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Current Issues in Laguna Beach
The following issues are of current concern to Village Laguna. Note that past Village Laguna Newsletters contain discussions on these topics. Also many other inter-related Organizations weigh in on the areas that are most important to them. Clicking on one of the topics in red below will take you to information on the subject. If there is no red link, the full information is posted below on this page.
Overdevelopment: See Page 2 of our May Newsletter and Page 1 of our April Newsletter
See especially: http://lagunamatters.com/
Design Review Board
Cleo Street Project
Undergrounding utilities and concurrent funding
ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units)
Tree Removal
Landscape and Scenic Highways Element
Information on Cultural Arts in Laguna Beach
The Truth about Village Laguna
Coast Inn Project
Climate Change
Historic American Landscapes Survey (HALS) recognition for Laguna Beach and the Laguna Greenbelt
Trees at the Valido Trail Entrance to Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park
Preliminary Comments on Proposed Cultural Arts Plan
View Restoration
Detailed Responses and Information
Design Review Board Replacement re Peter Blake
Village Laguna's January 8, 2019, letter to the City Council:
Councilmember Blake's recommendation of interviewing and potentially replacing all of the Design Review Board members next month seems to be based on the assumption that the process is seriously flawed and the majority of Lagunans are very angry about it. We doubt that this is true.
Last August's joint meeting of the Board and the Council produced a chart showing that in 2017, 75.7% of projects were approved on the first hearing and only 4.9% were eventually rejected. The minutes of that meeting give no indication of public or Council dissatisfaction with the Board's work.
Of the 181 decisions the Board made in 2018, only 11 were appealed to the Council—7 approvals and 4 denials—and in only 2 instances (both denials) were they overturned.
The Board's decisions are based on detailed criteria that are spelled out in the zoning code and underlain by the community values expressed in the City's General Plan. Calling Board members on the carpet politicizes what they do, shifting the focus from the accepted standards they abide by to their irrelevant individual biographies.
Contrary to Councilmember Blake's assertion that board members are not qualified, our present board includes two landscape architects, a realtor, a former real estate appraiser, and an engineer who works on sustainability issues. All have submitted professional résumés evaluated by our Council when they were appointed.
The Design Review process allows creative development while preserving neighborhood character and views. We think that many Lagunans have had experience of its benefits and support it. Any changes to the process ought to be carefully considered and based on facts.
Sincerely, Johanna Felder, President, Village Laguna
Cleo Street Project
Village Laguna's November 7, 2018, letter to the Planning Commission:
Once again you're being presented with a dramatic intensification of use on the Coast Highway, and we hope that you'll encourage the applicant to think smaller.
The municipal code has limits on hotel-room density for a reason: to preserve an "appropriate visual and functional interrelationship between residential and commercial uses." There's absolutely no reason that a hotel that's being built from scratch shouldn't conform to the code's requirements. We hope that you'll reject the applicant's suggestion that the code simply be changed to accommodate his proposal, which would of course affect not only this project but all future projects.
Cutting the project back to an appropriate size might also solve a number of other problems that the staff report has identified—insufficiency of parking, height and view blockage, and neighborhood compatibility issues—and what we consider a predictable increase in traffic in an area that's already heavily used by shoppers at Ralph's.
We hope that the final plan will follow through on the applicant's expressed commitment to replacing the 14 existing apartments elsewhere in the City with a very specific proposal for doing that.
Sincerely, Johanna Felder, President, Village Laguna
Undergrounding Utilities
Village Laguna's July 17, 2018, letter to City Council
Village Laguna members understand the public safety benefits of undergrounding utilities, but we oppose the new tax and the associated bonding proposed to pay for it. The enormous debt will place severe constraints on funding for other projects over a period of thirty years. Meanwhile, technological advances that are already on the horizon seem likely to change the way we receive electrical power, making undergrounding obsolete well before we have finished paying for it.
If you place the new tax on the November ballot, we will be encouraging a No vote on it.
Sincerely, Johanna Felder, President, Village Laguna
Accessory Dwelling Units
Village Laguna's May 8, 2018, Letter to City Council
As we said in our last letter on this subject, we'd like to see the City do everything possible to ensure that the units constructed under this ordinance will be affordable as the state legislature intended.
The original staff report recognized that the existing maximum size of 640 square feet and the formula for calculating unit sizes within the maximum help keep units affordable, and accordingly we encouraged you not to change them. We're pleased to see that the formula has been restored to 7% of lot size, but we're disappointed that the maximum unit size is still going to be increased to 750 square feet. This seems inconsistent with the City's objectives in adopting the ordinance.
We hope that you'll consider keeping the units small and therefore more likely to be accessible for the people this ordinance is designed to help.
Sincerely, Johanna Felder, President, Village Laguna
Village Laguna's March 6, 2018 Letter to City Council
We're in favor of affordable housing and helping seniors stay in their homes, so we're sympathetic with the state's objective in making it easier to build accessory dwelling units. The problem we see is making sure that those units will be affordable as the legislature intends.
While the staff report points out that the current maximum size and the formula for determining unit size within the maximum both help to do this, the proposed ordinance increases both of these. This seems to us like a step in the wrong direction. To fulfill the intent of the state law, our ordinance needs more incentives to build deed-restricted affordable units such as the one
allowing them to be built on 4,000-square- foot lots. We wonder if it would be possible, for example, to offer a square-footage bonus (within the maximum) for ensuring that the unit will be affordable.
We encourage you to consider adding such incentives before you adopt the revised ordinance.
Sincerely, Johanna Felder, President, Village Laguna
Tree Removal
Village Laguna's May 8, 2018, letter to the Laguna Beach City Council re Tree Removal Process:
The Board of Village Laguna wants to thank the Council and staff for the draft ordinance before you tonight that outlnes procedures for handling permits for requested removal of trees. Establishing a permit system should go a long way toward solving the tree removal emergencies and unnecessary loss of trees that we have experienced in recent years.
The proposed ordinance summarizes the requirements already in the Municipal code for proposed removal of Heritage Trees, trees approved as part of a Design Review approved landscape plans and trees in the public right of way. It gives further information on procedures and formalizes the permit process.
We suggest that there be a provision built into the ordinance that makes it clear that any one proposing to remove a tree is required to check with city hall in advance to be sure that either they should apply for a permit, or that no permit is required. To accomplish this we suggest that the ordinance require that the property owner post next to the tree in question, either their permit or a document provided by the City that says that no permit is required.
Regarding Section 12.06.030 and restrictions on removal of trees during the nesting season, it seems to us that because the state and federal laws apply to all trees, those nesting season restrictions should apply to all tree removals not just to Heritage Trees, Design Review trees, or the right of way trees.
Sincerely, Johanna Felder, President, Village Laguna
Village Laguna's October 10, 2017, letter to the Laguna Beach City Council:
Thank you, Council, for considering these important protections for Laguna's trees.
We have had too many tree emergencies—trees being removed without public notice or review. There have been too many last minute calls to Council members asking for City intervention. Some of these instances turned out to involve trees that should have been protected, yet it was too late by the time the concerned residents and the City could mobilize.
One by one we lose the trees that are so important to the village character of our city.
Requiring permits for tree removal is essential to keep these kinds of instances from happening again and again.
There are many details to explore to create an effective and fair ordinance, but we will not be starting from scratch. Cities such as San Juan Capistrano, Walnut Creek, Hayward, and Santa Barbara have tree protection ordinances that include permit processes.
Please move forward with drafting an ordinance. Village Laguna stands ready to contribute to this process.
Sincerely, Johanna Felder, President, Village Laguna
Landscape and Scenic Highways Element
Village Laguna's April 10, 2018, Letter to City Council
We agree with staff that the Landscape and Scenic Highways Element shouldn't be reorganized as the Planning Commission has suggested. In its present form it fits comfortably among the existing elements of the General Plan, and all the information in it seems interesting and valuable. We encourage you to adopt it essentially as written (Option 1), with the edits that the Design Review Board has recommended and those recommended by the Planning Commission that the consultants have agreed are appropriate. This will be the most cost-effective approach and the one involving the least delay.
Option 3 would include a number of changes that we consider uncalled-for. We oppose shortening the introduction and the landscape profile, removing the "Sustainability" section, incorporating the Fire Department's and the Public Works Department's unjustified additions with regard to fire safety, eliminating the reference to community gardens on public property, and numbering the entries in the glossary. Finally, we believe that there's enough information in the element to develop a plan for tree replacement in the downtown, and therefore we oppose the hiring of an outside consultant to duplicate this effort.
We appreciate the commissioners' desire to do this job "right," but we think that's already been done.
