Lime

Glori Fickling One would never guess, from the happy enthusiasm and laughter that prevails nightly at the Laguna Beach Brewing Company, that the place has been in the throes of a major overhaul since the May 1 takeover by Kasha Shahabi and partner Mohammad. The credits of the enterprising Shahabi well belie his 27 years. His initial restaurant venture, the Boiler Room, launched three years ago in his hometown of Redlands, continues to attract an energetic young entourage.

No woman likes pain with her ponytail, and Jessica Frandson knows this as well as anyone. After becoming a mom and wearing constant ponytails with hair ties that often hurt her head, she created the Twistband, "a soft piece of elastic material to hold back any type of hair," according to the company's press release. "It's something for all ages, and you know women, when they find something they love, they love to share it with others," Frandson said in a phone interview. She previously owned Inkwells Paperie in Corona del Mar and used her knowledge from that business, plus her connections to ribbon materials, to develop the product.

When the AVP NIVEA Tour Huntington Beach Open, presented by Bud Light Lime, hits the south side of the Huntington Beach Pier this weekend, a well-known name will be back in the fold. Rachel Scott (formerly Wacholder), who missed last year's open because of the birth of her first child, has returned to title contention and is teamed with her former partner Elaine Youngs. The Laguna Beach High product is excited about returning full-time to the tour. "I'm happy to be back," Scott said Tuesday.

WEDNESDAY Cliff Drive: An injured rat was reported in a driveway in the 700 block at 9:47 am. The reporting party covered it with a yellow bowl. Temple Hills Drive: A goat was reported on a balcony and the owner thinks that it was an escaped fire goat in the 2000 block at 3:20 p.m. Sleepy Hollow Beach: A group of juveniles were reported throwing water balloons at people on the beach at 3:06 p.m. Main Beach: A swarm of bees was reported at 4:09 p.m. Gunderson Drive: A resident reported that people were making noise in a tree house that was on city property behind the home.

DINING OUT The happy news for devotees of the Vertical Wine Bar Restaurant on Forest Avenue's Restaurant Row is the added attraction of weekend brunch to their unique bill of fare. It's unique because when this unusual establishment was launched, creative owner/chef Jonathan Pflueger introduced to Laguna Beach a novel concept in gourmet dining. In his words, "a new menu every night progressively designed like a wine list from lightest to richest ... vertically."

BEST BUYS Since 1981, I.C. London, named after the schoolyard chant, "I see London, I see France, I see so-and-so's underpants," has been the place to buy the best in lingerie and workout wear. Owner Elizabeth Benton is always on the hunt for tasteful, not trashy, intimate apparel and active wear for the Laguna woman, who Benton says is sexy and sporty. Since a lot of customers are trainers, Benton tries to carry lines they won't find elsewhere.

DINING OUT A major treat for aficionados of authentic Mexican cuisine is the emergence in Food Village of Taco Mesa. Launched a few weeks ago as an instant replacement to La Fogata, the popular Orange County venue came as a big surprise, especially to locals familiar with the concept created in 1991 by brothers Marco, Ivan and Sergio Calderon. On my initial visit, some enthusiastic patrons revealed their delight that this local facility will save frequent trips to Costa Mesa, where they often drove to savor the high quality and affordable prices.

'Tis the season for top 10 lists. We are joining the ranks of film critics, music pundits, sports writers, newscasters, stand-up comics, Letterman wannabes and yes, restaurant critics, who rank absolutely everything that has happened in the past year. Our traveling tongues have journeyed the length and breadth of our bustling beach town ferreting out our favorites. Here they are — in no particular order, in random categories and with no pretensions to being definitive — just what we remember as being special.

When you see the sign for Aliso Creek Inn and make the turn off Coast Highway, you might be put off by the equipment sheds and chain link fences that line the road until you reach a huge parking lot with a giant putting cage off to the left. But as you get out of your car and round the corner, you are suddenly dazzled by a spectacular vista, a carpet of green lawn descending down to a little bridge across Aliso "Creek," framed by the rugged brush-covered hillside beyond. The soft light of the setting sun highlights the gorgeous panorama.

Glori Fickling Chalk up another success for the Laguna Board of Realtors and Affiliates on its annual fundraiser, "A Taste for Charity." The May 27 affair was once again held at Tivoli Too on the verdant grounds of Art-A-Fair. Festively adorned with the creative contributions of talented artists, assorted gift and vacation donations for raffle prizes and silent auction bidding, the event spelled party time for an enthusiastic entourage. Among the pleasant surprises highlighting this ninth charitable outing was the introduction of two brand new Laguna Beach restaurants, hush and Tabu.