By Alli Tong  | Photos by Jody Tiongco

Boasting one of the best views overlooking the Pacific Ocean, The Cliff restaurant is a sanctuary for foodies, happy hour lovers and nine-to-fivers alike.

Nestled in the Laguna Village off Coast Highway, The Cliff gives patrons the luxury of dining with 180-degree ocean views of whitewater waves crashing below and the sun setting in the distance. While the restaurant’s main seating is situated on its multilevel outdoor patio, it also has an indoor bar that seats about 20. Fortunately for The Cliff, Laguna’s infinitely sunny, warm climate makes every day an opportunity to feast alfresco.

Seaside dining lends the perfect setting to sit back, relax and take things a little slower. Start the experience with a cocktail (or few) and let any worries wash away with the waves. The Cliff offers an extensive cocktail menu, including low-calorie libations that pack a ton of flavor. The Ty Ku Mojito is a light, refreshing drink made with Ty Ku sake, VeeV Acai Spirit, fresh lemon and lime, mint and a splash of soda, at only 90 calories. Another favorite is the signature Cliff Hanger, an ocean-blue martini with Cruzan Mango Rum, strawberry flavor, orange liqueur and lime.

Next, order some appetizers to complement the cocktails. The Scallops Wasabi, a  refreshing palate cleanser, is made of raw scallops topped with seaweed, pickled ginger and wasabi cream, and served on an oyster shell. Other favorites include the bruschetta, lightly toasted baguette slices topped with airy mozzarella, tomatoes, fresh basil and balsamic reduction, or the cheese plate, perfect for sharing within groups. A true cheese-lover dish, this starter features premier cheeses, including a smoked gouda and a rosey goat cheese imported from Spain. “Lighter snacks like this go great here,” says Andrew Turula, general manager.

While diners could make a meal out of the generously sized starters, the main entrees are not to be missed. Although The Cliff offers something for everyone, from kung pao chicken to New York steak, the seafood is by far the standout. The mouthwatering Halibut Laguna tastes as good as it looks, with a grilled halibut filet topped with mango and papaya salsa served on a bed of veggies. The seafood tacos—choice of mahi mahi, shrimp or fried calamari—are also a tasty dish.

To end the evening, the bread pudding bites tossed in cinnamon and sugar, and served in a martini glass, are the ideal dessert to snack on while the sun slowly descends beneath the horizon. It’s safe to say that whether sipping on a cocktail or feasting on five courses, The Cliff is a heavenly place to be.  LBM

By Jackie Adams

Ever since William and Nathaniel Brooks settled in Laguna in 1876, there have been two constants in this seaside town: a strong aversion to commercialism and a thriving artisan community. No matter how much tourism Laguna gets, no matter how many reality shows set their focus on trivialities, this small town strives to keep its “art village” vibe.

Beyond art, Laguna has grown to have a dynamic foodie scene, including Laguna Beach a la Carte—A Food & Wine Experience held each spring. With the restaurant scene ever expanding, however, there is plenty of room for another food-centered event—this one held during the summer out on the streets, where everyone can easily and inexpensively participate.

Long Beach has something along these lines called the Stroll & Savor. It’s a night where people can walk around the heart of Belmont Shores and explore the restaurant scene and run into neighbors. When it began more than 20 years ago, it was just a two-night event down Second Street, and even though only a couple of restaurants participated in it at first, it was a hit. Now it has blossomed into the Belmont Shore Business Association’s most profitable event they put on and spans eight nights every summer.

More than 40 restaurants participate by setting up tables outside and selling small plates of food for tickets. At 5:30 p.m., the streets become packed with people walking their dogs, kids skateboarding, and drivers slowly cruising up and down the street with their windows down. Street musicians and face painters add to the entertainment. On every corner, strangers and neighbors stand elbow-to-elbow, snacking and people-watching.

It is a great $10 date night––one ticket book can easily feed two people. And the variety is incomparable; you can start off the night sharing pad thai and a Greek plate while listening to a Santana cover song before stopping for gourmet macaroni and cheese and finishing the meal with mini cupcakes or gelato and coffee to the tune of “Stand by Me.”

The restaurants benefit by getting more business and attracting repeat customers. Foodies love it because they can knock a handful of restaurants off of their “to-try” list in a single night. And residents of Belmont Shore get to walk to a night out and not worry about finding parking.

This event focuses on restaurants, similar to Laguna Beach a la Carte. But where the Stroll & Savor is spontaneous and breezy, Laguna a la Carte offers courses and wine pairings. You could call the annual food and wine festival the more formal, upscale sister of the Stroll & Savor. Just as the Sawdust Festival was begun to balance out the Pageant of the Masters, a Laguna Stroll & Savor could add balance to our food events.

We already have the perfect venue, the beachy streets of downtown Laguna. Perfect for strolling, there are restaurants, bars, built-in foot traffic, street musicians; the entire infrastructure is already in place. The only missing ingredient is a motivated organizing force. All it would take is an organization, a group of passionate locals, or even a well designed webpage that can be promoted through social media.

