THURSDAY, JUNE 27, 2024
Laguna Beach Police Department Enhances Efforts to Promote Pedestrian Safety and Awareness
The City of Laguna Beach wants to raise awareness about the dangers of distracted walking and promoting safe practices for residents and visitors crossing streets. With the increase in pedestrian traffic and the growing use of mobile devices, this initiative focuses on raising awareness about the dangers of distracted walking and promoting safe practices for crossing streets.
Laguna Beach Police Chief Jeff Calvert added, "It's crucial for both pedestrians and drivers to be vigilant and attentive. Simple actions like putting away your phone while walking and making eye contact with drivers can significantly enhance safety. Let's all do our part to keep Laguna Beach safe."
Safety Tips for Pedestrians:
- Always use designated crosswalks, press the button first, and proceed with caution, as vehicles may not always stop even when the crosswalks are lit.
- Look both ways before stepping into the crosswalk to cross the street, even when you have the right of way. Make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
- Cross in crosswalks at traffic light intersections whenever possible.
- At the scramble intersection crosswalks, wait for the walk sign before crossing, even if the traffic signal changes for vehicles first.
- Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially at dusk or at night, to increase visibility to drivers.
- Avoid distractions such as texting or using headphones while walking near traffic or crossing the street.
- Stay on sidewalks whenever possible, and if a sidewalk is not available, walk facing traffic to see oncoming vehicles.
Safety Tips for Drivers:
- Be vigilant and watch for pedestrians, especially at crosswalks.
- Avoid distractions such as texting or using your phone while driving.
- Yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and stop completely before allowing them to cross.
- Be especially cautious in areas with heavy foot traffic and near schools.
California Assembly Bill 2147, which went into effect earlier this year, decriminalizes jaywalking when no immediate hazard is present. This change has raised concerns about pedestrian safety in cities across the state.
This Week's City Council Action:
Laguna Beach Sister Cities Association's 2024 Young Artists & Authors Winners
Update on Commercial District Beautification/Property Maintenance Program & Ordinance
City Council Reviews Initial Strategies of the Climate Action & Adaptation Plan
City Council Approves Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget
The Next Regular Meeting of the City Council is Tuesday, July 9 at 5:00 P.M.
The "Tentative Agenda" is strictly tentative and there is no guarantee that items listed will be agendized as scheduled due to changing priorities, new information, staff workloads, and other unforeseeable events.
We Want Your Input at the Community Town Hall Meeting on July 11
The City is exploring new revenue options, including a voter-approved increase in the hotel and short-term rental bed tax, to fund important priorities expressed by our residents such as replacing our aging fire stations, expanding our open spaces, making Laguna Canyon Road safer, workforce and artist housing, and much more.
Join the discussion at our Community Town Hall on Thursday, July 11, at 6:00 PM at the Laguna Beach Community and Susi Q Center to learn more and share your thoughts. Your input is crucial in shaping the future of our City.
City of Laguna Beach to Host 4th of July Drone Show from Heisler Park
Join us for the 2024 City of Laguna Beach 4th of July Drone Show celebration! The drone show begins at 9:00 p.m. from Monument Point in Heisler Park on Thursday, July 4. Large crowds are anticipated for the July 4th holiday and the City is requesting the public’s cooperation to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for residents and visitors.
Areas of Heisler Park, including the Lawn Bowling Green and Monument Point area will be closed all day on Thursday, July 4. Additionally, at approximately 5:00 p.m., the area of Heisler Park from Myrtle Street to the Rockpile Beach stairs at Jasmine Street will be closed to the public to allow for the 4th of July drone flyover beginning at 9:00 p.m.
After the drone show ends, expect heavy traffic as many visitors will be leaving via Laguna Canyon Road and Coast Highway. For traffic and emergency updates, sign up for Nixle by texting 92651 to 888-777.
All Fireworks are Illegal in the City of Laguna Beach
58th Annual Sawdust Art Festival Kicks Off Tomorrow! 🎨
Sawdust Art Festival features the artwork of 180 local Laguna Beach artists, 3 stages of live music, complimentary art classes, glassblowing and art demonstrations, and a variety of outdoor dining and drink offerings- all set in a unique artist village in the heart of Laguna Beach.
