SURFING SOAPBOX: Bring Laguna back

Empty it still sits. The old Jolly Roger restaurant. Merely a reminder of the old Laguna a lot of us remember, before MTV stormed in, seemingly cutting off the roots of the old Laguna tree.

Many of the families I had grown up with have moved out of Laguna, seeking refuge from the glamour and glitz of the new Laguna.

Our town has become nothing more than a tourist destination. Laguna Beach, the onetime sleepy beach town, has been transformed seemingly overnight into an international hot spot, a place for spring break and whatever school break. Although great for business, the roots of our town were ripped from the ground.

Our town has gone through many changes in its time “” from housing booms to fires and landslides. Personally, I think it’s going through another one. It seems every corner has a “for rent” or “house for sale” sign.

Walking downtown one can see just how many empty retail spots sit vacant “” and we’re talking prime retail spots such as the old Jolly Roger and Jamba Juice locations. Javier’s has moved on, with Cedar Creek soon to follow, as the hand of time keeps ticking and moving forward.

What we still have is the soul of the people here in this community who have managed to live through all the changes. They are the same people who care for our town and our beaches, from where you could see the hillside that used to be the home of the legendary landmark “L” “” for Laguna Beach.

Maybe some on the City Council need to be reminded of what makes this town so special “” the people. Because it’s people like Roger Butow, and now Chris Williams “” who organize beach clean ups here in town “” and other lifelong residents who climb that hillside overlooking Laguna, building and freshly repainting the landmark “L.”

Well, people, it’s time to get back up the hill and put the “L” back into Laguna because if we wait on our City Council we might just be waiting a long time.

Peace.

JAMES PRIBRAM is a Laguna Beach native, professional surfer and founder of the Aloha School of Surfing. He can be reached at Jamo@Alohaschoolofsurfing.com