It’s a suggestion for a new Laguna Beach tradition that complements the long-standing art events and festivals, and binds the community together in a new way, while also supporting local businesses. Besides, it’s another excuse to enjoy food and get outside during the summer. LBM

By Allison Hata | Photos by Edgar Obrand

Gone are the days of oil-soaked paper plates filled with greasy masses of extra cheese and pepperoni (and extra calories)—this is the era of the pizza renaissance, a grand movement in which handcrafted gourmet pizzas take center stage. In Laguna, pizza is an experience not to be forgotten, with each restaurant offering its unique take on this culinary staple. Whether they specialize in pizza or just feature an amazing array of artisan options on the menu, these eateries will treat diners to the perfect pie.

Z Pizza

Z Pizza may be a popular chain that spans the country today, but it all started with one restaurant in Laguna more than 25 years ago. Fresh, organic ingredients are key in Z Pizza’s offerings, which include pizzas using vegan cheese and gluten-free crust. Take your taste buds on a culinary tour of the world with the international rusticas: flat pizzas shaped like naan that feature lighter cheese and gourmet ingredients like roasted eggplant, pine nuts and basil pesto (Moroccan) or artichoke hearts, roasted peppers and Greek olives (Mediterranean). While the eatery is currently operating out of its Crystal Cove location, it has plans to reopen in Laguna at the end of May, taking over the old Animal Crackers building. (949-499-4949; zpizza.com)

Neapolitan Pizzeria and Birreria

Relatively new in Laguna, Neapolitan Pizzeria has already made its way into the hearts of pizza lovers around town with its locally-sourced ingredients and simple crusts, slightly charred to perfection. Fired in a wood-burning Stefano Ferrara Napoli oven, a slice of the Nea Meatball—veal meatballs, ricotta, organic pomodoro sauce and marjoram—goes great with the restaurant’s California microbrew selection. Vegetarians will enjoy the meatless, no-cheese Il Mercato pizza, which combines marinated kale, spinach and lemon with a fluffy Neapolitan-style crust for a zesty taste sensation. (949-499-4531; nealaguna.com)

Zéytoon 

With a signature Mediterranean flair, Zéytoon’s flatbread-style pizzas provide a fresh, global alternative to other offerings in town. The manaeesh features an oregano thyme spread mixed with olive oil on flatbread—cheese is optional for those who prefer lighter or vegan fare. The thin-crust pizza also offers a taste of the Mediterranean with herb-marinated and oven-roasted eggplant, green and red bell peppers, onions, sundried tomatoes, roasted asparagus mousse and prosciutto sprinkled with Gorgonzola cheese and arugula leaves. Be sure to try the flatbread—a blend of marinated green olives, herbs, light mozzarella and green peppers that’s both light and decadent at the same time. (949-715-9230; zeytooncafe.com)

Alessá Laguna Beach 

In this Italian trattoria, enjoy pizza as it’s meant to be tasted. Chef-owner Alessandro Pirozzi creates his menu of specialty pizzas with light, authentic ingredients. Enjoy the kick of spicy Italian sausage and salami with arrabbiata sauce in the pizza Piccante, or try the Funghi Misti, featuring wild mixed mushrooms, fontina cheese and white truffle oil. No matter what you order, the thin crust gourmet pizzas offer a flavorful sauce, fresh mozzarella and a flaky, crisp texture with every bite. (714-969-2148; pirozziculinary.com)

Wine Gallery Wine Bar & Kitchen 

One of Laguna’s newest additions on the restaurant scene, Wine Gallery Wine Bar & Kitchen features a wood-fired oven and a full kitchen. Wines play a starring role on this menu, but for those in the know—and others lucky enough to get a recommendation from owner and co-founder Chris Olsen—the pizza is the hottest thing out of the oven. Featuring a thin crust and house-made mozzarella, all of Wine Gallery’s pizzas are mouthwatering creations. The sausage pizza comes highly recommended by Chris and doesn’t disappoint with a sweet and savory blend of fennel sausage with caramelized fennel and onions. (949-715-8744; winegallerylaguna.com)

Pizza Lounge

A pizza mecca, the Pizza Lounge on Coast Highway has a seemingly endless list of out-of-the-ordinary creations. Pop in on your way to the beach and grab a slice to go: On any given day, choose from an array of options, including a chicken, peach and Gorgonzola pizza. Not to be missed for seafood lovers is the coconut shrimp pizza, a unique combination of garlic Alfredo sauce and mozzarella cheese, shrimp, shredded coconut and tomatoes. (949-497-2277; pizzalounges.com)

If you find yourself craving the perfect slice, please your palate with a trip to one of these local eateries, where even the pickiest pizza connoisseur will find something to his or her liking. With options that run the gamut from traditional toppings like pepperoni to obscure flavors like shrimp and coconut, these restaurants all have one thing in common—an unwavering dedication to delivering handcrafted pizzas worthy of the “artisan” moniker. LBM

From quaint beach cottages to luxury hilltop estates, Laguna Beach offers some of the best homes, and views, in Orange County. On the following pages, we bring you a special section dedicated to highlighting some of the top properties on the market today. These outstanding homes and properties are represented by Laguna Beach’s top Realtors and real estate companies—individuals with superior knowledge of the local area and the OC market, all dedicated to providing outstanding customer service.

Pictured on this page: 

Address: 175-177  Dumond  Dr., Laguna Beach

Offering price: $5,000,000

Agent: Cynthia Ayers and Cathy Porter, Laguna Coast Real Estate

Contact info: 949-494-0490 or 949-212-9898

By Ashley Breeding

For some, yoga practice is about opening the heart and connecting with “the divine.” For others, it’s about getting an “ass-kicking workout,” says Marna Kibby Bright, a certified Bikram yoga instructor and owner of Bikram Yoga Laguna Beach. Marna personally seeks the latter, and promises to deliver the same to her clients.