Sincerely, Johanna Felder, President, Village Laguna
Information on Cultural Arts in Laguna Beach
Siân Poeschl, Cultural Arts Manager of Laguna Beach, spoke to Village Laguna on Nov. 27, 2017, about the City's Cultural Arts Plan. The following links provide even more information:
AEC presentation from Nov. 8 Public Town Hall: http://www.lagunabeachcity.net/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=19207
What is ARTSPACE?: http://www.lagunabeachcity.net/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=18716
Arts and Economic Prosperity in Laguna Beach: http://www.lagunabeachcity.net/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=18372
Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Plan: http://www.lagunabeachcity.net/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=16126
The Truth about Village Laguna
Column by Ann Christoph in 11/17/17 Laguna Beach Independent
It's Just the Perception: The truth of the matter is something else again. How do urban legends/false perceptions live on? Do people really believe false statements if they are said often enough? The past elections proved that they do, but somehow I thought Laguna would be different, that we are small enough that there are independent ways for people to glean the truth for themselves. Last week I was proven wrong and it was so upsetting that I couldn't write my column. I had to wait to let it settle in my mind.
I was invited to be part of a group interview with the consultants for the Arts Commission's Creative Placemaking project, which is to "assist in determining how the City can ensure Laguna will remain a vibrant arts and creative community."
To get background on our community they wanted our group of Lagunans to talk about the status of the arts in town, the issues we face, and what our hopes are for Laguna Beach of the future. Our diverse group included an artist, photographer, architect, realtor, gallery owner, restaurant owner, former arts commissioner—earnest, involved people who had obviously been thinking about these matters for awhile. This is some of the discussion:
The core of an arts community is artists, but how can they continue to be in Laguna when the cost of housing is so high? How can the next generation of artists survive?
Solving this is key to maintaining Laguna's soul. The early artists came here because of the beautiful and dramatic landscape, the quality of the light, and creative atmosphere. Their work came from the spirit of the place. That connection is key to keeping the art of the festivals genuine and honestly innovative and keeping the galleries from being just outlets for works produced elsewhere.
What facilities are available for the arts? And do we need a new facility—an arts center?
The general consensus was that there are many underutilized facilities in town. The city would better spend its funds to subsidize and coordinate the full use of existing spaces before thinking about a new building.
We told the story of the Greenbelt, appreciating the natural frame it creates around town and how the community fought so hard to preserve it.
There was a lot of talk about the downtown. Some thought that it was not lively enough, that Laguna had lost its "edge" of years past, and urged converting Forest Avenue to a pedestrian plaza like the trial one at Park Avenue and Coast Highway.
Then, amid all the productive talk about our future, came this startling comment, "But there is a group in town that just says no to everything and the Council placates them way too much." There were nods all around. "Really? And what group are you talking about?" I asked. "Of course, everyone knows—it's Village Laguna." Without the work that Village Laguna has done and continues to do, we would lose the special Laguna character the group had praised earlier in our discussions, I maintained.
Since I have been on the board of Village Laguna for years, I know the untruth of both parts of their accusation. We say yes a lot. We support preservation of the Greenbelt, and urged creation of Main Beach Park. We supported the larger park at the Montage that everyone now appreciates. Our members helped write the Downtown Specific Plan, and we are working with the Chamber of Commerce to update it. We were active in obtaining the national recognition of Laguna and the Greenbelt as a Historic American Landscape. We say yes to saving and planting trees, and beautifying our town. We say yes to historic preservation, key to maintaining the distinctive character of Laguna.
We do say no sometimes, but was it really so bad to say no to high-rise buildings along our coast when we supported the 36' height limit city wide in 1971? Or when we say no to intense oversized development that will damage neighborhoods and the image of our city?
And we don't get placated. We work very hard to understand the issues facing us, and present thoughtful responses and suggestions. When the village entrance design was proposed to be just a parking lot with a narrow landscaped path instead of a park, we joined with the Beautification Council and developed a plan with more generous landscaped spaces. We illustrated what could be done and submitted it to the city. We strive to contribute and work for positive solutions, but only sometimes are our efforts successful with the council.
Sometimes I think council members are reluctant to agree with us. Would they be accused of being on "our side" because of pervasive impressions such as those I had just heard? How sad that we seem to have "our side" and "the other side" when we should all be working together for the protection and betterment of our very special town. The false perceptions seem very difficult to change.
Ann Christoph is a landscape architect and former mayor and city council member. She has been an active community volunteer since 1971 and is involved with many committees and organizations including Village Laguna and South Laguna Civic Association.
Coast Inn and Coast Liquor Store Restoration and Development
"Sometimes the Answer is 'No'," Village Matters column by Ann Christoph, The Indy, Oct. 13, 2017
Ann Christoph is a landscape architect and former City Council member.
Last week, the Planning Commission made "No" very clear to the Coast Inn applicants who sought a roof deck and other large additions in the context of a historic restoration to the 1930s hotel. This project sells itself as a historical restoration of a 24-room hotel and liquor store, yet it includes 352 restaurant/bar seats including a 175-seat roof deck, which the original hotel never had. For all these uses the project provides 13 parking spaces, even though the parking demand is 197 spaces.
The forest of umbrellas and heaters on the roof would decidedly detract from the historical character of the restoration and essentially add another level to the already massive building. Roof top additions violate the city's 36- foot limit.
The commission's unanimous denial was preceded by their comments regarding the lack of authenticity of the historic restoration; the questionable status of the project as a minor remodel considering the extent of the structural and other modifications needed; misuse of parking credits; the damaging effect of the roof top deck; and the impacts on the neighborhood.
The commissioners were well prepared; their comments were clear and fact-based. Perhaps their analysis has benefitted from previous cases where compromises were struck—trying to accommodated an applicant whose requests turned out to be over reaching. Carefully crafted compromises may be sometimes appropriate, but there are cases where the skills of compromising are wrongly applied.
Permissions to add restaurant seats and roof top dining in other cases have caused severe noise and parking impacts on surrounding neighbors. Umbrellas increase the apparent heights of buildings, and rather than being a subtle festive look, they serve as another form of advertising for the restaurant. Complaints, hearings, over and over, have consumed the energy of the neighbors, planning commission and council.
Another application, for the Drake restaurant and jazz club at the former Tabu Grill near Nyes Place, proposes to expand the restaurant into the space next door, increasing the seating from 56 to 89, and the occupancy to 110.
The restaurant has five parking spaces allocated to it in the rear of the building. The rest of the customers will be valet parked under offices next door in a lot that has 14 spaces, plus room for two motorcycles. There are four additional non-permanent spaces behind the veterinary office. Where will the other customers park? In the fictitious "grandfathered spaces." Another case of too much in very confined and busy spot.
How will this not affect the neighbors above Hinkle Place? The Planning Commission did not approve the expansion, but the City Council is in the process of approving it pending expanded width on the neighboring driveway.
No one counts the impact of the stress and trouble that the neighbors have to endure to get small concessions in the operation of a restaurant that is too large for its location. Residents should not have to make it their life's work to keep their neighborhoods as quiet and delightful as they found them.
Rather than being sympathetic and accommodating, the applicant for the Coast Inn seems to view residents as impediments to the projects he wants to build. In his comments in the Indy last week he seemed to want to get even with the objectors to his project rather than find ways to bring about a project that would be compatible.
We should follow the Planning Commission's lead and say "no" more often. This is not an unfamiliar experience in the development world. It is part of doing business, especially when the development proposal pushes the envelope.
Local resident and real estate consultant John Thomas asks, "While it is so difficult to build a house in Laguna, why does the city seem to over compensate on the business side? Approving projects that are overreaching–beyond what the rules allow. What is the purpose of encouraging ever-increasing commercial intensity in Laguna Beach? In my day job I do financial analysis for developers. They get their proposals turned down all the time and they are used to being turned down all the time. In Laguna Beach we need to just say 'no' more often. The most successful developers are those who look at the rules and design reasonable projects."
Village Laguna's October 4, 2017, letter to the Planning Commission
Village Laguna and its Board of Directors is concerned about the Coast Inn rehabilitation project because the proposed modifications appear to go beyond what is recommended in the Secretary of Interior Standards (SOIS). In addition, parking requirements are being reduced as an incentive to make an authentic, compliant rehabilitation. The proposed work seems to us to be insufficiently based on documented features of the building during the period of significance (1930s to 1940s). Rather, features are added that are not historical and that negatively impact the community by intensifying the use of the property.
The rooftop improvements, roof deck, and furniture, umbrellas and heaters will be highly visible and are not recommended under the Secretary of Interior's standards.
Standards for Rehabilitation
The following actions are not recommended in the Secretary of Interior's Standards for rehabilitation:
"Constructing a rooftop addition that is highly visible, which negatively impacts the character of the historic building, its site, setting or district." (p. 159)
"Rehabilitation is defined as the act or process of making possible a compatible use for a property through repair, alterations, and additions while preserving those portions or features which convey its historical, cultural, or architectural values." (p. 75)
We question whether the project is a true rehabilitation since so many of the features "which convey its historical, cultural or architectural values" (such as the turrets) will be totally reconstructed. The definition and standards for reconstruction help to define the criteria for recreating these features.
