News Release

Queens of the spelling bee Fifth-grade students battled it out at Laguna Beach Unified School District's Fifth Annual Spelling Bee last month. Finalists Alexis Yang of El Morro and Lauren West of Top of the World each had two wins entering the final round of competition, according to a news release. Bill Steel and Nancy Hubbell judged the event for the fifth year in a row. Yang and West went eight rounds of spelling challenging words before Yang was declared the winner with a score of El Morro 3, Top of the World 2. "These students' word knowledge was impressive," Steel said in a statement.

Vogue Salon offers makeovers to shelter residents The recently opened Laguna Beach Vogue Salon is partnering with the Friendship Shelter to host a Career Makeover Day on April 22. Salon owner Antonietta Bianchini said she loves the salon's location in the HIP District, and she wants to get involved with community efforts, according to a news release. The salon will start with career day makeovers for Friendship Shelter residents. "I want to offer the residents of the shelter the opportunity to look their best so they will have the best chances of finding a job and getting their lives on track," Bianchini said in a statement.

Fred Karger, the GOP presidential hopeful, held his precinct walk in Laguna Beach on May 5 with about a dozen volunteers and a bagpiper, according to a news release. Karger and volunteers walked up and down the streets, talking to voters and handing out "Fred Frisbees. " They started in North Laguna, then headed to Heisler Park and Main Beach and down Forest Avenue to the Fire Station. The bagpiper gave concerts along the route, and upon arriving at the fire station, a local firefighter grabbed his bagpipe and formed a duet, the press release said.

Shona C. Gilbert, an artistic couture jewelry designer, is bringing her designs via a trunk show to Neiman Marcus at Fashion Island on Dec. 14-15. Her handmade line, SHONA, features glass-beaded bracelets, tourmaline gemstones and vintage stones, according to a news release. There's the Gorgeous Doll Choker Necklace, the Bracelets St. Germain - a mix of pink and gold blush metal beads, with vintage Chanel beads - or the 1937 Vintage Collar. For more trunk show details, call (949)

Pearson now full-time at Playhouse Laguna Beach City Councilwoman Elizabeth Pearson is now a full-time staffer at the Laguna Playhouse, where she previously did consulting work as a marketing and public relations expert. On Feb. 6, the Playhouse announced it had named the former three-time mayor as its director of development. As she is still serving on the council, Pearson will have to recuse herself from voting on any council matters relating to the Playhouse, officials said in a news release.

The Laguna Beach Unified School District received high test scores on the California Standards Test, according to a press release. The district achieved a base Academic Performance Index (API) score of 904, which surpassed the California benchmark of excellence of 800. "Laguna Beach Unified School District continues its upward trajectory, thanks to a strong, visionary school board, excellent principals, outstanding teachers, staff and students who are supported by our families and community," Supt.

Mayor pro tem Verna Rollinger raised more than $9,000 at a June 16 fundraiser, according to a press release. The event, held at the home of Debbie Lewis, helped raise money to support her reelection to the Laguna Beach City Council. A light supper and silent auction was held. "What makes Laguna Beach such a special place? Why did we decide to come here or stay here to live?" Rollinger asked supporters. "Our Laguna is about taking care of each other, acting as responsible stewards of the beautiful environment we share, solving problems by working together, and respecting the diverse expressions and aspirations of each member of our community," Rollinger said at the event.