MAILBAG - Jan. 26, 2007

Many to thank for Music Festival

The fifth annual Laguna Beach Music Festival has closed, but the excitement of such delightful music and outstanding musicians in this unique setting continues to be talked about. A big thanks to the many Laguna people who made it the success that it was! First, we want to thank the lodging establishments and the City of Laguna Beach for funding the Cultural Arts grant that supports our growth.

The festival would not happen without the generosity of Claes Anderson and the Hotel Laguna. Not only did he host the musicians and give us rehearsal space, but he also sponsored the wonderful Tuesday salon and the Friday opening night dinner.

We also appreciated Montage Resort & Spa, Aliso Creek Inn and the Inn at Laguna Beach for providing rooms for us.

Special thanks also to the Laguna Playhouse for acting as the in-town box office, Laguna Art Museum for providing the venue for the evening education program, and our local newspapers for helping with the promotion.

The festival committee deserves a big thank you: Judith Jelinek and Lauren Packard, co-chairs; Diane and Chimo Arnold; Jane Grier; Heather Goss; Joan Halvajian; Ron Harris; Tim Le Pore; Pamela Madsen; Alex Maradudin; Pat Morgan; Nancy Posch; Carol Reynolds; Paul Sochat and David Whitehill.

We were nervous about changing the Laguna Beach Music Festival to January and introducing new music, but the overwhelming support happily proved us right. Not only was the Friday dinner at Claes sold out, but the Saturday concert was as well, and the other concerts and events were very well attended.

Our new January time ensures our ability to bring these world-class artists to the schools, and we appreciate the high school working with us on this.

The Music Festival, as in all things that we do, is created to enhance the community, and we greatly appreciate the extensive community support.

LUCINDA PREWITT

Laguna Beach

Laguna an island of gay acceptance

Relative to the recent discussion of the closing of Woody’s restaurant, I agree with Mr. Goldberg of Aliso Viejo that gays and lesbians are indeed “ … accepted everywhere by nearly everyone in the area.” This is true, in my experience, when the area is Laguna Beach, but it is definitely not true everywhere.

It is a sad and shocking fact that in 33 states it is still entirely legal to fire a person just for being gay.

Fortunately, the “island of Laguna” is not in one of those states. We are, however, in a state where it seems that gay marriage is a major threat (in election years) to traditional marriage.

JAMES DORF

Laguna Beach

Businesses will welcome gays

Both the 134th richest man in the world, who bought the Coast Inn-Boom Boom Room, and the Avila family, who bought Woody’s at the Beach, have made it clear to the gay and lesbian community that they want their business and they will be more than welcome when the two places reopen.

The new Coast Inn and Boom Boom Room will be beautiful, and El Ranchito will serve some of the tastiest Latin food in town.

Memories are important, and many will remember the two princes who owned the Little Shrimp — Michael Michaels, who has passed away, and Roger, who lives in Palm Springs — but so is the future.

As one writer said, gays and lesbians are welcome everywhere in Laguna Beach and probably make the difference between making a profit and breaking even for many, many merchants, hotels and restaurants.

The new Coast Inn and El Ranchito can be as gay as you want to make them.

ROGER CARTER

Laguna Beach

Labor sites serve the greedy, not city

Wayne Peterson’s letter “Day labor center serves city” was very carefully worded to avoid all the adverse aspects of day labor sites while attempting to justify an illegal operation by misusing wording in a Supreme Court ruling.

All of the quoted court rulings apply to legal citizens of the United States, not to citizens of foreign countries, which includes illegal immigrants.

Like most supporters of cheap labor or the reconquista of the United States, Peterson skips over the evils of the day labor sites.

There are many evil aspects of the sites, but the two most undeniable are that they are a magnet attracting illegal immigrants to our city/country and that it is an illegal operation/business.

Of course, not all the laborers are illegal immigrants but it appears a majority are, and very few of them are residents of Laguna.

So the day labor site does not really serve the city, it serves cutthroat contractors and others looking to make an extra dollar profit.

Legal employment agencies operating as private businesses on private land, paying taxes and using legal citizens can accomplish all that the day labor site does without all the illegal and evil associated fallout.

DAVE CONNELL

Laguna Beach

Laguna should become a ‘Cool City’

All over America, communities are taking action to help solve global warming.

From hybrid vehicle fleets in Charlotte to green buildings in Austin to homes powered with renewable energy in Seattle, local governments are moving forward to curb global warming, save taxpayer dollars and create healthier cities.

At a time when the federal government is failing to act, these local leaders are moving America toward a safer and more secure future.

So what is a Cool City? These are cities that have made a commitment to stopping global warming by signing the Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement.

The Cool Cities campaign helps cities turn their commitments into action by pushing for smart energy solutions.

At this time, Laguna Beach City Council members are looking to adopt and sign this Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement, but we have not had consensus on this yet.

We hope it will happen soon and that significant changes will be made, including making the senior and recreational center more of an environmentally green building. Please call our City Council members to ask for their support by signing this agreement.

Here are two good websites for your review: www.seattle.gov/mayor/climate and www.coolcities.com

Thank you — and be cool!

CHARLOTTE MASARIK

Laguna Beach