The city of Laguna Beach held its second annual Arbor Day celebration at Main Beach Park on Friday, March 8. The event included a tree planting ceremony, during which city officials, local activists and students planted a New Zealand Christmas Tree in the park. The city was...

The Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Board of Directors Installation mixer on Thursday, Feb. 28, at Laguna Beach Brewery & Grill. J.J. Ballesteros, President of the Board of Directors, presided over the ceremonies, and Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen presided...

Ukulele enthusiasts of all levels are invited to the Susi Q for a special musical experience. Laguna Beach Seniors  will present “Jack & the Vox”on Saturday, March 9, from 4-7 p.m. for an exclusive ukulele workshop, followed by a concert at the Susi Q Senior Center, 380 Third...

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 With apologies to the 2017 submissions that have gone unpublished until now....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...

Paul Prewitt Dr. Paul Prewitt passed away on Feb. 26, 2019, at the age of 73, due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease. Paul was in the loving presence of his immediate family at the time. Paul was born in New York to Millard and Hortense Prewitt, where he spent his...

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.

1952-2018 Due to sudden complications from Juvenile Diabetes, John passed away Nov. 24, 2018. A Laguna Beach native, “Johnny” graduated with the illustrious LBHS Class of ’70. Growing up, he worked at his dad’s Paint & Glass Store on Forest Avenue. After his dad’s retirement,...

Pay or Plague Only a prolonged plague would solve Laguna’s persistent parking problems. A new garage near the downtown bowl certainly isn’t going to do it. Nope, that garage is intended to solve a specific problem associated with all the business owners, customers, and employees...

Luck of the Irish To honor St. Patrick’s Day, I should tell the story of John Monahan, a son of Ireland no longer with us. I worked for John at a Procter & Gamble plant that used to be in Long Beach. I was starting my career; he was nearing the end of his. He had been a...

Don’t kid yourself. Last week’s anti-Semitic turmoil in Newport, Corona del Mar and Costa Mesa could have happened here in Laguna. If you need a briefing on what transpired, here is my Reader’s Digest version: A bunch of teens from Newport Harbor, Corona del Mar...

Less Laguna in Laguna? “Less design review and less heritage is what we’re looking for,” pronounced Councilmember Peter Blake at the last council meeting. Less oppressive bureaucracy, less mismanagement, less irritating treatment of the public—absolutely. But not less protection...

Read the Personals DEAR AL – I know the truth about you and really want to forgive you for the fraud you perpetrated on me. I should have known better about having an online relationship with a stranger. Please return all the money I sent you “in Iraq” Florida. #ImAnIdiot EVENT...

Monkey Business It was date night. My wife says it helps our marriage. Usually, date night consists of dinner and a movie. We can never agree on where to eat or what movie to watch. So, we go our separate ways to keep the marriage strong. So, on this particular date night, I...