Shops open up for night of fun

BARBARA DIAMOND

The holiday season began Friday in Laguna Beach when Santa Claus

arrived at City Hall.

Anyone who thinks Christmas is too commercial only needed to look

at the faces of the hundreds of Laguna Beach kids who counted down

with Santa to the lighting of the pepper tree and then escorted him

down Forest Avenue to his holiday home.

Adults, too, shared the fun. Police Capt. Danell Adams, who grew

up in Laguna, Arts Commissioner Terry Smith and former Mayor Wayne

Peterson were in the crowd at City Hall. Ditto John Anderson and

deputy City Clerk Martha Anderson.

Attorney Bill O’Hare rushed from his office to meet up with his

wife, Theresa, and son, Brendan. His other son, Billy, had other

plans. The O’Hares, who haven’t missed a Hospitality Night since they

moved to town about 20 years ago, were joined by Molly and Eric

Retzlaff and their daughter, Elizabeth, 17.

“They have lived in town for two years but had never gone to

Hospitality Night,” Theresa O’Hare said. “They couldn’t believe how

much fun it is.”

Mayor Cheryl Kinsman rode the 1931 Seagrave fire engine that

traditionally carts Santa through town to City Hall. Her sons,

Nicholas, 9, and Joshua, 16, along with Nick’s best friend, Timmy

Crane, Kathleen Imagawa, 11, and Jonathan Cassell, 15, whose parents

France Imagawa and Jenney Cassell work at the accounting firm Kinsman

owns with husband, Michael.

Retired fire Capt. Eugene D’Isabella, drove the venerated fire

engine, as he did throughout almost four decades with the department.

“Gotta keep us antiques together,” a beaming Diz said.

While waiting for Santa, the crowd at City Hall was treated to a

concert by the Thurston Middle School Band. Austin Murray, 14, who

usually plays stringed instruments, switched to percussion so he

could be participate in the concert. He inherited his musical talent

from his mother, Tyler, a professional singer.

Kate Tschudin has been bringing grandson, Nathan, to Hospital

Night since he was born. This year, the 6-year-old declined to share

his Christmas list.

John Thomas Robinson, 4, wasn’t so reticent. He said he was going

to ask Santa for a rocket ship -- one presumes not a real one -- but

he also planned to ask for a dinosaur -- a live one. Shudda seen the

faces of his parents, Julie and John, when their son made that wish

known. His sister, Summer, 8, said she wanted a whole Polly Pocket

Airplane Set.

Taylor Spring, 7, paraded down Forest Avenue in a decorated wagon.

She is hoping for a hamster.

The Laguna Presbyterian Bell Ringers also performed.

Shannon and Chris Thompson brought their 3-year-old, Megan, to the

churchyard for the concert. She allowed as how she would venture a

“Hi” to Santa. The three sons of Jennifer and the Rev. Steve Sweet,

pastor of the church, had their lists on the tips of their tongues.

Nathan, 7, is opting for a Lego robot; Aaron, 5, wants a remote

controlled Power Ranger; and Joseph, 3, is asking for a choo-choo

train.

Aubrey Davenport, 3, also wants a choo-choo. Her mom, Christie,

put granite countertops at the top of her list. Natalie Higgins, 8,

asked for a scooter. They all joined Laura Jumani, who had recently

moved to Laguna Beach, for her Hospitality Night.

After the tree lighting ceremony, the action switched to Forest

Avenue where Santa listened to children’s Christmas wishes and Rick

Lang took commemorative photographs.

Ronni Hinmon, 8, was prepared to tell Santa she wanted skates and

a skateboard. Younger sister, Alli, 5, wants a bicycle with training

wheels and a pink basket. Luke Colburn, 3-year-old son of Laguna Art

Museum Director Bolton Colburn and curator Susan Anderson, said he’d

settle for a candy cane. Eldest son, Nathaniel, wants a motorized

go-cart.

Ocean Laguna founder Walker Reed wants Santa to bring him

volunteers for the Tidewater Docent Program. For more information,

forget Santa, call Fred Sattler at (949) 497-9367.

Michelle and former Police Chief Neil Purcell, newly elected

Festival of Arts Vice President Anita Mangels, Councilman Steven

Dicterow and daughter Taryn and former Mayor Ann Christoff strolled

the avenue.

Hospitality Night entertainment included the Laguna Beach High

School Band, Kyne Dance Academy, California Choreographers, Laguna

Tunes, Analiese’s School K-4 Chorus, No Square Theatre, San Clemente

Scots Bagpipe Band, Carnevale and the Laguna Beach Community Band.

Carol Reynolds is the new president of the band. Clarinetist

Sheryl Caverly, who has played with the band for four years, is vice

president.

“I hadn’t played in 48 years when I joined the band, and now I

have worked my way up to second clarinet,” Caverly said.

Wild Oats donated 30 gallons of apple juice. The Exchange Club

popped corn and real live elves, fairies and toy soldiers popped up

on the avenue.

The Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce sponsors Hospitality Night.

Merchants traditionally stay open on Forest and Ocean avenues for

buyers and browsers. Refreshments were plentiful. Salon de Nour also

accepted contributions for Laura’s House. Valinda Martin had a

platoon of helpers to welcome visitors to her new shop, Art for the

Soul.

This year, the chamber is promoting a Hometown Holiday Shopping

Spree contest. Participants are invited to choose between three

packages of goods, services and gift certificates and visit the shops

in the package to validate their entry. No purchases are required.

Winners’ names will be drawn at Locals Nite, Thursday at Santa’s

House on the corner of Glenneyre Street and Forest Avenue. No need to

be there to win, but only one winner per family is allowed.

Entry forms are available at participating shops and at the

chamber, 357 Glenneyre St., under the library. Forms may be submitted

to the shops, to the chamber by 4:30 p.m. Thursday by 7:30 p.m. to

Santa’s House that night.

Participants must be 18 or older. For more information, call (949)

494-1018, ext. 1

So who was naughty and who was nice? Tell us.

* OUR LAGUNA is a regular feature of the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. Contributions are welcomed. Write to Barbara Diamond, P.O. Box

248, Laguna Beach, 92652, hand-deliver to 384 Forest Ave., Suite 22;

call (949) 494-4321 or fax (949) 494-8979.