Laguna Beach Magazine: April/May 2019
Hershey Felder | Photo by Hershey Felder Presents
Up Front: Around Town
Honoring Hershey
Laguna Playhouse will honor accomplished musical and performing artist Hershey Felder at its annual gala, which will be held May 18 at Fashion Island Hotel in Newport Beach. Felder, who is a renowned pianist, actor, playwright, producer and director, has graced the playhouse with his original solo performances for a decade—bringing to life the likes of famous composers, including Chopin, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and more. The gala will include a performance by and tribute to Felder for his dedication to Laguna Playhouse as well as his work with other theaters across the world. “Hershey Felder is a unique talent that transcends traditional theatrical boundaries, putting the roles of artist, writer/composer and director into that of one,” says Laguna Playhouse Executive Director Ellen Richard in a news release. “He is no less an internationally acclaimed world treasure and we are proud to be able to honor him on this special evening.” Almost 400 guests are expected to attend the fundraising event, which raised nearly $1.8 million last year. (949-497-2787; lagunaplayhouse.com)
“The Favorite Daughter” by Kaira Rouda
Thrilling & Chilling
Local power couple Harley and Kaira Rouda have had a prosperous year, with Harley being voted into Congress this past election season and, now, the release of Kaira’s second novel. The USA Today best-selling author has written various short stories and other full-length narratives, including psychological thriller “Best Day Ever.” Presenting a similar tone with her newest written work, “The Favorite Daughter”—which will hit shelves May 21, including at Laguna Beach Books—is set right here in Orange County. The novel follows Delilah Jane Harris (or just Jane, for short), who continues to grapple with grief one year after losing her oldest, seemingly innocent daughter in a tragic accident. Following a memorial service for her beloved Mary, and her younger daughter’s high school graduation, Jane begins to unravel the truth about her family and Mary’s death, or so she thinks. (kairarouda.com)
Paula Hornbuckle-Arnold | Photo by Christina Wehbe Studios
Under New Direction
Paula Hornbuckle-Arnold, who moved to Laguna Beach in 2003 and previously served 10 years on the board of directors for the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, was recently named the new executive director of the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce. As she begins to breathe new life into the organization, we asked about her connection to the community and her plans for the Chamber while in this position.
Laguna Beach Magazine: What are some of your most notable accomplishments while working with the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach?
Paula Hornbuckle-Arnold: I started my work there [in 2009] by forming an auxiliary group of ladies who helped the club with office tasks. It eventually evolved into managing the Christmas gift-giving program for our youth and … chairing the annual Girls Night Out event as well as the Art of Giving Gala, which I will continue to chair this year. After being elected and serving my two-year term as the first woman president [of the Laguna Beach chapter], I expanded my responsibilities as the Boys & Girls Clubs Orange County Area Council president for two years.
LBM: What are your plans now that you’re in this new position?
PHA: My plans are twofold. I’d like to see the Chamber’s reputation restored to … [its] former glory by further engaging our local businesses. I believe the Chamber’s financial health is paramount to that success. We lobbied for an urban economist. I’d like to see the recommendations put forth by the urban economist to the city be approved. I think our CUP, [or] conditional use permit, process is antiquated at best. I would also love to see some thought given to addressing and revising that.
LBM: How do you hope to benefit and enhance the Laguna Beach community with these plans?
