Laguna Beach Magazine: September 2018
Children in Haiti who benefitted from the Global Grins nonprofit | Courtesy of Global Grins
Up Front: Around Town
Saving Smiles
It may be difficult to imagine a world where access to basic hygiene products is limited, or nonexistent, but after traveling the globe, Laguna Beach residents Joselyn and Todd Miller realized that is the reality for many people. Thus they started Global Grins, a nonprofit that delivers toothbrushes to people across the nation and in more than 100 countries. In August, the organization hit a landmark donation with its millionth toothbrush, which was given to Friendship Shelter, a local homeless shelter and rehabilitation center.
Global Grins is always looking for new volunteers to make deliveries but, if you can’t donate time and would still like to contribute, monetary donations are also accepted with all funds going toward purchasing and delivering toothbrushes. A $100 donation will provide a village of 500 with this vital tool, but even $1 can supply a family of five and, naturally, produce plenty of smiles. (globalgrins.org)
Pacific Marine Mammal Center CEO Peter Chang (left) with the organization’s former executive director Keith Matassa | Courtesy of Pacific Marine Mammal Center
Marine Management
Peter Chang says he is “obsessed with making a difference” and has made this passion for service clear after his recent move from working as the executive director of the Child Creativity Lab, a nonprofit learning center in Santa Ana, to becoming the new CEO of the Pacific Marine Mammal Center. His new position puts him in charge of this local nonprofit organization, which is known for its dedication to helping rescue, rehabilitate and release marine mammals like seals and sea lions, in addition to educating humans about ocean conservation.
This change has allowed Keith Matassa, the center’s former executive director, to transition into a different role, as well, with a new title: director of zoological and conservation programs. Matassa’s goal is to expand the organization’s efforts in various areas, including animal care, research and collaborations with other institutions as well as the scientific community. (949-494-3050; pacificmmc.org)
Photo by Dondee Quincena
Meow Open
The first cat cafe in Orange County has opened its doors right here in Laguna Beach. Part foster home for adoptable cats and kittens, part cafe with light bites and beverages (including wine and beer), Catmosphere Laguna is on a mission to find forever homes for its felines. Working in partnership with the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter, Blue Bell Foundation for Cats and other local rescues, Catmosphere provides a safe and loving environment for up to 12 cats at a time.
Those interested in adoption must visit their potential pet at least two times and open up their home for inspection. All adoption fees go toward medical treatments and the general well-being of each cat under Catmosphere’s care. Be on the lookout for special events with the kitties and local businesses, such as book clubs, reiki sessions, yoga and more. Reservations are recommended, but walk-ins are also welcome upon availability. (949-619-MEOW(6369); catmospherelaguna.com)
A rendering of the planned Village Entrance Project | Photo by Michael Baker International Inc.
Grand Entrance
A $11.1 million Village Entrance makeover has been approved by the Laguna Beach City Council with renovations planned in the area where Laguna Canyon Road becomes Broadway Street and intersects with Forest Avenue. The project will include a two-way vehicle bridge, wider walking trails, new bike paths and racks, decorative lighting, extensive landscaping and more green space. The city’s aim is to provide the public with a beautiful and safe entrance to our lively, beachside town—whether you’re a pedestrian, cyclist or motorist. Additionally, the police support services and marine safety storage facilities located in this space will get new buildings; the historic sewage digester tower will be patched and repainted; the fencing along the drainage channel will be upgraded; and the access roads, bridges and parking areas will all be repaved. The groundbreaking is slated for September, with a goal to complete the project by summer 2020. Certain public parking areas will be closed during construction, which will pause for the 2019 summer season. (949-464-6688; lagunabeachcity.net)
“Kalaywa” inspired a writing contest in Laguna Beach | Photo by Jeff Rovner
Artful Inspiration
Shortly after being named one of Laguna’s new literary laureates, Suzanne Redfearn organized an art-inspired writing contest based on an image of a monk taken by local photographer Jeff Rovner. Those who entered the contest were asked to create a piece of poetry or prose using Rovner’s picture as their inspiration.
Out of 43 submissions, two were selected as the contest winners: the short story “Karma” by Theresa Keegan was chosen by Rovner and a poem titled “Sunlight Path” by Ellen Girardeau Kempler was picked by the Laguna Beach Arts Commission. The winners were announced Aug. 13, and their written pieces and Rovner’s photo will remain on display at City Hall through September.
