By Russ Gerber Soon after departing Houston International Airport, we hit severe turbulence. The pilot came on to warn that because we had to pass through a storm front, the rough ride would last another 30 minutes. But not to worry. “Think of it as a car traveling on a bumpy road,” he said. Unfortunately, it’s jostling, but the plane is in no danger from it.” I’d heard this reassurance before, but it must have been a big first for the woman sitting across the aisle from me. She sighed with relief. The white-knuckle grip of worry was gone for the rest of the ride. Too bad that’s not the trend ..read more

Women’s History Month, Sober Living Homes, Climate Action Plan and more By Katrina Foley, Orange County Supervisor In March, we celebrated Women’s History Month by recognizing trailblazing women in our legal profession, building a more just, equitable Orange County for all. Congratulations to Laguna Beach awardees: Jane Fulton as the Nonprofit Advocate; Michelle Reinglass as the Mediator; and Annee Della Donna as the Civil Rights Advocate of the year! Visit our website to learn about their work and their incredible fellow honorees. At my first quarterly Roundtable on the Status of Wo ..read more

Eugenia Jo Danielson, born on November 29, 1964, in West Covina, Calif, peacefully passed away on April 6, 2024, in Phoenix, Ariz., at the age of 59. She was surrounded by her loved ones in her final moments. Genia was a vibrant and caring soul who impacted thousands of people in a positive way. Known for her carefree spirit and adventurous nature, she always wore her heart on her sleeve. Her presence was a source of joy and comfort to all who knew her. In her career as a lifelong waitress, Eugenia worked at various establishments, from the Coffee Pot in Morro Bay to the Crystal Lodge in Lake ..read more

Fresh Faces By Mark D. Crantz Ahh, I don’t think I’m the right guy to write about that. I’m old. My face is older. How’s that possible, you ask? Well, not that it’s any of your business, but my butt looks younger. That’s a good thing. Otherwise, I’d be mistaken as a twin. That’s why I keep my pants on. We don’t need two of me writing about. Fresh Faces are young artists with young faces with young art that will be displayed at Festival of Arts South. The exhibit is displayed in Active Cultures on South Coast Highway from April 9 through June 10. Now, I like Active Cultures. I walk by it everyd ..read more

By Jackie Connor, Special to the Independent  Despite some dissent, Laguna Beach City Council agreed to a final plan from April to November to move the $2.7 million Forest Avenue Promenade project toward a more permanent state at their regular meeting on Tuesday. Alessa’s diners sit during the lunch hour on the Promenade at Forest Avenue. File photo However, some council members expressed concerns about the level of community involvement and a lack of data-driven decisions. The plan, presented by the new Promenade ad hoc committee of Mayor Sue Kempf and Councilmember Mark Orgill, will foc ..read more

By Billy Fried Billy Fried I’m high over the Pacific, returning home from a three-week visit to Japan with my daughter. It was my first time back in 41 years, which is reprehensible, considering how much I always loved the place. If it takes another 41 years, it will be over my dead body! What a beguiling land of enchantment, beauty, and paradox! I don’t think there is a culture that is more refined and civilized yet more burdened with rigid bureaucracy. Sure, their trains run on time, but have you ever tried to buy a ticket? We bought Japan Rail Passes ..read more

Hop on the Trolley Tour During Heritage Month By Hunter Fuentes and Jon Stordahl The trolley tour, to be held on Saturday, May 11 will focus on the career of Aubrey St. Clair, seen here in 1934. The architect is most associated with the early period of Laguna expansion. Photo courtesy of Kathryn Crawford, St. Clair’s niece. May is Heritage Month in Laguna. A free trolley tour of architecturally interesting buildings and homes is just one of the activities planned to mark the month-long celebration. The city’s trolleys are a unique symbol of the town and serve both a utilitarian and a recreatio ..read more

The Music History Hall Foundation, a local nonprofit dedicated to preserving American music, will celebrate the music, fashion and culture of Southern California Music Festivals from 1968 to 1971 in a special one-night-only event at the Rivian South Coast Theater on May 3. Through never-before-seen personal photographs by Laguna Beach resident Jan Nichols, a unique story unfolds about the Southern California festival experience at the height of the counterculture movement. The Newport Pop Festival in Costa Mesa, held on Aug. 3 and 4, 1968. Photo courtesy of Jan Nichols Nichols, who just return ..read more

The Laguna Beach night sky will look a little different this Fourth of July as the city council unanimously approved a drone light show instead of traditional fireworks at Tuesday’s regular meeting. The July 4 drone show will be on a one-year trial basis, allowing the city to return to fireworks in 2025 if the drones are unsatisfactory. Residents and visitors watch fireworks go off from Main Beach during last year’s Fourth of July celebration. Photo courtesy of Mitch Ridder “At the end of the day, this comes down to protecting our environment, veterans and our wildlife,” Mayor Pro Tem Alex Rou ..read more

Relocating to a different country is an exciting prospect, but it comes with its fair share of challenges—especially when it comes to the financial side of things. However, having a robust budget in place can help you navigate the moving process with confidence and know which categories to prioritize. For example, how much are you willing to spend on rent? And how much do you rely on public transport? This guide from  https://www.debtreliefcanada.com/ will explore the various factors you should consider when budgeting for a move to the USA or Canada and provide practical strategies to he ..read more