The historic rehabilitation or reconstruction work should be done in accordance with the definitions of those processes by the Secretary of the Interior. It should be accurate for the period of significance (1930s–1940s), should not be based on conjecture or combination of features from other eras, including 2017. E-ratings are only recommended in Ostashay's report if original and significant character-defining features of the building are restored and rehabilitated in a manner consistent with the Secretary of Interior Standards.
We are concerned that an E-rating has already been recommended when there are so many discrepancies with the Secretary of Interior Standards.
Please reconsider this project and require an authentic rehabilitation/reconstruction that truly depicts the appearance of the Coast Inn during its defined period of significance and which does not include the impactful rooftop decks.
Johanna Felder, President, Village Laguna
Village Laguna Beach's July 1, 2017, Letter to Planning Commission
Village Laguna is concerned about the Coast Inn rehabilitation project because the proposed modifications appear to go beyond what is recommended in the Secretary of Interior Standards (SOIS). In addition, parking requirements are being reduced as an incentive to make an authentic, compliant rehabilitation. The proposed work seems to us to be insufficiently based on documented features of the building during the period of significance (which, according to Jan Ostashay's report, is the 1930s–1940s). Rather, features are added that are not historical and that impact the community by intensifying the use of the property.
The rooftop improvements, roof deck, and furniture, umbrellas, and heaters will be highly visible and are not recommended under the SOIS.
"Rehabilitation is defined as the act or process of making possible a compatible use for a property through repair, alterations, and additions while preserving those portions or features which convey its historical, cultural, or architectural values." (p. 65)
The following actions are not recommended in the SOIS for rehabilitation:
"Constructing a rooftop addition that is highly visible, which negatively impacts the character of the historic building, its site, setting or district." (p. 159)
"Constructing a highly visible, multi-story rooftop addition on low-rise, one to three story historic buildings that is highly visible, overwhelms the building and negatively impacts the historic district." (p. 160)
"Constructing a rooftop addition with amenities (such as a raised pool deck with plantings, HVAC equipment or screening) that is highly visible and negatively impacts the historic character of the building." (p. 160)
We question whether the project is a true rehabilitation, since so many of the features that "convey its historical, cultural or architectural values" (such as the turrets) will be totally reconstructed. The definition and standards for reconstruction help to define the criteria for re-creating these features.
"Reconstruction is defined as the act or process of depicting, by means of new construction, the form, features, and detailing of a non-surviving site, landscape, building, structure, or object for the purpose of replicating its appearance at a specific period of time and in its historic location." (p. 225)
The period of significance is the span of time during which significant events and activities occurred.
The standards for reconstruction include the following:
"Reconstruction will be used to depict vanished or non-surviving portions of a property when documentary and physical evidence is available to permit accurate reconstruction with minimal conjecture, and such reconstruction is essential to the public understanding of the property." (p. 226)
"Reconstruction will be based on the accurate duplication of historic features and elements substantiated by documentary or physical evidence rather than on conjectural designs or the availability of different features from other historic properties. A reconstructed property will re-create the appearance of the non-surviving historic property in materials, design, color, and texture." (p. 226)
The historic rehabilitation or reconstruction work should be accurate for the period of significance (1930s–1940s) and should not be based on conjecture or the combination of features from other eras, including 2017. An E rating is recommended in Ostashay's report only if original and significant character-defining features of the building are restored and rehabilitated in a manner consistent with the SOIS.
We are concerned that an E rating has already been recommended when there are so many conflicts with the SOIS.
Please reconsider this project and require an authentic rehabilitation/reconstruction that truly depicts the appearance of the Coast Inn during its defined period of significance and does not include the novel and impactful rooftop deck.
Johanna Felder, President, Village Laguna
Village Laguna Beach's December 14, 2016, Letter to Planning Commission
The Board of Village Laguna supports the historic restoration of this property and the conditions outlined for rehabilitation in the Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) documents. However, we are concerned that the profile and overall character of the buildings will be so altered by the proposed added elements—rooftop deck and accompanying umbrellas, elevator tower, gazebo—that the historic character of this building will be overwhelmed and inappropriately diminished.
In our view, the project cannot meet the conditions in the MND with the proposed excessive program and prominent alterations to the character-defining facades. It should be noted that staking of the project was not in place for the Heritage Committee review, and so the changes to the height and mass of the building were not apparent at that stage.
Three restaurants including rooftop dining and a pool and bar area in addition to the hotel exceed what is reasonable to be accommodated on this limited site. While historic restoration allows for parking incentives, providing only 14 parking spaces for all of these high-impact uses is grossly inadequate and will produce unacceptable burdens on a neighborhood that is already lacking in parking because of many other demanding businesses, as well as the beach.
After viewing the impact of roof deck installations at Skyloft and Mozambique, we find that they do not just involve a few tables on the roof—all the appurtenances are a part of making roof deck areas visually like another room on top of buildings that are at or already exceeding the height limit. Umbrellas become an additional roof. They are almost always up, and they serve a dual role of providing shade and advertising the restaurant to the passing public, distracting from the historic character (in the case of Skyloft) and adding to the mass and scale of the building (in the case of Mozambique). Lighted railings are an additional distraction, commercializing the skyline of the buildings and lighting up the night sky. Elevator towers also protrude.
We urge the Commission to draw the line now and reject this and other rooftop decks and any expansion of those already approved.
We share the neighbors' concerns about noise, lighting, and parking impacts, and unless this project is appreciably scaled down we agree that further environmental examination in the form of an EIR is warranted.
Sincerely, Johanna Felder, President, Village Laguna
Climate Change
Village Laguna's August 8, 2017, letter to City Council:
We appreciate everything the City has been doing under the 2009 Climate Protection Action Plan in response to climate change, and we especially welcome the news that the Environmental Sustainability Committee is going to be researching and informing us about the anticipated effects of sea-level rise on our community. The warming of the ocean has already negatively impacted the local kelp beds that furnish habitat for marine life.
We strongly urge passage of the resolution supporting the Mayors' National Climate Action Agenda, aimed at keeping global warming from reaching 2 degrees Celsius, the threshold beyond which the worst consequences of climate change will be unavoidable. By joining with more than 350 other U.S. cities in making that commitment we may be able to make real progress.
We hope that the City will take such further practical steps as updating the action plan, converting city buildings to solar energy, and investigating the idea of facilitating residents' access to clean, sustainable energy sources through a program already operating in a number of California cities called "community choice aggregation."
Sincerely, Johanna Felder, President, Village Laguna
Laguna Beach and its Greenbelt Designated a Historic American Landscape
From an article in Stu News, Jan. 10, 2017. "Laguna Beach and Laguna Greenbelt declared Historic American Landscape by National Parks."
Laguna Beach and the Greenbelt have been recognized as a Historic American Landscape by the National Parks Service, Department of Interior. Documentation of the designation, including written history, maps, photographs and painting reproductions, will be permanently housed in the Library of Congress.
"This national recognition confirms what we know – our unique town is a treasure," commented Mayor Toni Iseman. "We need to be dedicated to preserve what those before us created. Future generations will thank us for our historic town and the Greenbelt we fought so hard to preserve."
Laguna Greenbelt's annual meeting will present "Laguna Beach and the Greenbelt, Celebrating a Treasured Historic American Landscape" on Feb 15 at 7 p.m. at the Congregational Church, Bridge Hall, 340 St. Ann's Drive. A book by the same title will be available that evening. The public is cordially invited.
Laguna Beach and its Greenbelt are worthy of designation as a Historic American Landscape because its beautiful and dramatic natural landscape setting is intricately related to the community and artistic tradition that grew from it. Its geological formations, natural vegetation and coastal location attracted artists beginning around the turn of the last century.
The artistic influence and the character of the landscape shaped the qualities of the town, village environment and the unique community that has descended from it. Laguna's history, including isolation from other development, its role as arts colony, and its leadership in environmental preservation all stem from the characteristics and disposition of the landscape itself.
The presentation and book elaborate on these complex and remarkable interrelationships.
In cooperation with the Library of Congress, the National Park Service administers the Historic American Buildings Survey (since 1933), the Historic American Engineering Record (since1969), and the Historic American Landscapes Survey (HALS), begun in 2000 in cooperation with the American Society of Landscape Architects.
These programs encourage and facilitate the documentation of the history and characteristics of important buildings, engineering projects, and landscapes. More than 40,000 structures and sites have been documented nationwide. The archives produced through these programs are housed in the Library of Congress.
Since the beginning of the HALS program in 2000, 700 sites have been designated nationwide. Examples include Golden Gate Park; Bidwell Park, Chico; Camp Curry, Yosemite; Rancho Los Alamitos, Long Beach; California missions; Washington Monument grounds; and Mount Vernon.
The application of HALS to a large landscape like Laguna Beach and Greenbelt was unusual, but the National Park Service was impressed with the relationship of Laguna's natural landscape to the plein air artists, and the traditions that have led to the growth and preservation of our unique community.
