Laguna Beach Magazine: December 2019/January 2020
Photo by Bob Ortiz Photography
Around Town
Barks & Bites
Seven7seven was crawling with four-legged friends on Sept. 29 during the 23rd annual Pet Parade and Chili Cook-Off. Organized by the Laguna Board of Realtors & Affiliates Charitable Assistance Fund, proceeds from this year’s fundraiser will benefit local nonprofits, such as the Blue Bell Foundation for Cats, Laguna Beach Animal Shelter, Pacific Marine Mammal Center and more. The family-friendly affair included live entertainment, face painting, animal balloons and unlimited samples of chili for the people as well as pet portraits, dog yoga, tastes of treats, a parade with prizes for the likes of best costume and happiest rescue, plus much more for the animals in attendance. Laguna Beach Police Cpl. Zach Fillers and his canine, Ranger, also held a mock attack to demonstrate police dog training. The LBR/CAF took home first place in the chili cook-off and the Laguna Beach Fire Department won the People’s Choice award. (949-230-3353; lbr-caf.info)
Photo by Laguna SoCal
More Than Skimming the Surface
Laguna Beach native and four-time skimboarding world champion Sam Stinnett hosted The SeaDog Skim Challenge, a donation-based fundraiser for the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, in September at Aliso Beach. This year, for the first time, the annual event spanned two days due to increased interest from amateur and professional skimboarders of all ages. Following the competition, an awards ceremony was held at the Laguna Beach Beer Co. tasting room and restaurant in The Hive center, which included a raffle and silent auction with prizes like surfboards, Sector 9 skateboards, Vissla shopping sprees and more. Competitors were also honored with prize bags for their time and involvement. A total of $3,794 was raised at the event. All profits—from competition entry fees, ticket sales and direct donations—will benefit PMMC and its mission to rescue and rehabilitate injured marine mammals before releasing them back to the wild; the center also is involved with research projects and offers educational programs. (The SeaDog Skim Challenge: theseadogskimchallenge.com) (Pacific Marine Mammal Center: 949-494-3050; pacificmmc.org)
Photo courtesy of Catmosphere Laguna
Kimbo the Cat Escapes Limbo
Catmosphere Laguna recently played an important role in a unique, long-awaited reunion. In August, a black cat with sable marbling was brought from The Ark of San Juan rescue group to the local cat cafe and foster home for adoptable felines. He was given the name Roady because he was found on the side of the road with wounds across his back from a predatory attack that likely dislodged his microchip. The following month, Jana Sullivan came across adoption photos online and noticed that Roady looked like her 3-year-old therapy cat, Kimbo, who had become lost five years ago while she was living in Laguna Beach. Sullivan decided to visit the Catmosphere adoption center and, upon entering, Roady walked up to her and rolled over so she could scratch his belly. He had the same markings as her missing cat and now she was sure that Roady was, in fact, Kimbo. Sullivan finally took him home and is looking to adopt another Catmosphere resident, Sundance, who formed a special bond with Kimbo. (949-619-6369; catmospherelaguna.com)
A treatment at Chakra Spa | Photo by VisitLaguna/Greerlnez
Find Your Zen
Whether you’re an artist, traveler or wellness enthusiast, you’re sure to find something to pique your interest on Visit Laguna Beach’s Pathway to Zen. A map of this destination-wide wellness trail is available on the company’s website, featuring 12 stops that highlight the healing and transformative powers of this beachfront locale. These include ideal places for alfresco exercise, such as a sunset hike at Top of the World and yoga classes held in nature, plus the best spots in town for healthy food: Zinc Cafe & Market, The Stand Natural Foods and the weekly farmers market. It also highlights local, nontoxic cosmetics at Roots The Beauty Underground, specialized therapies at Spa Montage at Montage Laguna Beach and Sycamore Spa by Hudson at The Ranch at Laguna Beach, and boosts of vitamins and minerals at Thrive Vitamin Drips & Shots. For a holistic approach, pop into Laguna Beach Chakra Spa and Gallery for spiritual readings and more, as well as Chakra Shack for aura photography and tarot card readings. (949-497-9229; visitlagunabeach.com)
OC Promise participants with founders | Photo courtesy of Orange County Community Foundation
Promise Keepers
In September, the Orange County Community Foundation finished a 14-month pilot program for its latest initiative, Orange County Promise. Focusing on OCCF scholarship recipients, the program guided 50 first-generation college students (and those with other disadvantages) through their freshman year, with the intention of helping them complete their respective degrees. OC Promise was brought to life through a partnership between OCCF in Newport Beach and three benefactors, including donor and Laguna Beach resident Ranney Draper, with support from InsideTrack, an Oregon-based education organization that specializes in skills coaching. Ultimately, OC Promise teaches these individuals how to be self-reliant so they can navigate college life and earn four-year degrees. Following the pilot program, 75% of participants reported that they will be returning for their sophomore year. In mid-August, the program started back up with its second set of participants, which includes 10 more students than the previous pool. (949-553-4202; oc-cf.org)
AIS President Jim Chabin with Pageant of the Masters Director Diane Challis Davy | Photo courtesy of Festival of Arts Laguna Beach