Redfearn was so pleased with the outcome of the contest and the quality of work from the participating writers that she created an anthology of all the contest submissions, which is available at Laguna Beach Books. (Laguna Beach City Hall: 949-497-3311; lagunabeachcity.net) (Laguna Beach Books: 949-494-4779; lagunabeachbooks.com)
An interior view of Black Bough | Photo by Jeng Tyng Hong
Modern Aesthetic, Global Appeal
For those seeking an interior design refresh, Black Bough, a new shop downtown on Forest Avenue, is focused on providing home goods and furnishings to sophisticated clientele looking for unique pieces from around the world. Built with minimalism in mind, the storefront has a revolving inventory with all of the latest home decor trends as well as rare glassware, imported rugs and customized furniture. Standout items for sale include elevated decor such as a snake bookend set and the Oh Mon Dieu incense holder, both by L’Objet, as well as coffee table books, soaps and more. Other luxury brands carried by the storefront include Arteriors, Be Home and Juliska.
Black Bough will showcase its brand and retail space during a launch party to be held Sept. 14, which will include local cuisine and live music at the store. (949-715-0382; blackboughlaguna.com)
Katherine McPhee at the SeaChange Summer Party | Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Up Front: Community
SeaChange Summer Party
Oceana, one of the leading ocean conservation organizations in the world, held its 11th annual SeaChange Summer Party on July 21 at a private villa in Laguna Beach. About 400 guests, including actors Christina Ochoa, Austin Nichols and Dennis Haysbert attended the event, which raised more than $1.2 million for Oceana with an emphasis on local conservation efforts. The party’s theme was protecting coral, which entails fights against the expansion of ocean oil drilling and bottom trawling (the practice of pulling a fishing net along the ocean floor), which can harm marine life by displacing sea creatures as well as creating algae blooms or areas deficient in oxygen.
The evening was emceed by Ted Danson of “Cheers” fame and included both live and silent auctions with prizes such as a BMW 530e luxury hybrid vehicle; fine jewelry; high-end items from brand names like Louis Vuitton, Ralph Lauren and Versace; getaways to the Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, Africa, Bora Bora and much more. The night came to a close with a musical performance by singer-songwriter and actress Katharine McPhee, who sang classics like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “God Bless the Child.” (oceana.org)
The Valiant Women board of directors | Photo by Lisa Renee Baker
Valiant Women Luncheon and Fashion Show
Nurses and physicians from Mission Hospital—which has locations in Mission Viejo and Laguna Beach—as well as local firefighters walked the runway sporting fashions from the likes of Tommy Bahama, Banana Republic, Brighton Collectibles and more, as part of the 22nd annual Valiant Women Luncheon and Fashion Show on May 4 at Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point. The event, which had a Beaches and Bling theme, also featured an inspirational speech from Natalie Grumet, a Dana Point resident and survivor of the Route 91 Harvest country music festival shooting that occurred in Las Vegas last October. Grumet was shot in the face and received treatment from Mission Hospital following the incident, for which she expressed her gratitude.
The event raised almost $200,000, which will go toward a goal of raising $1.6 million over the next five years to benefit women’s services such as the Mission Women’s Wellness Center and Mission Maternity Center plus nursing scholarships and the acquisition of a mobile mammography unit as well as a da Vinci Surgical System for women’s surgeries. (949-499-1311; mission4health.com)
Guests of A Taste for Charity hit the dance floor | Photo by Bob Ortiz
A Taste for Charity
The 23rd annual A Taste for Charity event, as presented by the Laguna Board of Realtors and Affiliates’ Charitable Assistance Fund, had a disco theme and was held at seven7seven (formerly Tivoli Too) on May 16. More than 400 attendees helped raise approximately $106,000, a record-breaking amount for this event, which will benefit local charities, including the Laguna Beach Community Clinic, Laguna Food Pantry, the Laguna Beach High School Scholarship Foundation and more. The evening consisted of a silent art auction as well as a live auction of various prizes, including 100 pieces that were donated by local artists, galleries and other merchants. Guests were also invited to participate in a raffle; enjoy tastes from 16 Laguna Beach restaurants, including local favorites like Carmelita’s Kitchen de Mexico and Skyloft; and watch a live painting by Festival of Arts exhibitor Sandra Jones Campbell, also of the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association. (lbr-caf.info)
Travel: San Diego
Family Fun
Sunny San Diego is the perfect place for groups of all ages to play this fall.
