THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2020
Laguna Beach Playgrounds Now Open With Added Safety Precautions
All Laguna Beach playgrounds opened at noon today after the California Department of Public Health issued guidance for reopening playgrounds throughout the State earlier this week.
The guidance applies to outdoor playgrounds located in parks, campgrounds, and other publicly accessible locations. This guidance does not apply to indoor playgrounds, family entertainment centers or skateparks.
Orange County remained in the State's Red Tier of overall reopening this week due to a bump in case rates.
Laguna Beach Wins Most Water Wise City in National Mayor's Challenge!
Thank YOU for Making 4,901 Pledges to Cut Water Use By 15.6 Million Gallons
This week the City of Laguna Beach was named one of five national winners in the 9th Annual Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation after residents pledged to reduce their water use by 15.6 million gallons of water over the next year!
In addition to reducing overall water waste, residents from Laguna Beach pledged:
- To reduce their use of 35,638 single-use plastic water bottles and eliminate 976 pounds of hazardous waste from entering watersheds;
- To put 413,716 fewer pounds of waste in landfills;
- Pledge results create a potential savings of 114,682 gallons of oil, 58.5 million pounds of carbon dioxide, 1 million kilowatt hours of electricity, and $196,859 in consumer cost savings.
Way to Go, Laguna Beach!
Watch: Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen Gives Face Masks the 'Thumbs Up' in New Video!
Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen joined all of Orange County’s 34 mayors to team up and send a message to residents, businesses and visitors: “Mask up to open up OC!” Watch Mayor Whalen in the Public Service Announcement at the link below!
The message comes in a video featuring Orange County’s mayors socially distant and masked up at iconic locations across Orange County.
The video drives home that across diverse Orange County, we all are all in this together and must work together to keep fighting coronavirus in our communities.
Listen to Today's Podcast Update With Laguna Beach Mayor Bob Whalen
In today's podcast update, Mayor Whalen weighs in on the current fire hazard due to the hot, dry conditions we’re experiencing.
He addresses the continued importance of masking & social distancing in town, and the dangers of numbers spiking again.
Governor Newsom Signs Bill to Give Laguna Beach Local Control of SR-133 for Wildfire Safety
Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 2172 into law - a Bill that authorizes local control of State Route 133 in Laguna Beach on the portion of Route 133 that is located from Coast Highway all the way to El Toro Road.
Assembly Bill 2172 was introduced by Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris, and maintained that the City of Laguna Beach needs control of SR-133 for increased traffic calming & wildfire prevention measures.
We are thankful to Assemblywoman Petrie-Norris for her assistance with this Bill and are grateful for its success!
How to Stay Connected During a Power Outage
Information from Southern California Edison
Power outages can happen because of weather conditions, unforeseen circumstances, public safety and critical work. Staying prepared for power outages and unexpected emergencies can help relieve some of the stress when it happens.
To learn about ways to stay connected online when the power goes out, read these tips from Southern California Edison.
For more ways to stay safe and prepare for power outages, visit sce.com/outage. And for additional resources and technology to support distance learning for all California students, visit the California Department of Education’s website.
Fall "Passport for Your Palate" Promotion Starts This Saturday at Participating Local Restaurants!
Passport for Your Palate is a new fall program in partnership with the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce and Think Laguna First, encouraging locals to dine locally starting Saturday, October 3rd through the end of November.
Participating businesses will feature a QR Code for diners to scan “fall special offers” and will be on every passport. The downloadable passport will be available Saturday on the Think Laguna First Passport for Your Palate link for anyone wishing to play the game.
Diners will complete passports and return them to the Chamber of Commerce, for entrance into a drawing for magnificent prizes including a two night stay at the Montage!
Welcome New Laguna Beach Businesses: BRASA Gallery!
BRASA Gallery has opened at 490 S. Coast Highway in Laguna Beach (formerly Molly Brown's Swimwear.)
Mandy Brasa is an artist producing original artworks in primarily acrylics on canvas medium.
She was born in Magdeburg, Germany, and spent her formative years in what was then East Germany. She was twelve when the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, opening a much larger world of possibilities for her as an artist.
Welcome to BRASA Gallery and to all new Laguna Beach businesses!
Apply for the New Laguna Beach Citizen's Police Ad Hoc Task Force
Recent incidents of police use of force have sparked a nationwide discussion by residents and elected officials regarding their police department’s existing training, policies, and procedures.
A new Ad Hoc Citizen's Police Task Force will review current training, policies, and procedures and provide a report of findings and recommendations to the City Council and the City Manager.
Applications will be due no later than Friday, Oct 30, 2020, at 5 p.m. Questions may be directed to the City Clerk’s office at (949) 497-0705.
County Work on Laguna Canyon Channel at Village Entrance Begins October 12
Starting Monday October 12, the County will be working in the Laguna Canyon Channel at the Village Entrance between Lot 11 and Lot 12 replacing damaged portions of the channel concrete walls.
To expedite the work, the County will use approximately 30 parking spaces in Lot 12 immediately adjacent to the channel for construction staging for three weeks, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and should be completed by October 30.
The Farmers Market will temporarily relocate to nearby Lot 11 for the two Saturdays impacted by the construction.
Please contact Project Director Tom Perez at (949) 464-6688 or tperez@lagunabeachcity.net if you have any questions.
Today We Remember Harry Lawrence in Laguna Beach
Harry Lawrence was a long-time resident, business owner and community activist until his death in 2012. His most notable accomplishments include volunteering for the Playhouse, Rotary Club, Festival of Arts and the Laguna Art Museum.
To honor all that he did for the Laguna Beach Community, the City Council approved a proclamation in 2008 proclaiming today, October 1, as Harry Lawrence Day each year.