Breakfast

Laguna families will be serving breakfast to victims of Wednesday's devastating landslide from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday at Bluebird Park, which was not affected by the slide in Bluebird Canyon. "In the tradition of Laguna Beach, people wishing to help the victims of our latest disaster are asked to prepare hot dishes, eggs, bacon, sausages and other breakfast foods ... cooked and ready to serve at least 10 others," said Mayor Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider. "For those who can't cook, but want to help out with muffins, sweet rolls, fruit, juice, coffee or milk, please be sure to bring enough for 10, plus the appropriate number of paper plates, cups and utensils," she added.

On the last Saturday morning of every month, David Schroeder runs a salon in his home in Laguna. No, not a beauty salon, although the beautiful people are there, but rather a salon as defined in Wikipedia as ?a gathering of intellectual, social, political and cultural elite under the roof of an inspiring host or hostess, partly to amuse one another and partly to refine their taste and increase their knowledge through conversation.? When Schroeder e-mails his prospective guests to remind them of the next ?

Emily, Terry?s daughter, loves breakfast for dinner and so does Elle?s sweetie, Tim. In fact, lots of people like this rearrangement of the daily dining ritual, but in this town there doesn?t seem to be any place that caters to these antipodal appetites, except for The Pacific Whey Café in Crystal Cove. So, while you might chow down on old-fashioned meatloaf or chicken Florentine marinara, they can dig into bacon and eggs or buckwheat hotcakes. Not only can you have breakfast for dinner, but also you can get homemade chili or beef stroganoff at 10:30 a.m. In addition to the fact that you can order just about everything all day long, the food is pretty tasty, portions are generous and their burger is one of the best in town.

Laguna Beach firefighters didn?t flip with joy on Memorial Day this year, but they more than made up for it Sunday. The traditional pancake breakfast to kick off the summer was canceled because the Heisler Park renovation was not completed until July, which made the Exchange Club?s Labor Day breakfast even more reason to celebrate. More than 400 breakfasts were served. Proceeds will benefit the club?s efforts to prevent child abuse. Under the direction of Generalissimo Sande St. John and her volunteer lieutenants, tents were set up by 6:30 a.m. ?

My daughter’s back at college, and my wife is on a trip to Tunis to see some Roman ruins. I, her American ruin, remain in Laguna, hanging out with Booker, our Welsh Springer spaniel. Just a couple of guys, staying up as late as we want. Patti Jo and I have been apart for brief periods in the past, and the early stages aren’t so bad; there are compensations. I don’t put garlic salt on my creamed spinach when Patti Jo’s home, but I’m doing it now. And it’s not like I’m alone.

Local folks don’t need a calendar to know when the summer tourist season is over. The annual Exchange Club’s Labor Day Pancake Breakfast is the true harbinger of fall, weather or not. Patrons packed the tables at Heisler Park Monday by 8 a.m. in anticipation of hot temperatures. “I am here early this year to beat the heat,” realtor Gayle Waite said. Other early birds included Festival of Arts board member John Hoover ; Casa del Camino owner Chris Keller ; Linda and Mike Soursby; and Eileen Chadick . Also: Linda and Mike Clemence . “The breakfast is good, and it’s fun,” he said.

Chamber holds ?Meet the Press? event today Representatives of Laguna Beach?s three weekly newspapers will be on a panel for the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce?s fourth annual Meet the Press event, today from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Mozambique. Attendees can find out how to get maximum exposure for their businesses from editors and reporters with the News-Post, Laguna Beach Independent and Coastline Pilot. The cost for members is $20, non-members $30. Reservations are required, by calling the Chamber at (949)

What defines a perfect day? For some, it could be winning the lottery. Others, a grand vacation. Still others, the realization of some longed-for goal. Whatever the occasion, I believe we know intuitively when we have experienced a day that stands apart. I further believe the mark of such a day is that we find ourselves overfilled with gratitude and love. Mother's Day 2006 was one such day for me. I heard the words echo in my mind as I watched my two sons back out of our driveway, together, smiling.

