THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2024
New Video Podcast: Stu New's Fair Game with Tom Johnson & Mayor Sue Kempf
In this week's Fair Game podcast with Tom Johnson, Mayor Sue Kempf talks about how the City's goats manage vegetation and reduce wildfire risks, encourages residents to visit the festivals this summer, and highlights the new temporary sculpture installation "An Attempted Murder" by artist Jack Champion.
Residents Share Input on Community Priorities at Town Hall Meeting
Last Thursday, the City of Laguna Beach hosted a Community Town Hall meeting at the Community and Susi Q Center to explore new revenue options, including a potential voter-approved increase in the hotel and short-term rental bed tax, and adjustments to long-standing business taxes.
These measures aim to fund critical community priorities such as replacing aging fire stations, expanding open spaces, improving Laguna Canyon Road safety, and addressing workforce and artist housing needs. Residents provided insightful feedback, highlighting the community's active involvement in shaping the City's future.
City Reports on Community Feedback for New Facilities Master Plan
Building on the initial wave of public outreach that kicked off the first phase of development for the Laguna Beach Facilities Master Plan in May, City representatives joined two close-knit meetings in June to hear the concerns and ideas of groups that extensively utilize select facilities: the Laguna Beach Arts Alliance and the Friends of the Laguna Beach Library.
Laguna Beach Arts Alliance Meeting Summary
Friends of the Laguna Beach Library Meeting Summary
The Facilities Master Plan will assess the present and future needs of more than 288,000 square feet of facilities throughout Laguna Beach. These facilities include public safety buildings, community and art centers, parking lots, the library and more. Extensive notes were taken during each of these meetings, with concerns and hopes alike being incorporated into the Plan’s ongoing development.
Residential Shopper Parking Permits for 2024-26 are Available to Purchase Online
The Shopper Parking Permit allows parking at eligible meters and pay ticket lots throughout Laguna Beach without depositing coins in the meters or purchasing a pay ticket. Current Shopper Parking Permits will expire on July 31, 2024. The new two-year permit period will be August 1, 2024, through July 31, 2026.
Shopper Parking Permits are available only to residents of Laguna Beach and proof of residency is required. Residents are limited to a maximum of 4 permits per household for the Shopper Parking Permit and 2 permits per household for the School District Permit.
City Holds Dedication for New Temporary Sculpture "An Attempted Murder" at City Hall
Last Friday, Laguna Beach Mayor Sue Kempf and Arts Commission Chair Donna Ballard spoke at the dedication of the temporary sculpture installation "An Attempted Murder" by artist Jack Champion.
The title of this sculpture is a playful nod to the unique and poetic collective nouns throughout the English language such as a “pride of lions,” or a “gaggle of geese.” A true “murder of crows” requires three or more birds. Jack Champion is an artist and sculptor known for his large-scale installations that often feature animal figures. Stop by and capture a photo with this incredible piece!
"The Shagwells" to Perform at Music In the Park Concert This Sunday at Bluebird Park 🎸
The Shagwells are the premiere tribute to a generation, bringing back the soundtrack of the sixties, with their Tribute to The '60s and early '70s. Covering over seventy songs, you only have to see The Shagwells but once to be hooked! They will have you out of your seat, dancing and singing along to hit after hit and feeling like a teenager all over again with their full production show.
The free Music in the Park concert starts 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 21 at Bluebird Park! Set up is allowed after 3:00 p.m. As a reminder, no dogs, smoking, or merchandise sales are allowed. Alcohol is permitted for guests 21 or older with a full meal.
Don't Miss Out: Purchase Your Tickets to Pacific Opera Project's "The Mikado"
Called “about the most fun one can have in a Los Angeles theater right now” (Maestro Arts & Reviews), Pacific Opera Project’s “The Mikado” updates Gilbert & Sullivan’s most popular operetta with Harajuku costumes, inspired by the district of Tokyo famous for its wild mix of colors and styles.
Eye-popping colors, intricate choreography, and zany antics give this beloved classic a signature POP twist, while a reworked libretto is sure to surprise even Gilbert & Sullivan aficionados with its unique take on what was originally a thinly-veiled skewering of British nobility and politics. Presented fully costumed, with a star-studded cast of POP regulars, including E. Scott Levin, Janet Todd, and Phil Meyer.
OC Vector Control Identifies West Nile Virus in Local Crow
A dead American crow found on Fairywood Lane (in Laguna Canyon) in Laguna Beach and submitted to Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD) has tested positive for West Nile virus (WNV).
This is the first WNV-positive dead bird detected in Orange County this year. A mosquito with WNV was also detected in Huntington Beach this week. Mosquitoes can spread WNV to humans if they bite a bird infected with WNV, and later, bite a person.
For more information, please contact OC Vector Public Information Officer, Brian Brannon at (714) 477-3587 or bbrannon@ocvector.org.
Learn About Pedestrian Safety from our Police Department: 🚔 🚨
Rivian Donates Electric Vehicles for Fire Department Training Exercises
Be Prepared: Know Your Local Evacuation Routes 📍
In case of an emergency, it is important to know your evacuation routes to ensure a safe and timely departure. The City of Laguna Beach is broken down into 22 different Evacuation Management Zones, each designed to facilitate organized and efficient evacuations for residents and visitors. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the zone you reside in and the nearest evacuation routes, and stay informed through local emergency services for updates and instructions.
Sign Up for City-Wide Emergency Alerts Via Nixle & AlertOC 📱
Meet Cher: Your New Best Friend! 🐾
Looking for a loving companion? Look no further! Cher is a beautiful 5-year-old white Schnauzer mix with a heart of gold. This spayed female is a people lover and gets along with some dogs, making her the perfect addition to the right family.
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.
Happy #PlasticFreeJuly!
Plastic Free July is a month-long, global movement dedicated to reviewing plastic consumption and cutting back where possible. The City of Laguna Beach is proud to be a leader in environmental stewardship and is committed to reducing single-use plastic pollution that threatens wildlife and negatively impacts quality of life in our community.
Enjoy Your Weekend to the Fullest! 😎 🌴
Printed copies of the newsletter are available Fridays at the Community & Susi Q Center. Alternative Language Options Available Upon Request.