Our Laguna: More headlines from 2010
As promised, here’s more of the Coastline Pilot’s major news stories for 2010:
April 2: Accused teenage Laguna Beach stabber was charged as an adult.
*Marsh Scott received the 2010 Artist of the Year Award at the annual Art Star Awards Ceremony. Arts Commissioner Pat Kollenda received the award for innovation and leadership in the arts.
April 9: Ken Frank dropped a bomb at the April 6 council meeting, announcing on his 66th birthday that he was retiring.
*The Chamber of Commerce Thursday Night Promenade was closed down by the council due to Forest Avenue merchant opposition.
April 16: Major crimes statistics for 2009, released by the Laguna Beach Police Department, showed a dip by 4.3 % over the previous year.
*The Coastline Pilot’s Gossiping Gourmets, Elle Harrow and Terry Markowitz, gave a rave review to the House of Big Fish and Ice Cold Beer, lauding its inexpensive menu, beautiful view and handsome remodel of the space formerly occupied by the Aegean Café.
April 23: City planning commissioners recommended approval of the renovations proposed for the Coast Inn, built in 1928, but not included on the Historical Register.
*The Tommy Bahama chain donated $10,000 challenged grant toward the cost of the Fourth of July Fireworks, which the council had eliminated from the budget.
April 30: Mayor Pearson announced she would run for re-election, beginning the campaign with a Kentucky Derby party.
*Transition Laguna announced “The Great Unleashing” on May 14 at the Sawdust Festival to raise awareness of the issues and impact of peak oil production and petroleum dependency.
May 7: The council unanimously approved plans to renovate the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter. Work was expected to begin in January.
*The preliminary 2010-2011 budget showed the city was keeping its head above water, due to the foresight of city leaders who had previously approved a $2. 5 million “recession-smoothing fund” in anticipation of the impact on city revenue due to the economic downturn.
*Michael Pinto was honored for his 20 years as president of the Laguna Canyon Foundation, which he founded. The same day, the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary sponsored “Grapes for Grads,” which raises money for local high school and Laguna Art & Design College students; Realtors organized a community picnic to raise funds for the Fourth of July show; the Community Clinic Sunset Fiesta was held at Twin Points and the Ebell Club held its Derby Day fundraiser at the Lumberyard.
May 14: The council approved Fire Department plans to make Laguna less vulnerable to wildfires.
*At a joint meeting with the Design Review Board, the council eliminated the alternate position on the board. Commissioner Anne Johnson successfully lobbied at the joint council/ Planning Commission meeting to have a parking management split from a review of the Downtown Specific Plan.
*Fifth District Supervisor Pat Bates, running unopposed for another term, updated the Laguna Canyon Conservancy on county environmental projects and programs.
May 21: The council voted for a compromise version of a sculpture by Andrew Myers recommended by the Arts Commission for the Brooks Street viewing platform. Surfers said the sculpture did not reflect the site or the activity for which the beach is known. Artists supported Myers.
*Public Works Director Steve May captivated the audience at the annual Chamber of Commerce State of the City Luncheon. “Who knew he was that funny?” said the mayor, keynote speaker at the event.
*Councilman Boyd began his re-election campaign with a fundraiser at the Marine Room Tavern, which he owns.
*Coastline Pilot columnist Catherine Cooper wrote about learning to paddleboard.
*Wig maker Charles Thompson announced he was retiring.
May 28: Save the Whales Day drew a large crowd to Main Beach. More than 75 people gathered to sign a petition and video a message to President Obama urging him to support a moratorium on whale hunting. Councilwoman Verna Rollinger was among the cheer leaders.
*South Coast Water District floated a $37.12 million bond issue to refinance debts and pay for some major projects.
*The Laguna Beach Community Foundation distributed $80,000 in grants to local non-profit organizations.
June 4: Laguna Beach firefighters, police and marine safety officers followed Sport Performance Institute co-owner Mike Catanzaro in the Special Olympic Torch Run through Laguna.
*Myers withdrew his entry in the Brooks Street art competition rather than make the changes required by the city council.
*Summer trolley service was extended to Three Arch Bay.
June 11: The Laguna Beach Unified School District announced Sherine Smith would be the new superintendent, starting July 1.
*The public was invited to weigh in on the characteristics ac most needed by the successor to Ken Frank.
June 18: Mozambique Steak House’s hours of operation were extended by an hour for a trial period, to be reviewed in September.
*A larger, more well equipped alternate sleeping site for Laguna’s homeless population opened.
*The council adopted a $65 million budget to fiscal year 2010-2111. No major changes were made on the preliminary budget publicly reviewed at the May 4 council meeting.
*The Laguna Beach High School Scholarship Foundation presented a total of $275,000 to 118 graduating students. June 25: U.S. Border Patrol officers began operating in Laguna, following reports of early morning landings on Laguna beaches. City activists denounced reported border patrol activities.
*Another version of the proposed Lifeguard Headquarters on Main Beach was sent to the Coastal Commission, shepherded by Assistant City Manager Pietig.
* Carol Reynolds was honored as the Laguna Beach Woman’s Club 2010 Woman of the Year.
June 25: Activists marched against alleged racial profiling by Border Patrol agents working in Laguna.
*The Festival of Arts board protested approval of development plans for land above the Irvine Bowl where the Pageant of the Masters is staged.
*The concrete K-rails on South Coast Highway at Forest Avenue did their job of protecting pedestrians when an out of control SUV overturned at the corner, killing a dog inside the vehicle and injuring the driver.
*An initiative to regulate skateboarding was announced by city officials.
See next week’s paper for the rest of 2010 headlines.
OUR LAGUNA is a regular feature of the Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot. Contributions are welcomed. Write to Barbara Diamond, P.O. Box 248, Laguna Beach, 92652; call (949) 380-4321 or e-mail coastlinepilot@latimes.com.