The San Diego skyline from Cabrillo National Monument | Photo courtesy of James Blank
San Diego always offers a wealth of family-friendly activities, from all-day adventures at the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld San Diego to visiting local museums or going on a kayak tour. But fall is the perfect time to venture south with the children: Summertime vacationers have gone home, the weather is still warm and the month of October is dedicated to family discounts. Through Kids Free San Diego, enjoy perks like welcome gifts from hotels and complimentary meals at restaurants in addition to an abundance of free admission tickets to museums, theme parks, golf clubs, boat rides, surf lessons, all kinds of tours and much more. Just a quick jaunt down the coastline and you’ll be able to take full advantage of all that the area has to offer.
Photo courtesy of Kona Kai Resort & Spa
Exciting Explorations
Head south into the heart of San Diego for an incredible family vacation that everyone will enjoy. To get away from it all while remaining a short drive from plenty of attractions, stay on Shelter Island, a man-made “isle” (connected to the mainland by a thin strip of land) that’s part of the illustrious Point Loma neighborhood and only about 20 minutes away from downtown. Located at the tip of the island is Kona Kai Resort & Spa, a tropical oasis complete with nautical elements, island-style music and the resort’s signature teal accent color. Melding a rich history—including famous guests such as former President John F. Kennedy, Princess Margaretha of Sweden and comedian Jerry Lewis, whose former yacht still resides in the marina—with contemporary charm, this resort boasts marina and bay views as well as plenty of activities for the whole family.
Photo courtesy of Kona Kai Resort & Spa
After a recent expansion, the 170 rooms at the resort now include 41 new suites, complete with soaking tubs and a sailor rubber duck to play with in them, fireplaces (with additional fire pits located on the resort’s private beach) and a s’mores kit with pumpkin spice-flavored marshmallows for fall, as well as other extra-special amenities. Upon arrival, children will be presented with a “whimsical item,” a stuffed animal that depicts a mother and baby dolphin, which they can take home in exchange for a small donation to a local charity.
Hang out at the family pool where the adults can enjoy a cocktail from the Tiki Bar or take advantage of the water sports rentals in the marina, such as pedal boats, kayaks, paddleboards and more. If your family prefers to stay on land, you can also hop on one of the resort’s bikes and explore every inch of the island.
The on-property Vessel Restaurant & Bar includes a children’s menu with options like sand dollar pancakes or raisin French toast for breakfast, and pasta, chicken fingers, a hot dog or mini burgers later in the day. SpaTerre also offers a special menu called Pamper Me Too, with treatments like massages, facials, manicures and pedicures specifically designed with kids in mind.
Penguins in the Africa Rocks exhibit at the San Diego Zoo | Photo courtesy of San Diego Zoo
San Diego itself is also full of fun activities, and there’s no better place to experience this California hot spot than one of the city’s main attractions: the San Diego Zoo, which is known as one of the top zoos in the world. The resort offers a special package that includes two adult tickets as well as a plush toy souvenir for children, and the Kids Free deal offers the perfect opportunity for a fun family outing. Experience up-close-and-personal animal encounters and see creatures living in re-creations of their natural habitats.
The newest exhibit, Africa Rocks, includes African penguins, lemurs, baboons and much more, while other popular animals throughout the zoo include giant pandas, jaguars, polar bears and elephants. Take a ride on the Skyfari aerial tram for a bird’s-eye view of the park that children will love and be sure to stop by the Petting Paddock, where the little ones can interact with goats and sheep; an insect house and the nearby playground are worth checking out, too.
For an indoor activity, the nearby Marina District is home to The New Children’s Museum, which includes interactive art installations and hands-on activities that allow kids to learn, create and play, all at once. Attractions include the No Rules … Except installation—complete with mattresses on the floor and walls plus tire cushions to play with—which reimagines the simple joy of jumping on the bed; The Wonder Sound labyrinth of explorable spaces; and Wobbleland, a play space for infants and toddlers that resembles a giant kitchen sink. Art studios teach children how to work with mediums such as clay or paint as well as how to tend to a garden, among other seasonal programs.
