lagunabeachindy . com MARCH 24 , 2023 13
GUEST OPINION :
The Real Village Entrance
|
By John zeGowitz
Decades ago , when I first moved to Laguna Beach , I took notice of a unique personal transformation that would happen as I drove through the Canyon and into Laguna Beach . Whether I was descending from the
|
beige of Irvine on the 5 or from the early evening parking lot of the 405 , coming through the beauty of the rolling open spaces , golden grasses , and oak trees between the highways and El Toro Road , I could feel the intensity and stresses of the day washing away , revealing a lighter clarity and peace . The protection of that corridor became something I think all of us in Laguna celebrate to this day .
But that was only the beginning of the transformation . After passing El Toro , Anneliese , Willow Canyon and the dog park , we begin to run a gauntlet of small and unique trades and crafts along with artist and creative studios of all types before reaching the college , the Sawdust , and the Pageant . For me , this part of the drive became a gradual accumulation of connections to a truly uncommon community and all its creativity , heritage and beauty . This was my place . These were my people .
|
|
|
This was my adopted heritage built on a history of arts , independent thinking , and a connection to a natural environment unlike any other . This is what makes Laguna Beach so iconic and exceptional . Whenever I was asked where I was from while traveling , this is what people identified as Laguna Beach when I mentioned that I was from Laguna Beach , California . This was before the MTV show , of course .
I don ’ t share this stroll down memory canyon without purpose . Last week , I overheard a discussion of the potential sale of some of the canyon properties , which can also lead to displacing a large chunk of Laguna Beach ’ s local artist and creative community . It got me thinking about the importance of these local artists and businesses and their place in the Canyon . With all due respect to the “ Village Entrance ” and its pristinely architected beauty , the true Village Entrance begins long before
|
we ever get to the Festival or even the Sawdust . As we drive through the Canyon and into the city , we pass through what is ostensibly our creative hub . We begin to connect through osmosis the feeling that this is a community of independent ideas , passions , businesses , artists and trades , all blended into the natural beauty of the winding canyon . Each one represents the same autonomy and thriving creative mindset that represents the authentic Laguna Beach , and hopefully , always will .
We ’ ve all seen a lot of changes in Laguna over the past couple of decades , and I ’ m not writing to argue the positive or negative merits of past changes but to provide the perspective that the death of culture typically happens through a thousand tiny paper cuts . A single displaced community , with the casual mindset that they will find somewhere else , is far
ZEGOWITZ PAGE 21
|
OBITUARY :
Ruth Marjory Mayer
My dearest beloved beautiful wife of nearly 30 years , American Master Artist , “ Ruth Marjory Mayer ( Holden ),” a notable recipient of the Hubbard Museum American Master Award , passed away into the Loving Hands of God on Sunday , March 5 at 4:30 a . m . Her illustrious artistic career spanned over 75 years . Significant moments in her life included being commissioned by the Vatican to paint Pope John Paul II , along with being commissioned to commemorate the one-hundredth anniversary of the Tournament of Roses . She was commissioned to paint a commemorative work for the Distinguished Flying Cross and was made an honorary member of the Distinguished Flying Cross society . Her works are so numerous they remain uncountable . She is in the National Museum for Women in the Arts in DC and several other museums . Ruth had a Gallery in Laguna
Beach for 50 years and two other galleries during that time , one in La Jolla Beach and the other on Santa Catalina Island . Ruth is survived by her husband , Randy Holden , also an artist , guitarist and recording artist . She is also survived by two siblings , her brother Richard Chord and sister Ilowee Owens . There are a combined total of 12 children , Reed Mayer ( Rosa Mayer ), Reva Lux ( Ken Lux ), Diane Wright ( Joel Wright ), Rod Mayer ( Mariah Mayer ), Windy Citro ( Mario Citro ), Robert Jon Mayer ( Michelle Mayer ), Jane Moe ( Larry Moe ), Becky Washburn ( Scott Washburn ), Elaine Osoteo ( deceased ) ( Henry Osoteo ), Maryann Fogel , Kathy Tangen ( Neil Tangen ) and Marlon Holden , along with 20 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren . Throughout her life , Ruth donated her artwork to raise money for countless children ’ s charities . She was a very special woman whose love knew no bounds . She will be deeply missed by all who knew her , including her thousands of art collectors whose homes , offices and museums are adorned with her magnificent artwork . The Ruth Mayer Fine Art Gallery is located at 380 South Coast Hwy , Laguna Beach , CA 92651 and will continue to display and offer her art . May God bless Ruth within his eternal love and all who knew and loved her . Services will be held March 24 at 2 p . m . at South Shores Church , 32712 Crown Valley Pkwy , Dana Point , CA , 92629 .
PAID ANNOUNCEMENT
OBITUARY :
Calvin Ray Pierson
June 25 , 1929 - March 3 , 2023
Born in Gorman , Texas , Ray Pierson spent much of his youth in Modesto before moving to San Clemente , where he met and married Dian Mattai in 1948 . The couple moved to South Laguna shortly thereafter . Ray was important in Laguna community life for over 70 years . His work in maintaining parks for Laguna Beach included planting the palm trees in Heisler Park . He was a firefighter for the South Laguna volunteer fire department for 19 years and served as captain . After working for Larry ’ s Concrete Products for many years , he opened “ The Lock Shop ” on Coast Highway . He and Dian ran that business for 40 years . Known for his work on antique locks , Ray saved many a resident from having to replace their original antique locks because of his stock of no longer manufactured blanks and ability to create key stock himself . An April 20 , 1989 , a Laguna News Post article by Diane Winocur describes his process as slow and painstaking . “ Often having no more information than what is visible through the keyhole , Pierson uses deductive logic and trial and error to unravel a lock ’ s mystery .”
Community-oriented , he was one of the earliest donors helping to fund the preservation of the South Laguna Community Garden Park .
Ray loved music , dancing and entertaining in his tiki hut he built himself and enjoyed taking trips with his motorhome , motorcycles and antique cars . He continued his locksmithing problem-solving into recreation with his interest in puzzles , mind games , card playing and game shows .
His wife of 65 years , Dian Mildred Mattai , predeceased him in 2012 . Three children survive him : Jackie Rae Riffe , Gary Douglas Pierson and Debra Lynn Pierson . Grandchildren are Julie , Jill , Ocean , Shannon , Jordon , Colleen and Gavin ; and great-grandchildren are Kaelyn , Sierra , Nicholas , Ethan , Caden , Fiona , Kyla , Waylon and Weston . Dear friends Teddy and Kim Vlasis are among the many neighbors who loved and appreciated him . “ Papa Ray will be greatly missed .”
A memorial gathering will be held at noon on June 11 at Doheny State Beach Campground , Site 13 .
PAID ANNOUNCEMENT