PHA: By instituting those plans, I believe we will have better information … moving forward with how businesses can succeed in Laguna Beach. In this new world of online everything, it’s imperative that some forethought be given to what works in our business environment and what doesn’t. (949-494-1018; lagunabeachchamber.org)
Photo by Pacific Marine Mammal Center
To the Rescue
The Pacific Marine Mammal Center is dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing sea creatures it comes across that are in need of assistance, but the number of distressed animals is rising at an alarming rate. The nonprofit has responded to about twice the number of beach strandings as this time last year, including 50 sea lions, 10 dolphins in one month, 19 seals (two of which were Guadalupe fur seals, a threatened species) and one green sea turtle by early April. Six of the dolphins and the turtle all washed up dead, or had died before PMMC workers arrived on the scene, while two dolphins that were rescued in Laguna Beach were euthanized after examination by the organization’s animal care and veterinary teams. The Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System has reported that toxic algae blooms and heavy rain storms may be to blame, while the PMMC also points to warm water conditions and entanglements caused by humans. The PMMC is looking into the dolphins’ deaths through necropsies on the cetaceans, but results were still pending as of press time. Through April 16, a total of 97 animals had been rescued thus far in 2019, as compared to 133 creatures that were tended to during all of last year. (949-494-3050; pacificmmc.org)
Photo by Codarus
Design In Mind
Laguna Beach resident Bill Hutchinson—founder of Dallas-based real estate agency Dunhill Partners, the company that previously revitalized the Dallas Design District—has directed his passion for remodeling to the Laguna Design Center in Laguna Niguel. The redesign of the center will include exterior upgrades, new partner-only events and an on-site event center, with changes made so as to continue fostering relationships with showroom partners like Bernhardt Interiors at Bassman Blaine, Codarus and Thomas Lavin, while also attracting potential new ones. Hutchinson also aims to bring in an upscale restaurant, mixed-use space for architects and design firms as well as an education hub, all in the name of making the Laguna Design Center the premier location for both interior designers and their clients. To check out the space in person and experience one of the first reimagined events, head to the center April 30 for Arrive: A Design Affair to Remember, which will include hands-on activities, a pop-up shop, guest speakers, a chance to win a trip for two to Paris for the Maison et Objet trade fair, and more. (949-643-2929; lagunadesigncenter.com)
Photo by Mitch Ridder
Take a Book, Share a Book
A heartwarming, book-sharing movement has taken over Laguna Beach, in which community members are encouraged to take a book and leave another for someone else to enjoy. There are around a dozen Little Free Library locations scattered around town and the most recent addition was installed in front of the Laguna Beach Fire Station No. 3 in early April. The library contains books for entertainment as well as informational purposes, including works that focus on local wildlife and firefighters. This comes after a fire that broke out last June, which caused residents in the Top of the World neighborhood to be evacuated. And so, this small library is a symbol of fostering relationships between emergency personnel and the communities they serve, as well as fire safety. Our fire department is also one of only a few in the Little Free Library’s Impact Giving program. Local poet, writer and environmentalist Ellen Girardeau Kempler, who submitted the grant application to Little Free Library, will work to maintain this library and plans to organize a community program, such as a story time or other presentation, during the coming year. (littlefreelibrary.org)
Photo by Werkit Photo
Up Front: Community
Napa in Newport
Locals’ love for both wine and philanthropy melded together at the fifth annual Napa in Newport, held March 2 at Monarch Beach Resort in the nearby city of Dana Point. The annual fundraiser helps to support CureDuchenne, a Newport Beach-based nonprofit that hosts educational events and conducts research to develop treatments and find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a fatal genetic disease that causes muscle degeneration in boys.
This year’s event featured 45 wineries from Napa Valley, including Memento Mori, Hundred Acre, Riverain Vineyards and more, with their exquisite wines offered up in a live auction. Celebrity chef Casey Thompson of “Top Chef” fame also presented a three-course dinner to the 450 guests in attendance. In total, the evening raised more than $900,000, which will go toward cutting-edge gene editing science and other groundbreaking research that will hopefully progress to human clinical trials, like 16 other CureDuchenne-funded projects. (949-872-2552; cureduchenne.org)
Splashes table decorations | Photo by Bob Hodson
Table for 10
Five Laguna Beach eateries participated in the 13th annual Table for 10, a philanthropic event known for bringing in some of the region’s most highly acclaimed chefs. This year’s culinary affair welcomed 320 wine and food enthusiasts to the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa in Dana Point on March 3. Guests indulged in a six-course dinner complete with wine pairings, and each table was unique from the decorations to the chef-driven menus, including ones presented by local restaurants Harley Laguna Beach, Nirvana Grille and Splashes at Surf & Sand Resort, plus chefs from Montage Laguna Beach and The Ranch at Laguna Beach.
