Community

I am a current resident of Laguna Beach and have been a pediatrician in the community for more than 50 years. As a doctor, I have been witness to countless instances where alcohol and drugs have destroyed young lives. This is even true for "good" kids from "good" homes in our community who get access to alcohol or drugs. All it takes is access to these substances, and youth can get themselves into very bad — sometimes even deadly — situations. In my professional experience, underage alcohol use is often the tip of the iceberg that sends kids down the slippery slope of substance abuse.

MONDAY The Heritage Committee will meet at 6 p.m. in the Community/Senior Center, 380 Third St. ? TUESDAY The Laguna Beach Unified School District Board of Education will meet at 7 p.m. at district headquarters, 550 Blumont St. ? WEDNESDAY The Advisory Committee on Homelessness will meet at 3 p.m. in the Community/Senior Center, 380 Third St. The Planning Commission will hold a retreat from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the Community/Senior Center, 380 Third St. ?

It has been one year since Mission Hospital became your new neighbor in Laguna Beach. Time has flown by since we moved in last July, and I wanted to take this opportunity to share our progress and our vision for the future. I also want thank those of you who have shared your experiences with me, introduced yourselves and taken the time to speak with us about your healthcare needs and opinions. Without your open feedback, navigating through this first year successfully would not have been possible.

"Surfing is not a crime. " That's what 11-time Assn. of Surfing Professionals champ Kelly Slater tweeted when he found out last month that 40-year-old Rex Flodstrom was arrested for … wait for it … surfing Lake Michigan in Chicago. Flodstrom was charged with disorderly conduct, two counts of violating a Chicago Park District ordinance and one count of being in the park after park hours. He was handcuffed and taken to jail in his wetsuit. When the news got out, Slater was outspoken and expressed he might go to Chicago and attend Flodstrom's court appearance, which took place last week, in a show of support.

Laguna Beach Mayor Pro Tem Elizabeth Pearson and Councilwoman Toni Iseman are moving the once-languishing Village Entrance project forward. "It's a real opportunity to address what we need in town to keep our business community vibrant and easier for the public to shop and enjoy our town," Iseman said. Iseman and Pearson, who formed a subcommittee two years ago for the Village Entrance, will present their ideas at 5 p.m. March 26 in Council Chambers, 505 Forest Ave. The two have different versions of what the project should entail, according to Iseman.

Moulton Meadows Park in Arch Beach Heights could serve as a good location for a skate park, according to a City Council subcommittee. Mayor Kelly Boyd and Councilman Steve Dicterow propose a 9,000 to 12,000 square foot skate park next to the existing soccer field and basketball and tennis courts. Boyd and Dicterow selected Moulton Meadows for its location and size, Boyd said. A community meeting to gain residents' input will take place near the basketball courts at 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

A project several decades in the making came to fruition Saturday when the ribbon was cut to open the Community/Senior Center. The 19,000-square-foot center fulfills the joint dream of Laguna?s residents and its government to provide everyone from ?tots in tutus to tap-dancing seniors,? with life enhancing programs and activities under one roof. ?This touches my heart and I hope it touches yours,? said Councilwoman Elizabeth Pearson, a supporter of a senior center when the proposal was still in its cradle.

In regard to the Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot article "Council shuts down plan appeal," of Thursday, I have these comments. The hillside development process of single-family residences is very familiar to me as I have been involved both in government and in private practice as a geotechnical consultant for more that 30 years. I have no problem assessing the suitability, feasibility, safety and the compatibility of hillside residential developments as a professional, hillside property owner and as a homeowner advocate.

In regard to Vince Lovato's article, "Exit exam fails first test," Saturday, on the Superior Court ruling on the high-school exit exam: The idea that high-school students in the state of California must pass an exit exam before receiving a diploma makes perfect sense. It is difficult to believe that an Alameda County Superior Court judge bothered to seriously consider the alternatives and the consequences before throwing out the exit exam a month before graduation; that is, unless the judge is up for reelection.

Don Black may have retired from the working world, but he doesn't stop when it comes to community service. Black, 89, spends his days with Laguna Beach's homeless, providing them an ear and a shoulder to cry on through his generous spirit. His wife, Joan Trivett, said Don leaves the house at 6 or 7 a.m. most days and returns around 7 or 8 p.m. after meeting with fellow "citizens. " Black doesn't like the term "homeless," Trivett said. "It's not the most important fact about the person.