The Committee for Preservation of the Laguna Legacy, chaired by Ron Chilcote, prepared the submittal for the Historic American Landscape Survey. Members included Barbara Metzger, writer and editor; Ann Christoph, writer; Tom Lamb, graphic design, photography and collections; Mark Chamberlain, photography and collections; Eric Jessen, art history and collections; Verna Rollinger, Bob Borthwick and Harry Huggins Greenbelt history and mapping. Alison Terry, representative of the American Society of Landscape Architects, advised and coordinated submission of the materials to the National Park Service.
[Note that many of those on the Committee for Preservation of the Laguna Legacy are members of Village Laguna.]
HALS group honored at City Council
Trees at the Valido Trail Entrance to the Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park
Village Laguna's December 13 Letter to the Beach City Council (a similar letter was sent to Stacy Blackwood, Director of OC Parks):
The Board of Village Laguna supports the efforts of staff to save the heritage grove of Eucalyptus cladocalyx at the Valido Trail park entrance near West Street in South Laguna. We thank the mayor and council members who quickly took action to inform staff of the tree removal in process, and we appreciate the quick imposition of a stop work order.
We hope that now we will ensure that the trees will be protected.
The grove is on the candidate heritage tree list under Paso del Sur "Eucalyptus cladocalyx grove." The original grove was planted by the first homesteaders in this area, William and Bertie Egan. Their homestead was recorded in 1910 and thus the grove and its descendants long predate any of the residences in the area. The tree plantings were essential for the Egans to "prove up" their claim and get approval from the federal government for taking title to their 40-acre homestead. The original Egan home still exists nearby. The water tank at the end of West Street was built on land that Mrs. Egan donated to the community, and all of the lots along Paso del Sur, Valido, and Rico Roads were created from the Egan homestead.
The trees are important to providing context for the homesteading period of Laguna Beach history and they present the opportunity to tell this important story at the park trail entrance with interpretive signing. Eric Jessen points out that they serve as critical roosting spots for the owls that call in the neighborhood.
We suggest that, to avoid crises and last-minute efforts to save trees as occurred in this case, the council approve all of the candidate heritage trees that are on public land as full-fledged heritage trees and institute a process of review before significant trees are removed.
Sincerely, Johanna Felder, President
Preliminary Comments on Proposed Cultural Arts Plan
Village Laguna's February 29, 2016, Comments
Village Laguna appreciates that this Cultural Arts Plan has provided the opportunity and forum for focusing on the artistic life of our community. It gives us many topics to consider.
However, the document's recommendations seem to be almost solely based on opinion as expressed in a community survey. Yet we note that 40% of the respondents do not live in Laguna Beach. We are disappointed that, rather than being a professional analysis and evaluation of the state of cultural arts in Laguna Beach, the plan seems to concentrate on facilities and it jumps to the conclusion that a new cultural arts facility is needed. Yet, in the workshop we attended the group devoted to that topic concluded that such a facility is not needed. In addition, there are many other aspects to a cultural arts plan which we feel have not been covered.
The plan is lacking a complete planning foundation: It includes an inventory and description of existing facilities, but analyses of existing programs, assets, and participants are missing or incomplete.
Facilities: The location, function, size, limitations, and opportunities of existing cultural venues. These have been charted, but it is not clear why these are inadequate for our needs.
Programs: Inventory of existing arts programs administered by the city and by private organizations. This needed to verify needs for expanding offerings, and to decide where City investment might be offered for maximum benefit.
Assets: Inventory of existing public art, along with a professional evaluation of the collection. What are the most valuable pieces? How should the collection be managed in the future? What criteria should be applied for future acquisitions?
Artists: Inventory of artists residing and/or working in Laguna Beach, their housing and studio situations. What is the magnitude of the affordability problem?
Arts Organizations: Inventory of organizations, their goals and functions. Are there overlaps or gaps that need to be filled?
Arts Commission: A comparison of the functioning and effectiveness of the Arts Commission to similar bodies in other jurisdictions. The plan makes a recommendation for changing the public arts selection process, and raising the contributions for public art but the reasons for those changes are not explained.
Art Education: Classes especially for community members, youth, and adults, should also be an important part of a cultural arts plan. LOCA and the Sawdust do part of that, but much more could be done, especially since LCAD has ceased their community arts programs.
Arts Funding: The plan should examine present City contributions to arts organizations and programs and evaluate the benefits of these expenditures.
We strongly feel that it is premature to recommend a new arts center, and we raise the following concerns:
The document states that such a center would be affordable to user groups only if it is heavily subsidized, and the document doesn't suggest who will subsidize it and how such a facility will be supported. Continual fundraising by existing performing arts and museum venues suggests that such a new arts center will likewise not be self-supporting.
The suggested location at the Village Entrance (not "formerly known as the Village Entrance" as stated on p. 5) is problematic in that it would intensify use, access, and parking problems in the Festival area. Summer use of that area is already at capacity. In off-season times when there is not a conflict, the Festival grounds and forum theater are available for other public uses and seem to be underutilized.
The financing and large size of the previously proposed parking garage for this location proved to be unpalatable to the community and the plan to build it was rejected in 2013. Another large facility that generates its own parking demands and which likely requires similar bonded indebtedness will likely meet a similar reception.
We suggest that the City explore its potential role as facilitator in encouraging various organizations to work cooperatively in meeting the community's arts needs.
It could be less expensive for the city to subsidize rentals in existing facilities rather than to build a whole new facility at large cost that would be available for free or minimal rental.
We have found in recent experience that it is not possible to fulfill all the desires for new constructed features in the community. Yet our needs can be met with creative solutions.
The Skatepark committee did not find a location for the skatepark that was wanted, yet they made recommendations for fulfilling those needs in other ways. The same with senior housing/assisted living. We now have the beginnings of a program to help seniors to age in place.
We support the idea of an on-line community calendar of events. That was first attempted by the Woman's Club, but the system wasn't used by the organizations having events. It appears that the system would have to be staffed to be sure the calendar is reliable and up-to-date.
However, it is not needed nor is it desirable to add 286 performances/events per year to the Laguna Beach calendar of offerings. As it is, competing events vie for public attention and support, and nearby venues—Soka, Saddleback, UCI—offer cultural programs for large audiences. It is not reasonable to imagine that all of our needs can be met in the town of Laguna Beach, population 22,000. We do not want to be all things to all people but we do have a responsibility to maintain a peaceful and lovely environment for the people who live here.
Remember that residents appreciate the off-season quiet time in Laguna Beach. The goal of the plan should not be to raise the level of activity city-wide and fill every available time slot with more events. An important part of appreciation of the arts is the opportunity for prolonged, silent contemplation.
Laguna Beach as an art colony with international cachet:
The statement on page 12 about Laguna Beach being an "international arts destination" is in conflict with p. 8 of the Appendix where respondents said they were more interested in local art opportunities and not with "international" profiles.
Art communities emerge for various reasons. Laguna Beach started with one artist who was enamored by the light, the beauty of the area, the weather and its affordability. He told his friends and they too came and stayed. They formed a colony of artists who worked as plein air painters. They inspired each other, developed ways to market their work and built their shared reputation as part of the California impressionist school. No one planned that, it came about because Laguna has an inspiring setting, artists found it, and the movement was timely.
Expansion of the themes, art innovation, and leadership in the international art world is something that can't be artificially injected from outside, it must arise spontaneously from the souls of the artists. It seems likely that with the Laguna Beach landscape being as beautiful as it is, it will continue to inspire artists the way it always has. If someone wants to paint like Jackson Pollock, for example, the artist doesn't need to be in Laguna Beach to do it. So inasmuch as International art trends are developing based on other inspirations it seems unlikely that Laguna Beach artists will be the ones who become leaders in those trends. The Cultural Arts Plan should not focus on artificially sustaining or directing the artist community but on providing an open creative atmosphere and fostering public interest in the arts.
Laguna still has that light, the good weather, and much of the beauty but it is no longer that affordable. Since the early 1900 Laguna Beach has been able to sustain its artists and its reputation as an artist's community but now many artists can no longer afford to live or work here.
We support programmatic ways or subsidies to assist artists, but question whether constructing new facilities is either a desirable or a financially sound way to provide economical artists housing.
Funding: The plan is very far-reaching and ambitious in the ways it expresses expanding the arts. The plan states that the local fundraising environment is difficult and the plan relies heavily on funding from the City to sustain and expand the arts and states, "the City will be the lead agency for most recommendations." Given that the City has many funding obligations and competing important uses for its funds, the cultural plan should prioritize its recommendations and emphasize City funding contributions that are most related to the overall welfare of the city as a whole.
Johanna Felder, President, Village Laguna
View Restoration
Village Laguna's Letter to City Council concerning Public Trees, February 2, 2016:
RE: Proposed draft ordinance for View Restoration of City Maintained Vegetation
Village Laguna opposes applying the City's view complaint procedures to public trees. Our mission is to preserve and enhance the unique village character of Laguna Beach, and our trees are an integral part of that character. Losing or diminishing them will degrade the village character and inevitably the quality of life that is so closely tied to it.
