By Mark D. Crantz Laguna Beach. Another perfect day in Paradise, but oh no, there are makeovers. These changes are for the most part good. The Main Beach lifeguard tower is getting a makeover, which includes a new roof, stucco repair and new paint. And the former Laguna Federal Savings and Loan Association on [...]
By Mark D. Crantz Laguna Beach. Another perfect day in Paradise, but there isn’t any parking. Back to the airport kids. We’ll just make do in long-term parking. Our vacation will still be fun. You’ll see. Will play license plate switch and call in BOLOs (Be on the Lookout) to the local authorities. That [...]
By Mark D. Crantz Laguna Beach. Another perfect day in Paradise, but there’s drug smuggling. Oh no! Recently, 1,200 lbs. of marijuana was seized in Crystal Cove by the authorities. Concerned with the sanctity of the chain of evidence, federal agents opted to burn the marijuana and triumphantly stand to the south or down wind [...]
By Mark D. Crantz Laguna Beach. Another perfect day in Paradise, but oh no, the Pope quit. Holy Cow! As only the late Chicago Cubs broadcaster, Harry Caray could say it best. It shouldn’t have come as a complete surprise because the Pope did make the announcement during Lent, a time for giving up [...]
By Mark D. Crantz Laguna Beach. Another perfect day in Paradise, but now plastic bags are outlawed. Oh no! Although we were forewarned almost a year ago, I wasn’t prepared for the loss of the phrase, “Will that be plastic or paper?” You see what I liked about the question is that it did [...]
By Mark Crantz Laguna Beach. Another perfect day in paradise, but now it’s time to make New Year resolutions. Oh no! And this year I’m not prepared because I was counting on my Mayan calendar to get me out of this time worn ritual. Darn those magnetic fields. If they had just reversed there [...]
Little-Known Thanksgiving History By Mark D. Crantz, Special to the Independent Another perfect day in Paradise, but then there’s Thanksgiving. This year I’m celebrating Thanksgiving Up! Anybody who has read “Pet Peeves” cannot be surprised that I’m a turkey in general and specifically inept at feelings, as well as, family get-togethers. Not that I haven’t [...]
By: Mark D. Crantz Laguna Beach. Another perfect day in Paradise, but there are senior moments. The other day I found myself staring at the kitchen cabinet, not wondering why I was there, but why the cabinet wasn’t there. Then later that week, I remembered my wife was remodeling the kitchen and if I [...]
By Mark D. Crantz Another perfect day in paradise, but there’s “Genius.” No, it’s not me. Although often mistaken for Albert Einstein, it’s our runaway hair, aversion to barbers with sharp instruments, and the shared delight we both have in sticking our tongues out at paparazzi that contributes to the mistaken identity. Below our hair [...]
By Mark D. Crantz Laguna Beach. Another perfect day in Paradise, but oh no, there are the trolleys. I know. I know. Everybody likes the trolleys, but me. I can’t help myself. The trolleys are like the swallows that return to Capistrano without the annual cost overruns on gas and maintenance. According to aviary [...]
Got Your Goat Another perfect day in Paradise, butt there are the goats. No butts about it, I have goats on the brain. It all started several months ago due to an alert, sophisticated, and debonair Indy reader, me, who read to myself, without moving my lips, thanks to the Evelyn Wood speed reading class [...]
Betting on a Sunset Quota Laguna Beach. Another perfect day in paradise, but then there are benches. Oh, no! I’ve started to notice benches and have begun seeking them out. That’s worse then finding the first grey hair or the first wrinkles that can’t be passed off as laugh lines because nobody sits on [...]
More Money, Honey Another perfect day in Paradise, but then there is Wall Street. Oh, no! Even though Wall Street is 3,000 miles away or 5,000 kilometers for Brits who read on the left side of this paper, investments affect everybody everywhere. I’m particularly sensitive to the economy because my wife is always saying, [...]
Laguna. Another perfect day in Paradise, but then there is the “December to Remember Sales Event” commercial jingle. Oh, no! Unless you’re clinically dead or Ted Williams, there is no way you could avoid seeing these Lexus TV commercials. In case you are Ted Williams and you don’t get around much, let me describe them. Cut to a homey Christmas living room where the wife opens a beautiful music box that plays the Lexus jingle. Several bars into the music, she thinks what a crappy gift and I should have left him in June. Suddenly it dawns on her that the tune signals there’s a brand new Lexus in the driveway.
Pet Peeves: Lights Out Laguna. Another perfect day in paradise, but then there’s the Good Neighbor Lighting Ordinance. Oh, no! I haven’t been here a month and I know the light at the end of the tunnel will be deemed my light and my neighbor will have no choice but to turn me in. [...]
Police Use Taser to Subdue Assault Suspect
An assault involving three men escalated into a struggle with Laguna Beach police, who ultimately deployed a taser twice to subdue the younger combative suspect in the 300 block of Cozumel around 1:15 a.m. Friday, May 10, police said. Police ultimately arrested Laguna Beach resident Sergio Gabriel Borgognone, 51, for allegedly resisting arrest and his [...]