Ashley Ryan also contributed to the introduction of this article.
Photo by Dondee Quincena
Artists & Galleries
Perfectly Poured
This brushless painting method is the newest craze in the art world, and these Laguna festival artists have mastered the technique.
Abstract Acrylics
After graduating with a bachelor’s in fine arts from California State University, Long Beach, in 2009, Erin Proctor became one of the first instructors at the Sawdust Art & Craft Festival when its year-round studio art program began in 2010. Primarily a metalsmith and jeweler, Proctor is known for her 3D art pieces, but her latest obsession is acrylic pour painting. “As soon as I started doing it, I was hooked on it and that’s like all I want to do right now,” Proctor says.
She started teaching a class on this method at the beginning of summer, and it has already gained enough popularity to become a permanent offering. “It’s easily approachable … [for] anyone and then, the more into it you get, the more you can start to tweak it and control it,” Proctor says of the technique, noting that the final product is often a result of gravity and luck.
To start, she chooses three or fours colors of acrylic paint. Her process then involves mixing each color with rubbing alcohol and distilled water in individual cups until she reaches the right consistency. Proctor says that it took a lot of trial and error to find the perfect ratios, which is why she encourages beginners to take a class. “I think the key to this is the consistency of each of your paints,” Proctor says, explaining that the pigment can be too thick to move around the canvas or too thin, which causes them to mix together and create unwanted colors.
Erin Proctor at work | Photo by Dondee Quincena
Next, she layers the colors into a single cup and places the canvas on top, then flips it over and removes the cup, letting the colors spill out. Depending on how much paint is used and how big the canvas is, she may tilt the canvas around to cover it completely. The final step is letting it dry flat, which prevents the colors from sliding off the canvas before the paint can be sealed.
“Even when you’re pouring the paint into the cup, before you actually put it on your canvas, the mediums and the chemicals that you mix in start to do cool things … [like] the little patterns and the little weird streaks and cells that start to appear,” Proctor explains. “… There’s a surprise in every pour.”
Proctor’s work can be viewed on both her business website and her Etsy page. To try this method, sign up for one of her classes at Sawdust. The next acrylic pour painting class will take place Sept. 29 from 10-11:30 a.m.
Beautiful Chaos
Mixed media artist Maureen Nolen, who recently finished her second year exhibiting at Laguna Art-A-Fair, which wrapped up Sept. 2, creates pour paintings that involve a unique process: She manages to pull a bit of realism out of her initially abstract works.
“What I like about painting is finding things in the mess I make,” Nolen explains, adding that she’s most inspired by nature. In Laguna, the things that catches her eye are the birds, rocks, trees and their leaves, as well as the beach and the ocean itself.
Maureen Nolen with one of her pieces | Photo by Dondee Quincena
She also likes to play with lines, shapes and, of course, color. “I just did it because I like color,” Nolen says of first trying the pour painting method. “… It’s fun to watch [the paints] … intermingle and merge and make other colors.”
Nolen, who has a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and also took some graduate-level courses, has been using the pour painting method for about 30 years. She starts with three or four watercolors, mixing them individually then pouring each separately onto the canvas. “You can look at it and then you let it dry and you can pour again,” she explains. “And then you can go into acrylics, [so] … you get the lighter watercolor under and the more intense acrylic paint on top.”
Ultimately, she pulls out her desired shapes by painting darker colors in the background, so the images she wants to highlight pop forward. She often does this by building more layers on top, using materials like crayons.
This technique stands out to Nolen because of the freedom it gives her, as well as how forgiving it can be. She notes that, if she isn’t completely satisfied with a piece, she sprays the acrylic layer with alcohol or gesso and then scrubs the entire canvas down to the watercolor, or she uses a stencil and rubs alcohol on certain spots that she wants to rework. She has also rinsed off her thick, 300-pound papers in the shower, to create a ghost of the watercolors and start over completely.
Her pieces are rarely designed beforehand and she has described the results as “intuitive abstraction with some subject matter.” One of her biggest draws to abstract work, in general, is that it allows for an interactive element, as the viewers can become part of the piece by seeing their own images and meanings in each piece—the epitome of what art is all about.