In addition to the threat to the village, we have other concerns:
First, trees have environmental benefits. They provide shade and comfortable outdoor spaces. They reduce the energy needed to cool buildings. They reduce carbon dioxide, a contributor to global warming. Many cities have embarked on programs to plant more trees because they recognize their many contributions to the environment.
Second, according to staff, there has been only one complaint about the view impact of a City tree in the past year, and staff was able to resolve the problem with the concerned citizen. Why should we write a new ordinance to fix something that "ain't broke"?
Third, there are practical difficulties. The public trees belong to the whole town, and yet the proposed ordinance makes them vulnerable to modification or removal to serve the interests of individuals. Providing for the public as a whole to be represented fairly in a complaint process would be nearly impossible. Although a number of ways of noticing residents are included in the proposed ordinance, only individuals within 500' of the subject tree would be individually noticed when the tree could be of importance to people much farther away, as well as to the whole city.
Finally, opening up a new process for complaints will likely stimulate more discontent and unhappiness as people look to exercise their newly granted "rights" to seek some improvement to their views. Processing these complaints will mean that those who cherish the public trees will have to appear on a regular basis to defend them. There will be more controversy, more ill will, more sadness, more win/lose situations. Our community doesn't need more of this. Rather, we need to work together for the benefit of the whole community and get to know our neighbors under positive circumstances.
We urge you to reject this proposal and continue to support the City staff's responsible management of the trees that belong to all of us.
Sincerely, Johanna Felder, President, Village Laguna


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Williston Heartworks Staff
The teaching faculty at the Heartworks, Renaissance, and Endeavour Schools have earned a certification in early or elementary education and/or have comparable educational training and experience. Throughout the year, teachers and directors participate in professional development programs, both on and off-site, aimed at expanding and improving their teaching skills and enhancing the mission of our Schools. We are dedicated to providing a program based on quality and consistency in all of the schools. All of our faculty and staff are asked to embrace a heartful and peaceful approach with children and to uphold the philosophies of the school.
Michele Karode
School Director
Michele joined Heartworks in the Spring of 2017 and spent her first year as the Director of our STEAMworks Preschool in Essex. Michele has a Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Level Education and a minor in Special Education from the University of Vermont. She spent two years in Massachusetts public schools teaching math, history and special education. While she enjoyed working with older children, she kept gravitating towards the curiosity of a child's learning and now believes early education is the most important part of a child's development. She knew at a young age, while working as a camp counselor in her hometown in Ohio, that working with children was her passion.
In addition to education, she has also worked over three years in business as the JCrew Corporation's training and hiring manager for Boston. Being a resource for her peers to develop their own skill sets in the workplace is something Michele feels grateful to have been a part of in this position. This business experience along with supervisory and management experience and her passion and degree in education, has made Michele so valuable as a School Director.
Michele truly enjoys working with children, having the opportunity to watch them grow and develop. She cherishes being a part of a child's "ah ha!" moment, where they understand something for the first time. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, traveling, attending sporting events and trying out new restaurants.
Kelly Kennedy
Associate Director
Kelly joined Heartworks in 2016. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Vermont. Her education included an in-depth study of the exceptional early childhood schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy. She has over 15 years of experience teaching toddler and preschool aged children in Vermont, Ohio, and New York City. Kelly's areas of interest in the classroom include designing beautiful child-centered spaces and activities, exploration and learning through music and body movement, and the fostering of self-esteem, social skills, and a love of learning. When Kelly is not working with children, she enjoys biking, gardening, reading, dancing, attending live music shows, and traveling.
Dana Corcoran
Dana joined Heartworks in 2017. She studied Therapeutic Recreation at Concordia University in Montreal before transferring to Algonquin College where she received her diploma in Developmental Services. She also studied through the University of Utah and received certification to be a Deaf-blind Intervenor. Dana is also a certified medical assistant. Prior to joining the Heartworks, she worked as a special education program specialist in a pre-school Kindergarten, has been a para-educator and also a Deaf-blind Intervenor for three years in a preschool setting. Dana has worked with children of all ages and has a passion for helping them to reach their full potential. In her spare time she enjoys spending time outdoors with her dog, being on the lake, and being with friends and family.
Kristen Maclauchlan
Assistant Teacher
Kristen received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Castelton University. Working with children is a passion for Kristen. Before joining Heartworks in 2017, she worked with children in many different settings, ranging from summer camps and child care settings to private nannying in both Vermont and Park City, Utah. Outside of the classroom Kristen enjoys painting, sculpting, hiking, and sailing.
Sara Brooks
Sara has an Associate of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Lyndon State College, and also has a Vermont Teaching License in Early Education. She joined Heartworks in 2017, and has more than six years of experience as a classroom teacher with children ranging from birth through Age 5. Outside of work Sara enjoys hiking and spending time with her family.
Yolande Allen-Moorman
Assistant Teacher Yolande graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Vermont. After graduation, she joined the Vermont Army National Guard as an Army Bandsmen. Prior to joining Heartworks in 2018, she worked full time for the Vermont Army National Guard as a liaison to the Recruiting and Retention Battalion. She has also worked as a paraeducator at the Sustainability Academy in Burlington and as a Substitute Teacher for the New York City Department of Education. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to music, going to crossfit, cooking, and spending time with her husband and two cats.
Ilia Gordon
Ilia has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and Sociology from Johnson State College, and joined Heartworks in 2017. She is very passionate about children and working with early preschool ages. She has been working with children since at least 2007. Ilia has previously worked at multiple childcare centers and was formerly a nanny. In her spare time, Ilia enjoys singing, dancing and playing volleyball.
Sarah Long
Assistant Teacher
Sarah has a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a major concentration in Mathematics from the University of Vermont. She was born and raised in Williston, Vermont. She enjoys working with children of all ages and hopes to inspire a love for learning within the younger generations. Outside of work Sarah enjoys being outdoors, skiing, swimming, painting, cooking, traveling to new places, and spending time with family.
Amanda Sicard
Amanda has a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education with a major concentration in Human Development and Family Services from the University of Vermont. She holds a Professional Educator's License from the state of Vermont for Early Childhood Education. She was born and raised in Burlington Vermont. Before joining Heartworks in 2017, Amanda previously enjoyed working at a nature based school with children ages six weeks through five years. Outside of school she enjoys exploring outside, gardening, painting and spending time with friends and family.
Laura Sturm
Assistant Teacher
Laura has a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, with a minor in Education Studies from Ithaca College. Prior to joining Heartworks in 2018, her experience included working with students who have special needs, most recently working as an Autism Interventionist. Laura has developed a love of working with children and helping them grow as individuals. Laura grew up in Essex Junction, Vermont and enjoys spending time reading, swimming, and traveling.
Maggie Gallagher
Teacher Maggie has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Anthropology from the University of Vermont. As a Freshman, Maggie volunteered in the Dominican Republic where she taught English to young children. During her Junior year of College, she moved abroad to England, where she continued her studies at the University of Sussex. During her summers throughout college, Maggie worked as an AmeriCorps member where she served as a mentor for low-income families throughout rural Vermont. Maggie joined Heartworks in 2018. She has a true passion for public service and early education. In her free time, Maggie loves to travel; her favorite places thus far have been France, England, Hungary and the Netherlands.
Erin Hackett
Erin has an Associate of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from Northwestern Connecticut Community College, a Bachelor of General Studies in Human Development and Families Studies from the University of Connecticut and a Master of Arts degree in Special Education from the University of St. Joseph. She has over 15 years of experience in working with children from Pre-kindergarten through Fourth Grade. Erin joined the Heartworks team in 2017. She grew up in Connecticut and spent her summers in the Champlain Islands. In her free time, Erin enjoys being near the lake or hiking the long trail with her dog.
Amber Quinlan
Assistant Teacher
Amber has an Associate of Arts degree in Human Services and is currently working on her Bachelor degree in Psychology with a focus on Child and Adolescent Development. Amber has worked with children in after school settings and through internships. She has always enjoyed working with children and loves watching them grow and develop. In her free time, Amber loves to bake, take her dog to the dog park, and spend time with family and friends.
Sarah Mosley
Sarah joined the Heartworks staff in 2006. She attended Kent State University where she studied Family Consumer Studies with an emphasis on Early Childhood Development. Outside of her time at Heartworks she currently serves the Essex Junction community as the Secretary of the PTO. She also enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her family including her husband, two children and their dog.
Lizzy Sheehan
Assistant Teacher
Lizzy has over 30 years of teaching experience both in the public and private sectors. She holds Elementary Education Licenses in Massachusetts and Vermont. The span of her teaching career has included working with young children from infancy all the way up through second graders. In 2012, Lizzy received the Southeast Supervisory Union's Early Childhood Educator of the Year Award. She enjoys being outdoors, traveling, reading and spending lots of time with her precious granddaughter, Ella.
Elizabeth Kassmieh
Elizabeth has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education and Interdisciplinary Studies from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Teaching has always been a passion of hers. Prior to joining Heartworks in 2018, she had five years of experience working with children from Kindergarten through Sixth Grade. She enjoys working in early education as the early stages of learning and developing for a child are the most crucial years. Outside of work she enjoys hiking, cooking, playing the piano, traveling and reading.
