Update on family in need of a...

Update on family in need of a home

I wanted to update everyone about Mary and Alan Foster (“Seeking

the comfort of home,” Coastline Pilot Dec. 5).

I was helping them find housing so they could get away from a

dangerous living situation. After the article was written and just

before it was published, they found a cute little one- bedroom

apartment that they can afford, which is walking distance to

everything they need.

The community of Laguna Beach has really been wonderful. After the

article was published, several people called with suggestions, and

one person, Renee, generously offered them a room in her house. Thank

you to all who took their cause to heart, and who helped, especially

Galan Coldwell of Coldwell Banker’s North Laguna office, and Sande

St. John.

Since they moved in, the Fosters have had to eat out a lot since

they’ve had moving boxes covering their little kitchen, and multiple

times kind people have paid their checks for them. The generosity of

everyone in town is heartwarming.

I’m sure everyone was worried about them, so I wanted to let

everyone know that they are safe and happy, and so grateful to the

Laguna community for welcoming them.

Thank you, Laguna Beach, for opening your hearts to two very

special people.

CAROLYN BENT

Laguna Beach

Community makes tragic time bearable

My wonderful sister-in-law Connie Caney died suddenly in Hawaii

while on vacation with her husband (my brother David).

Connie was a powerful person who touched the lives of everyone she

came in contact with. Our family was so moved by the outpouring of

love from the Laguna Beach community. My brother had to remain in

Hawaii until Thanksgiving morning while we planned the funeral Mass

for Thanksgiving Saturday.

We could not have done it without the support of the community:

Father O’Gorman, Pat Hobbs and Louella at St. Catherine’s who

contacted many people and brought food to feed the 175 to 200 people

who came to the mass (many of whom cut short their holiday weekend to

travel home to honor her); Sue at A La Carte Catering, who came in on

Saturday morning just to prepare and assemble trays of food (they

were closed for that weekend); my neighbors on Poplar Street who

offered beds, sleeping bags and dog walking to help with the influx

of family members who flew in from other areas; my brother David’s

neighbors in Arch Beach Heights who did the same.

When an event like this happens, everyone is shocked and saddened

and moved to sometimes seemingly unbearable levels of grief. I know I

speak for my brother when I say we are so blessed and so grateful to

be a part of the Laguna Beach community.

The love and support that was shown to all of us is something that

we will never forget, and one of the many reason why we choose to

live here. We cannot begin to say thank you enough.

SYLVIA NEWTON-ROBBINS

Laguna Beach

Proud to be a part of Arts Commission

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Laguna Beach Arts

Commission I want to say how much I appreciate being found, and being

able to reminisce as to how the Arts Commission began. It’s hard to

believe that 25 years hae gone by.

The message on my phone, from Carol Reynolds said, “looking for an

Arline Isaacs who used to be an arts commissioner. If you are not her

but know of her, or where she is, please call me back.”

I returned the call, told her she found the right gal, and I could

tell her how and when the Arts Commission began. She was astounded at

her good luck and couldn’t wait to tell everyone. “And do you know

who the others were at the beginning?” she asked.

It began in the 70s when I was on the board of the Orange County

Arts Alliance, meeting in quarters behind Bowers Museum in Santa Ana.

My project was to speak to the then 28 cities of Orange County on the

importance and need for Arts Commissions.

You know all the reasons -- most importantly to bring art to our

school kids. Nothing has changed, the reasons are still there. As I

visited and spoke to the 28 cities I found only a few who did not

already enjoy commissions. Then a stunning surprise -- I lived in an

Art Colony without an Arts Commission!

So for weeks I talked to council members who I knew felt a few

hundred other things were more important. Then on April 26, 1978 I

spoke before the City Council. Charlie Boyd, our mayor, was obviously

impressed with the importance of our request and asked for an

immediate vote. We were unanimously appointed a nine-member

commission with one caveat -- “we can’t give you any money.”

No problem I answered, and went home to toss and turn. When I

studied at Parsons School of Design in New York City, I remembered

hearing about the French Beaux Arts Balls -- we must have one!

We overcame so many obstacles, from finding a large enough venue

to people who said it would never work mixing artists with their

patrons. Well it did. Our first annual Masquerade Ball, held on Oct.

29, 1978 was a smashing success. And we made our first $6,000. I

tried to get someone to take over the second annual ball to no avail.

If anyone wants to attempt it again I shall always be available to

consult. As for our commissioners I was so proud of all their

determination and energy. And I must single out Doris Shields for her

work over the years bringing music to the parks.

Dave and I recently moved and just in time for Reynold’s call, the

photos of the Ball surfaced. I have them on display for anyone who

would like to see them. The costumes alone were phenomenal -- Lila

Zali’s Ballet group were outstanding!

One last thing, years back when I was with the museum, we sold

pins that said, “I’m having an Art Attack.” My advice to all

Lagunatics -- keep having Art Attacks!

P.S. The original nine commissioners as printed on the beautiful

Bill Atkins-designed invitation to the ball are: Lee Childress, Bruce

Hopping, Arline Isaacs, Diane Monroe, James Nelson, Harold

Pastorious, Marco Sassone, Doris Shields and Lila Zali.

ARLINE ISAACS

Laguna Beach

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