Laguna’s political festival

Barbara Diamond

Fifteen candidates have accepted invitations to attend the first-ever

Laguna Beach Election Festival Oct. 2 at Laguna Beach High School.

“We did hear from a George Bush representative who said they were

unsure of his schedule at the time, but would keep it in mind,” said

Linda Brown, co-chair of the Laguna Beach unit of the League of Women

Voters, which is hosting the festival.

The unit invited all candidates for national offices -- except

vice presidential hopefuls -- the state senate and assembly, special

Orange County districts, the Laguna Beach City Council and the Laguna

Beach Unified School District Board of Trustees. Even candidates

running unopposed were invited.

Representatives of Congressman Christopher Cox (R), 48th District,

sent regrets. He will be in session and unable to attend.

Cox challengers John Graham, a Democrat, and Bruce Cohen,

Libertarian, will attend.

Acceptances also were received from U. S. Senate candidates James

Gray, Libertarian, and Marsha Feinland, Peace and Freedom Party; City

Council incumbent candidates Cheryl Kinsman and Wayne Baglin and

challenger Jane Egly; incumbent City Treasurer Laura Parisi and City

Clerk candidate Martha Anderson, both running unopposed; school board

incumbents El Hathaway and Jan Vickers and challenger Mark Itnyre;

70th Assembly District challenger Carl Mariz (D); Municipal Water

District incumbent Susan Hinman and challenger Donald Froelich.

The event will include mini-forums, and informational tables

staffed by candidates or their representatives, proponents and

opponents of ballot measures and a nonpartisan voters service that

will offer voter registration, e-slate voting demonstrations and pros

and cons on ballot issues.

More than 40 community groups will participate.

“This is an opportunity for us to come together,” said League

veteran Jean Raun, who also served on the Vision Laguna Governance

and Civic Participation Committee.

Admission to the festival is free. Expenses will be paid by a $50

contribution requested from candidates and participating groups.

There will be food concessions and entertainment.

For more information, call (949) 494-9928.

FORUMS

* Woman’s Club of Laguna Beach and the American Assn. of

University Women, 11:45 a.m., Oct. 1 at the clubhouse on the corner

of St. Ann’s Drive and Glenneyre Street. Luncheon is $10, which may

be paid at the door. For reservations, call (949) 497-1200.

FUNDRAISERS

* Saturday, 4 to 7 p.m., Moveon.org fund-raiser at Len’s Wine

Site, 303 Broadway. $30 donation. For more information, call Lorraine

at (949) 8869.

Mayor Cheryl Kinsman picked up the first celebrity endorsement of

the City Council campaign.

Actress Heather Locklear and her husband, musician Richie Sambora,

each donated the maximum $310 to Kinsman’s bid for re-election and

gave her permission to use their names.

* About 75 people attended a fundraiser Saturday at the home of

Anthony and Jane Ciabattoni. The crowd was mostly from South Laguna,

according to Kinsman, but her message covered the whole city.

“I talked about what I want to see in the future,” Kinsman said.

“I want more Downtown parking. I am for any plan that has more

Downtown parking. I also want to keep South Coast Medical Center in

town and I want the city’s new financial system which our committee

has been working on for two years, up and running.”

Almost $7,000 was raised at the event.

Kinsman has more fund-raisers scheduled.

* Sunday, 3 to 5 p.m., at the home of Steve Kawaratani and

Catharine Cooper, who also hosted a fund-raiser for Wayne Baglin.

Requested donation, is $35. For more information, call (499)

499-2900.

* A Jane Egly fund-raiser this weekend will go head-to-head for

the second time with a Kinsman fund-raiser.

* Sunday. 4:30 to 6 p.m., at Madison Square and Garden Cafe, 320

N. Coast Highway, which also held a fund-raiser for incumbent Wayne

Baglin. Requested donation, $25. Guests are asked to enter on the

Coast Highway side. For more information about Egly’s campaign, visit

www.jane4laguna.com.

OTHER ELECTION ACTIVITY

In September:

* Saturday Night at the Movies. 7 p.m., Saturday Night at the

Movies, at the Laguna Beach Democratic Headquarters, 1212 S. Coast

Highway. “Unprecedented.” Popcorn and soft drinks provided or bring

your own refreshments. Seating is limited. Beach chairs suggested.

* Presidential Debate Party at the Democratic Headquarters, 1212,

S. Coast Highway. Debate will start at 6 p.m. and will last about 90

minutes. Lively discussion expected. Refreshments provided. Guests

are welcome to bring their own snacks and are encouraged to bring

beach chairs. Seating is limited.

* Art Exhibit. “Mean Times S Back at Home,” an art exhibit through

Nov. 2 at BC Space Gallery, 235 Forest Ave. For more information,

e-mail bcspace@mol.net , visit https://www.bcspace.com or call (949)

497-2880.

* Contributions to Election ’04 Notebook 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) 8979.