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Hourglass It seemed fitting to time myself with a sand hourglass when I read the Indy’s “Tibetan Monks Return to Laguna.” These holy men are famous for creating sand pictures called mandalas one piece of sand at a time. The monks are scholars and artists from Tibet’s oldest...

Local resident, Jimmy Dunne, was acknowledged for completing the John Hopkins CTY Chinese school program with honors. He also placed third in his school’s MAA math competition among 182 students. Jimmy received his open water diving certification and green belt in Krav Maga. His...

What a delusional joke was Billy Fried’s column last week, from the top of the pointy-eared pink caps to the self-emasculating “toxic masculinity” bottom. Feminize all men, or is it just all white men? No thanks. A kinder, more humane planet with the likes of...

After watching the City Council item on Jan. 8, “Improving the Design Review Process,” I am compelled to share my experiences. I believe our system is broken on numerous levels. Here’s why: There has been an ongoing tree dispute on Ocean Way for years. Three of those years, I...

I was happy to see that the council supported the Landscape and Scenic Highways documents in defining what the scope of work would be for the consultants on the downtown action plan. But I was disappointed that the council didn’t support more public workshops during the “Action...

As a third-generation resident of Laguna Beach with a five-generation family history in local government and public schools, I’ve been an active stakeholder in important and sometimes controversial civic affairs in our hometown.   But no one ever threatened to criminalize my...

Hurrah to Peter Blake! Finally, Laguna has the disrupter we have been waiting for on City Council. This past council meeting, Blake went after the Design Review process, which is in dire need of reform. Most everyone agrees that DRB is a contentious, disdainful process that needs...

Reflecting on Chamber Successes As 2019 starts, we would like to reflect back and share some of the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce’s recent accomplishments. The Board of Directors and staff are working diligently to accomplish more and provide increased value to its members and...

William Bellamy Tallant III, 72, formerly of Laguna Beach, California, died Dec. 17, 2018. He was born April 11, 1946. William was a longtime resident of Laguna Beach before moving to Northern California in 2008. Arrangements by Gobles Fortuna Mortuary.

3 x 3 I was excited after reading the Indy’s “Council Approves New Rules for Sidewalk Cart Vendors.” Carts can be no larger than 3 feet by 3 feet and must be movable. That’s generous regulations. Now I’ll have a place bigger than most Laguna homes. And there appears to be no...

Peter Blake placed the reformation of Design Review on the City Council’s agenda this past Tuesday. Design Review has been reformed several times in the past. So far no one has risen to the stature of a Martin Luther with those efforts. Will Peter’s effort elevate him to the...

Lasting Faith Religion is an important source of meaning, and always has been. I take exception when poll results are interpreted to infer that religion is fading away in our post-modern age. Like many, I just don’t believe it. In a recent annual Gallup poll, people were asked to...

A sincere thank you to the Boys Scouts of Laguna Beach on a successful sock drive during the month of November. Hundreds of mostly new, quality socks are still being handed out to our homeless population. They are truly grateful for warm feet.   Karen Sciortino, Net-Works...