Nicole Colella
Assistant Teacher
Nicole began working at Heartworks in January of 2014. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Lesley University. She is an accomplished artist and has much experience integrating her talents into her work with children. In addition to working as an assistant teacher at Heartworks in Williston, she is also the art instructor for the Endeavour Middle School. Her favorite forms of art are drawing and wood carving. Nicole is also an outdoor enthusiast, seeking adventure in rock climbing, biking and hiking.
Hannah Overby
Hannah joined Heartworks in 2018. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Northern Michigan University with a focus on Integrated Science. Before Heartworks she taught elementary students in Kindergarten through Fifth Grades, in Michigan and New York City. Her focus is on creating a caring environment where learning is engaging and fun. She enjoys reading, baking, hiking and spending time with her husband and two dogs.
Amy Veilleux
Amy has been teaching at Heartworks Williston since 2003. She received an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from Champlain College. Outside of school Amy enjoys scrapbooking and spending time with her family.
Caila Benoit
Caila has been teaching at Heartworks Williston since 2012. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Ottawa and her Master of Arts degree in Education from Johnson State College, with a concentration in Elementary Education. She enjoys cooking, baking, outdoor activities and spending time with her husband and their two dogs.
Georgia Morris
Georgia graduated from Champlain College, with a dual Bachelor's of Science degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and is currently in the process of obtaining her Professional Educator's license from the State of Vermont in both Early and Elementary Education. She has a passion for working with children, and wants to always support them in their social, academic, and emotional growth. Before her start at Heartworks in 2016, Georgia worked with students ages three through 5th grade through her placements in different school systems and working at summer camps. Outside of the classroom Georgia enjoys exploring the outdoors, reading, playing sports especially soccer, and spending time with friends and family.
Maria Roop
Maria began working at Heartworks in the Fall of 2014. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Vermont. She was born in Colombia and has lived in Vermont since she was an infant. She is an avid football fan and enjoys cheering on the Philadelphia Eagles.
Amy Anderson
Support Teacher Before joining Heartworks in 2016, Amy graduated from The State University of New York at New Paltz with a degree in Elementary Education. She has always found enjoyment teaching children and most recently worked in a multi-aged drop-in facility. Amy has a love of travel and spent three years living in New Zealand with her husband. In her free time she enjoys camping, hiking and biking with her family. Amy's family has a goal to see all 58 National Parks.
Lauren Greer
Support Teacher
Before joining Heartworks in 2018, Lauren graduated from the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She then pursued her Masters degree in Social Work at Kean University in New Jersey. Lauren enjoyed her years in the field working for a non-profit organization as a Child and Family Clinician; for the majority of her social work career she assisted young children and their families in Head Start Preschools, as well as public elementary schools. Before having her own children, Lauren decided to go back to school and followed another passion by earning a personal training degree and national certification. She found that coaching was a wonderful career and enjoyed it immensely, especially the quality time that it allowed for her to raise her two young children. When Lauren is not at Heartworks, she enjoys exercising and exploring Vermont's great outdoors with her family.
Joanna May
Music Teacher Joanna has been singing and making music for most of her 47 years as a performer and teacher, and for hospice clients in our community as a singer/director with the VNA's Noyana Singers. She studied voice at Indiana University and received a Vermont teaching license and Master's degree in Integrating the Arts into Education from St. Michael's College. Joanna is a certified Music Together teacher and center director. Her most recent musical endeavor was a week-long workshop learning to lead Bobby McFerrin-inspired Circle Songs. She joined Heartworks in 2015 and is the mother of 2 music-loving boys. Joanna's best musical influences were her parents, whose love of music made for a lot of singing in the car.
Jayne Methot-Walker
STEAM Art Teacher
Jayne has a degree in Art Education and a B.S. from UVM in Animal Science. She has worked as a certified Art Educator in Vermont for over twenty years. She lives in Grand Isle with her retired husband. They are both active members of Lyric Theatre in Burlington, and have two daughters. One is a senior at UVM and the oldest lives in Portland, Oregon. Jayne's current hobby is learning the techniques of stand up comedy.
Melanie Sroka
STEAM Arts Teacher Melanie Sroka is a gifted musician and is well versed in the art of musical theatre. She will be traveling to the Heartworks and STEAMworks preschools sharing her love of music, dance and drama with your wonderful children. Melanie graduated from Westfield State College with a bachelor's degree in Music Education and has been working with children for more than 20 years. She has directed and co-directed plays such as "Pirates of Penzance" and "Aristocats" and is part of Gaia Roots, a multicultural women's group with whom she traveled to Cuba to study music, dance and culture.
Heather Benton
Coordinator of Professional Development, STEAM and Substitute Teacher
Heather joined the Heartworks family in 2012. She is licensed by the State of Vermont in Early Education, and is certified to teach through the third grade level. A native Vermonter, she attended the University of Vermont and earned a B.A. in psychology. Heather resides in Essex Junction and enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, crafting and serving as a Deacon in her church.

subset: commoncrawl


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Northern Monk Brew Co
Regular price
Brewed especially for Leeds Beer Week, this collaboration with Northern Monk is designed to get your juices flowing ahead of the main events. A crushable Pale Ale, based on our classic Faith - this beer is triple dry hopped to the nines with Ekuanot, Citra and Mosaic.
Suitable for Vegans.


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It Is Way Easier Than Making A "French Toes"
To Write 5 Admission Essay Secret Methods To Follow
An admission essay is so much more than just writing about what you want and showing to the college or university, who you are as a person. It is about showing the college your writing skills and why you are good enough to be in this college. Every day these people get hundreds of admissions and admission essays to read through and select the best ones. Hence you need to show to them why you are the one they should choose and not the other students. You can only do this once you write the essay in a proper and formal format as is stated by the admission office of the college you are applying to. Every college has its format, so you need to search on this before starting to write your essay.
An admission essay is not difficult to write at all. The only mistakes that students mostly make are in structuring their thoughts and ideas. You can add countless things to an admission essay that you do not know when to stop. The basic fabric of the admission essay is explained below
The introduction has to be focused. Focused does not mean that it should be direct and get straight to the point. Focused means that your writing should show what you are talking about and what will eventually happen in the story. It should have the main idea and revolve around it. The main idea is the story you are going to talk about. Another important thing about the introduction is that you should keep it interesting. Add a bit of humor or suspense on any other emotion but grab the reader's attention immediately.The main body
The main body is the central passage, and it should contain everything. You need to tell your story in this part while keeping to the word limit. So you need to decide which details you can include and which details you have to skip. Keep the most interesting details intact while also adding parts which are essential to complete the story. Sometimes the minor points need to be there to add structure to the paragraph. That is perhaps the easiest part of writing because you do not have to make use of a lot of writing techniques. Make sure that your sentence structure is right and there are no grammar, language or spelling mistakes. These should be noted throughout the essay, but in the main body, they should be given special attention. Try using good terminology that explains the meaning of what you are trying to say. Be specific and to the point, because it is very easy to divert and start another story when you are writing an admission essay.
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A good idea for the conclusion is, to sum up your dissertation by showing how good of a college is the one in which you are applying to. But you need to do this very subtly. Just complimenting openly will be very obvious and the admission board will take you as needy. You have to mention why you think that this individual college is the perfect opportunity for you. You had a choice of so many schools, but you chose this one. There has to be a reason. Let the reader know the reason. It is okay to be vulnerable here but avoids getting too emotional.A few points to remember
Do not make your essay so full of information that the reader just gets bored. You have to add facts and be original, but you also need to be interesting. Adding opinions and feelings is not a bad idea. But do not go overboard. Balancing your essay is key.
You have to be yourself and show the reader who you are. Talking about the college, you are applying to and just saying what is so great about the college is not the right way to deal with this essay. You have to give reasons as to what made you choose this college and why you like it so much. Try to mold everything according to you.
Try to use new words and phrases. If you have used a word before, do not repeat it and look for its synonym. This adds variety to your essay, and the reader knows that you have a good command of the English language. In the end just get your essay checked and make sure there are no obvious mistakes.
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The Wayne County Historical Society of Ohio announces that we will opening for regular tours of the campus on April 1, 2016. The new tour operating hours will be on Fridays and Saturdays from 1PM to 4PM. The new Office hours will be Tuesdays and Fridays from 1PM to 4PM.
New 2016 Tour Hours & Opening Date
March 24, 2016 posted by [post_author_meta] Leave a Comment


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I born on 14th November 1976 (Sunday) at Kamla Nehru Hospital, Allahabad. I grew up in Allahabad and did my schooling from Central School (Kendriya Vidyalaya), Allahabad. I finished my Bachelor of Engineering course in Computer Science from Adichunchanagiri Institute of Technology, Chikmagalur in the year 1998. My zodiac sign is Scorpio. Some people say I am typical Scorpio and some says I am a good scorpion. But I love that I am a Scorpion from Zodiac.
