound to combine arrogance with a political message. There is no need to go into the content of his column, as it is obvious he is a devotee of the liberal office holders. However, I must agree on one thing. I do wake up each morning, and, like Mr....

I am the “Indy reader” Howard Hills referred to in his letter last Friday. Clearly, we differ on the influence Bob Dylan’s iconic song “The Times They Are a-Changin” had on turning ruby red Orange County bright blue last month. As Howard and I both...

I was surprised by Billy Fried’s column in the Nov. 16 edition of the Indy in which he praised Peter Blake for his responsiveness on social media during his campaign. The responses I saw from Blake on Nextdoor varied. Blake responded to many questions from men with reason, and to...

In response to Amy Orr’s piece regarding the lunch programs and the hard work behind them—I have an idea and also some perspective from a mom whose son would rather stick needles in his eyes than buy lunch at school. First off, school lunch was and still is a great thing to offer...