May 4 Shelby, Tieg & Tara (Modern Vocal Harmonies)

May 11 Erica Powell (Harpist)

May 18 Mancini/Stone Trio (Vibraphone Jazz)

May 25 John Troy and Jason Feddy (Singer Songwriter)

This program is funded by the lodging establishments and City of Laguna Beach.

-excerpted from the City Manager’s weekly update, which can be viewed here
http://www.lagunabeachcity.net/cityhall/news/updates.asp

The next workshop will take place on Thursday, April 19 from 6:30-8:30PM in the Laguna Beach Community Center, 380 Third Street.

Workshop participants will include Planning Commission Chair Robert Zur Schmiede and Commissioner Norm Grossman, Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Kristine Thalman and local broker Cary Glenn, owner of Main Beach Realty.

“Many prospective business people want to discuss their issues before they initiate formal applications with the City,” said Planning Commission Anne Johnson, coordinator of these workshops. “Just discussing their concerns and issues informally seems to help.

“We are reaching out to business owners, building owners, commercial realtors and other professionals to let everyone know that we want to help entrepreneurs realize their vision in Laguna Beach,” according to Mayor Jane Egly.

As a result of last year’s workshops several new businesses came to Laguna Beach, and others are in the planning stages.  An additional workshop is scheduled for June 21, 2012 from 6:30-8:30 PM in the Laguna Beach Community Center, 380 Third Street.

For more information, please contact Monica Tuchscher, Principal Planner at 949-497-0745 or via email at mtuchscher@lagunabeachcity.net.

-Laguna Beach Patch

Laguna Beach is a recipient of an Orange County Transportation  Authority Transportation Enhancement grant. The grant was awarded for  landscaping and scenic beautification, which includes sculpture and other  art works at the gateway entrance to the city. Broadway is a major  vehicle artery into the city in the downtown area, home to  downtown commercial retail businesses and restaurants, Laguna Beach City  Hall, Laguna Playhouse, Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters,  Art-A-Fair Festival, Sawdust Art Festival and Laguna College of Art  & Design student housing and classrooms.

The Arts  Commission is seeking a letter of interest, qualifications, images of  previous work and references from an artist or artist team from Los  Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties. The  sculpture element has an open theme with a height not to exceed 10′. The  handrail and fence should be inspired by the visual transition from the  canyon to the ocean and must not exceed 4′ in height. The commission is  seeking applications from artists with proven experience in public art.  The deadline for submissions is Monday, May 7. All applications  must be made on-line at www.lagunabeachcity.slideroom.com

Information on site and entry requirements is available at www.lagunabeachcity.net on the Cultural Arts Department page or contact spoeschl@lagunabeachcity.net to request a prospectus.

-Laguna Beach Patch

Each pet will be evaluated by a veterinarian and in the event your pet requires additional medical attention, you will be responsible for additional costs. Additional charges may apply including but not limited to pregnant dogs/cats, dogs/cats in heat, cryptorchid neuter and umbilical hernia repair. If due, required vaccinations offered at a low cost: Bordatella, $13; DHPP, $13, Rabbies, $13 or FVRCP, $18.

 Artist Open Studios is a celebration of Laguna’s thriving visual arts community. It is not only a fantastic opportunity to see, buy or commission art, it is also an adventure through the city — to uncover new talent and rediscover established artists. Who could resist the chance to step into the heart of where art is created, to experience something unique, something you just can’t see anywhere else. Experience glass blowing, fused glass hands-on workshops, ceramic, painting, printmaking and bronze lost-wax demonstrations.

 Artist studios are located throughout Laguna Beach with the majority nestled along Laguna Canyon Road. These studios, surrounded by oak trees and rich canyon colors, are the creative backdrop for many artists. Other studios are located where the canyon meets downtown on Ocean Avenue where painters Vanessa Roth and Cliff Wassmann have studios opposite each other, and Marc Whitney of Forest Avenue.

The first stop of the shuttle service will be at the studio of new participant, painter Deborah Paswaters. Meander to the studio of ceramicist and public artist Marlo Bartels whose works can be seen throughout the city. Don’t miss the opportunity to make your own piece of kiln formed glass with Maggie Spencer and see her colorful completed work. Nestled between the oak trees is the studio of Ralph Tarzian who has been a sculptor in Laguna for over 40 years. Glass blowers Gavin Heath and Muffin Spencer-Devlin will exhibit their works along with mixed media artist Ashley Pigden-Hemsley. Many artists are located at Laguna Canyon Artists. This artist complex is widely known for a number of imaginative and experimental printmakers, painters, jewelers and mixed media artists. At the very last stop in the Canyon visit with artists Louis Longi and Olivia Batchelder who transform their contrasting mediums of bronze and silk into one sculptural image.