A total of about $340,000 was raised and will benefit The Teen Project, which provides shelter and other resources to young women who are at risk of being homeless, aging out of the foster care system and have survived sex trafficking. Founder and Executive Director Lauri Burns spoke at the event and detailed the nonprofit’s most recent project: Vera’s Sanctuary. This property in Silverado Canyon opened in mid-February and can house up to 30 young women. Various supporters made donations to bring 20 girls who are currently a part of The Teen Project to the event, while others gifted them with dresses and shoes to wear to the party as well as handmade quilts. (714-345-0496; tableforten.org)
Photo by Pacific Marine Mammal Center
Swing for the Sea Lions
The Pacific Marine Mammal Center hosted 72 golfers for its third annual Swing for the Sea Lions tournament March 25. The day consisted of a round of golf at the Aliso Viejo Country Club, a helicopter ball drop, a raffle for two round-trip plane tickets from Alaska Airlines and a silent auction with prizes that included an acoustic guitar, golf packages, signed memorabilia and more. Lunch was served by Chick-fil-A, while beverages were provided by Tito’s vodka and our town’s own Laguna Beach Beer Co. The tournament raised approximately $26,000, which will help PMMC continue caring for its marine mammal patients as well as providing education, conservation programs and additional research. “It was an absolute honor to be able to host members within the local Orange County community that have so much compassion and empathy for what we do as an organization,” says CEO Peter Chang. “The funds that were raised are so critical to our day-to-day animal care operations and educational programs. … Our research program adds to the overall body of science in understanding these animals, our ocean waters and the evolving ecosystems that they contribute to.” (949-494-3050; pacificmmc.org)
Photo by Kristin Karkoska/Blue Sky’s Studio
Lumberyard Chef Challenge
One decade ago, Lumberyard owners Cary and Suzanne Redfearn came up with a cooking show-inspired fundraiser that has continued to grow. This year, the downtown restaurant hosted the event April 1, welcoming Laguna Beach school principals to act as guest “chefs,” who selected items that chef Josue Tavare and his Lumberyard kitchen staff used to prepare three-course meals. The grand prize is the Golden Spatula, which was won by the team of Chris Duddy (El Morro Elementary School) and Michael Conlon (Top of the World Elementary School), who served an entree of grilled New York steak on a bed of mushroom risotto. SchoolPower Endowment Board President Chris Clark was recognized as the top bartender for the third year in a row due to his signature cocktail. School Resource Officer Cpl. Cornelius Ashton was also in attendance and helped to tally the votes as well as announce the winners. The event raised more than $10,000 to be donated to SchoolPower, which benefits students throughout the Laguna Beach Unified School District and their myriad educational programs. (949-494-6811; lbschoolpower.org)
Photo by Brian Eckert
Taste of the Town: Dine Sides
Lumberyard Libations
Known for its delicious American cuisine, Lumberyard has much more to offer than just comfort food. A new cocktail menu recently rolled out, featuring six reimagined drinks, with one for every taste. These include the Ginger Rain, Empress “French 75,” Spicy Lady, Mystical Manhattan, Blood Orange Collins and the Tropical Storm, all designed by bartender Jeannie Simons. The latter was fashioned with Raincane vodka in mind, which is distilled from sugar cane. It also contains Crème Yvette liqueur, pineapple juice and creme de coconut, which is shaken and poured over crushed ice in a Collins glass. Garnishes of pineapple leaf and toasted coconut pull the island-style flavors together with a beautiful visual element. “I wanted people to look around our bar or restaurant and say, ‘Oh wow, what’s she having? That looks amazing,’ ” Simons says. “It’s great to have bright colors and fun flavors for spring.” (949-715-3900; lblumberyard.com)
Photo by Anne Watson Photography
Drifting Into Spring
The Pacific is the center of attention at Driftwood Kitchen, which is not only the restaurant’s backdrop—with waves crashing just beyond the outdoor patio—but also the source of various items on the recently unveiled spring menu. Have a taste of the best that the ocean has to offer when you order the DK Seafood Tower, comprising Maine lobster tails, king crab legs, poached Mexican shrimp, oysters, Spanish octopus ceviche and tuna tartare, with all the fixings. Other seafood-centric dishes include a refreshing, house-cured steelhead salmon with cucumber and dill creme fraiche appetizer as well as entrees like a whole, roasted dover sole; seared diver scallops; pan-seared Thai snapper and a grilled, center-cut swordfish. For those who prefer their meat to come from the land, try a bite of the succulent duck confit and goat cheese ravioli starter or the melt-in-your-mouth blackfoot buffalo rib-eye with a creamy parsnip puree. (949-715-7700; driftwoodkitchen.com)
Charcuterie at Moulin San Clemente
Moulin on the Move
Acclaimed restaurateur Laurent Vrignaud is expanding the reach of his eateries: Local French bistro Moulin has branched out to the nearby city of San Clemente, opening its third location at the historic Casino San Clemente. This oceanfront landmark was originally constructed in 1937 and has served as a central gathering place renowned for facilitating good times—a tradition that Moulin aims to continue. The 1,500-square-foot space, which seats 60 guests, overlooks North Beach and is furnished with the French furniture and artwork for which the restaurant is known to create an eclectic, seaside European vibe. The bistro serves French staples (and Moulin signatures), including eggs Benedict, omelets, a croque-madame sandwich, house-baked bread and a full patisserie with sweet treats like classic viennoiseries. The eatery is open daily from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will also offer takeout options as an homage to coastal cafes in France. (949-441-7040; moulin.com)
