Oak Street

The pre-Christmas holiday swells showed up right on time in Laguna last week, complete with brilliant sunsets and memorable surf sessions. Out in the water at Oak Street were many familiar faces from around the Laguna ?hood, and while surfing was the main draw, getting caught up and sharing a laugh was also standard fare. There was Coach Brett with his son Tye effortlessly nabbing several silky peaks at Gene?s Reef. Tye is completing his third year up at college. Brooks Street aficionado Allison left her usual spot and paddled north to grab some rather accommodating corners at Oak Street proper.

Area 1 Crescent Bay Drive: A neighbor reportedly cut down a resident's tree in the 100 block at 9:00 a.m. Monday. * Area 2 Laguna Canyon Road: A Laguna Niguel man was arrested on suspicion of DUI in the 20600 block at 1:20 a.m. Tuesday. Laguna Canyon Road: A woman claimed a man threw ice cream at her after she refused to go out with him in the 20600 block at 7:22 p.m. Oct. 12. * Area 3 South Coast Highway: A person reported that unknown suspects stole items from their wedding in the 700 block at 12:32 p.m. Tuesday.

JAMES PRIBRAM Moving is brutal. I recently moved from South Laguna to Oak Street and what a difference. I can feel that old Laguna vibe every time I walk into my new place or sit outside in the backyard. To be quite honest I feel like I have time warped back a few generations or moved to Hawaii. The backyard has rose bushes, loquat, fig and artichoke trees. I feel extremely lucky to find such a place. Especially when I was beginning to think that such places no longer exist here in Laguna Beach.

LAGUNA LIFE The early chapters of life hold the most numerous and often most cherished moments to remember. Growing up in Laguna for 40 years has provided a treasure trove of such moments. Every waking and dream-filled state of mind was under the magical spell of the ocean. From skin-diving with my dad for abs and lobster several times a week to "skid-boarding," as we so fondly called it, to mat surfing, there was plenty to keep one fired up for the next day's adventure.

TUESDAY 3rd Street: A woman told police that an animal was underneath her bed at 11:40 a.m. in the 300 block. Nyes Place: A tree was reportedly on fire at 12:58 a.m. in the 200 block. South Coast Highway: A driver reportedly backed into a police motor cycle at 11:07 a.m. in the 600 block. MONDAY Bluebird Canyon Drive: A cement truck reportedly broke down and spilled oil in the street at 2:24 p.m. in the 800 block. SUNDAY Catalina: A man told police that a registration tab was stolen from his 1995 gray Isuzu Trooper at 4:53 p.m. in the 1700 block.

AREA 1 Cliff Drive: A caller reported a man smoked something out of a can in the 200 block at 9:47 a.m. Friday. Broadway Street: A caller reported a female transient standing in the middle of the street in the 300 block at 12:36 p.m. Saturday. * AREA 2 Laguna Canyon Road and the 73 Freeway: A caller reported a black Jeep Cherokee was going 100 mph at 4:54 p.m. Friday. * AREA 3 Park Avenue and Donna Drive: A caller reported a black Ford 150 truck had a smashed front windshield at 2:16 p.m. Friday.

Laguna Beach resident Karen Kramer Maroney, one-time owner of the city's Oak Street Antiques, passed away at Mission Hospital Mission Viejo on Feb. 14. She was 73. Maroney was owner and proprietor of Oak Street Antiques at Oak Street and Coast Highway from 1994 to 2006. The store carried California pottery, antique jewelry, architectural antiques, vintage books and vintage furniture. She provided free advice to customers who wanted to know more about their pottery, her husband Welton Becket wrote in an email.