Ocean Avenue

A group of residents have dubbed the removal of nine ficus trees from downtown streets as "The Chainsaw Massacre. " Seven speakers voiced their anguish and anger about the removal of the trees at Tuesday's City Council meeting. They urged more prudent pruning and aesthetic consideration in the future - rather than destruction or replacement - to preserve the character of downtown Laguna. "It's true, as Joni Mitchell sang, 'you don't know what you've got till it's gone,'" Barbara MacGillivray said.

A new art presence is being greeted warmly, but not without controversy, on Ocean Avenue. Peter Blake is moving from his North Coast Highway gallery location to a larger space formerly occupied by the Ropage beauty salon. Blake says he reluctantly gave up his North Laguna location ? where he was a solid presence on a block that includes some of the city?s most important galleries ? due to an enormous rent increase that would have put him out of business. While rents and property values are skyrocketing in that area, small businesses are folding up their tents in other parts of Laguna and landlords are having a hard time filling empty spaces.

Come enjoy an exclusive jewelry trunk show Oct. 22 at Areo, featuring famed local jewelry artists Connie Archibald, Eric Silva & Debra Steel. Savor cocktails and appetizers (from 6-9 p.m.) and meet the artists. All three artists’ works are unique and highly collectible. Connie creates hand cast sterling silver jewelry, including her famous Laguna Beach cuff bracelet; Eric’s work is international, using unique gems, fine metals, and eco-conscious materials; Debra is noted for her pearls and gems, with vintage and found items.

City seeking sculpture for prominent corner The Laguna Beach Cultural Arts department will accept proposals for a sculpture to be placed at the corner of Beach Street and Ocean Avenue. Any California artist may submit a proposal. The design should face the bench that faces Ocean Avenue. Details on specifications and on how to send in a proposal can be obtained from the Cultural Arts department. For more information, call Cultural Arts Manager Sian Poeschl at (949)

In addition to the sewer reconstruction work and the underground placement of utility poles already in progress in the Downtown area, projects planned for next week include work at the intersections of Beach Street and Ocean Avenue, Forest and Ocean avenues and Forest Avenue and Glenneyre Street. Asphalt repaving on Third Street and Ocean Avenue is scheduled for April 27. Resurfacing on 2nd, Beach and Mermaid streets is planned for April 28. Repaving on Forest Avenue is scheduled for the first week of May. Work is scheduled to continue on the Downtown rehabilitation project through May. Installation of the Louise Street storm drain will result in a lane closure on North Coast Highway through mid-May.

It should be easier to park diagonally on Ocean Avenue in downtown Laguna Beach. Diagonal parking spaces on Ocean Avenue were restriped this week and some of them widened. The newly striped spaces will have a minimum width of seven feet, eight inches, city officials said. "Some of the spaces were unchanged, but others were made slightly larger, increased by a few inches to one foot wider," Public Works Director Steve May said. In a few cases, the width of the parking spaces was determined by driveways cut through the curb, May said.

Suzie Harrison Along Ocean and Forest avenues where the resurfacing project has been recently completed, conversations are buzzing with complaints about parking spaces being smaller and tighter. But according to city officials, the spaces are no smaller and such observations may be caused by an optical illusion. But Len Weinstein, who with his wife has owned a business in Laguna since 1997, said that since the repaving he has been hearing complaints.

AREA 1 South Coast Highway: A caller reported transients setting up camp against the lifeguard headquarters building in the 100 block at 11:12 a.m. Sunday. South Coast Highway: A caller reported a suspicious man on Main Beach at 12:17 p.m. Sunday. The caller reported seeing a man at 6 p.m. the previous day with a snake around his neck, wearing a red hat with gold elephants on it. The caller said the man walked up to kids and asked them if they wanted to hold the snake. South Coast Highway: A caller reported a disorderly person in the 100 block at 7:01 p.m. Sunday.

Laguna Beach joined some 126 countries in turning off lights from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday. About 100 people attended the secnd annual Earth Hour party organized by Transition Laguna Beach. By 8 p.m. people started gathering outside City Hall. Then, led by the musicians from Full Moon Drum Circle, the group marched down Forest Avenue, South Coast Highway and Ocean Avenue, according to organizers. By the time the group arrived at Endangered Planet gallery at the Lumberyard Mall, the group had doubled in size.

A group of residents have dubbed the removal of nine ficus trees from downtown streets as "The Chainsaw Massacre. " Seven speakers voiced their anguish and anger about the removal of the trees at Tuesday's City Council meeting. They urged more prudent pruning and aesthetic consideration in the future - rather than destruction or replacement - to preserve the character of downtown Laguna. "It's true, as Joni Mitchell sang, 'you don't know what you've got till it's gone,'" Barbara MacGillivray said.

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.

When Jess MacEachern was a little girl she used to be stopped on the street for her stylish wardrobe. Born in Mallorca, Spain, and raised all over the world — from South America to Africa — it might have been hard for her mother, Kerry Brougham, to pinpoint the origin of her garments. MacEachern's new Laguna Beach boutique, Little Freebirds, will solve the problem. She's bringing her clothes to you. MacEachern, 27, is showing off her eclectic tastes at her Ocean Avenue children's boutique, which opened last month.

Because of the heavy storms continuing to pound Southern California, Laguna Beach is experiencing extensive flooding in the Downtown area.  The following roads have been closed: Laguna Canyon Road (SR-133) between Forest Avenue and the 73 Toll road South Coast Highway between Aster Street and Legion Street All downtown streets, including Beach Street, portions of Forest Avenue and Ocean Avenue. No damage assessments are being made at this time as emergency crews are rescuing potentially trapped residents.

 The Laguna Beach Historical Society will be presenting a program Monday, April 19th “ View and Discuss Historic Laguna Beach Photographs from the Orange County Public Library" by Historical Society Board Members Eric Jessen & Gene Felder. The program is from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and will be held at the Laguna Beach City Hall Council Chambers, 505 Forest Avenue. The public is invited and there is no charge.  City Engineer Steve May sent the Historical Society a photo of the 1926 opening of Coast Highway that we had never seen before.

Laguna Beach joined some 126 countries in turning off lights from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday. About 100 people attended the secnd annual Earth Hour party organized by Transition Laguna Beach. By 8 p.m. people started gathering outside City Hall. Then, led by the musicians from Full Moon Drum Circle, the group marched down Forest Avenue, South Coast Highway and Ocean Avenue, according to organizers. By the time the group arrived at Endangered Planet gallery at the Lumberyard Mall, the group had doubled in size.