Tasty start to spring

OUR LAGUNA

Village Laguna welcomed spring with a potluck dinner Sunday at the

home of Mary and Herb Rabe.

The E-rated brown shingle home, with ceiling heights that vary

from very low to lofty, is on the Historical Register. The rating is

for the home, not the menu at the potluck, but is equally applicable.

City Clerk Verna Rollinger contributed a couple of casseroles of

her chicken chalupan to the Rabes’ dining room table, which was

barely large enough to contain all the pots of luck.

Rollinger said she got the recipe years ago from a person in a

ballroom dancing class.

“Verna is a very good cook,” said former Mayor Phyllis Sweeney,

who brought a strawberry topped cake to the party.

Former Deputy City Clerk Meg Monahan brought a carrot cake.

Barbara Metzger, who served on the Design Review Board and the

Planning Commission, contributed a chicken casserole and South Laguna

Civic Assn. President Ginger Osborne brought an eggplant dish.

Sweeney was one of three former mayors at the party: Ann Christoph

and Charlie Boyd also attended. Sitting Mayor Toni Iseman was there

with Steve Miller. Bob the Cat was not invited. Former Planning

Commissioner Doug Reilly chaired the potluck with the Rabes.

About 50 people attended.

“This was purely a social event to bring people together,” Reilly

said. “We were trying to reach out to members of other community

groups to show them we have common issues.”

Michael Hoag said Village Laguna is not seen as a natural partner

of the city’s business community, although in the past it has

supported the Love Laguna, Shop Laguna campaign.

“The basic philosophies are preservationists and business people,”

Hoag said. “But there is a new type of business people coming along

that care about the environment.”

He cited Chamber of Commerce President Ken Delino as an example.

“He is now saying that the Downtown merchants will make more money

if we enhance the village atmosphere.” Hoag said.

Hoag is a strong supporter of the “livable cities” concept, which

puts bicycles and pedestrians on par with motorized vehicles and

promotes less dependency on cars.

A film of the “Livable Cities” presentation made in Laguna by

former Pasadena Mayor Michael Cole was shown Monday night at

Rollinger’s home.

About a dozen people attended, including Ed Fry and Bob Penney, as

well as several people who had been at the potluck Sunday.

“Ginger was so impressed with the presentation, she bought a video

of it, which she wanted to share,” Rollinger said.

The concept was included in the request for proposals for a

Downtown parking management plan approved by the Planning Commission,

but was superseded by a version prepared by Councilwoman Cheryl

Kinsman and some advisors. Kinsman’s version did not include a

mention of livable cities.

In the meantime, Village Laguna is gearing up for the annual Charm

House Tour on May 18.

“It is always the Sunday after Mother’s Day,” said Arnold Hano,

who serves on the event committee with his wife, Bonnie.

All the homes on the tour this year are in North Laguna.

Proceeds from the tour help fund Village Laguna’s charitable and

political activities.

The potluck guest list included Bette and Kenny Anderson, Johanna

and Gene Felder, Ed Drollinger, Jeanette and Ed Merrilees, Patricia

Turnier and Tom Osborne.

THE RULE OF LAW

American Legion Post 222 Adjutant Jim Law was honored earlier this

month for his service to veterans of Orange County.

Law was presented with the first Sid Goldstein Memorial Veteran

Service Award. The award is named for the late U.S. Army major who

was vice chair of the Orange County Veterans Advisory Board for many

years.

Board of Supervisors Chair Tom Wilson presented Law with a

certificate of recognition at the breakfast meeting of the advisory

council. Wilson was the guest speaker.

About 80 people attended, including 25 members of the Laguna Beach

Post and the auxiliary, of which Law’s wife, Jean, is

secretary/treasurer.

The presentation was made just three days before the 84th

anniversary of the American Legion. It was founded in 1919.

Law served as a U.S. Marine in World War II and Korea and reached

the rank of sergeant major.

THREE’S NOT A CROWD

Soroptimist International of Laguna Beach will honor Ruth Geis,

Julia Johnson and Sande St. John at the Annual Spring Awards

Luncheon, set for 11:30 a.m. April 17 at the Montage.

St. John and Johnson have been named the 2003 Women of

Distinction. Geis will be honored as the Soroptimist of the Year.

A tradition of the luncheon is to parade in Easter bonnets that

depict each wearer’s profession or personality.

The club will also be celebrating 55 years of community service.

Soroptimist is coined from the Latin “soro” and “optima,” meaning

the best for women. The club is composed of professional women and

executives united to provide public service and to advance the human

rights and status of women throughout the world.

The luncheon menu is Caesar salad, chicken and dessert. Seats are

$55 each. Valet parking is additional.

Do not even think of parking at the Aliso Creek Shopping Center.

It isn’t a public parking lot, and center business owners are ready

to tow.

For more information or to make a reservation for the luncheon,

call 683-1393.

GOOD TASTE

Shoppers at Albertsons Market got a treat Saturday. The store was

handing out free Krispy Kreme doughnuts to introduce its newest

attraction, which goes nicely with Starbucks Coffee bar.

“Life is good,” store manager Nick Zaccagnino said.

The doughnuts are delivered fresh daily, Zaccagnino said.

A variety of Krispy Kremes are displayed in the bakery department.

They sell for 75 cents each or $6.99 a dozen. Pre-bagged mini

crullers and doughnut holes sell for $2.99 each.

* OUR LAGUNA is a regular feature of the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. Contributions are welcomed. Write to Barbara Diamond, P.O. Box

248, Laguna Beach, 92652, hand-deliver to 384 Forest Ave., Suite 22;

call 494-4321 or fax 494-8979.