Victims Should Just Help Themselves : Business: Some merchants provide--free or at reduced cost--the basics to those who have lost homes.

By ANNA CEKOLA

Oct. 31, 1993 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

LAGUNA BEACH — Susan McCalla Ornellas says she was one of the lucky ones. The pharmacy that’s been in her family since 1958 was spared from the flames that burned perilously close to the downtown village.

When she was able to reopen the drugstore Thursday, she wanted to do the right thing.

So she’s been handing out necessities to weary firefighters and shellshocked families who have lost their homes. Toothbrushes. Eyedrops. Lip balm. Medication. Anything that’s needed she has given away free.

One recipient of Ornellas’ generosity was a tearful woman who stopped by Saturday for toiletries. She was carrying a small plastic bag with the only keepsakes she had been able to salvage from the fire: two soot-covered watches and a small baby Jesus figurine.

“It’s only by the grace of God that I’m still here,” said Ornellas, 37. “I truly believe I was left here to help the people. This has been my town since I was 2.”

Downtown merchants, grateful to have escaped damage from the firestorm that devastated parts of their city, opened their shops as usual Saturday and reached out to the victims in need of help.

Some, such as Ornellas, owner of McCalla’s Pharmacy at 292 Forest Ave., donated basic items to fire victims. Others, such as Coast Hardware at 240 Broadway, offered substantial discounts on such items as shovels, rakes and gloves.

“There’s such a sense of community here anyway,” said Lou Parr, 63, area manager of Coast Hardware and a resident of Laguna Beach for 30 years. “Everyone is just hanging together through all of this. It’s so amazing. Everyone is just really optimistic. They’re not downbeat.”

If not for the charred hills and rubble of homes looming within view, activity downtown on Saturday appeared normal. Almost.

Flyers listing hot-line numbers for fire victims dotted shop windows. Other stores, such as Hobie Sports at 294 Forest Ave., had signs in their windows reading, “Discounts for Fire Victims.”

Inside the store, where the smell of smoke still lingered, clerks said sweat suits and shirts and summer clothing were in great demand. A discount of 30% was being offered to fire victims.

“We’re trying to help out as much as we can,” said sales clerk Karly Thomas, 19, of South Laguna.

One of the first stops for many fire victims was Marriner’s Stationers and Booksellers at 506 Forest Ave., a fixture in downtown Laguna Beach since 1927.

“They’re coming to get pads of paper and pens to start making lists and put their lives back together,” said owner Norm Marriner, whose grandfather started the business. “Many customers here lost everything.”

One such customer was John F. Carspecken, 78, who came into the store Saturday morning to buy $11.47 worth of typing paper, carbons and envelopes.

“At the moment, I have to write a dozen letters to let people know I’m alive,” said Carspecken, taking the loss of his Bounty Way home and treasured antique and library collections in remarkable stride.

“Things happen. I’ve lived long enough to realize you have to accept what comes.”

Marriner himself nearly lost not only his business but his home near Top of the World Elementary School.

Soon after the fire started Wednesday, Marriner, 41, took a break from work to help a friend on Allview Terrace in Emerald Bay evacuate her home, loading many of her possessions in his car.

“Then, we turned and realized the fire had jumped the canyon and was heading toward our home,” he said.

Marriner rushed back to his business, shocked to find that the flames were threatening City Hall and the fire and police departments across the street. He rushed home to help his wife pack up.

“It was very scary,” he said. “I never thought it could be so bad.”

Par Shoai, owner of Video Laguna at 480 Ocean Ave., said he felt “extremely lucky” to still have his business and his home on Griffith Way.

When flames raced down the hillside across the street about 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Shoai and an employee pulled out a couple of hoses and started wetting down his roof.

“After I hosed this place down, I went to save my house,” said Shoai, 40. “I’m OK, but we lost our revenues for a few days. It’s going to probably take two weeks until we go back to our normal operation.”

Like many merchants, Q. Ghiass, owner of the Art of Living on Forest Avenue, wasn’t sure how the disaster would affect his business in the long term.

But he tried to be optimistic.

“It’s a very good community,” Ghiass, 32, said. “People are so tied together. . . . Hopefully, we’ll all get through it.”

Ghiass, who lives in Tustin, said he felt guilty about reopening when so many people had lost homes. But several people stopped by to say they were glad to see his shop open and that life downtown was at least returning to normal.

Ghiass said he wishes he could help the fire victims in some way but doubts they’ll need the specialty items he offers, such as picture frames, cards, fragrant candles, ornate lamps and ceramic vases.

“I want to help, but would they come to me for pots and pans?” he asked.

Times staff writer Jennifer Brundin contributed to this report.