Ready to trot two stores down

Barbara Diamond

Plans were trotted out for a new gallery specializing in etchings,

drawings and lithographs approved to replace one of Laguna’s most

interesting stores.

The city Planning Commission approved the Christopher Clark Fine

Art Gallery for 264 Forest Ave., the longtime site of Rosalie

Gelston’s Thee Foxes Trot. Gelston will keep open her other store

just two stores away.

The appeal period for the gallery approval was up 5 p.m.

Wednesday. Thursday, Gelston announced a 50%-off sale.

“The store has done extremely well, but I own the building and I

chose to lease it and still exercise my passion for retail in my

store next door at 260 Forest Ave.,” Gelston said.

Planning Commissioners approved the fine print gallery March 24 by

a bare majority and advised staff that any more galleries applying to

do business on Forest Avenue will have tough time unless another

gallery closes. The closure of the Chuck Jones Gallery helped the new

gallery squeak in.

The gallery application stipulated that “original works” by

“masters” Rembrandt, Renoir, Lautrec, Chagall, Picasso, Miro, Matisse

and several living artists would be featured.

Approval of the gallery was held up for a couple of weeks so the

commissioners could get a definition of “masters.” The city hired

Lisa Lodeski of Lisa Lodeski Fine Arts in Aliso Viejo. She opined

that “masters” really was not the best wording.

“Historically, ‘masters’ was used to refer to a significant group

of artists, such as Durer, Rembrandt, Da Vinci and Hals, for example,

who painted representational subject matter in a realistic style,”

Lodeski told planning staff member Ann Larson.

The term was later broadened to include modernists.

Staff recommended approval of the gallery with the change, if the

commissioner found Lodeski’s guidelines acceptable. Commissioner

Linda Dietrich, formerly an arts commissioner, supported the staff

recommendation.

“This would not limit [this gallery], but would limit any other

business,” said Dietrich.

Commissioners Norm Grossman and Robert Zur Schmeide voted against

the proposed gallery.

“This is going in the wrong direction from what I think should be

on Forest Avenue,” Grossman said.

GLAMOROUS GAMS

Bree Burgess Rosen’s dancer’s legs look good anytime, but they

looked especially good at the Laguna Board of Realtors luncheon and

fashion show on April Fool’s Day.

She appeared to be wearing the sheerest of pantyhose. Actually,

she was wearing Nyce Legs -- instant “spray on nylons.” It comes in a

can.

Mz Entertainment and her husband Leon Rosen’s company, SWE Inc.,

are merchandising Nyce Legs on the internet and through QVC, starting

the first week in May.

“QVC ordered 15,000 cans,” Rosen said.

Sixty-second commercials on Oxygen and Lifetime tout the product.

ON DECK

La Casa del Camino hotel may keep open the roof-top deck all night

for guests to star-gaze, but parties and alcohol will not be allowed.

Designated hours of operation in the conditional use permit are

limited to 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday; and to 11

p.m., Friday and Saturday.

Hotel management asked to have the use expanded beyond the

designated hours mainly because they have found it impossible to keep

the guests off the deck, regardless of the times posted.

The extended guest use will be reviewed by the Planning Commission

in a year, unless neighbors complain beforehand, triggering a

hearing.

ON THE ROAD

Laguna Culinary Arts on Laguna Canyon Road will be allowed to sell

beer and wine for off-site consumption.

The business had previously been limited to on-site consumption in

the eating area.

* DOING BUSINESS is a periodic feature of the Laguna Beach

Coastline Pilot. Contributions are welcomed. Mail to Barbara Diamond,

P.O. Box 248, Laguna Beach, 92652; fax to (949) 494-8979;

hand-deliver to (949) 384 Forest Ave., Suite 22; or call (949)

494-4321.