My first job was in Aerospace Systems Pvt. Ltd. (ASPL), Bangalore which is a TATA Group company. Now I am working at Robert Bosch India Limited, Bangalore as a Software Engineer. My work area is developing Softwares for Embedded Systems in Automotive field. I love the field of Embedded Systems as there is software and hardware both are involved. So there is great opportunity to explore and learn lots of things which are new to me. I like the work I am doing.


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Over the years, my wife and I have found a lot of great books at thrift stores. We've picked up signed copies of antique books and nearly new copies of recently-released tomes that we'd been meaning to buy but hadn't yet gotten around to.
Then, not two weeks after starting this blog, my wife runs across the following title for a dollar and gifts it to me one evening. Coincidence? I think not.
As expected, there's a ton that I didn't know, and I've found myself guilty of trashing many of the ground rules (or at least, suggestions) within. That said, this little pocket book seems like it will be a great resource for me as I try to expand my knowledge base.
After all, it's a marathon, not a sprint.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Posted by mistermidwester at 9:22 PM
Labels: books, inspiration, thrift
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A lot of people make plans for retirement and map out a way to achieve these goals. Other times, we make plans for our golden years with blinders on. We imagine only happy situations where our biggest concern is which cruise to take each year. The fact is, people get sick, they get older and they run out of money or they lose the ability to make decisions for themselves. This is where a good elder law attorney can help.
These lawyers specialize in helping people plan for the future and provide legal services to seniors. Not only that, they can help older make the most of challenging situations they may face. With years of experience in this field and plenty of resources at their disposal, these lawyers can be the best resource you can have to get you through your golden years with the support you need.
Elder Law specialty
Elder Law practitioners help their clients navigate the legal conditions that are unique to older and retired persons. Common areas of expertise include:
• Medicare and Medicaid eligibility, claims and appeals
• Tax Law
• Estate Planning and Administration
• Directives Healthcare, Planning -and Insurance Needs
• Wills, Trusts and Probate Court
• Long-term Care Planning
• conservatorship and guardianship
• saving, Abuse and Neglect
• Asset Protection
• Social Security and disability
• mandates
• Elder Abuse and Fraud
• Housing Issues
• Age Discrimination
• Retirement Planning
When to seek help Elder Care Specialist
When you are facing legal issues older citizen or need help aged family members, it is a good idea to consult an elder law attorney. While you may feel that family attorney counsel you as well, this is not always the case. These Lawyers lack specialized legal knowledge needed to navigate the issues facing older and many people do not understand the unique circumstances older face. Lawyers who work with older have regular one non-senior legal resources at their disposal that may be useful as well. They can often refer clients to social services, nursing home or home health care agencies based professional network exclusively.
Choosing a lawyer
When you start investigating the Elder Lawyers law you will notice that each lawyer has his own area of expertise. It is rare to find a lawyer who is fluent in every aspect of the field. It is much more common to find one that has focused his practice on a few specific areas. This is the case, it makes sense to first find out what specific areas you need help. Do you need help designing a will or estate plan or do you need help with Medicare requirements? Whatever your needs, find a lawyer who has experience in this area, but who has enough knowledge to know if the actions you take affect you under other legal areas.
Start your search for a lawyer with local senior service agencies or health professionals. Ask for recommendations. Check with the local area council on aging, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, or state or local Bar Associations. You may even be able to get referrals from attorneys you know. Once you have some names in his hand a time to face-to-face interview. You will be sharing some very personal information with this lawyer. You want to find someone you connect with and trust and who understands your needs and feelings and can provide you with moral support that you may need to get through the legal issues you're facing.


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Monday, February 04, 2013
Before Five in a Row--Blueberries for Sal
4 comments:
Sorry to be a stalky blogger person, got your blog from a friend before we came to China, we've been here 6 months, in Harbin. I started out doing BFIAR when we first moved here but lost momentum, so you've inspired me to start back again this semester!! blessings to you and your family!
- February 04, 2013 10:13 PM
- Chris & Sarah Peek said...
Okay, so I only got about 1/3 of the way through your post before I started to think, my SIL is off the hook. My poor kids. I just let them run around all day. They'll never be able to read! or compare/contrast! or chart! Can I send my kids to Becky summer camp?
- February 05, 2013 4:39 AM
- Rachel said...
This is really fantastic, Beck! I'm so impressed with your extensions of the book through activities, and also how you've kept it manageable and bite-sized for everyone's sakes. I always felt it was hard to find crafts/activities that the kids themselves can actually do--not you as the mom having to do most of the steps so that they can have a fun looking craft at the end. but it looks like you're doing a great job of that. And how fun that you're already seeing them love to read books! That is so great! I loved all the pictures too; esp of Lisa and her daughter who looks like her, I think. Also, I recognized some of those cars/trucks! How fun. Keep up the excellent work and having fun with it too. Love to you all, Rach
- February 05, 2013 10:28 AM
- Brandon and April said...
I think last week I mentioned that we're going to have to borrow that book since we've never read it...but see, now, I guess we don't because you've given me the Cliff's Notes version! :)
Did I mention last week that when we were doing Edward Built a Rocketship my kids were sooo confused as to WHY we were reading the same book EVERY SINGLE DAY. funny...those kids. :)
great job beck! lets do a craft day together one day shall we?!
- February 06, 2013 9:31 PM


text:
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text:
Release Tour + Review Option
November 21 - 25
Digital Release Blitz
December 1
This is a RELEASE TOUR and DIGITAL RELEASE BLITZ for MS. DEMEANOR by DANICA WINTERS.
The Release Tour will run from Tuesday, November 21 - Saturday, November 25.
The Digital Release Blitz will run on Friday, December 1.
MS. DEMEANOR is the fourth book in the Mystery Christmas Series and is a Harlequin Intrigue Romantic Suspense which will be released on November 21, followed by the digital release on December 1.
Tour Materials will be available at least 3-5 prior to the start of the tour and will be emailed as soon as they are ready.
Review copies are available and will be provided via BookFunnel. By requesting a review copy you are agreeing to post your review to Amazon and at least one other review site (Goodreads, B&N, etc.)
The Mystery Christmas Series will be a four book series with the following release dates. Separate tours will be set up for each in the series and review copies for all books will be available throughout all the tours.
Book 1: Ms. Calculation
8/22 - 8/26: Release Review Tour
9/1: Digital Release Blitz
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Book 2: Mr. Serious
9/21 - 9/25: Release Review Tour
10/1: Digital Release Blitz
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Book 3: Mr. Taken
10/17 - 10/21: Release/Review Tour
11/1: Digital Release Blitz
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Book 4: Ms. Demeanor
11/21 - 11/25: Release/Review Tour
12/1: Digital Release Blitz
Ms. Demeanor
by Danica Winters
Mystery Christmas, #4
Romantic Suspense
Release Date: November 25, 2017
272 Pages
Yearning to be known as something other than Mystery's ultimate bad boy, rancher Rainier Fitzgerald isn't pleased when he stumbles upon the remains of a dead body. Especially when Officer Laura Blade catches him with a gun in his hand.
Spending Christmas chasing down a cold case with a man she's not supposed to fraternize with isn't granting any of Laura's holiday wishes, either. But could her favorite time of the year be working its magic on Laura's feelings? Or is Rainier truly transforming from a charismatic rogue to a hero worthy of her heart?
Also In The Series and Available for Review
Ms. Calculation
by Danica Winters
Mystery Christmas, #1
Romantic Suspense
Release Date: August 22, 2017
256 Pages
The body found in the Dunrovin Ranch stables isn't just a crisis for Wyatt Fitzgerald's family or his top priority as sheriff—Gwen Johansen is both the victim's sister…and Wyatt's ex. And in a small town like Mystery, events of the past don't seem to fade. Maybe she'd misjudged his potential when they were younger, but now he could be her greatest ally—and not just in the investigation. That is, if he can work his way around a broken heart. With the killer circling, the clock is counting down on more than Christmas, a time when family means everything and forgiveness is the best gift of all.
Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ iBooks ~ Kobo ~ Google
Walmart ~ Harlequin ~ Universal Book Link
Walmart ~ Harlequin ~ Universal Book Link
Mr. Serious
by Danica Winters
Mystery Christmas, #2
Romantic Suspense
Release Date: September 21, 2017
256 Pages
Waylon Fitzgerald had a life of adventure all planned out—one that did not include returning to his family's ranch to bring his missing ex-wife into custody for murder. With so much bad blood between them, the sexy military police officer understands why his ex's sister, Christina Bell, hates him. And yet he and Christina spark a sizzling attraction.
What changes everything for Waylon is Winnie, Christina's adorable ward…and the startling revelation that he's her father. When she goes missing—her mother a killer at large—Waylon's world is upended. Will he redeploy to follow his passions around the world…or stay where his heart has found an unexpected Christmas present?