Leading the Charge
Diane Challis Davy, director of Laguna’s Pageant of the Masters, was among 10 innovators—including representatives from industry powerhouses like Pixar Animation Studios, Dr. Seuss Enterprises and Imax Corp.—to receive a Distinguished Leadership Award from the Advanced Imaging Society, which has honored individuals and organizations in the entertainment industry for the past decade. This year’s presentations were made at the Entertainment Technology Lumiere Awards ceremony Oct. 28 at the Steven J. Ross Theater on the Warner Bros. Studios lot in Burbank, Calif. One category highlighted 13 companies that have exhibited innovative and distinguished technical achievements while another featured individuals who have served as catalysts for growth in the entertainment industry; these latter honorees, all of whom are women, were recognized for their strong leadership skills, community contributions and creative use of technology to enhance their artistic and storytelling processes. For Challis Davy specifically, this was due to Pageant of the Masters’ integration of the classic tableaux vivants art form with modern technology. (949-494-1145; foapom.com)
One group of winners from the costume contest | Photo by Kristin Karkoska/Blue Sky's Studio
Dodgeball for Donations
Players of all ages participated in SchoolPower’s DodgeBall X tournament, held Oct. 16 at Laguna Beach High School. Students, teachers and staff from all four schools in the Laguna Beach Unified School District as well as Laguna Beach firefighters and local businesses made for more than 380 participants playing on 50 different teams. The competition included three divisions, including high school/adult teams and younger students divided by age group, with the champions in each category winning $500 for a teacher or school program of their choice; winners included Ball Dogs, VSCO and PrescribeWellness. The event’s costume contest winners were The Mighty NarBalls, who dressed as narwhals with rainbow horns; Balls of Cereal, who resembled iconic cereal box characters; and RhythmRide for its 1970s-inspired ensemble. In total, the event raised $13,000 for SchoolPower and the LBUSD schools that it benefits. (949-494-6811; lbschoolpower.org)
Tatiana Berman | Photo by Annette Navarro
A Classical Application
Classical music meets modern technology as this genre comes to the Next Music mobile app, which allows 20 million users to access live performances as well as an interactive game. Previously, the app—which is likened to a virtual music festival—mainly featured mainstream artists like pop singer Lady Gaga and rapper T.I. The addition of classical pieces follows a partnership between the company and world-renowned violinist Tatiana Berman, who moved to Laguna Beach this summer. Users can watch Berman’s live streams Wednesdays at 11 a.m. and access her original piece, “Vitali Variations,” as well as her recording of Handel’s “Sarabande.” Download the app to traverse hundreds of levels in the mobile game and unlock new music.
Berman also stars in “Forte,” a documentary directed by her partner and fellow Laguna Beach resident, filmmaker David Donnelly that delves into the world of classical music. The film will be available via broadcast and digital platforms next year. (Next Music: beatfever.com) (“Forte”: fortefilm.com)
A table setting at the event | Photo by Kyle Fierro
Community
Night at the Ranch
The outdoor setting at The Ranch at Laguna Beach was perfect for the sixth annual Night at the Ranch, where more than 240 guests gathered under the stars Sept. 13 to support the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach. Welcomed with a cocktail hour, attendees were able to peruse a selection of silent auction items while sipping drinks. Following the reception, guests made their way to the ninth fairway, where dinner tables were set up in preparation for the three-course meal that was served. A live auction was also held, with opportunities to bid on domestic and international getaways, a dinner for 12 prepared by a Montage resort chef, a Los Angeles Angels jersey signed by baseball player Mike Trout and more. Reggae band Common Sense helped close out the night while guests danced to the band’s beachy vibes. In total, the fundraiser garnered roughly $200,000, which will benefit the Boys & Girls Club and the children involved in its local programming at the Canyon and Bluebird branches. (bgclagunabeach.org)
Cocktail hour | Photo by Jorge Bueras
International Sanctuary Gala
In the darkest places, there is still hope, and that is part of International Sanctuary’s message. The nonprofit, which empowers females who have escaped human trafficking, gathered with 220 supporters at seven-degrees for its third annual gala Sept. 22. Before moving into the dinner portion, attendees were invited to make a donation and contributors were given a silver balloon. A cocktail reception and silent auction followed, but, once seated, guests popped their balloons to see which centerpiece they would take home at the end of the night. This included a jewelry set from Purpose Jewelry, the nonprofit’s social enterprise component, which features pieces that are handmade by human trafficking survivors. Dinner and a live auction followed, in addition to a moving keynote speech by Melissa Whiteman, an Orange County native and survivor of sex trafficking. In total, the event raised $258,000, which will go toward the organization’s two Orange County sanctuaries. (internationalsanctuary.com)
Photo by Mona Shah
Sip & Shuck
