OUR LAGUNA: All they want for Christmas

‘Tis the season of generosity, of dreaming big, and Lagunans have never been pikers.

Mayor Jane Egly’s dream gift was a present for the whole world.

“I’d like for every person on the face of the Earth to think of the environment every day,” Egly said.

My pipe dream is more selfish, but it is both a gift to get and to give. I would like to see the flood waters and snow melt from the Midwest and the East Coast drained and piped to the drought-plagued western states.

Hey, we can pipe oil from Alaska, and water’s a lot more eco-friendly.

Former Mayor Wayne Peterson, who has lived through fires, floods, mudslides and landslides, would like to give a disaster-free future to Lagunans. For himself: an “incredible” plein air painting he saw at the 2007 Collectors Choice Laguna College of Art & Design fundraiser.

“I let someone outbid me,” Peterson mourned.

Martha Lydick, president of the Friends of the Laguna Beach Library and the Laguna Beach Taxpayers Assn., went intercontinental when asked what her dream gift would be.

“An Argentine polo player for my very own,” she said, without hesitation.

Pauline Walpin’s dream gift hit close to home.

“I hope we will be successful in keeping Laguna Beach the lovely little village it has always been,” she said.

The Design Review Board, which helps determine the city’s overall “look and feel,” looms large in the dreams of John Gustafson, whose “Bluebird Haven” home that he shared with Jim Moore was destroyed in the 2005 landslide. Gustafson fervently wants to get Design Review Board approval for the plans for their new home. Jim wants to get through the process without a heart attack.

Diane Stevens, whose family also lost its home in the landslide, is dreaming of a quick approval so they can move forward on the reconstruction of their home.

“We are more than anxious to pound a nail,” Stevens said.

Fourth generation Lagunan Liza Stewart, whose family home was damaged, but not destroyed in the landslide, said getting the hillside fixed and Flamingo Road open was the best present. She, husband, Steve,and their son, Caden, hope to complete upgrades on the home and move in after the first of the year.

Family figures in the dreams of many.

Frank Ricchiazzi, Laguna’s Mr. Republican, can’t think of a better gift than the kind of holidays he enjoyed at a child in a large Sicilian family. Even the most inexpensive gifts were wrapped with love.

“I would give every kid a happy Christmas with presents, food and family like I had,” Ricchiazzi said.

Chris Loidolt’s choicest gift for sons Bryce, Travis and Shane would be that they live their passion.

Borden Moller couldn’t think of better gifts for his nieces and nephews than jobs they really enjoy.

“My wish for everybody is that they can be with family, friends and loved ones over the holidays,” said Anita Mangels, immediate past president of the Festival of Arts.

Councilman Kelly Boyd speaks for himself and wife, Michelle, when he dreams of having his children move back to California so the grandchildren would be closer. But Michelle tacked on that her dream gifts to give are the handmade presents she makes for friends and family. “That excites me.”

Political junkie Anne Johnson wants a new president for herself and her family. Dream wish granted!

Lee Winocur Field wants peace for the United States — but that’s still a work in progress.

Until we are at peace, Arts Commissioner Terry Smith would love to give presents to all the country’s troops.

“Time to do the things I want to do,” would be dream gift for Kate Tschudin, manager of patient outreach for South Coast Medical Center’s fundraising foundation.

Equally busy Laguna Beach County Water District General Manager Renae Hinchey dreams of a comfortable place to rest her weary head: one of the memory foam mattress covers.

City Clerk Martha Anderson’s dream-gift for herself would be the inspiration for an outstanding gift for her husband, Andy, one that might equal if not outdo the bagpipes she gave him one year. His gift to her was not learning to play them.

“I want to give my husband (Bob Dietrich) the biggest TV ever,” Planning Commissioner Linda Dietrich said.

Three Arch Bay resident Bill Blackburn and former Mayor Kathleen Blackburn and others took a healthy interest in the future.

“Things don’t mean much,” he said.

Realtor Gayle Waite said her family had faced terrible health problems this year, and she doesn’t want a repeat.

“I’d like to have good health for the next five years,” Jack Morris said. But he wouldn’t turn down a three-month trip to Europe, expenses paid.

Artist Iris Adam also put good health at the top of her wish list.

“I would like to give science a cure for cancer,” said Michael Kinsman. “Secondly: I hope that a lot of people who are suffering from overweight would investigate gastric bypass. It is life-changing.”

Councilwoman Cheryl Kinsman wants Michael to buy her a condominium in Mexico.

Marion Jacobs would opt for a trip to Italy.

No Square Theatre’s Chris Quilter loves getting gifts in his name to the giver’s favorite charity. His heroes are the people who give where they live.

“I want to be like them,” Quilter said. “We have to look after our own.”

Among “our own” are the city’s seniors — all of whom have dreamt for years of a center where they could meet for quality time. Construction is underway.

“I dream of being in the center before Jan. 1, 2009,” past Laguna Beach Seniors Inc. President Louise Buckley said.

Skipper Lynn is looking past the center’s opening day.

“I want someone to give many millions in perpetuity for keeping up the center,” Lynn said.

And then there are the people whose Christmas stocking is full.

“I have everything I want,” said Gigi Blount, pointing to her husband of 61 years.

“There is nothing we want very much, except more time together,” Ben Blount said.

From his mouth to Santa’s ears.

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 Suite 22 in the Lumberyard, 384 Forest Ave.; call (949) 494-4321 or fax (949) 494-8979.