Lauren Vane Every morning as I rush out of my favorite coffee shop, hot cup-of-life in my hand, I wonder why I'm in such a hurry. Then I remember: It's 8:45 a.m. and I need to be at my office, which is 20 miles away, in 15 minutes. There's clearly no time to sit down, enjoy the coffee, and God forbid, digest my breakfast. Instead, I, and undoubtedly all of America, make the choice to inhale breakfast while driving, spilling coffee down the fronts of our shirts as we go. On a recent weekday morning, I took it upon myself to test the concept and see if taking the time to eat a relaxing breakfast can really make a difference in the day. Since the European idea of a morning ritual seems to be the antithesis of our American way, I did my field research at a restaurant with a decidedly European atmosphere: Anastasia Cafe and Bakery.

Although Cafe Vienna has closed its doors, it doesn't look like Ferdinand Lettner has moved on from his love of European-style cafes. Goko Cafe, known for its eclectic menu of everything from burritos and sandwiches to gyros and acai bowls, closed shop June 7 and underwent a transformation in just three weeks. Kerry and Breshkai Berlin, who bought Goko Cafe three years ago, partnered up with Lettner for a new concept: Thalia Beach Cafe, which was unveiled to the public June 30. The surfboard upon the wall and the beachy vibe was traded in for a more sophisticated look - sleek tables and minimal decor - causing the red walls, previously covered with beach art, to pop. The cafe at 907 S. Coast Hwy. now serves crepes, wraps and sandwiches, along with salads, breakfast dishes and plenty of espresso drinks to choose from.

The Exchange Club's Labor Day Pancake Breakfast is a labor of love. Firefighters, police officers and volunteers have been flipping pancakes, grilling sausages and brewing coffee for more than 20 years, under the direction of Sande St. John , as summer draws to an end. St. John, hobbling around on a crutch and probably headed for surgery to repair her leg injured in a fall at her daughter's home, still managed to mobilize the troops again...

Laguna says goodbye to the summer tourist season the same way it says hello — with a pancake breakfast at Heisler Park. Lots goes on in between. Katie Moss reported Monday that Cosima Qazi is the new owner of La Rue du Chocolat in Peppertree Lane, which Moss manages. Realtor Patricia Truman said she had a wonderful summer. "Business was good," she said. "In fact everything in my life is better than last year. " Barbara Painter had a really busy summer, starting with granddaughter, Samantha' s 18th birthday party at the White House restaurant.

On the last Saturday morning of every month, David Schroeder runs a salon in his home in Laguna. No, not a beauty salon, although the beautiful people are there, but rather a salon as defined in Wikipedia as ?a gathering of intellectual, social, political and cultural elite under the roof of an inspiring host or hostess, partly to amuse one another and partly to refine their taste and increase their knowledge through conversation.? When Schroeder e-mails his prospective guests to remind them of the next ?

In this difficult economic climate there are more homeless people visible on local streets and parks than ever and seeing that they are fed and sheltered has become a bigger problem as well. In Laguna, a number of generous and big-hearted individuals have taken it upon themselves over the years to provide a variety of services. A dramatic example of a single individual’s recent effort is the work of Victoria Hales, who provides food, clothes and, she says, friendship to the homeless in Heisler Park.

Local lawyers address business club ?Hot Legal Topics? will be the subject of the upcoming Laguna Beach Business Club meeting Thursday. Local attorneys Diana Cimino, who specializes in business law, and Leslie Daff, a certified specialist in estate planning, will discuss how to adapt and thrive in a changing business environment while planning for the future via new techniques in estate planning. Topics to be covered include estate planning in changing times; negotiating business and personal debt; dealing with creditors; avoiding the legal pitfalls of contracts and leases; amending terms to fit the current business climate; and learning ?

My daughter’s back at college, and my wife is on a trip to Tunis to see some Roman ruins. I, her American ruin, remain in Laguna, hanging out with Booker, our Welsh Springer spaniel. Just a couple of guys, staying up as late as we want. Patti Jo and I have been apart for brief periods in the past, and the early stages aren’t so bad; there are compensations. I don’t put garlic salt on my creamed spinach when Patti Jo’s home, but I’m doing it now. And it’s not like I’m alone.

The Laguna Resource Center, and Laguna Presbyterian’s Outreach Committee are organizing the 8th Annual Homeless Christmas Breakfast on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 9AM at the Neighborhood Congregational Church. Once again, Boy and Girl Scout troops, Suzy Campbell and scores of community volunteers will share in the hospitality. Last year, one of the Girls Scouts who helped assemble hygiene kits, commented on the heartwarming event: “We want to help so the homeless don’t feel so sad.” Financial donations are needed to defray the costs of new warm clothing, backpacks and sleeping bags given to guests at the breakfast.