“ Our Town , Our Paper ” lagunabeachindy . com JULY 19 , 2024 | Volume XXI , Issue 29
Aquagrom Raises 11K and Counting for Local Beaches
By Clara Beard | LB Indy
The second annual Aquagrom , spearheaded by 12-year-old Alia Marriner , raised more than $ 11,000 for ocean conservation last Saturday after 25 oceansavvy groms took to the water for an abbreviated version of the longstanding Aquathon - a locally-organized swim , climbing and walking event along Laguna ’ s coves and coastline from Crescent Bay to Aliso Creek .
After Marriner completed two Aquathons with her friend Cedar Reckas , she organized the first ever Aquagrom in 2023 - an inviteonly swim and walk from Crescent Bay to Victoria Beach , just for kids .
“ These groms and I care so much about the ocean . We ’ ve grown up by the ocean , and we feel that it ’ s our duty to protect it . It pains us to see humans trashing it like it ’ s a landfill . This is why all the groms have gotten together to do a swim , raising money for the Surfrider Foundation ,” Marriner said .
The group of 25 groms set out on Saturday , July 13 , from Crescent Bay and arrived at Victoria Beach at around 12 p . m . “ So far , we ’ ve raised $ 11,230 from over 125 donors , and we are still going ,” Marriner
Biden Scheduled to Headline Private Fundraiser in Laguna Beach
By Clara Beard | LB Indy
Following in the footsteps of Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama in 2016 , President Joe Biden is anticipated to arrive in Laguna Beach next Friday , July 26 , for a private campaign fundraiser hosted by Getty Oil heir Anne Earhart , Janet Keller and Bernie Schneider , and former United States Ambassador to Spain and Andorra James Costos .
According to a Biden Victory Fund event invitation , tickets for the private reception range from $ 1,000 to $ 250,000 .
As of July 18 , the fundraiser is going ahead as
said . “ All the groms did so well on the swim and raising money and everyone had a blast . So many kids did lemonade stands or came up with other creative ways of getting donations and raised a ton of money .”
AQUAGROM , PAGE 3
planned , but the announcement comes when Biden , 81 , faces mounting pressure from top Democrats to call off his presidential campaign because of health and competency concerns . On top of that , on Wednesday , July 17 , the Biden administration revealed the president had tested positive for COVID-19 .
Peggy Wolff , chair of the Laguna Beach Democratic Club , said it comes as no surprise Biden should want to campaign in Laguna Beach .
“ Laguna Beach has always been a stronghold BIDEN , PAGE 14
Laguna Beach groms take part in the 2024 Aquagrom , the kids ’ version of the popular local Aquathon .
Photo / Mitch Ridder
Hillary Clinton waves at onlookers as she leaves the Montage Laguna Beach in August 2016 . Photo / Mitch Ridder
REMEMBERING ELISABETH BROWN ,
A Visionary in Orange County Land Conservation
Liz Brown . Photo / Laguna Greenbelt
By LB Indy Staff
Elisabeth ‘ Liz ’ Brown , biologist and inspirational Orange County advocate for open space and wildlife habitat protection , died peacefully on July 6 at the age of 81 . A beloved figure in the Southern California environmental community , she served as president of Laguna Greenbelt , Inc . from 1985 to 2019 . During that time , she played invaluable roles in collaborative efforts and legal battles protecting wilderness around Laguna Beach , establishing organizations to manage those lands , and creating
BROWN , PAGE 2
INSIDE
COASTAL REAL ESTATE GUIDE
THE ULTIMATE REAL ESTATE GUIDE FOR HOMEBUYERS & OWNERS IN NEWPORT BEACH AND LAGUNA BEACH
With you every step of the way .
949.485.9898 | ChrisTebbuttGroup . com | DRE 01993864