Laguna beach city news City of Laguna Beach, California

THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 2024

Join Us for Circus Bella at Bluebird Park on Saturday Afternoon!

Circus Bella returns to Bluebird Park on June 8, 2024, for FREE performances of their new summer show, WOW!- a captivating blend of circus enchantment and madcap mayhem. Show times are 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

Circus Bella offers a modern twist on one-ring circus overflowing with heart and soul. This exhilarating show promises to delight and astonish children of all ages in a cherished family event.

Watch in awe as the vivaciously colorful Circus Bella Company, comprising a diverse troupe of acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, and clowns from the Bay Area and beyond, performs to the lively tunes of Rob Reich and the 6-piece Circus Bella All-Star Band.

See You There!

The City's NEW 4th of July drone light show celebration will begin at 9:00 p.m. at Heisler Park on July 4.

Click HERE for More 4th of July Details

The Next Regular Meeting of the City Council is Tuesday, June 11.

June 11 City Council Schedule:

Click HERE for the June 11 Regular City Council Meeting Agenda
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.
Click HERE for the City Council Tentative Agenda
Click HERE for the "The Week That Was"
An upcoming community workshop will be held in-person on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, to provide an overview of the new ordinance with the community.

El Morro 3rd Graders Visit Mayor at City Hall

On Thursday, 3rd Graders from El Morro Elementary School visited City Hall. They got to ask Mayor Kempf questions about being Mayor, and found out what it's like to be a Firefighter, Marine Safety officer, and Police Officer. Thanks for stopping by, El Morro!

Prioritizing Your Safety: City Receives National Award for Bluebird Canyon Drive Evacuation Route Widening Project

On Thursday, May 30, the City of Laguna Beach Public Works Department received the American Society of Civil Engineers 2023 Outstanding Small Project Award for the Bluebird Canyon Drive Evacuation Route Widening project, completed in Fall 2023.
Bluebird Canyon Drive, located east of Oriole Drive to Rancho Laguna Road, was widened to provide sufficient emergency ingress/egress for the neighborhood which is located within a high fire hazard severity zone.
Other improvements included drainage, landscaping, pedestrian safety enhancements, and removals of six utility poles in the canyon.
The project award was received by Pierre Sawaya, Senior Project Manager (with plaque), and Assistant Director of Public Works Tom Perez (right). Perez oversaw design and construction.

Surf & Sand Resort Lends a Hand: Boosting Beach and Park Cleanup in Laguna Beach

In a collaborative effort to keep our city's parks and beaches pristine, the Landscape Maintenance Division of the Public Works & Utilities Department has partnered with the Surf & Sand Resort to bolster park maintenance staff. The Surf & Sand Resort has generously provided additional staff to volunteer and assist in maintaining some of Laguna Beach's most cherished outdoor spaces.

The partnership was initiated as the Surf & Sand Resort undergoes significant renovations, which temporarily left many of its employees without work. Rather than furloughing these workers, the resort reached out to the city to offer their services at no cost. This initiative not only keeps the hotel staff employed but also enhances the upkeep of public areas.

L to R: Surf and Sand employee Oscar Huerta, joins Laguna Beach Public Works employee Reggie Christian, and the Surf and Sand's Ivonne Chagolla, Cinthya Lopez, and Erica Zotea working together at Main Beach Park.

The extra help has primarily been deployed at Main Beach and Heisler Park, two of the city's most prominent parks. Their main tasks include weed removal, installing mulch in planters, sweeping excess sand from park pathways and staircases, and litter picking. This initiative, coordinated by Deputy Director Reza Jafari with daily oversight by Maintenance Lead Worker Chris Osuna, is expected to continue through the month of June.

"Our partnership with the Surf & Sand Resort has been a win/win for both sides," said Reza Jafari, Deputy Director of Public Works. "We have been fortunate to be able to utilize extra staff from the Surf & Sand Resort to help keep our city parks and beaches looking clean."
Beginning this week, the Landscape Maintenance Division utilized these volunteer staff at Main Beach and Heisler Park to install mulch in planters, remove weeds, litter pick, and sweep park pathways.
The Surf and Sand's Cinthya Lopez helps pick up trash at Main Beach.

Thanks, Surf & Sand Resort!

