The Laguna Beach Police Department in collaboration with the Laguna Beach Fire Department recently announced registration for the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) course. CERT is an organized and trained group of volunteers ready to assist in case of a disaster. The CERT...

Robotics, camping, cooking, art, first aid, cyber-security and business skills are just some of the topics a girl can choose to explore in the Girls Scouts. The Girl Scout mission is to build girls who are confident, courageous, and strong leaders who treat others with respect,...

Elsa Brizzi, author and illustrator of the book “You Are A Very Special You,” recently received an educational program merit award from the Boys & Girls Club for her work in developing the Intergenerational Literacy Enhancement Program, in which her book is used. The 10-week...

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 With apologies to the 2017 submissions that have gone unpublished until now....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

Halverson Frazier peacefully left this world on June 6, 2019, with loving family and friends to see him off. He was a 20-year resident of Laguna Beach and previously resided in Pasadena and greater Los Angeles. Halverson Frazier was a handsome man of impeccable taste and talent...

Donna P. Anderson, 77, died unexpectedly on Sunday, June 16, 2019. Donna was born February 1, 1942, in Chicago, IL, a daughter of the late Frank Riley and Dorothy Tompkins. She had been a resident of Bonita Springs, FL, for the past 15 months, after 8 years in Laguna Beach, CA,...

Ralph Tarzian was a sculptor. He died on June 12, 2019, peacefully, at the age of 95. His family revered him as a kind and loving war hero, artist, and scholar. He and his wife, Nancy, who died in 2011, leave behind three children, six grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. A...

Citizens’ Climate Lobby Launches Laguna Chapter We’re just folks not willing to remain still. Moms, dads, grandparents, a retired UC Irvine physics professor, a few psychologists and lawyers, a recent UCLA graduate, a retired oil company businessman, the wife of a former Laguna...

The Right Stuff The meaning of religion is found in the most interesting places. Last Sunday I worshipped at St. Mary’s Episcopal, where a friendly conversation turned to former Laguna resident, Buzz Aldrin. Aldrin, actually of Emerald Bay, was the second man, after Neil...

Playground Fight Have any of you ever had a job as an elementary school grounds monitor, where you supervise the activities of school children during recess and other active play times? It’s a popular job as the schedule is light and sometimes a school lunch is included. A big...

Climate Change and Nuclear Power This column is not about questioning whether the science is settled; it is not about spending millions on cow flatulence capturing to save the planet. This article is written by a skeptic who, for purposes of discussion, accepts the premise that...

A Slogan that Inspires? It was a long drive home from a family reunion in Flagstaff and I thought some diversion would make it less boring. “How many state slogans can we remember?” So, Alfredo and I tried the easiest ones: California, “The Golden State;” Nevada, “The Silver...

The Game of Life    I have great admiration for professional golfers. They have a mighty career task. They plan their schedules a year in advance, hire their own caddies and make their own travel arrangements. They play in a professional-amateur tournament the day before...