Re " Restaurant gives up foie gras fight ," posted on coastlinepilot.com April 19: Sounds like Broadway by Amar's chef Amar Santana has heard the community loud and clear, whereas his conscience was mute. We in Laguna will be keeping an eye on things to see what can be expected from someone who says, "No one has the right to tell people what to eat or not eat" and other pearls of wisdom such as, "Just because you're vegetarian, vegan or love animals, it doesn't mean your neighbor feels the same way. " Indeed.

Marcel Pitz came to tears when asked to describe the outpouring of support the community has provided for one of his sons, Marc Pitz. Marc Pitz, 48, who helps his family run Dizz's As Is restaurant along Coast Highway, is battling pancreatic cancer. Thursday night marked the third fundraiser in the past week for Pitz. Laguna Beach Mayor Kelly Boyd and former City Manager Ken Frank escorted guests to their tables beginning with the first customers around 5:30 p.m. Dizz's As Is was booked until 9 p.m. Boyd's son, Sean, played youth soccer with Marc 30 years ago. The mayor, who is also battling cancer, came up with the idea for Dizz's to host a special dinner where he and Frank would help seat diners.

A group of Laguna Beach High School students have mastered a whole raft of skills and technology to construct and equip their entry in the 2013 Solar Cup. Members of the high school Solar Club have spent school days and weekends since November building a boat from scratch and devising a solar power system to propel their entry to victory in the Solar Cup, a three-day regatta for solar-powered boats built by Southern California students. "It's pretty interesting and rewarding," said club President Brock Csira, who will skipper the single-seat boat in the races.

Complaints that commercial planes are flying lower over Laguna more often than in the past have been dismissed by the Federal Aviation Administration, but city officials heard differently Tuesday night. The City Council voted unanimously to appoint council members Steve Dicterow and Toni Iseman to work with the public to pressure FAA about the noise. Residents are urged to contact the FAA and to provide letters with specific instances of airplane noise impacts to the FAA and the city.

Laguna has lost a treasure. After a vigorous battle with cancer, Dennis Morin passed on Dec. 31. He was only 66, way too young for a man with such an appetite and energy for life. Dennis was a bon vivant, a raconteur, a connoisseur and other French words. He founded and took public one of Orange County's largest software companies, Wonderware, helping many achieve financial and career success. He was famous for throwing lavish company parties, like renting the New Orleans Superdome for 80,000 customers, and booking groups like The Pointers Sisters and Neville Brothers.

On a recent Wednesday, Top of the World Elementary School's multipurpose room was like downtown Laguna Beach the weekend before Christmas. But instead of harried shoppers carrying bags of store-bought goods, all the items being sold were homemade. And the most expensive gift cost a whopping $2. The school hosted its annual Holiday Boutique Dec. 19. Students, parents and even some alumni browsed booth after booth filled with goodies made by the fifth-grade students. "It gives the student body a chance to do some holiday shopping and it gives the fifth-graders a chance to feel a little bit what it's like to run a business," said fifth-grade teacher Teryl Campbell.

The Laguna Beach Community Foundation made the holiday season merrier for 25 local nonprofits. A total of almost $95,000 was distributed Monday at the Hotel Laguna to groups that benefit Laguna Beach, honoring contributions to health and human services, art and culture, education and the environment. "Look around you - this is the heart and soul of Laguna," said foundation Chair Laura Tarbox. The audience included hotel owner and event sponsor Georgia Andersen and Mayor Jane Egly, who was enthusiastically applauded when she spoke - her last official act as mayor.

At the City Council meeting on Oct. 16, Mayor Jane Egly stated that she wanted to support the South Laguna Community Garden, but that she needed to know about the soil contamination and to see an appraisal.   Specifically, she said, "If that is what you all choose, we can go.  But I need to have the answers to those two questions before I can say yeah.  But then I'll say yeah!" Naïve us in south Laguna, we took her at her word.  We spent $1,500 to get an appraisal.  We spent a huge number of hours chasing down the 12-year-old soil reports.  But we did get both of these documents and we shared them with the city.

I am a current resident of Laguna Beach and have been a pediatrician in the community for more than 50 years. As a doctor, I have been witness to countless instances where alcohol and drugs have destroyed young lives. This is even true for "good" kids from "good" homes in our community who get access to alcohol or drugs. All it takes is access to these substances, and youth can get themselves into very bad — sometimes even deadly — situations. In my professional experience, underage alcohol use is often the tip of the iceberg that sends kids down the slippery slope of substance abuse.