Developed by former Olympic weightlifter Bikram Choudhury, Bikram yoga is a series of 26 postures (asanas) and breathing exercises (pranayamas), performed in 90 minutes in a heated room (the recommended temperature is 105 F). A yogi since age 5, Bikram became the youngest contestant ever to win the national India Yoga Competition at age 11. He created the series after a weightlifting accident injured him at 20.

Regular practice is designed to restore health to the body, promote weight loss, prevent injury and illness, increase mental clarity and reduces stress.

A former distance runner, Marna says she tried Bikram yoga just once in 2002 and was hooked. She stopped hitting the pavement and started rolling out the mat. “It can be miserable the first time you do it, but you’ll love the way you feel when you’re done,” she says. She was inspired to become a teacher and in 2007, purchased the studio from its original owner.

Laguna Beach Magazine chats with Marna about the many benefits of Bikram.

Laguna Beach Magazine: Aside from its prime location near the ocean, what sets Bikram Yoga Laguna Beach apart from other Bikram studios in Orange County?

Marna Kibby Bright: Just being in Laguna means we have a different demographic. We may have 20 to 40 students in a class, where other studios have 50 to 80. It gives us an opportunity to really connect and get to know our students.

LBM: How does Bikram differ from other types of hot yoga?

MKB: Bikram is a specific set of 26 postures and two breathing exercises, done twice, in a carpeted room heated to 105 F and 40 percent humidity. Each posture prepares you for the next, and you literally stretch and strengthen every part of your body. Any room can be heated. … We train directly with Bikram and learn a very specific routine and dialogue. The uniformity keeps the integrity of the class.

LBM: Why is Bikram your preferred method?

MKB: I just love the heat and repetition of it. Your body is different every day, but the postures stay the same. It never gets easy.

 LBM: Who can do Bikram, and what do they need?

MKB: It’s suited for all ages and abilities. We’ve got everyone from young people trying to get in shape to pregnant women (recommended only if you practiced prior to becoming pregnant) to a 60-year-old who says he surfs better now than when he was in his 20s, all because he’s been doing Bikram! All you need is a mat and a bottle of water. We provide everything else.

LBM: What health benefits can Bikram practitioners expect?

MKB: You’ll build strength and flexibility, rid your body of toxins, lower blood pressure, improve range of motion, strengthen [your] immune system––there are so many. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar says the reason he played professional basketball as long as he did is because he practiced Bikram.

LBM: And mental health benefits?

MKB: I’ve seen students become more comfortable in their own skin, calmer and learn to let go. [But], everyone comes with their own set of issues, so the benefit each person gets is entirely their own.

LBM: How frequently should Bikram neophytes practice?

MKB: You can do Bikram every day; it’s not like lifting weights––you do not break down your muscles, so you don’t need to rest in between. Your first three classes are the hardest, but it becomes more manageable after that. I tell new students to come as often as they can.

LBM: What type of diet best accompanies a yogi lifestyle?

MB: You can eat whatever you want, just not less than two hours before class. Bikram loves ham sandwiches and Coke. I personally find that the less sugar and refined carbohydrates and the more green leafy vegetables I eat, the better I feel in class. LBM

By Bruce Porter | Photos by Jody Tiongco

Before the final curtain call every year at the end of August, Pageant of the Masters Director Diane Challis Davy has already begun work on the next year’s show. Now celebrating its 80th anniversary, this beloved production of tableaux vivants, or living pictures, takes the stage at the Irvine Bowl to captivate audiences each year, like clockwork. And the cogs never stop turning, even after the last applause dies away.

“There’s no greater sin in theater than being boring,” Dan Duling, the pageant’s scriptwriter, explains. “[Diane is] a director who wants to take risks, who doesn’t want to repeat herself if she can help it. So we’re constantly looking for ways to keep the show exciting, whether you’re an art historian or someone who is just looking for an entertaining evening out.”

Unlike any other production in theater arts, the Pageant is a stimulating reminder of the import of fine art in our contemporary, often oblivious, secular world. Faithful recreations of classical and modern works are staged in 90-second freeze-frame segments, with actors playing the roles of the subjects in the original pieces.

Enormous set designs are constructed and painted so that when costumed actors step into their cutaway spots and the lights are angled just so, the presentation is a near-exact replica, yet on a grand life-size scale. Add a complementary orchestral score of predominately original music and a narrator who provides fascinating commentary, and the result is simply astonishing.

Themes are chosen with an eye toward showcasing a broad variety of art pieces. In marked contrast to last year’s contemplative theme, “The Genius,” this summer’s production is entitled “The Big Picture”—a broad, fun and dynamic examination of the relationship between traditional art and film.

“We started out with the idea that great art influences the production of motion pictures,” Diane says. “But it’s not even that narrow. We’ll have representations of movie posters, early still photography—which led to motion pictures—and painters who inspired film directors.”

This year’s ticket holders can expect to learn how the works of 18th century English portrait and landscape artist Thomas Gainsborough influenced film director Stanley Kubrick, and the connection between the academic art of Jean-Leon Gerome and Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator.” Alfred Hitchcock will make more than a cameo appearance. And, at the risk of giving too much away, everybody’s favorite 1980s high school slacker, Ferris Bueller, is sure to put a smile on the 2,600 faces in the audience.