Rehabilitated Pelicans Found Starving to be Released June 17 at Aliso Beach

The Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center (WWCC) invites the public to a heartwarming event set to take place at Aliso Beach on June 17 at 11:00 a.m. Approximately ten Brown Pelicans, fully recovered from a recent mass-stranding event, will take flight back into the wild, marking a significant milestone in their journey to recovery.
Since April 2024, the WWCC has been on the front lines of a rescue operation, admitting a staggering 217 Brown Pelicans suffering from starvation. The exact cause of this mass stranding is still under investigation, but what's clear is that these birds were found in dire conditions - severely emaciated, dehydrated, and infested with parasites. Thanks to the diligent efforts of volunteers and staff, coupled with generous donations from the public, most of these pelicans have been nursed back to health.
The WWCC invites the public to join them at Aliso Beach for this special event, celebrating the resilience of these pelicans and the collective efforts that have brought them back from the brink of demise.
Click HERE to Donate to Rescue Efforts on the WWCC Website
You are invited to KelpFest on Saturday, June 8, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on the cobblestones at Main Beach! Hosted by Laguna Ocean Foundation with the support of dedicated partner organizations, KelpFest celebrates Laguna Beach’s unique shoreline, our vital coastal resources, and the kelp that supports them.

First Thursdays Art Walk is TONIGHT ✨

Click HERE for the Full List of Galleries

First Thursdays Art Walk celebrates the diverse cultural art scene of Laguna Beach and is FREE to the public with participation by 40 galleries! First Thursdays Art Walk is held on the first Thursday of every month from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The Laguna Local On-Demand Service extends its hours of service for First Thursdays Art Walk until 9:00 p.m. As a reminder, the Laguna Local On-Demand service does not serve the Canyon area.

Emerging Masters Opening Exhibition Opens Tonight at the LCAD Gallery

Laguna College of Art + Design (LCAD) is proud to present Emerging Masters 2024. This diverse and impressive group exhibition features artwork by the most recent graduating students from LCAD’s Masters of Fine Arts programs in Drawing and Painting. These skilled creatives are among today’s most promising emerging artists.

The Opening Reception is tonight from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the LCAD Gallery (374 Ocean Avenue). The exhibition dates are June 6 thorough July 14. LCAD Gallery admission is always FREE!
Click HERE for More Information

World Chamber Jazz Ensemble "Quarteto Nuevo" to Perform Friday at Heisler Park

World Chamber Jazz Ensemble, Quarteto Nuevo will be performing at the free World Music Concert Series at the Heisler Park Amphitheater on Friday at 6:30 p.m. Concert attendees are encouraged to bring their own blankets or low-seated beach chairs.

The Police Department's Annual Military Equipment Inventory Public Meeting will be held Tuesday, June 11 from 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. in City Council Chambers.

AB 481 (2022) requires law enforcement agencies hold a community engagement meeting, at which the public may discuss and ask questions regarding the annual military equipment inventory and the law enforcement agency's funding, acquisition, or use of military equipment.

Join Us Next Tuesday!

Laguna Beach Police Department Holding DUI Checkpoint June 14

On June 14, 2024, the Laguna Beach Police Department will conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) Checkpoint from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at an undisclosed location.

DUI checkpoint locations are determined based on data showing incidents of impaired driving-related crashes. The primary purpose of DUI checkpoints is to promote public safety by taking suspected impaired drivers off the road.

Impaired drivers put others on the road at significant risk, any prevention measures that reduce the number of impaired drivers on our roads significantly improve traffic safety.

The Laguna Beach Police Department reminds the public that impaired driving is not just from alcohol. Some prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs may interfere with driving. While medicinal and recreational marijuana are legal, driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

Drivers charged with a first-time DUI face an average of $13,500 in fines and penalties, as well as a suspended license.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Caedman Welch Receives Scholarship from LBPCF 🚔

For the seventh year, the Laguna Beach Police and Community Foundation (LBPCF) has awarded a college scholarship to Caedman Welch, a high school senior with aspirations of working in the military and then the U.S. Department of State.

The scholarship is in fallen LBPD Officer Jon Coutchie’s name and was funded by the Laguna Beach Police and Community Foundation, non-profit.

Congrats, Caedman!

Meet Charlie: The Sweet Terrier in Search of a Forever Home

Meet Charlie, the sweet senior terrier with plenty of energy! 🐶 Charlie loves his walks and is always up for an adventure. He's friendly, great with kids and other dogs, and is the perfect cuddle buddy.

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.
Click HERE for More Information on Adoption Procedures!

Beach Cleanup at Main Beach on June 22 🌊

The Laguna Ocean Foundation is partnering with The Ritual Refill and the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce for a beach clean-up at Main Beach on Saturday, June 22, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Help us keep the beach clean and free of trash by grabbing a bucket to collect trash along Main Beach. Please register online, and fill out the waiver. You are encouraged to bring a pair of reusable gloves, and a trash picker-upper if you have them.

Click HERE for the Online Waiver and for More Information
Click HERE to Register Online Today!

Upcoming Events at the Laguna Beach Library 📚

Click HERE for More Information!

Enjoy Your Weekend Ahead! ☀️

Have a Question? Click HERE to Contact the City of Laguna Beach!
Printed copies of the newsletter are available Fridays at the Community & Susi Q Center. Alternative Language Options Available Upon Request.