For a list of participating artists please visit www.lagunabeachcity.net or call (949) 497-0722.

Sian Poeschl
Cultural Arts Manager
(949) 497-0722

Saturday, January 7 from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sunday, January 8 from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Thursday, January 12 from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Festival of Arts
Irvine Bowl (backstage)
650 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 494-3663  

Click the link below for an informational  flyer with gift offer

FOAPOM_2012_Become_a_pageant_volunteer

The 2012 Pageant of the Masters, The Genius, will be staged July 7 through August 31. Ticket prices start at $15. Tickets are on sale now by calling 1-800-487-3378 or online at www.PageantTickets.com. The Festival of Arts is a nonprofit organization whose proceeds go to support the arts.

http://www.ocean-institute.org/raffle/index2.html

Make your voice heard, click on the link below for more information.

https://secure.homeowneraction.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=153&utm_source=HLemail&utm_medium=banner&utm_content=narpub&utm_campaign=qrm2011

Six homes will be featured on the 39th annual Charm House Tour on May 15.

This year the tour will showcase classic and contemporary homes, some newly renovated and others maintained in their original condition.

“One example of this year’s featured homes is a charming 1926 cottage, hidden away but within walking distance of many Laguna retail establishments,” said event spokeswoman Barbara Picheny. “The home is abutted by a lush backyard garden which is visible from the ‘indoor/outdoor’ room overlooking meandering brick pathways, mature trees, an aviary and specimen plants such as cycads and a huge euphorbia. Inside the home is a life-time’s collection of children’s literature, antiques and noteworthy items of interest.”

Other homes on the tour will be announced at a later date.

All the homes are in what is being called the central village, two on Catalina Street, one on Temple Hills Drive, another on Virginia Park Drive and one on Ocean Way.

“This is not a walking tour, but wearing comfortable shoes is a good idea,” Picheny said.

The annual tour is presented by Village Laguna, which is dedicated to the preservation of the Greenbelt, the Bluebelt and other qualities that distinguish Laguna from other South County communities.

Proceeds from the tour benefit the group’s philanthropic and political efforts.

Tours begin at the Festival of Arts Grounds, 650 Laguna Canyon Road. Buses will transport visitors to the homes and back to the grounds.

The first bus will leave the grounds at noon, the last at 3 p.m. Homes will be open until 5 p.m.

Pre-event tickets are $40, $45 on the day of the tour, if still available.

Tickets may be bought at Animal Crackers, 30822 S. Coast Hwy.; Laguna Nursery, 1370 S. Coast Hwy.; Coast Pet Supplies, 880 N. Coast Hwy.; Copy & Print Center, 240 Beach St; Cottage Furnishings, 802 S. Coast Hwy.; Fawn Memories, 384 Forest Ave.; Hotel Laguna, 425 S. Coast Hwy.; La Casa del Camino, 1289 S. Coast Hwy.; Laguna Beach Books, 1200 S. Coast Hwy.; Silver Images, 311 Ocean Ave.; Rock Martin Custom Jewelry, 268 Forest Ave.; and Monarch Bay Optometry, 13 Monarch Bay Plaza, Dana Point.

Paypal may be used to buy tickets at http://www.villagelaguna.org/. Tickets may also be obtained by mailing P.O. Box 1309, Laguna Beach, CA 92652. Tickets will be mailed until the week before the tour, after which they will be in will-call at the first home on the tour, where tour-day tickets will be sold.

By Barbara Diamond, Coastline Pilot

The City Council approved a $120,000 contract Tuesday night to repair the decades-old wooden structure. Water from Dec. 22′s storm pushed the boardwalk out of alignment and damaged supports.

A portion of the boardwalk near Broadway and Pacific Coast Highway has been closed since the storm, though the area south of the damage has remained open to walkers and joggers.

Meek Construction will take on the two-month repair project, which must be started by the end of March. City officials hope to recoup 75 percent of costs through federal or state disaster aid, which would require approval from those agencies first. If that process carries on too long, the City Council agreed to take on all costs to ensure the landmark is repaired by summer.

Repairs will include:

•Replacing one broken piling and two stairway pilings

•Realigning three pilings and a displaced stairway

•Replacing lost or damaged planks

•Placing up to 300 tons of rock to repair the settled area

•Replacing paving and lighting

-OC Register, Feb 3, 2011