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Remembering Dad Last Sunday’s baccalaureate, the religious service that honors our graduating seniors, made a big impression. Held in Laguna Presbyterian Church’s lovely chapel, students read scripture important to them, sang songs of inspiration, and spoke. Seniors Caleb Hardy...

Bird’s Eye View “It’s time to fly south for the summer,” cooed a Morning Dove. “Sorry dear, but you have that mixed up. It’s fly south for the winter,” answered his mate. “Not this year. Haven’t you read the Indy? She shook her head. “No, I only pass over Indy’s when nature...

Of Smartphones and Schools With my size 11 sneakers, I am going to tread not so reverentially over sacred ground. The subject for today is American students and their smartphones. There is a bill pending in Sacramento, put forth by Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi, that would require...

The Duality of Ibiza “Nothing exceeds like excess. You should know that, Tony.” -Elvira Hancock (Michelle Pfeiffer’s character in “Scarface”) If Tony Montana were alive today, instead of being gunned down in the finale by Columbian drug lord Alejandro Sosa’s hit men back in 1983,...

Happy Campers Recent reports showed that the more LA taxpayers spent fighting homelessness, the worse it got. This is the exact opposite of the results desired. There is no reason to think it’s any different here. In order to be able to enforce ordinances prohibiting camping in...

Main Beach Park has lost whatever curb appeal it had. Conceived as a view improvement for the driving public, it never fulfilled its recreational potential. Some folks think that old Main Beach was a nicer place. It certainly did provide a greater range of recreational...

I like books; always have. Invite me into your home and you’ll catch me surveying your library. Among my oddities is an inordinate fondness for storytellers. As a child, my parents subscribed to the “Readers Digest Condensed Books,” which I read avidly. My first year of high...

The school district is revisiting a 2016 decision to unweight grades. Some parents and students question the school district’s course structure alignment to UC standards, when only 13 percent of LBHS graduates choose to attend UC schools. One concerned parent explains, “This...

The Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual State of the City event on May 2—it was our largest turnout in history. Mayor Bob Whalen shared his desire for elevating the quality of debate in our community. City updates were also given by Community Development Director Greg Pfost,...

I’ve just returned from almost a month in a short-term rental in Sorrento Italy. Sorrento is very much like Laguna Beach—it is a charming seaside town of 16,000 residents set on cliffs. It has high-end hotels that attract the world’s wealthy and famous. It has a thriving artist...

What happens when goals are partly met and partly not? Everyone is a little disappointed—but at the same time pleased that some of what they hoped for actually happened. (Or didn’t happen, as the case may be.) For years we have known the Village Entrance as the big expanse of...

My house was robbed the other night. Actually, it was very early on a Thursday morning. My dog and I were in my upstairs bedroom and did not awaken. The door to my bedroom was closed. I suspect my dog was in some kind of “dog rem” sleep because usually she barks at any strange...

Rat Trap Councilmember Steve Dicterow has found himself moved to address the plight of the poisoned bobcat by prohibiting the use of rat poison. He may as well be addressing the plight of all the predators who live near humanity. Our main method of controlling vermin, which are...

A Season for Patriots American Legion Post 222 did us proud with their 92nd annual Memorial Day program in Heisler Park. We’re in the season of patriotism, which runs from Memorial Day, through Flag Day on June 14, until the Fourth of July. This coming week marks the Battle of...

Dialed In Sure, I’m old. But I’m not out to pasture, yet. How do I know? Well, I still get cell phone reception. And according to the Indy article, “City to Review New Rules for Cell Towers,” I’ll still be activated for some time to come. So, call me. We’ll grab a beer. The City...