Abracadabra 

While 17th-century Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer, whose “Girl with a Pearl Earring”—referred to as the “Dutch Mona Lisa”—is reputed to have made only 34 paintings in his lifetime, pageant staff and volunteers are consigned to recreate 40 larger-than-life master works in just six months.

It’s a daunting task by any measure, made all the more impressive by the fact that there are only about 20 full-time staff members. Characterizing her 18 years as the director, Diane quips that she has “never had a relaxing summer vacation.”

Once the theme has been chosen, research volunteers gather information on possible works of art appropriate to the theme. Paintings and sculptures must be adaptable to the production’s concept. Copyrights and permissions from museums are obtained, and the artworks are put before the Festival of Arts’ board members for approval. Then the work begins in earnest.

“Way back in September, I’m putting up my storyboard,” Diane says. “I’m counting the number of cast members required because we have limitations on how many people we can adequately make up and costume backstage.”

Design issues fall under the purview of Richard Hill, whose challenges begin as soon as the list of artworks is approved in late October, and it doesn’t let up until the last painting has been rehearsed the following June, just days before opening night. It’s his job to map the architecture of each work, transforming two-dimensional images into 3-D set pieces that include live subjects, using tricks of stage design and lighting to retain the original work’s detail and perspective for the entire audience, whether a viewer is front and center or 26 rows back on the left.

“The biggest factor [in creating the illusions] is in the painting and the lighting,” Diane says. “The painter and makeup artist create middle tones of [artificial] shadows, and the lighting will eliminate all the real shadows. That’s what makes our paintings look very flat.”

“For each individual piece, I scale it to human proportions on the computer,” Richard says. “Then the image is projected onto the set so the artists can trace an outline before they start painting.”

Sculptures are even more complicated than paintings to replicate. Last year’s “Mechanics Monument” by Douglas Tilden, a landmark sculpture in San Francisco of five capable-looking men struggling with an oversized punch-press machine, presented challenges not merely from an aesthetic perspective but also anticipating potential problems that could jeopardize the safety of the actors.

The sculpture had to appear a faithful reproduction from all angles, as it was drawn to be viewed on a rotating pedestal. Unfortunately for Richard, artists are invariably inclined to favor interpretive license over physical limitations. Of the five bronze mechanics, the three on the lever are positioned at angles that are seemingly impossible to recreate. Yet, with the assistance of a steel skeleton supporting the sculpture and obscured harnesses and armatures, the segment proved to be one of the highlights of the show.

Sleight of Hand

Once a set has been designed and mapped out to Richard’s satisfaction, the painting must be brought to life with a wealth of detail. Scenes must be constructed and painted, costumes must be stitched, and the casting director must find two actors of the right size and shape for every role.

Casting calls for the actors begin in January. “We have two casts: a ‘green’ cast and a ‘blue’ cast,” Sharbie Higuchi, director of marketing and public relations, explains. “The green cast comes on for seven days, then the blue cast is on for seven. We also have substitutes if a cast member gets sick. Sometimes they even pull members from the audience or from the staff. I’ve been in the show myself. It was very exciting!”

Sets for individual paintings and sculptures are built in just two weeks each. Three or four experienced carpenters will each see a piece through from start to finish, before moving on to the next set. Wagons are built to transport the massive walls, some of which can weigh more than 1,000 pounds, on- and offstage. Wood is cut to the technical designer’s specifications, and muslin is glued to the surface, ready for the painters to work their magic.

“We try to make the sets so they don’t have to be worked on again,” carpenter Jack Clancy says. “Nobody wants to have to come back in August to fix one. We’re professionals; we don’t want things to go wrong.”

As he double-checks the curvature of a recent cut, he jokingly adds, “I guarantee all my sets until Sept. 1.”

The scenic artists then have about two days per piece to recreate what may have taken the original artist months or even years to create. Matthew Roberts, who, for the last 10 years, has been responsible for the ever-changing faux finishes outside the festival’s entrance, sits under the sun, painting a multi-paneled artwork featuring racehorses. Artist David Cooke, who works part-time like most of the painters, tries to imagine how the Vermeer he’s working on might extend beyond the frame of the original for the borders of the set piece.

“It’s art,” scenic artist David Rymar says. “But it’s really theater. You’ve got to move quickly. It takes a while to get the painter’s style, but once you get to know the artist’s brush strokes, it goes quickly.”

Meanwhile, in the wardrobe department, costume director Mary LaVenture fashions oddly shaped garments that, in conjunction with makeup director Allyson Doherty’s work, create the appearance of flat surfaces. Depending on the intricacies of the costume, it may take hours or it may take days for Mary to complete a garment. Later, a scenic artist may even paint directly onto the costume to improve its overall appearance.

“We are always trying to make things look two-dimensional,” Allyson says. “It’s not like theatrical makeup. My challenge is to create makeup that is painterly and flat. Through an examination of each painting, working with the set painters for color palettes and costuming for placement of the faces and arms, I then determine what I will use on the faces and bodies.”