A classic culinary pairing of Champagne and freshly shucked oysters brought the community together to raise funds for the nonprofit Court Appointed Special Advocates of Orange County. The seventh annual Sip & Shuck fundraiser was spread across the adjacent, oceanfront restaurants The Deck on Laguna Beach and Driftwood Kitchen on Nov. 3. A plethora of photo ops, shopping opportunities, activities like life-size beer pong, and refreshment booths were set up throughout the two-story venue, with bites prepared by Executive Chef Rainer Schwarz, who helms the kitchens of both eateries. Drink stations included cocktails like a Captain Morgan mai tai with passion fruit foam as well as two options for which attendees rode an exercise bike that powered a blender, allowing them to make their own frothy concoction. In total, attendees helped raise $30,000 to benefit CASA and its mission to aid children who are neglected or abused. (CASA: casaoc.org) (Sip & Shuck: sipnshuck.com)
Fish and chips and a drink in an eco-friendly cup at Lost Pier Cafe | Photo by Dondee Quincena
Taste of the Town
Ocean-Friendly Fare
Following Harvest’s designation two years ago, The Ranch at Laguna Beach now has two ocean-friendly restaurants with the recent certification of Lost Pier Cafe by the San Clemente-based nonprofit Surfrider Foundation. Located on Aliso Beach, this barefoot cafe is the epitome of oceanfront dining, so it comes as no surprise that it has applied environmentally friendly practices to help save our seas. In addition to recycling, this includes the use of paper straws and biodegradable plates, napkins, cutlery and take-out containers (plus prohibition of single-use plastics) and both energy and water conservation practices. The restaurant also recently hosted a community beach cleanup, which it plans to facilitate on a regular basis. Another reason to visit is to experience the cafe’s new beer and wine menu, which debuted over the summer. The drink list includes West Coast wines, with numerous white varietals to pair with seafood dishes, plus classic Mexican and American beers and a cider. (949-715-4210; lostpiercafe.com)
The gingerbread display at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel | Photo by Pacific Dream Photography
Holiday Feasts
If you’d like to opt out of cooking this holiday season, head to a local resort for professionally prepared meals. The Ranch at Laguna Beach will present the 10th annual Pancakes With Santa on Dec. 14, with ornament decorating, hayrides and more, followed by brunch on Christmas Day and a special pairing menu at Harvest on New Year’s Eve. Or head to Surf & Sand Resort for dining specials at Splashes including a three-course lunch or dinner on Christmas Day, a four-course meal to celebrate New Year’s Eve and an oceanfront brunch on the first of the year. Additionally, Montage Laguna Beach is hosting coursed dinners at The Loft and Studio on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Also on Dec. 25, the Grand Ballroom Masterpiece Christmas Celebration offers a buffet with live music and complimentary family photographs. Then, enjoy special menus throughout the resort to ring in 2020. The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel welcomes diners on Christmas Day for a four-course meal at Raya or a brunch buffet. For New Year’s Eve, both Raya and enoSteak will offer special menus and a glass of bubbly. (The Ranch at Laguna Beach: 949-499-2271; theranchlb.com) (Surf & Sand Resort: 844-489-3654; surfandsandresort.com) (Montage Laguna Beach: 949-715-6000; montagehotels.com) (The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel: 949-240-2000; ritzcarlton.com)
Pear and endive salad | Photo by Outshine PR
Main Menu
One year after chef-owner Craig Strong opened the doors to Ocean at Main, he is celebrating the restaurant’s first anniversary with refreshed menus. New cocktails make for piquant pairings, from a Thai tea boba drink spiked with vodka to a rum-based concoction infused with hickory smoke. Dishes such as the pear and endive salad with cactus pear gastrique or the Shrimp, Grits, and Crispy Bits topped with poached quail egg are as beautiful as they are delicious. Herbivores must try the vegetarian pot-au-feu with potato bone marrow and mushroom-bacon cipollini, while seafood lovers will enjoy the salmon with mushroom-tamarind brown butter. End on a sweet note: Desserts include vegan Pavlovas with tapioca pearls and chai tea sorbet, a cranberry brown butter tart and more. After-dinner cocktails are also available, including Chimp ’N’ Dale with banana liqueur as well as chocolate and coconut flavors, and Worth Every Remy featuring Remy Martin XO cognac. (949-715-3870; oceanatmain.com)
A whole fish at Fishbone Kitchen & Bar | Photo courtesy of Fishbone Restaurant Group
No Bones About It
Fishbone Kitchen & Bar has opened in the space formerly occupied by Tortilla Republic, which closed its doors in September. The new restaurant debuted in late October, marking the Canadian company’s first location in the U.S. This Portuguese concept is open for lunch and dinner with a menu ranging from light bites to hearty entrees. Smaller plates include boquerones, or marinated anchovies, as well as chicken croquettes with chimichurri; flaming chorizo; and mussels in a broth made of coconut and peri peri. The protein-forward entrees include options from land and sea: grilled Cornish hen, roasted Icelandic cod, grilled Moroccan octopus, a flat iron steak and seafood linguine. Or enjoy salads like an heirloom tomato variety with maple-grilled peaches, basil, mint and orange vinaigrette or a beet option with goat cheese, orange, candied pecans and a white balsamic-honey dressing; diners have the option to add chicken, shrimp or steak to their greens. (949-393-4889; fishbonerestaurants.com)
