Eye on arts and entertainment

Suzie Harrison

Put on your running shoes and do the “what’s happening in Laguna Beach

marathon.” But, be careful and pace yourself because you don’t want to

miss anything.

After all, the goal is not getting to the finish line -- rather it’s

the collective fun of enjoying art, events, entertainment, night clubs,

festivals and all those things you collect at the mile markers as you

make your way around Laguna.

City celebrates birthday

What a great way to celebrate Laguna Beach’s 75th birthday with the

rededication of our beloved icon, the lifeguard tower, last Saturday

under sunny skies.

About 75 to 100 people enjoyed the festivities at Main Beach with

proud Lagunans from generations of the first lifeguards who served Laguna

to families with kids and their canine friends.

“The rededication of the lifeguard tower brought out a tremendous

showing of pride in our community and its rich history,” said local

historian Andy Alison.

The Community Concert Band enthusiastically played for the crowd that

was proud to call Laguna Beach home and be a part of history in the

making. Emcee Alison headed the event with the help of the city, the

Heritage Committee and the Historical Society making the project come

together.

Craig Lockwood, a veteran Laguna Beach lifeguard, gave an animated

speech about the tower’s history and all the things that happened over

the years, including all its rehabs and some crazy publicity stunts by

the Griffin brothers, who were lifeguards in the 60s. They got national

media coverage by inventing a story about a sea monster attacking Laguna

Beach.

“Wonderful community response to a magnificent community effort --

Mayor Wayne Baglin was complimentary, effusive and reflecting in every

way Laguna’s terrific spirit,” Lockwood said.

Mark Klosterman, chief of marine safety, helped with the ceremony, as

did Baglin, who did the ribbon cutting for the renovated tower.

Symbolically our past, present and future were all represented as the

lifeguards were in training in the foreground.

Sundried celebration

Laguna’s Sundried Tomato Cafe celebrated its first anniversary last

Monday.

Mark Jacobi, chef and co-owner, and his business partner, Rob Quest,

celebrated the occasion by giving to the charity 44 Women for Children.

They have another restaurant in Orange where this tradition has been

going for years.

The 44 Women charity is an auxiliary committee to the Orangewood

Foundation that raises money to support programs for emancipated youth by

providing scholarships and mentoring. Approximately $3,000 was raised

that evening.

“It felt appropriate to donate the proceeds of this evening to

Orangewood for children,” Quest said.

Jacobi and Quest said they are thankful to Laguna for the successful

first year that they have enjoyed.

“Mark has been so wonderful to us,” said Susan Samueli, chair of 44

Women for Children.

Sundried Tomato Cafe is at 361 Forest Ave. and can be reached at

494-3312.

New food and fun at Woody’s

Woody’s at the Beach, always in search of providing the most fun in

Laguna Beach for the alternative lifestyle crowd, is trying something new

and different on Monday nights.

Beginning July 8 “Woody’s Unwrapped” will be the Monday Night feature.

The Monday night theme is based around a special casual home-style menu

and entertainment.

“We surveyed over 400 people and what we found is that everyone wants

a casual fun place to hang out on Monday nights with good quality food at

reasonable prices,” said Joel Herzer, proprietor of Woody’s.

In addition to the special dinner menu, Absolut and Dekuyper Martinis

will be offered at special Monday Night prices. The ever-popular Jonny

Pimento will provide entertainment.

Woody’s is at 1305 South Coast Highway. Information: 376-8809 or

online at www.woodysatthebeach.com.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot.

She may be reached at 494-4321.