Open Sesame

In February, the first sets will be complete, and the team will start to pull all the variables together in rehearsals. “When we have all the elements—the painted set, cast members, costuming and makeup—we come in on Thursday nights [for dress rehearsal] and painstakingly get every piece ready,” Diane says. For sets designed and constructed on such a vast scale, things move impressively fast, so the team can move on to the next one. With only two or three paintings rehearsed at a time, there simply isn’t time for endless nitpicking. “It’ll be dark because we have to get our lighting right. Sometimes in February it gets very cold! And we’re out there adjusting the lights. Then we’ll call it back the next week to make improvements.”

When opening night rolls around, Diane is still making corrections, ironing out timing issues and fixing all the little things that can go wrong. Unlike most theater directors, she remains in the booth directing traffic. The 30-piece orchestra, the narrator and players onstage all have to be in synch.

And just like that, the show’s two-month run will have passed. Sets will be put into storage; some will be used in subsequent productions. More than a quarter million people will see this summer’s “The Big Picture,” and if previous years offer any indication, it’s sure to leave a lasting imprint on each and every one. “One thing about the theater I dislike is closing night,” Dan muses. “One thing that softens the blow is we’ve already started work on next year’s show.” LBM

My first kiss was from Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones. I typically like to end the story there, so people can fill in their own blanks about how cool I am, or how many drugs I’ve done. But the truth is, I was only 13, drinking lemonade, and mistook him for Rod Stewart.

I was in eighth grade at my classmate Tasha’s birthday dance party when it happened. Her dad was in the music business and promised us all a “big surprise.” Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical” was Billboard’s No. 1 at the time, so you can imagine where all of our heads were … as well as our leg warmers.

I was leaning against her front door when the doorbell rang––I had been in this spot for the entire party, by myself, as my one and only friend had been grounded that night. When I opened it, Ron Wood––whom I thought was Rod Stewart with a bad dye job––gave me a hug and wished me a happy birthday. Before I had a chance to correct his mistake, the crowd swarmed around and mobbed him, while I remained at the door, worried about his feelings being hurt over the disc jockey changing the song to his competitor’s, “Waiting on a Friend.”

The next few moments were a blur––mostly because I opted to leave my Coke-bottle glasses at home. So I did not see Ron walk onto the dance floor, or the crowd part, or his finger wag, gesturing for me to join him. In fact, it wasn’t until he was six inches in front of my face, whispering, “I’d like to dance with the birthday girl,” that I clearly saw what a fool I was about to become.

Undeterred by my protests, he slid his arm behind my back, and swayed me side-to-side to the music. “I’m just standing in a doorway,” the lyrics said. “I’m just trying to make some sense.”

When the song was over, he leaned down and kissed me. I could feel the bristles of his whiskers, I remember, and smell cigarettes on his breath. At 13, kissing someone as old as my dad repulsed and scared me. Tears came to my eyes.

But then, as quickly as it started, we parted lips, he waved to the crowd and then he was gone. And I … alone again.

Billy, the most popular boy in the world, approached me first.

“Wanna dance?” he asked.

And from that moment on, I was never alone at a door again.

I see Mr. Wood on TV from time to time and remain grateful. While no lawman would ever consider him my savior, steadfast or true, this scrawny little rock star certainly came to my … emotional rescue. LBM

By Linda Domingo | Photos by Allen Bradley Photographs

Laguna Beach’s idyllic shores sprinkled with plein air painters have made it a poster child for sleepy coastal towns. But the city is also home to a rocking live music scene made up of hip venues and world-class bands; you just need to know where to find them.

“I love going to watch a band live,” says local singer Celena Marie DelPizzo-Howell of the band MoonShine. “I want to see them right there, singing it and playing it.” Celena notes that Laguna tends to give live bands top billing over disc jockeys.

With strong support from the community, businesses in Laguna have toiled to establish an energetic live music scene and showcase local talent. “Laguna’s a unique place in that it really is an artist community, so it definitely attracts musicians … and people who care about [music],” says musician Lee Rocker of the Stray Cats. A Laguna resident for more than 20 years, Lee has spent his share of nights at local music venues, even sitting in with some of the bands on occasion. “It’s more organic—the music scene here. … I think [Laguna] definitely fosters an independence and a musical spirit.”

Whether you want rock or R&B, a low-key evening with old friends or a wild night of dancing with new ones, there’s a time and place for it. Here, we take a look at ways to sample the town’s sounds.

The Classic

You’re downtown, hunting for a cold one and some ear candy. Marine Room Tavern is in the heart of Laguna, and as a true locals’ haunt since its opening in 1934, you really can’t go wrong here. Recently renovated under the auspices of new owner Chris Keller, Chris explains, “We don’t want to change the bar’s heart and soul … just enhance all the great qualities like the loyal customers, the music scene, the great bartenders who know people by name.”

Chris tries to keep the bar booked with acts every night, most with a rock or blues feel. On Thursdays you might catch the bluegrass-inspired, self-proclaimed “hippie hillbilly” band The Dupp Brothers.

On Sundays, locals have been gathering to hear the Missiles of October for the past 20-plus years. “At one point there used to be a lot of weekend biker guys that used to come there a lot,” Missiles singer Poul Pedersen says. “The streets were lined with Harley-Davidsons and it was just a real, local, beach kind of thing. It’s real fun.”

Though the audience at Marine Room is more diverse now than the old biker days, the Missiles still bring the crowds and Chris is hoping the facelift and improvements—like bar snacks, more live music and a larger selection of beer and whiskey—will keep people pouring in for years to come.

