Commentary: From waves to festivals, what a summer!

This summer has been unusual.

The thousands who lovingly watched the Poncho Sanchez concert the last day at the Festival of Arts. Free admission at the Art A Fair the last two days, and Jheri St. James and the belly dancers celebrating at the Sawdust Festival.

Fantastic eight- and 10-second waves at one of the world’s oldest surfing competitions at Brooks Street. Hundreds of conversations with beach visitors before they went into the Pacific about the unusual ocean conditions.

Hundreds of rescues by the most-respected department of our city government, the Marine Safety Department. And thank God we have not turned that department over to the Fire Department to manage, as many cities have.

Big crowds of LGBT people from here and far-off places at our internationally known “gay” beach, West Street. The setting even features a huge expanse of sand with its own lifeguard, restrooms and volleyball courts.

Too many people now being attracted to Laguna by our fleet of trolleys, with driver after driver reporting to the dispatcher that his/her trolley or bus was overloaded. The biggest destination was Salt Creek Beach park, where kids and adults could escape the oftentimes oppressive crowds in Laguna.

Almost-perfect weather all summer with beautiful, big waves, lots of white froth and new places to visit like Driftwood Kitchen and Slapfish.

What more could we wish for?

ROGER CARTER lives in Laguna Beach.