Laguna Beach Magazine March/April 2023 | Page 22

UPFRONT PLACES | PERSPECTIVES | HAPPENINGS
New experiences at The Ranch at Laguna Beach include The Shaper ( left ) and The Painter ( right ).

CULTURAL COLLABORATIONS

In an effort to celebrate the roots of our coastal town , The Ranch at Laguna Beach has debuted two new exclusive experiences for resort guests . These cultural adventures feature collaborations with community members who are experts in their fields . For The Shaper , enjoy an immersive afternoon with Gary Larson , who has been shaping surfboards for Hobie Surf Shop in Dana Point for over 20 years . Guests will meet with Larson for lunch at a local brewpub to discuss his background and their dream board before heading to the studio to help shape it , as he teaches them about contouring , rails and colors ; the finished board will then be delivered to their home a few months later . The other experience , The Painter , is inspired by Laguna ’ s art colony history , with renowned plein air painter John Cosby sharing knowledge on his artistic process at his local studio and continuing the conversation over lunch before taking guests out to a local beach to create a demonstration painting before they craft their own . Each cultural encounter starts at $ 2,500 plus tax and must be booked at least three weeks in advance . ( 949-499-2271 ; theranchlb . com ) — A . R .

Take a Breath

Lagunan Ken Jillson has donated funds for an aviation scholarship .
The Teen Loft and WellSpace has reopened at the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach ’ s Canyon Branch .
For teens , it ’ s often difficult to remember to pause and take a breath in times of struggle . While the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach already provides a safe , comforting environment in which for youth to thrive , it ’ s important to ensure that all teens are practicing mindfulness and focusing on their own well-being to combat things like depression , anxiety and loneliness . To help with this , the organization reopened its Teen Loft and WellSpace at the Canyon Branch with a ribbon cutting ceremony in late January , after it was transformed into a healing oasis that focuses on physical and mental health to promote a sense of overall wellness . Designed by Deana Duffek of Design With Purpose , the space provides cozy seating , greenery , a wealth of resources and more . Currently , there are 20 to 30 teens making use of the area each day , though the club expects numbers to grow in the coming months . ( 949-494-2535 ; bgclaguna . org ) — A . R . g
TOP SECTION : COURTESY OF THE RANCH AT LAGUNA BEACH
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