International Rhythms

The night is young; you’re not ready to stop playing. Cruise over to Mozambique, the restaurant, lounge and music venue that draws large crowds for reggae acts on Sundays, although live music can be heard through the venue’s million-dollar sound system on Fridays and Saturdays, too. The action happens upstairs, where there’s a full bar and stage surrounded by framed guitars and outfitted with the equipment that musicians’ dreams are made of.

In the control room, you might see Tony Nguyen hard at work mixing audio and producing live video streams (available for viewing at mozambiqueoc.com). “This place goes off [on Sundays] because it’s reggae,” says Tony, who’s also in charge of booking talent. “We bring authentic reggae bands, and the sound system is nice so … that attracts people. Even when it’s raining … it’s still busy. It’s crazy.”

The music is a perfect match for the exotic food and hip vibe. “People come in here and they feel like they’re in Jamaica or something,” Tony adds.

Nick (Nick-I) Hernandez, a member of local bands Common Sense and A.D.D., and a resident artist at Mozambique, acknowledges the overwhelming presence and popularity of reggae at Mozambique and around town: “The [Laguna music scene] is very influenced by reggae. … It’s a surf town. Every surfer in Laguna loves reggae.”

In addition to reggae bands, Mozambique will bring in big names like Macy Gray and George Clinton on occasion. “What’s great about Mozambique is they not only bring in national talent, they also support the local talent,” says Nick, who performs his reggae-, rock- and hip-hop- influenced tunes every Friday night to a full house.

Downtown Harmony

If you’re still going strong after the bands at Mozambique have packed up at 10 p.m. on Sunday, or midnight on Friday or Saturday (the restaurant is located in a “quiet zone,” where late night noise is discouraged due to neighborhood complaints), the White House keeps the music playing downtown until about 1:30 a.m. Open since 1918, the venue has a classic feel you don’t find in many other establishments; you’re likely to be greeted by a smiling bartender drying glasses before he throws the towel over his shoulder and starts mixing you a negroni. The bands take the stage in the back where there’s also a dance floor. Although reggae Sundays are popular, you can count on sweet sounds almost every night of the week. Monday through Wednesday is mellower, with crowds picking up on Thursday into the weekend. Waiting for a reason to wear that neon sweatband? Check out 1980s cover band Flashback Heart Attack on Saturdays.

“It’s a downtown spot where everybody can stop in for a while, hang out, have a good time,” says promoter Tony Cox.

Tony curates a lineup of local artists,  sometimes booking DJs on Fridays. Thursdays tend to lean toward rock, with a new favorite being MoonShine, a Laguna-based band of youngsters who play what Tony describes as a blend of Etta James and the Stray Cats. “We’ll do jazz songs … we’ll do bluesy stuff, and then we’ll do stuff … that people can dance to,” says Celena, who started the band with her 17-year-old brother, Dylan, and friends.

Even when the youthful band takes the stage, the White House’s downtown location makes it a hangout for an eclectic mix: from surfers to businesspeople, locals to tourists, young to young at heart.

The Encore

You’ve been rockin’ since late afternoon and it’s time to head to Laguna’s tried-and-true late night spot. With its dark interior and ancient carpeting, the Sandpiper never won any beauty contests. Known as the Dirty Bird, daylight disguises the bar, but at night you’ll find miscellaneous characters spilling out, drum beats audible from the street.

“The nightcap has to be the Dirty Bird,” Lee says. The musician’s concession sums up the venue: it’s where the rock stars and the common folk, the drunk and the sober, come to let their hair down at the end of the night. Order a Jack and Coke or a cosmo. Belly up to the bar, play a game of darts or dance the night away. The Sandpiper prides itself on being the bar with no frills and no judgment.

“[People] from the Midwest or the East Coast come into the Sandpiper and they, go ‘A bar—I finally found a bar,’ ” says Chuck Harrell, who runs the Bird with his brother, Chip. Bands take the stage every night of the week, but you can count on a crowd Thursday through Sunday.

The World Anthem Band has packed the house on Thursday nights for the past 18 years, known for their reggae tunes. “By midnight the dance floor’s always packed,” says band member Ronnie Pringle. “You can come in anything you want to wear, and you’ll be accepted as long as you have a smile on your face. That’s all that counts … and $5 in your pocket. That’s what gets you in.”

Even with thousands of songs available at the swipe of a finger or a click of a mouse, there’s something about the beat of a drum and the energy of an audience that makes the live music experience better than prerecorded sounds, and Laguna’s venues and musicians keep that at the forefront of community consciousness. “We have a real, thriving, living entity in terms of our artist colony,” Ronnie says. “The music is a vital component to the art scene … and a prominent fixture in Laguna.” LBM

By Alli Tong | Photos by Mitch Ridder

Each year at the end of February, 50 or more aspiring lifeguards will plunge into Laguna Beach’s chilly ocean waters—temperatures that often dip into the frigid 50s—near the Main Beach buoy in the early morning. In these uncomfortable conditions, they overcome a 1,000-meter swim in under 20 minutes as part of the annual Laguna Beach lifeguard tryouts.