The 58th Annual Sawdust Art Festival is open from Friday, June 28 through Sunday, September 1, 2024. The hours of operation are Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
"A Festival Without Borders": Laguna Art-A-Fair Opens Tomorrow!
Laguna Art-A-Fair invites you to immerse yourself in a festival experience that knows no bounds or limits. The festival features 115 award-winning fine artists and artisans from around the world. Two-dimensional media include oil, acrylic, watercolor, mixed media, encaustic, pastel, charcoal, colored pencil, photography, and printmaking. Three-dimensional media include jewelry, ceramics, glass, mirrors, fiber art, wood craft, sculpture, gourds, and more.
Festival of Arts Fine Art Show Begins on July 3! ✨
As one of the nation’s oldest and most highly acclaimed juried fine art shows, the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts has offered a breathtaking showcase for artists and art lovers for 90 years.
From early July through the end of August, the Festival of Arts opens its doors daily for visitors to not only enjoy the award-winning work of exhibited artists, but also art demonstrations, live music performances on select days, opportunities to meet the artists and more.
During the first nine days of summer, our Laguna Beach Lifeguards have rescued 678 beachgoers, a 402% increase from the 135 rescues in 2023.
In comparing May 2023 to May 2024, the Laguna Beach Police Department experienced a 22% increase in calls for service, with totals rising from 16,478 in 2023 to 20,034 in 2024.
New Lifeguard Towers Coming This Fall
Exciting news is coming this fall! The City will install enclosed lifeguard towers on skids at Shaw’s Cove, 9th Street, and 10th Street beaches. These enclosed lifeguard towers replace chairs and provide a reliable, functional, practical, and effective platform for lifeguards to protect the public.
The lifeguard tower has the same design and model and is currently installed on other city beaches. The enclosed lifeguard tower offers shelter from the elements, reducing the short-term and long-term impacts on the employee to help better serve visitors and the community. Stay tuned for more details.
Sign Up for Community Emergency Response Training This Fall!
Registration is now open for the Fall CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Training. The CERT program teaches people how to better prepare themselves for hazards that may affect their communities. Before, during, and after disasters, CERT volunteers perform basic response activities, including checking in on neighbors, distributing information to the public, supporting emergency operations centers, and helping to manage traffic and crowds.
To be eligible for this training, you must be a resident or student in Laguna Beach or work within the city limits, be at least 16 years old and have no felony convictions (the City reserves the right to refuse admittance into this program). The next class will start on Wednesday September 11 at 6:00 p.m. at the Laguna Beach Community Center & Susi-Q. Classes will be held weekly on Wednesday nights through October 23rd. Students are also required to attend the final exercise on Saturday October 26 from 8:30 a.m.to. 3:00 p.m.
Adopt Chili: A Loving Pup Who Flourishes with Canine Companions
Looking for a furry friend? Meet Chili! This handsome 4-year-old Chihuahua mini-pin mix is as charming as they come. Chili thrives in the company of other dogs and would do best in a home where he has a canine buddy. Could you be the one to give Chili the loving home he deserves? 🏠✨
The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter adoption procedures are designed to make sure that both the potential family and the animal adopted are in the very best situation possible. The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter is located at 20612 Laguna Canyon Road. For any questions, please call (949) 497-3552.
Watch The Video Below to Meet Other Pets In Need of a Home 🎥:
Ride on the FREE Summer Breeze Trolley Starting Tomorrow! 🚎
Updates to the Long & Short Coastal Trolley Routes
City Welcomes New Community Development Director David Contreras
The City of Laguna Beach welcomes new Community Development Director David Contreras. David has been with the City of Laguna Beach’s Community Development team since April 2023, and brings both internal and external experience to the position.
The recruitment was open and competitive, and David rose to the top with a combination of his experience and his knowledge of and advocacy for what it might take to continue to improve the good work being done in Community Development.
The Community Development Department has always been a focal point of attention for the City Council and community, given the complexity of the codes, the detailed public review process, and the complexity of the projects that are reviewed, permitted, inspected and constructed. The City is confident that David will excel in this role.
Congratulations, David!
Have a Wonderful Weekend! 🌴✨
Printed copies of the newsletter are available Fridays at the Community & Susi Q Center. Alternative Language Options Available Upon Request.