LOCAL SPOTLIGHTHighlighting local artists, business owners, musicians and just regular people who make up our unique seaside community.
May 23rd, 2020
Tony Benard on Ramona Ave. 
This is Tony. He is a 38 year resident of Laguna Beach. He loves to read autobiographies and murder mysteries. He also likes to meditate and travel. His defining moment in life was when he found Al-Anon. He quit drinking 20 years ago and belongs to a men's group called, Man of God. He is very content with his life but would like to find a female companion. If you are interested, please write to him at:
Tony Benard 564 Ramona Ave. Lower Unit Laguna Beach CA 92651 May 13, 2020
Nancy on Wendt Terrace 
As I was taking pictures of a beautiful brink wall on Wendt Terrace, the home owner came over to say hello. We starting talking and she was so interesting I asked if I could interview her for Laguna Beach Walks.
How long have you lived in Laguna Beach? 50 years When was this house built? 1930 Tell me about your life. I feel blessed and grateful to have the childhood I had. I grew up in a peasant family, the oldest of 6 children. I helped raise my brothers and sisters. What did you do for work? When I first moved to Laguna Beach I worked as a dish washer at the Women's Club on St. Ann's St. I met so many strong and wonderful women there. Then I worked at the Laguna Federal Savings and Loan which is now Wells Fargo. Then I worked as a mail carrier for 30 years in San Juan Capistrano. What do you like most about Laguna Beach? The fact that I can walk everywhere...to the grocery store. There is a small town feel with friendly neighbors in The Village. Tell me about your brick wall!
Tom and I redid this brick wall years ago. The bricklayer told me to bring him some items I wanted to keep in the wall. These are what I came up with.
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This morning as I was crossing off Ramona Avenue for my New Year's Resolution, it was my lucky day because Elaine was out tending to her gardens. I told her I wanted to interview her for my website and she graciously said, "yes, but only if I could go get my bird".
What is the name of your bird? Scarlet
How long have you had your bird? 10 years
How long have you lived in this house on Ramona Ave.? 43 years
Do you know the history of your house? Yes, this group of cottages were down on Main Beach at the turn of the century. The city eventually decided they didn't want them there anymore so they trucked the up to this street.
Why is this street called Ramona? Because years ago lots of people from Ramona, California had weekend homes here. Also, Ramona Ave. was the first PCH.
Where have you worked in Laguna Beach? Victor Hugo Inn, The Jolly Rogers, Ben Browns, The White House, The Beach House...I just flittered around.
Fun facts about Elaine:
What is the name of your bird? Scarlet
How long have you had your bird? 10 years
How long have you lived in this house on Ramona Ave.? 43 years
Do you know the history of your house? Yes, this group of cottages were down on Main Beach at the turn of the century. The city eventually decided they didn't want them there anymore so they trucked the up to this street.
Why is this street called Ramona? Because years ago lots of people from Ramona, California had weekend homes here. Also, Ramona Ave. was the first PCH.
Where have you worked in Laguna Beach? Victor Hugo Inn, The Jolly Rogers, Ben Browns, The White House, The Beach House...I just flittered around.
Fun facts about Elaine:
- She briefly dated Alice Cooper
- She is a plant whisperer. She has her pocket garden next to her house made up of discarded or found plants. She created and maintains 4 additional community gardens on her street.
- The Hare Krishna church is a block away. When members give away all their earthly belongings to join, Elaine will find a place for them around her cottage.
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May 1, 2020
Robert Holton of Drizzle Art |
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A few days ago I was rolling through our mostly empty downtown and saw the red phone booth getting a makeover. A year ago, Robert Holton of Drizzle Art, created an impressive Super Hero changing station complete with Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman costumes.
In light of what is going on in the world today, Robert wanted to change the phone booth to honor our First Responders, the real Super Heros, on the front lines dealing with this deadly virus. He painted the fist blue to look like a surgical glove. Then he hung a fireman's jacket, scrubs and a white lab coat inside.
Yesterday, I got the chance to virtually interview Robert and here's what he had to say:
How did you come up with the original Superheroes idea for the red phone booth? Always thought of Clark Kent aka Superman , when I saw the phone booth as he would duck into it and fly away as Superman. The city repurposes it as an art installation every 2 years and I applied out of about 30 artist was chosen.
Why did you decide to change the project from the well known Superheros to Covid-19 first responders? I was thinking how could I create something in a pop art style to honor those on the frontlines. This is what I came up with.
What was the process with the LB Arts Commission to make this change? At first I was thinking of doing it in the middle of the night so it “just appeared”, but then after sleeping on it decided to get city approval. I have a leg issue and I’m terrible on ladders, so I spent about 4 hours cleaning the hand, priming and repainting it. Reaching out to Sian Poeschl with the cities art commission for approval, I created sketches and it was finalized within 2 days.
Where did you get the First Responders costumes for the new project? I had mentioned to Sian the items I was going to replace the existing costumes with and perhaps we could get donations? Sian said she’d reach out to the Fire Chief and in a matter of hours secured a jacket. My friend who’s a surgeon thought it was a great idea and the next day he delivered Scrubs, White lab coat, Stethoscope, Blood Pressure monitor, Blue gloves and Masks.
What other art projects are you working on during this social distancing time? I am creating some removable masks for a few paintings I have, Mr Bubble, Statue of Liberty, Taz, Mr Potato Head and a few others. I am going to find a location to do a Drive By Art Show for an hour or so.
As a Sawdust exhibitor, what have you heard about this year’s summer festival? We have a great Board of Directors who are doing all they can to provide a safe, fun festival if given the approval of the City. We would open a few weeks later than normal . Stand by to see what comes of all of this....
In light of what is going on in the world today, Robert wanted to change the phone booth to honor our First Responders, the real Super Heros, on the front lines dealing with this deadly virus. He painted the fist blue to look like a surgical glove. Then he hung a fireman's jacket, scrubs and a white lab coat inside.
Yesterday, I got the chance to virtually interview Robert and here's what he had to say:
How did you come up with the original Superheroes idea for the red phone booth? Always thought of Clark Kent aka Superman , when I saw the phone booth as he would duck into it and fly away as Superman. The city repurposes it as an art installation every 2 years and I applied out of about 30 artist was chosen.
Why did you decide to change the project from the well known Superheros to Covid-19 first responders? I was thinking how could I create something in a pop art style to honor those on the frontlines. This is what I came up with.
What was the process with the LB Arts Commission to make this change? At first I was thinking of doing it in the middle of the night so it “just appeared”, but then after sleeping on it decided to get city approval. I have a leg issue and I’m terrible on ladders, so I spent about 4 hours cleaning the hand, priming and repainting it. Reaching out to Sian Poeschl with the cities art commission for approval, I created sketches and it was finalized within 2 days.
Where did you get the First Responders costumes for the new project? I had mentioned to Sian the items I was going to replace the existing costumes with and perhaps we could get donations? Sian said she’d reach out to the Fire Chief and in a matter of hours secured a jacket. My friend who’s a surgeon thought it was a great idea and the next day he delivered Scrubs, White lab coat, Stethoscope, Blood Pressure monitor, Blue gloves and Masks.
What other art projects are you working on during this social distancing time? I am creating some removable masks for a few paintings I have, Mr Bubble, Statue of Liberty, Taz, Mr Potato Head and a few others. I am going to find a location to do a Drive By Art Show for an hour or so.
As a Sawdust exhibitor, what have you heard about this year’s summer festival? We have a great Board of Directors who are doing all they can to provide a safe, fun festival if given the approval of the City. We would open a few weeks later than normal . Stand by to see what comes of all of this....
