Beaches score well in dry weather

Every beach in North and South Laguna, in dry weather conditions,

received an A or A-plus grade in an annual report of state water

quality.

“Overall, dry weather water quality at most beaches in Orange

County was very good,” the report said.

However, half of Laguna’s beaches received failing grades after

rain, and all others but Emerald Bay, which had an A, receiving Cs

and Ds.

The grades came as part of Santa Monica-based Heal the Bay’s 13th

annual Beach Report Card, released May 21. The environmental group

collects sampling data from each county along the coast to reach its

conclusions.

None of Laguna’s beaches made the list of “county bummers,”

beaches with the worst water quality, headed by Doheny State Beach in

Dana Point, which was deemed to have the worst water quality in the

state.

Crescent Bay Beach, Victoria Beach, Blue Lagoon, Treasure Island

Pier, Aliso Creek Beach (north) and El Moro Beach were the highest

scoring beaches in the wet season, with Cs.

-- Mike Swanson

Docents give insight into Festival

Eight Lagunans completed docent training on Tuesday to provide

more than just booklets to those touring the Festival of Arts from

July 6 to 31, and volunteer coordinator Candice Burroughs hopes

others enlist before the festival begins.

Burroughs, a tidewater docent at Laguna’s beaches, said she

expects the presence of art docents to heighten Festival-goers’

appreciation for the exhibits.

“The primary purpose of having volunteer docents is to be able to

offer escorted tours to the many groups that come to the Festival

each summer,” Burroughs said. “We anticipate having docents available

for our groups and also, if we have enough volunteers to staff,

having tours available to the general public during peak visitor

hours.”

The first group of trained docents toured the grounds from 9:30

a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, meeting the Festival staff and many of the

artists to learn about the different mediums on exhibit this summer.

The group received a history lesson of the festival and a complete

list of all the artists represented at this year’s event.

Burroughs said she’d like to have a few more training sessions

before the festival begins, but hasn’t set any firm dates. She said

most of the first group of docents are art teachers.

“We’re hoping to provide visitors with a basic overview of what

they’re looking at,” Burroughs said, “and give them a warm feeling

about art. We want to encourage visitors to come back with friends

after their first visit.”

Those interested in becoming a Festival of Arts docent should call

Burroughs at (949) 499-0525.

-- Mike Swanson

Teams sought for Relay for Life

The Laguna Beach Relay for Life is looking for teams to

participate in the June 29 event at Laguna Beach High School.

Teams of 10 to 15 people made up of families, friends,

corporations and churches walk to raise money for the fight against

cancer.

For information or applications, call Addy Benard at the

American Cancer Society, (949) 567-0611 or addy.benard@cancer.org.

Playhouse puts on ‘A Moveable Feast’

“A Moveable Feast” will be held on Monday, June 9, starting off at

[seven-degrees]. Several fine restaurants in Laguna Beach will

showcase their best dishes for the event.

Attendees will begin their experience with a pre-dinner reception

at [seven-degrees], where they can bid on a special silent auction.

Then, participants enjoy two courses at their choice of Cabana

Beachside Bar and Grill, Cedar Creek Inn, Claes, Five Feet, French

75, Las Brisas, Partners Bistro, Sorrento Grille and Martini Bar,

Savoury’s Restaurant and Catering, Splashes, Sundried Tomato Cafe,

230 Forest Avenue or Villa Romana Trattoria.

After dining, participants return to [seven-degrees] for dessert

(courtesy of David Wilhelm’s Culinary Adventures) as well as jazz,

conversation and final auction bidding and prize drawings.

The fund-raising event benefits the Laguna Playhouse annual fund.

Tickets are $100 per person ($50 tax deductible). VIP diner tickets,

which include champagne and limousine service among the restaurants,

are $200 ($125 tax deductible).

To receive a brochure, call (949) 497-2787, ext. 217.

Laguna Beach Chorale to present show

The Laguna Beach Chorale will present its annual concert at 4 p.m.

Saturday.

The concert will be led by the chorale’s founder, Dan Resch, at

the Laguna Beach United Methodist Church, 21632 Wesley Drive.

Admission is $15, $10 for seniors and students.

A featured piece will be Gabriel Faure’s “Requiem,” which will be

sung by the full chorus and accompanied by the Laguna Beach

Orchestra.

The concert will conclude with four American folk songs -- “Long

Time Ago,” “Oh Shenandoah,” “All My Trials” and “Where Will You Be?”

The soloists will be Dawna Martin, Brad Charlton, Michael Denison

and Katherine Rodecker.

For information about the group and child care, call 499-8432.