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Not enough to do?

By Ann Christoph
By Ann Christoph

“I’m bored. There’s nothing to do.” Can anyone in Laguna say that?

I never make the society pages in Riviera or Laguna magazine, resplendent in my shimmering gown. But even my less-than-star-studded life seems to be packed with one event after another. Sometimes there are even two at the same time, forcing me to choose between wonderful alternatives. Last Wednesday, for example, I had to miss my ballet class with Ondine Bierbaum, a “former soloist in ballet companies in Canada and the U.S.,” in favor of attending the world premier of “Hano A Century in the Bleachers” at Seven Degrees.

How many towns have a dedicated activist like Arnold Hano, who is also a nationally renowned writer? To the point of being sought out by an award-winning filmmaker to document his life, Ken Burns style.

Even though I have known Hano for years, I was inspired once again with his life story, his wit and attitude. Of being 93, he quipped, “I know I have to go, but I’m not going to waste my days thinking about it.” He and Bonnie are off to San Francisco and New York for more film debuts and interviews.

Early Saturday morning we had a workday at the South Laguna Community Garden. The poor garden was looking parched after weeks of ultra hot weather. None of us had the heart or bad judgment to plant our winter crops just so they could try to hold on in that beating sun. The planting beds were barren, but somehow the weeds were loving it, using this opportunity to retake their former ground. Despite the heat, this was an emergency and we had to do our best; a film crew was coming Monday to video the garden.

After pulling weeds and pruning for a couple of hours I took my leave for a lyrical modern dance class with Deborah Benson at the community center. Here I struggle to keep up with the acrobatic moves, while our teacher holds out hope that some day the physical part will become second nature and I can convey emotions through dance. Outside our classroom the usually quiet studio was crowded with excited young dancers, their parents and teachers. Not satisfied with just any Boo Blast, they were rehearsing for a flash mob performance. Perhaps by the time you read this, you will have already been surprised at the El Morro School Halloween event!

On to a Renaissance opera-themed benefit for the Laguna Beach Beautification Council, a costume-optional extravaganza at Don Clurman’s dramatic and tasteful Italian villa. I went as a medieval wench, recycling my Sarah Palin wig. Ruben Flores dashed excitedly from terrace to terrace in paper-mache armor with an exaggerated red-plumed Roman centurion head-dress. There were all manner of fancily dressed maidens and matrons, with ample bosoms and low-cut gowns. But the most modest made the biggest impression. Three figures in black burkas floated in. Their heavily made up eyes with jeweled ornaments were the only contacts with the world beyond the black veils. Opera singers’ arias soared over a lovely afternoon in a Laguna-Italian garden.

How was I transported from pulling weeds to this elegant setting in just one afternoon?

 

Monday’s garden video shoot involved several cameras and a crew of 10. The Garden Band of Tom Joliet, Tony Bisson and Jim Law made music among the amaranth. Gardeners worked and watered and the children picked beans and played in the most attractive feature, an empty plot with dirt to dig in. Katie Babcock and I delivered a few lines from memory, looking straight into the camera. We had to sign “talent” releases! The garden was beautiful, newly dressed in Halloween/harvest plants and pumpkins by Barbara Granger and Sally Coffey.

Then it was time to save the charm of Laguna. As the sun went down and the filming came to a close, I left for city hall where the Heritage Committee was discussing incentives for preservation of historic buildings. Tuesday two trees were proposed to be cut down and Ruben and I pleaded for them at the City Council.

This is the “off-season,” after the festivals and before the holidays. A little window of time when local organizations can hold events and residents can take a breath. There will be another similar time between January and April. Then it will be off to the hectic summer season all over again.

Meanwhile there are still beachgoers and tourists crowding the sidewalks, chatting diners in the restaurants, and Harleys rumbling on the highway.

Do we need more activities? More cultural centers to have events? Enliven our streets with even more visitors? I think not.

I could use more om and a lot less vroom!

Landscape architect Ann Christoph is a former City Council member.

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