Meet Mike Senna, skilled prop builder, hobbyist, computer programmer and maker of an exact working replica of R2-D2, at the Laguna Beach Library from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 18. Senna’s R2-D2 robot was used for charity events and has brought joy to children since its...

The Laguna Beach Garden Club hosted its 15th annual Gate & Garden Tour on May 3. The event—which is a major fundraiser for educational school gardens, student scholarships and support of local gardens and parks—netted $25,000 in proceeds this year. Four hundred ticketholders...

A fundraising spin class will be held at Rhythm Ride Studio, 1100 S. Coast Highway, at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 28, to benefit Laguna Beach local Rylie Rahall. Rylie attends Top of the World Elementary School and was diagnosed with a genetic disorder called...

The proliferation of online social media platforms has understandably depressed the number of vacation photos submitted to the Independent in recent years. So has a lack of space in the publication. With apologies to the 2017 submissions that have gone unpublished until now....

By Allison Jarrell, Special to the Independent Hundreds of Laguna residents gathered on Brooks Street to celebrate the nation’s independence, honor local servicemen, and commemorate a neighbor who lost his life 10 years ago protecting their freedom. Brooks Street resident and...

The following is a list of winning entries in the 54th edition of the Patriots Day Parade, which took place despite showers and cool temperatures last Saturday, March 4. Grand Marshal’s Trophy: Beach Cities Auto Collision. President’s Trophy: Pageant of the Masters. Band...

Duane Lowell Bickel, 89, passed away at home in hospice on May 15, 2019, due to Corticobasal Degeneration, a rare Parkinson’s-like disease. His beloved wife, Darrcy Loveland Bickel, and caregiver, Grace, were by his side. A native Californian, Duane was born November 16,1929, to...

Michael Smithers died peacefully on April 30 at the age of 58, from cancer. He was at home, surrounded by his family and close friends. Mike’s greatest joy in life was to be with his family. He was a devoted husband of 28 years to Joseph Delaney, and a loving father to Claire...

March 21, 1934 – May 4, 2019 Charles “Chuck” Everts passed away peacefully at the age of 85 at his home in Laguna Beach. He will be remembered as a kind and gentle man, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. He loved his long career as an audio...

Repurposing My Surfboard What’s a white-haired guy in his 70s do when he can no longer get up on his classic Phil Edwards longboard and ride, ride, ride the waves at Old Man’s beach, San Onofre with Laguna friends? Stored in our family’s surf cabinet along with our son’s short...

A Debt of Gratitude Memorial Day is here. This is Laguna’s gateway holiday to a summertime village stuffed with tourists. We’ll celebrate it in the traditional way. Just like all the other small towns spread across this nation. There will be flags a plenty, folks in old uniforms...

A Plea for Civility in Laguna It seems our city has lost its very “civility.” A lot of people, including Mayor Bob Whalen who just centered his State of the City address on the topic, certainly think so. And all over social media and in letters to the Indy, NextDoor and StuNews,...

Remembering and Honoring This coming Monday is Memorial Day, a day dedicated to honoring those who gave their all for our country. In Laguna, we gather at Heisler Park for Memorial Day—it’s our town’s oldest tradition. (Program starts at 11 a.m. Hint: Come early, bring something...

House Divided Abraham Lincoln said, “A house divided cannot stand.” And I thought I was the only one with a bad house. I know. I know. He didn’t mean that. He was referring instead to Mary Todd Lincoln’s insatiable appetite to decorate. “I can’t find my Stove Pipe hat amongst all...

Get Over It Have you ever tried to water a garden with a leaking hose? The more leakage from holes in the line, the less water pressure out of the nozzle. Harboring resentment from past or present slights and disappointments has the same effect on our energy levels. None of us...