One hospitable night

Suzie Harrison

Since 1952, the crowds have come together to enjoy a show of

hospitality presented by the Chamber of Commerce. On the first Friday

of December, Forest Avenue is closed to traffic and open to visitors

from all over.

The crowd begins to gather at about 5 p.m. and begins to dwindle a

bit after 8 p.m. In between, people are entertained and lured into

shops with light snacks and warm welcomes.

As visitors stroll through Downtown, they are treated to

performances from the California Choreographers Dance Festival and

can catch a glimpse of Santa riding by as he heads to his hut to

greet the children.

One of the biggest hits of the event for the past five years has

been La Playa’s tamale booth. La Playa is an organization designed to

help Spanish-speaking adults learn English. Every year, the group’s

students make fresh, authentic tamales for Hospitality Night. A line

will begin to form when they go on sale at 5 p.m. at Laguna

Presbyterian Church’s Tankersley Hall.

Not only are they considered a hot commodity for their tastiness,

the tamales help raise funds for the organization established by the

South County Crosscultural Council.

“Essentially, La Playa provides a stimulating center for Hispanic

mothers and sometimes fathers to learn English while their infant and

preschool children are cared for in a cross-cultural environment,”

volunteer teacher Lorna Cohen said.

“La Playa enriches our community through promoting mutual

understanding, cultural awareness and the simple feeling of

neighborliness -- which results when we learn to speak the same

language and get to know each other as families.”

Since its start in 1996, it has had day care for preschool

children in addition to the English instruction four mornings a week.

There are several class levels, and they have served about 300

students since the school opened. Director Sally Rapuano is the only

paid staff member; 12 volunteers help teach the 25 to 30 students.

Student Carmen Aguilar is part of the tamale-making team.

“Five years we have been making the tamales to buy books, to keep

and share the Mexican tradition and share the tradition of making

tamales,” Aguilar said.

She said that last year, they made 1,000.

“Two years ago, a woman told me she was angry, she had been

waiting in the line, and there were no more tamales,” Aguilar said.

“People want more and more.”

Lorna Cohen, who is a teacher at La Playa, instigated the tamale

sale in 1995 as a way to raise money for textbooks.

“La Playa was looking for a fundraiser,” Cohen said. “And at

Christmas, it’s a Mexican tradition to make tamales -- so I went to

Laguna Presbyterian Church because of the great Downtown location and

asked if we could sell tamales there on Hospitality Night.”

It’s been a hit ever since, selling out every year, starting with

500, and this year they expect another sell out with 1,200.

Everything is handmade by about 10 to 15 people.

“We go shopping Wednesday, cook the beef and chicken and make the

salsa on Thursday,” La Playa director Sally Rapuano said. “Then we

buy the masa fresh, and so we buy it on Friday morning. We have to

start early to go get the mesa at 6 or 7 a.m.”

Next they put the masa on a cornhusk, add the meat and salsa, then

fold each one up and steam the tamales. She said it usually takes

about three hours to make because there are so many.

“There is usually a line. Ever since it began it gets sold out,”

Rapuano said. “My best advice is to come early.”

The tamales are $12 each and contribute a big chunk toward La

Playa’s textbooks.

“It’s a way to get out into the community, for the community to

see us and learn that we’re here,” Rapuano said.

Other community members will provide entertainment throughout the

evening. At 5 p.m., the bell choir will perform at the Presbyterian

Church and there will be a community sing-along. At 5:30 p.m.,

Thurston Middle School’s Band and then the Laguna Beach Community

Band will play at City Hall.

Santa’s arrival at City Hall on a fire truck with the mayor to

light the Pepper Tree is a highlight that starts at 6 p.m. From

there, McGruff the crime dog and Sparky the fire dog will help

Santa’s reindeer lead the parade to Santa’s house on the corner of

Glenneyre Street and Forest Avenue. The reindeer are actually rescue

greyhounds dressed in reindeer garb. Santa goes in style in the

parade, driven by owner of Thalia Surf Shop Jim Cocores in his

vintage surf car.

Santa then takes his place and greets children who form a line to

have their holiday wishes heard. While they wait, photographer Rick

Lang will snap holiday photos and a puppet show will entertain the

crowd. “The Very, Very Good Fairy,” Jessica Destefano, will keep the

kids occupied with her treats and her fairy dust. Heebie and Jeebie

will also make an appearance near Santa’s house at 8 p.m.

Nearby, at 6:15 p.m., the California Choreographers Dance Festival

performs a site-specific dance, and then Anneliese’s School’s chorus

sings carols in different languages from around the world. Belly

dancers will perform at the Forest Avenue Plaza at 6:30 p.m. Soon

after, the Laguna Beach High School Band will perform, and then there

will be marching and bagpipe music by the San Clemente Scotts. Other

strolling performers include the “Carnevale” group, roving in their

elaborate costumes. LagunaTunes and the No Square Musical Theatre

Youth will also participate with songs and caroling.

Throughout the evening, nearly all the business open their doors

for late shopping and treats and beverages. Treats are also offered

throughout Downtown, including fresh, hot popcorn provided at no

charge by the Exchange Club and spicy cider donated by Wild Oats.

Santa will be at his house at noon through the evening every day

until Christmas.

The Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce organizes hospitality Night.

For information, call (949) 494-1018, ext. 1.