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Copyright © 2008
The Laguna Beach Independent
All Rights Reserved
May 2, 2008
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Podcasters Aim for Mainstream Success
By SUZIE HARRISON
Ascending a spiral staircase to the North Laguna Beach set, a cheering crowd goes wild for "The Duke Fightmaster Show," a weekly Friday podcast like no other. Energy-pumping fans pack a temporary studio so cramped it was impossible to notice that the set was a bedroom. More...
An Invitation to Join a Celebration of Christofer Krajec's Life

Three-year-old Lagunan Christofer Krajec passed away this week as a result of a brain tumor. A celebration of the gift of Christofer's life will be held on Wednesday, May 7, at Aliso Creek Beach at 6:30 p.m. More...

City Sets Budget Hearings
By WILLIAM HAGLE

The city will hold a public workshop and hearing on its preliminary $74.2 million 2008-09 budget at 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 6 in city council chambers. A second public hearing is slated for June 17, indicating that approval of the spending plan, projected to grow by 4 percent compared to the previous ... More...

Public Invited to Tour Aliso Canyon
By WILLIAM HAGLE

Citizen's associations and hotel developer Athens Group have eyed each other warily for years, first over development of the resort hotel Montage Laguna Beach and now over the Aliso Creek Area Redevelopment Plan. On Saturday, May 10, from 2 - 5 p.m., developers and public get to eye each other up... More...

Tourism Remains Strong Despite Economy's Woe
By WILLIAM HAGLE

The dropping U.S. dollar and rising gas prices may actually help Laguna Beach's tourist economy this summer. "We know the local economy will be affected by gas prices," said Vicki Burkhard, an international business consultant and marketing vice president at Art-a-Fair, one of the town's three su... More...

Hand-Held Cell Drivers Risk Fines to Talk
No Earbud?
By STU SAFFER

On July 1, laws go into affect banning teen drivers under the age of 18 from using any wireless devices while behind a steering wheel and forcing remaining cell-phone addicted drivers to start using a hands-free device or face the risk of fine. More...

Refusing to Keep Silent Over a 'Dirty Secret'

Tanya Brown knows where a domestic dispute boils over into something more. The sister of Nicole Brown Simpson, who was brutally murdered by her famous ex-husband, has made her life mission making others recognize where anger and emotion cross a line into abusive behavior. More...

A Father's Legacy Motivates Local Marathoner
By JENNIFER ERICKSON

Laguna Beach resident John Loftus ran his first Boston Marathon last week, finishing the 26.2 miles in 2:46:48. In truth, it took him a lot longer to cross the finish line: more like 27 years. Apparently good results come to those who wait. Loftus' time placed him 335th out of 21,963 participant... More...

Sparrows Who Swing

Sparrows seem to like the hanging basket outside the Brandt home, having returned at least fivesuccessive springs to nest. The swinging basket and its plantings shield the eggs from crows and cats. More...

 News
•Correction:
A photo caption in the April 25 edition accompanying an obituary about art dealer and artist Leonard Kaplan incorrectly described one of his friends. Illustrator Frank Interlandi is alive and well. More...
•CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS City Council
•City Hall Public Meetings
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 Letters
•Definitely a half-baked obituary
Editor: My mom lives in an assisted living facility. She is well taken care of but, like many others, needs a sense of humor to deal with the elderly who come and go. This "obituary" was in the Regents Point newsletter. "The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and trauma compl... More...
•Echoing Mark Twain
•Skateboard safety bears repeating and repeating…
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 Street Beat
•Street Beat
April 20 - April 27 DUI Arrests: N. Coast Hwy City Limits Tuesday - 12:17 a.m. Jessica Mae Walsh, 22, Laguna Niguel S. Coast Hwy & Diamond Street Tuesday - 12:30 a.m. More...
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 Town Crier
•Emptying Their Shelves to Aid Resource Center
One-day designer clothing sale, May 3
The Resource Center's second annual Boutique Benefit on Saturday, May 3, will be overflowingwith designer goods at affordable prices, thanks to generous donations from residents, as well as over 40 local retailers. Local shops, from Anastasia to Zazu, together contributed about 1,000 new items, ab... More...
•Club Applauds a Tireless Fundraiser
•Getting the 'Dirt' on Managing Trash
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 Arts & Entertainment
•Imagination Celebration Rocks the House
Laguna Art Museum was host to 450 guests who attended Letís Paint Our Planet Green, an eco-friendly inspired arts day that was part of the 21st annual Imagination Celebration. The museum partnered with local arts group L.O.C.A. More...
•Musicians Reinterpret Gypsy Jazz
•'The Injured Party' Could Use a Remedy
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 School & Sports
•Student Passengers Honor Their Drivers
The revered men and women who drive Laguna Beach kids safely to and from school were honored at El Morro Elementary's bus driver appreciation day on Friday. More...
•Aquatics Coach Takes a Final Wave
•Four Teams Win League Crowns
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 Columns
•Toeing the Party Line
Guest column
Laguna Beach received a wake up call last week - sewage on Coast Highway. Laguna Beach's infrastructure (sewer system, water system, etc.) needs extensive renovation and upgrading. The cost is beyond the city or county's ability to pay for the needed work. More...
•Village Matters
•Baja Swells Wanted; Calling El Niño
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 Obituaries
•Artist-coach Hal Akins dies at 83
Long-time Laguna Beach resident, teacher, coach, artist, husband, father and friend Hal Akins passed away Thursday, April 17, in Spokane, Wash., at the age of 83. Akins had never recovered fully from a stroke he suffered fiveyears ago. More...
•Diane Warner
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 Laguna Home Companion
•Ilsley Estate: Jewel in the Coast Royal Crown
Nestled in a lushly landscaped beachfront acre in South Laguna rests the Ilsley estate, a micro Hearst Castle that has survived time and tides. More...
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