Mr. Taken
by Danica Winters
Mystery Christmas, #3
Romantic Suspense
Release Date: October 17, 2017
256 Pages
Though he's ridiculously handsome and notoriously funny, it's Colter Fitzgerald's firefighting skills that are most needed by Whitney Barstow—at first. She's been traumatized by fire and terrified that the arsonist sabotaging Dunrovin Ranch is a madman from her past. She's also fearful that harm will come to any man she loves, so denies her attraction to Colter. Then why is she jealous of another woman's hands all over him?
On the eve of the ranch's Christmas festival, Colter wants no one but Whitney, body, soul and darkest secrets. But there's still an arsonist to stop…before what makes the season bright is Dunrovin in flames.
About the Author
|Danica Winters
When she's not working, she can be found in the wilds of Montana testing her patience while she tries to understand the allure of various crafts (quilting, pottery, and painting are not her thing). She always believes the cup is neither half full nor half empty, but it better be filled with wine.
Danica Winters is represented by Jill Marsal of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, LLC.
Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Website ~ Newsletter
Giveaway Information:
Danica will be hosting a tour-wide giveaway with three prizes:
(1) winner - $25 Amazon Gift Card
(2) winners - Signed Paperback of MS. DEMEANOR
Posting Materials - Release Tour:
Media Kit
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HTML w/Review Tag
Posting Materials - Digital Review Blitz:
Media Kit
FB/Social Media Post
Digital Release Blitz
Friday, December 1
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Tuesday, November 21
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Friday, November 24
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abibliophobia anonymous book reviews
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text:
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Oliver has lengthy been on a mission to make the world more healthy by way of actionable diet and cooking steerage. Whether through his TV exhibits, best-promoting cookbooks (including 2017's 5 Substances: Fast & Straightforward Meals ), or … Read MoreContinue reading


text: Bright colors, big windows, well designed furnishings, and innovative use of space can tranform attics, lofts, apartments, or smaller rooms in your house into an enjoyable living experience. Don't right off any space due to it's size. Consider this example of how a professional designer can combine beautiful style with practical furnishings to make this apartment appear larger and more comfortable.


text:
Pieces painted for the 2010 WA Guild China Painters Exhibition
MAJA is the name of a Spanish perfume that was very popular in the 1950s & 60s. At the time it was sold in every pharmacy around Australia and had a picture of a Spanish dancer on the packaging. The background design depicted Art Deco style flowers trailing down the box in red, black, cream and gold. After further research into Art Deco illustrations of flora, I designed a series of 5 pieces in red, black, gold and platinum. The largest vase is 22cm x 22cm and the ball shaped boxes are 15 x 15cm and 10x10 respectively.
The flowers and scroll work are done in Syringe work using Texture Paste. The matte gold flowers & leaves are Gold Metallic Decal and the others have been lustred in Red Ruby, Black Lustre, Liquid Bright Gold and Platinum with the white areas painted in Mother of Pearl. The two ball boxes (below) have garnet gems set on top. All 5 pieces were sold at the exhibition.
Pieces painted for the 12th AUSTRALASIAN PORCELAIN ART TEACHERS CONVENTION & EXHIBITION - FREMANTLE, WESTERN AUSTRALIA OCTOBER 2009
'COLOURS OF THE OCEAN' 5" (13cm) porcelain jewel box
Hand painted in Green & Light Blue Lustre, chunky Texture Paste & Syringe work coated with Bright Liquid Gold. Chunky gold band set with white, aqua and pale green Freshwater pearls.
Some years ago I flew to Exmouth in North Western Australia. The plane first landed at Shark Bay, then flew up the coast to Exmouth. I could look down and see the whole of the Ningaloo Reef just off shore and all the amazing colours of the ocean and inner lagoon. This jewel box is an abstract rendition of the reef.
'GEOMETRIC DESIGN' 22cm Rectangular Vases & 15cm Box
The left side of the photo below shows the 3 Geometric Design pieces I displayed at the APAT Convention and the right hand side shows the back of the large vase and the sides of both vases.
Hand painted in Copper, Blue Green Lustre, Gold and Platinum over a 'petit point' base of Texture Paste. The two rectangular vases each feature a row of porcelain medallions. My 'WORK IN PROGRESS' page shows how these pieces were created.
Photo shows the front and back of one of my Dragonfly vases painted for the Convention in 2009. The dragonflies were created with Texture Paste extruded through a syringe to create fine raised lines for gold. Their tails are dotted with 'balls' of Texture Paste and the eyes (on the front of the vase) are tiny porcelain medallions painted separately then attached later. The background is 'blue green' lustre created by applying green lustre on top of light blue lustre (several individually fired coats) and finally Blue lustre textured with plastic wrap . The raised line work has been covered with Bright Liquid Gold.
The second Dragonfly vase has been painted using the same design modified to fit the wider vase. This vase developed more 'blue' in the lustre firings and the photo above shows the front and back of the vase.
PHOTO BELOW shows the 3 'dragonfly' pieces together including the matching 14cm jewel box.
Painted in Copper lustre with the left panel marbleized and the right side dribbled with blue green lustre, this vase is 9" (22cm) high and 'pillow' shaped with a narrow top. The cicada design has been applied in gold relief and the three long curling leaves in iridescent blue green/violet metallic. The back of the vase is marbleized copper lustre.
Below is a 4" (10cm) jewel box in a similar design painted to match the vase.
Seven pieces painted for the 2013 WA Guild of China Painters exhibition in May. The subject is based on Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Art Nouveau style roses.
The designs on each piece have been created in white gold relief in what I call my 'cloisonné style' of applying relief paint with a syringe. This creates panels and spaces that over a series of many firings are filled with Ruby Red, Pink, Blue, Green, Mother of Pearl and Black lustre as well as several shades of metallic onglaze colours. The relief lines are finished in precious gold and platinum.
The tall vase at the back is 10" high (25cm) and the ball vase (shown below) is 4" (10cm)


text:
My kids always roll their eyes when I tell them we are going to write down our goals.
I know, most people believe goals are for adults.
Only, I always loved to see my children write down their hopes and their dreams. A little peek inside exactly who they are and are meant to be.
You would think by the classic eye roll that I made them do this to the point of duress. When in fact, it was about once a year.
I would buy several notebooks usually before New Years. A few times; however, I did it just as a fun thing in the summer when we went out to dinner before the new school year.
You get the point. Essentially, it was before new beginnings in their lives.
I wanted to know what they were thinking because I felt as a mother it would help me to help them. A manner of actualizing their dreams. It didn't come from a helicopter mom nor did it come from a nosey mom nor did it come from a controlling mom.
I just have always been a believer in dreams.
In part, because it is intrinsic to who I am and in part because my mother was a realist.
She didn't subscribe to asking me what was in my heart. Instead, her fear for me one day being a single mother (just as she became) made her quiet those dreams in favor of a solid plan.
I never snooped inside my children's dream notebooks. I knew their hopes because we shared them. We would all start writing our resolutions, goals or bucket lists and then we would share them along the way. In between bites of food we would laugh to see what one another wrote or be silent enough to respect them.
I love that about my kids. I love how respectful they have always been. They knew exactly when to have a good-hearted chuckle when listening to one another and they absolutely knew when to respect one another.
Some goals are light-hearted and fun and others, well they come from the soul. A place of deep longing. A place which demands respect. A place that says 'this is who I am' and I need you to know that.
Perhaps, this has been one of the most profound benefits of encouraging my kids to write their goals from a young age. They grew up around it and came to honor what one another hoped for and not just diminish it.
Recently, I was sifting through some memorabilia and I found a few of those notebooks.
There is quite honestly, nothing more honest and heart rendering than looking at the scribbled notes of the babies you raised.
The evolution of their hearts literally rendered in their handwriting. The only other greater gift is the evolution of their hearts in scribbled pictures.
I imagined for a moment the in unison classic eye rolls.
What a great memory and how I wonder if they too, will one day feel the same. I am no naive mommy. I absolutely realize that one or all of them will forever be goal writers or one or all of them will hate it because their mother loved it so much she made them do it.
But me, the mommy, will always love the moments when they told me who they were with their words.
A gift to any parent. A peek inside their youthful souls.
I gingerly opened each of their notebooks. Hoping to find how they evolved into who they are today. Since it had been some time since I had gazed upon these pages.
In between, better grades and going to certain colleges, there were words of substance. The type of thing that makes a mother proud.
To be better to their brothers.
To make a difference.
To try harder.
All along I believed my children writing down their hopes and dreams would be helping them achieve what they wanted to do in life. An exercise for them and for me. I would teach them how writing down their goals magically achieved them. And how me knowing them would position me as their best support system.
In hindsight, it did exactly what goals are truly meant to do.
Be a window into a person's soul.
It showed my children's intrinsic goodness (which of course I already knew) and it reinforced that as they were tiny people growing up, they did not just…
Reflect on what they hoped the world would promise them.
They reflected on what they hoped to promise to the world.
(Photos courtesy of Pexels)
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