Top 10 Entertainment Stories of 2009: Charity, causes in 2009

Amid a year that will be remembered mostly for upheaval and downturn, many Laguna Beach folks reminded us that there is still a lot to be thankful for, and beyond that, there is hope for the future. The following Best of 2009 events were those that helped us tuck our own grievances aside and reach out to those in greater need, brought the community together to bring positive change, and focused on what’s important — each other. And some served only to help us escape reality and forget our troubles for a short while, and will be remembered as nothing more than a really good time.

1 Battle of the BoomBattle of the Boom

Laguna filmmaker and gay rights advocate John Keitel released the remake of his 2008 documentary, “Save the Boom,” which premiered in April at the Newport Beach Film Festival.

The film followed Save the Boom leader Fred Karger and his volunteer group during their year-and-a-half effort to raise awareness about gay rights.

2 Cardio for KenyaCardio for Kenya

Also in April, Laguna resident and founder of the Kenya Self-Help Project Kat Gianesin organized a Cardio for Kenya event in collaboration with Art of Fitness gym in order to raise money and spread awareness about the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa. The event also sponsored “dignity kits,” which provided destitute girls with feminine essentials.

3 La Casa celebrates 80 yearsLa Casa celebrates 80 years

The historic La Casa del Camino hotel celebrated its 80th anniversary in May with a Roaring ’20s bash that put on the Ritz and brought the community together. The “red-carpet” event included flappers, dappers and Zoot suit-clad fellas, live jazz music, old black-and-white films on the rooftop and an appearance by “Groucho Marx.” It will go down in history as one of the hotel’s swankiest.

4 Sharing Inspiration and HopeSharing Inspiration and Hope

The My Hero Project, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to enlighten and inspire people of all ages with an ever-growing Internet archive of hero stories from around the globe, hosted its annual Hero Festival in May, which shared films about local heroes, created by local filmmakers.

Among the films honored were pro-surfer and eco-warrior James Pribram’s “Guardians of Surf,” a film about saving the perfect wave from extinction; “Make a Wish,” a documentary created by Laguna Beach High School students Jamie Hancock, Olivia Van Slyke and Katie Rabun about their friend and classmate, Tori Degen, a two-time cancer survivor; and Shaun MacGillivray’s “Joey,” which tells the story of an 11-year-old named Joey Masella who lives with a rare degenerative genetic skin disease.

5 Changing LivesChanging Lives

In efforts to aid the burgeoning homeless population in Laguna Beach, the city participated in “National Homelessness Awareness” week in October. Organized by the city’s Housing and Human Resource Committee, Relief and Resource Center and Friendship Shelter, the event included food and clothing drives and shared local films, live music and art produced by the homeless.

6 Making Light of it AllMaking Light of it All

When times are melancholy, sometimes laughter is the best medicine. Bree Burgess Rosen’s October “Lagunatics” delivered just that, with hilarious satires about the American Civil Liberties Union, city’s parking patrol, sacred fish, art scandals and many other quirky town topics that helped us laugh about the things that drive us mad.

7 Greening the Future GenerationsGreening the Future Generations

The Endangered Planet Foundation focused on future generations for this year’s One Earth-One Dream Eco-Fest, by making kids the theme.

Founded by Charles Michael Murray and held at the Lumberyard Mall, the three-day festival showed kids the importance of caring for our planet by engaging them in various art projects, educating them about endangered animals and bringing their attention to local heroes and role models.

8 Inspirational SongsInspirational Songs

John Wort Hannam, a school teacher turned folk musician, reminded us that it’s not where you come from that matters but where you dream to go, when he performed his semi-autobiographical songs about growing up during a “bust” period in a November show at the Marine Room. He’s proof that passion will take you far.

9 Stopping the Spread by Spreading AwarenessStopping the Spread by Spreading Awareness

In honor of World AIDS Day, a day dedicated universally to raising awareness and honoring those who have died from the disease, the HIV Advisory Committee of Laguna Beach offered free, anonymous testing and spread awareness throughout Laguna. The event also celebrated the lives of those who are living with the disease as well as those who have passed, with a red ribbon signing and candlelight vigil at Main Beach.

10 A Spectrum of DanceA Spectrum of Dance

The Laguna Beach High School dance department, under the new leadership of professional dancer Lisa Jay showed what great heights it’s already reached by its fourth performance, when six renowned guest choreographers collaborated with the team in December to put on a “Spectrum” of dance talent at the Artists Theatre. Such a privilege is rarely granted at the high school level, but thanks to a community that so strongly supports the arts, they were able to make it happen.