Nolen’s work can be viewed at Orange County Fine Arts Showcase Gallery in Santa Ana, and she is also willing to open her at-home studio in Newport Beach to interested parties.
Fried squash blossom appetizer | Courtesy of Ocean at Main
Taste of the Town: Dine Sides
A Strong Start
Following a nine-year run as executive chef at Montage Laguna Beach’s Studio, Craig Strong has started his own venture in downtown Laguna. Located on Ocean Avenue, in the building that formerly housed Taverna Pizzeria and Risotteria, his restaurant will appropriately be called Ocean at Main and is scheduled to open in October. Strong is currently leading a rebranding campaign, while the space is being revitalized by Laurie Alter of Tuvalu Home Environment, a Laguna furniture and decor store known for its coastal chic aesthetics.
Strong aims to provide an authentic and approachable dining experience that epitomizes Southern California with a tinge of French influence. The menu will feature seasonal fare using local ingredients, such as fresh seafood and farm-to-table vegetables, as well as flatbreads prepared using the pizza oven remaining from the previous establishment. There will also be plenty of beer, wine and craft cocktails to sip while enjoying the atmosphere and cuisine. (facebook.com/oceanatmain)
Over-the-Top Sundae | Courtesy of Outshine PR
Whimsical Treats
AVEO Table & Bar at Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point has introduced an exquisite dessert menu by Executive Pastry Chef Jamon Harper, who has been nominated for the Golden Foodie Awards’ Pastry Chef of the Year with AVEO also in the running for Best Dessert Menu in Orange County. Unique ingredients include house-made limoncello and the Grand Cru Coastal Madagascar dark chocolate, made exclusively for the resort.
Standout offerings include the Rocher, which is essentially a supersized Ferrero Rocher candy topped with 23-karat gold, and the Key West Lime, which looks like a lime but is actually a lemon- and lime-infused white chocolate shell surrounding citrus mousse and Key lime confit. Two treats, the Limoncello and tiramisu are elevated plays on classic tastes, while the S’mores Aroma Experience is served with a chile hot chocolate and unveiled tableside, evoking nostalgia as you’re enveloped by the sweet, smokiness of this multisensory dish.
Also ask about a secret menu item: the Over-the-Top Sundae, which is more than a foot tall with a giant “cherry” on top made of white chocolate mousse and an amarena cherry center. (949-234-3915; monarchbeachresort.com)
Photo courtesy of Montage Laguna Beach
On Cloud Wine
Since 2014, the Forbes Five-Star recipient and Montage Laguna Beach’s signature restaurant, Studio, has been recognized by Wine Spectator magazine as a Grand Award winner. The French restaurant offers an extensive wine list, featuring more than 2,000 varietals, presented by its team of four sommeliers, three of which have earned their advanced sommelier diplomas from the Court of Master Sommeliers. Studio is one of 91 restaurants in the world to be given the distinction this year, which exemplifies that this wine program truly is world-class.
Another on-property restaurant, The Loft, also offers spectacular wine experiences with special dinners complete with phenomenal pairings. On Sept. 27, the restaurant will host Anne Moses, co-founder of Sonoma-based Patz & Hall winery, for a multicourse meal prepared by The Loft’s new chef, Victor Casanova. Dishes such as American wagyu beef tartare, lobster crudo and lemon-poached pears will be paired with varietals from the winery’s renowned collection, which includes chardonnays and pinot noirs. (Studio and The Loft: 949-715-6420; montagehotels.com)
An interior view of the newly renovated Coyote Grill | Photo by Dondee Quincena
Something to Howl About
After a nearly four-month hiatus to allow for renovations, fans of Coyote Grill in south Laguna Beach will be happy to hear that the eatery has reopened with an all-new interior. The remodel included bringing in new plumbing, electrical lines and kitchen equipment to allow for a refreshed kitchen, bar area and dining room.
Coyote Grill officially reopened July 26 and is now completely up and running with all of the local favorites back on the menu. The Baja-style Mexican cuisine includes dishes such as the huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, jalapeno bacon-wrapped shrimp, tortilla soup and calamari tacos, plus, of course, plenty of tequila and margaritas. Head in for happy hour every day from 3-6 p.m., or Taco Tuesday when happy hour lasts until closing time. (949-499-4033; coyotegrill.tv)
