UPFRONT PLACES | PERSPECTIVES | HAPPENINGS |
A NOVEL ADVENTURE Laguna Beach resident and bestselling author Kaira Rouda has a new book coming out Sept . 5 . “ Beneath the Surface ,” set during a weekend voyage , follows a family ’ s exploits as they grapple for a future inheritance . Aging billionaire Richard Kingsley , who controls a real estate empire , invites his sons and their wives on a trip to Catalina Island where the power-hungry children seek to gain control of their father ’ s empire . But the children are unprepared for a storm of deceptions as Kingsley and his newest wife view this succession as a competition . Then Kingsley ’ s estranged daughter , Sibley , crashes the party , adding even more drama to the mix . By the trip ’ s end , one will be crowned heir and one stands to lose everything . Rouda ’ s previous novels include “ The Widow ,” “ Somebody ’ s Home ,” “ The Next Wife ,” “ The Favorite Daughter ,” “ Best Day Ever ” and more . “ Beneath the Surface ” will be available at Laguna Beach Books , online and from other major book retailers . While no local book signings are currently planned , Rouda will give a talk , lead a discussion and offer writing advice at the Third Street Writers meeting on Oct . 2 from noon to 2 p . m . at the Laguna Beach Community & Susi Q Senior Center . ( kairarouda . com ) — S . S .
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RECENT LAGUNA COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN GRADUATE SOFIA PFANNER RECEIVED THE 2023 TRUSTEE CHOICE AWARD FOR HER PAINTING , “ SHADOW SELF ,” WHICH THE LCAD BOARD OF TRUSTEES PURCHASED FOR THE SCHOOL ’ S PERMANENT COLLECTION AFTER SHE COMPLETED HER BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS DEGREE IN ILLUSTRATION IN MAY . ( LCAD . EDU )
Kaira Rouda ( above ) is releasing a new novel in September . Titled “ Beneath the Surface ,” the book follows a family grappling over a forthcoming inheritance while on a trip .
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Lagunan Dick Metz ( above ) is the subject of the documentary “ Birth of The Endless Summer .”
SILVER-SCREEN SENSATION Award-winning documentary “ Birth of The Endless Summer ,” directed by Laguna Beach resident Richard Yelland , made its cinematic premiere at La Paloma Theatre in Encinitas , California , on June 14 , following several film festival screenings . The film follows the globe-trotting adventures of Lagunan Dick Metz from 1958 to 1961 , which helped to inspire Bruce Brown ’ s iconic surf film , “ The Endless Summer .” To make the new documentary , film crews followed Metz , now in his 90s , as he retraced his steps to Cape St . Francis in South Africa , a standout surf spot he discovered while traveling more than 50 years ago . “ Birth of The Endless Summer ” continues to be shown in theaters around the country this summer — possibly including some more screenings in Orange County in late August — and will be available on digital channels by this fall . ( instagram . com / birthoftheendlesssummer ) — S . S . g
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TOP LEFT : KRISTIN KARKOSKA ; INSET : THOMAS & MERCER ; TOP RIGHT : COURTESY OF SURFING HERITAGE AND CULTURE CENTER / DICK METZ COLLECTION |