This is just one important test that these hopeful lifeguards, who often range in age from 16 to mid-40s, must pass in order to make it into the Seasonal and Rookie Ocean Lifeguard Academy (SROLA), a United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) certified training. They will undergo intense, rigorous training encompassing more than 100 hours, and only upon completion of training will a select group be given the prestigious honor of becoming a cadet, or rookie guard.

However, only half of those that show up on tryout day are invited to the SROLA, and even those who make it to rookie training aren’t guaranteed hire. The marine safety department currently employs seven full-time guards and around 100 seasonal guards, many of them being students during the off-season. Vacancies are hard to come by—typically, there are 15 to 20 new spots open each year. Furthermore, of those that do make SROLA, many will willingly drop out, unprepared, or perhaps unknowing, of the intense physical and mental dedication it takes to be a lifeguard in Laguna. Others will be let go due to their lack of physical endurance or mental awareness. Unlike most other Orange County marine safety departments, Laguna Beach’s department has cadets go through two consecutive years of rookie training before they may advance to a higher ranking, such as ocean lifeguard I, II or III.

“Our training is considered one of the most difficult in Southern California, and it needs to be,” says Tom Trager, marine safety captain. “Once fully trained, our guards are scheduled to work a beach that is typically an isolated cove with no immediate backup or help. Unlike other beaches in Southern California, we don’t have long stretches of sand where the towers are all able to watch one another.”

Annually the department of marine safety averages more than 3,000 rescues, 180 major medical aids and 3,800 minor medical aids; and while the lifeguard staff of approximately 100 would humbly prefer not to be named as the “unsung heroes of the ocean,” they certainly are to the more than 4 million visitors that grace the city’s 5.5-mile stretch of beaches every summer. Because of this, the department has to implement a training program that is one of the most intense, rigorous experiences that trainees will encounter. The department’s motto: Expect the unexpected.

Porter Hogan, 21, who has been a Laguna Beach lifeguard for six years and tried out at age 16, recalls his training days as painstakingly difficult, however, he realizes why it’s a hard-hitting program.

“It needs to be tough. … Several times I’ve wanted to drop myself—it’s brutal,” Porter says earnestly. “[But] it needs to be brutal. The lifeguard department can only take the best of the best. In the summer you need to be able to handle everything. If people can’t handle it now, they won’t be able to handle it in the summer, where they’re constantly making rescues in 60-degree water.”

Focus on Training

Typically training follows about one month after tryouts, around the end of March, for four to five consecutive weekends, totaling 100 hours. Those who are invited back for the first day of training will begin their day around 8 a.m. on a Saturday, where they will line up in alphabetical order in Speedos and swimsuits, and dive into the 50-degree ocean waters to begin a mile-long swim.

After this endeavor, there’s no rest for the weary. Trainees, who often have no experience lifeguarding or with medical training, will have to complete a written test, and upon completion, go straight into rescue drills, where they’ll be thrust into different types of scenarios and conditions to test how they react under pressure. After that it’s another long swim, sprint, and then what the lifeguards call “practicals” at the City Council Chambers. These important tests grade each trainee further on various circumstances, from an infant needing CPR to controlling bleeding, which they are taught how to handle during training. But trainees aren’t only scored on how well they react; they’re also graded on their abilities to follow direction and overall attitude. Every missed question counts against the cadets, who strive for the least number of points, similar to golf. After practicals, trainees must endure another event, such as swimming or sprinting, before they’re let go for the day—and do it all again the next day.

Yet all the sprinting, running, studying and bearing frigid waters isn’t for nothing. In fact, according to data recorded from the USLA, between 1964 and 2011, only 10 drowning deaths have occurred at guarded beaches in Laguna and, according to USLA, only one in 18 million people will drown while attending a beach protected by lifeguards.

But for Porter, that “one” came all to close one day while guarding Treasure Island. Porter says that a child, who was about 5 years old, was pulled under by a rift, a common occurrence at Treasure Island where the surf can become large with numerous rip currents forming at the north end along the rocks and at the southern end. Fortunately, Porter swiftly came to the little girl’s aid and pulled her out safely, but he adds that if it weren’t for his extensive training, it might have been a different outcome.

“When I’m working out, doing sprints, I think about her to push myself … because if I wasn’t as fast as I was sprinting and swimming, I might not have not got to her in time,” Porter says. “The training, especially with the practicals, they want you to expect anything. One day it might be a nice day and the next thing you know someone could fall off a cliff—that happened to me a couple years ago when I was sitting at Goff [Cove beach].”

Expecting the Unexpected

Kai Bond, a marine safety lieutenant who grew up in Laguna and has been a lifeguard for the city for 18 years, oversees the training program as well as procedures and coordinating lifeguard work schedules, among other duties that range from motivating guards to fitness training. Kai’s years as a veteran guard has taught him that, sometimes, even when everything is done right, some things can’t be changed.

“The most challenging thing I’ve ever come across is tragedy … when you do everything that you can possibly do and still end up with a negative result,” he says.

But through these challenges on the beach comes the realization of the importance of training, which is why it is so labor intensive. Guards must be prepared at all times for the unforeseen—and even the unimaginable.

Dale Ghere, a retiree who has lived in Laguna since 1960, guarded at St. Ann’s Beach from 1960 to 1974. Dale is also credited with helping to develop the first rookie training program in the 1960s, and remembers one day particularly well. He was guarding at Crescent Bay—the day started out calm, but any good guard knows that this only means you need to be especially watchful.

