Growing but not gone

JAMES PRIBRAM

Help. The fog of June has arrived early and so has the traffic. How

can we improve the flow of traffic in this town? Or can we? Perhaps

it’s a nice start having the roads repaved Downtown, however maybe

the truth is that our nice little town has just outgrown itself.

I can’t tell you how many conversations about concern that I have

had regarding the purchase of the beloved “Ben Browns” golf course by

the Montage Resort: “Are they going to raise the fees to play?” “

Will they make it 18 holes?” “Are they going to make employees

re-apply?” I have, however, had nothing but pleasant experiences in

my communication with the Montage Resort, and it is my hope that it

continues to be resident-friendly before making any harsh decisions

regarding the course.

Spring is in the air and have you seen the new beach signs telling

beachgoers the rules of the beach. You can’t miss them, they’re huge

bulletin boards. So now there are no excuses for the “I didn’t know”

crowd. Pick up your trash. Leave the tide pools alone and enjoy the

beach by pitching in a little.

A little respect goes along way. Maybe all the way to knowing what

most of us have known all along -- that we live in a special town.

Maybe the good old days, which some people would like to call

them, are gone. Or maybe with a little help from each other we can

still enjoy today.

Peace.

* JAMES PRIBRAM is a Laguna Beach resident, professional surfer

and co-founder of “They Will Surf Again,” a nonprofit foundation

assisting people with spinal cord injuries. He was also a member of

the Water Quality Advisory Committee. He can be reached at

jamo@alohaschoolofsurfing.com. His Web site is

alohaschoolofsurfing.com.