“A few of the kids that I knew gathered around the tower, and we enjoyed telling each other stories,” he recalls. “Then someone yelled, ‘Look!’ and pointed toward the cliff at the north end of the beach.”

Dale knew to watch the waters, but not so much the cliffs. There, a young boy clung to the face of the cliff a few feet below the top, but because of an overhang, he was stuck. Dale recalls that it was clear at first glace that if this boy fell, he would die. So, he yelled to the child to stay calm and quickly ran for backup. Dale and another guard, Dean Westgaard, first decided to throw a rope made of parachute cord down to the boy but quickly ran into problems, as they knew the boy couldn’t grab hold of the rope without falling.

The next idea was to tie the rope around Dale’s chest. He would stand at the bottom of the cliff and be pulled up, grabbing the boy on his way. This also failed, as Dale started slipping through the rope. Dale quickly had another idea: He would strap himself into his rescue tube and fasten the rope to the brass ring around the tube, which provided the needed support to hold his weight. It worked perfectly; as Dale was pulled up, he carried the boy up with him to safety.

But as Dale reached the top, reality sunk in as to what could have happened to both of them, and his knees went weak. The brass ring that was supporting his weight had come apart, and the only thing keeping the rope to the ring was a small fragment of the metal, which had dug into the rope.

“Dean asked if I was OK, and I said yes and then showed him the rope,” Dale says. “Neither of us said anything, but we both knew what the other was thinking. Today, we were just lucky.”

Nowadays, in part due to Laguna’s rocky coastal terrain and more visitors to the beaches each year, cliff rescues play a large role in the rookie program with training that teaches cadets how to handle rescue victims around rocks while anticipating wave surges and currents.

“The training today is way different and way more difficult and complicated—you know in the ’50s the guard just showed up, grabbed his beach umbrella and sat in the sand,” Dale says. “Today it’s like running a college course and paramedic program.”

Allison McCormick, a Corona del Mar High School senior, has been a Laguna lifeguard for three years and is now an ocean lifeguard I. She was top cadet in 2012, which means that she scored the best (or the least number of points) during rookie training last year. Allison says that, for her, the extensive knowledge given during training on how to handle specific situations is what helped her one day last summer while running relief for tower guards in south Laguna. Two kids were in distress, and Allison had to quickly take action.

“[The training] helped me to accomplish two things at once,” she says, adding that they’re taught to go to the individual who is in need of more help first and assist him or her to a buoy before going to the other.

While the SROLA is a challenging experience for most, it’s one that clearly needs to be—millions of people’s lives are in their hands each and every day. For those that eventually do make it through training and are awarded a coveted spot in the department of marine safety, they’re proud to serve the beaches of Laguna. “People work very hard to stay in their position and take it seriously,” Porter says. “For me, why I’m so passionate about [lifeguarding] is helping others.”

From bleeding to cliff rescues, obstructed airways and broken limbs, Laguna’s lifeguards are prepared to handle every situation that comes their way. Although often not in plain sight on a busy summer day, these watchful ocean guardians are there, anticipating anything and everything.

“I learn that every day is different and brings new challenges,” Kai says. “What we do, I do, makes a difference. And that’s a good thing; as a lifeguard in Laguna Beach, we have the respect and support of the community, and I feel very fortunate to be in this position.” LBM

While we have a robust digital presence, here at Firebrand we feel print is very much alive, and we are heartened to see that most of our applicants feel the same way. So with the next generation in mind, we asked our spring interns—Jackie Adams, Madeline Ewles and Amory Zschach—about what draws them to magazines and where they see the future of print.

Jackie: “Radio was supposed to have killed books, TV was supposed to have killed the radio, and movies were supposed to have killed everything, but they’re all still going strong. … The Internet is great for up-to-the-minute breaking news, quick entertainment and offering a variety of voices, but the majority of it just doesn’t carry the validity that print does. Because there’s a finite amount of stories that say, The New York Times can print, it adds weight. A reader knows that each and every story has been pitched, approved, researched and composed by someone with credentials, and then edited and fact-checked by more people. And because it is permanent, once it gets sent out into the world there’s no recalling a magazine or newspaper—there’s accountability. I think people, whether they realize it or not, innately trust print a lot more than they do the Internet.”

Madeline: “Nothing can compare to the connection made between a person and print media. Picking up a magazine or newspaper during the day gives us a break from our screens. Print media has character. … I love the vibrant, glossy images and the slick texture of the pages. I love the research involved in magazine work and seeing a story idea come to life. I love the exciting, fast pace of the industry, and it’s thrilling to be a part of something so much larger than yourself. As a journalist you have opportunities to meet interesting people and become aware and well-informed about a variety of subjects and events.”

Amory: “As an avid magazine subscriber, I love having the pages of talented writers and graphic designers at my fingertips. I can rip out what inspires me and hang it on my fridge for visual inspiration. Print also allows us to be carefree and mobile, as it goes where we go at any given whim. Books and magazines don’t mind being covered in sand on the beach, piled on in a vagabond’s luggage or taken on adventures for days without a power outlet.”

Print is indeed alive and well on these pages, and we hope they inspire you to tear them out if you want, or take the magazine wherever your travels and daily adventures take you. Here’s to the next generation and their creativity—whatever the medium.

Sincerely,

Micaela Myers, Group Editor

Micaela@firebrandmediainc.com