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BY ANN CHRISTOPH
Laguna Beach politics lacks the kind of scrutiny that we are witnessing regarding the 2024 presidential contest . Hours of talking heads commentary on TV weigh every nuance of those national campaigns — from many points of view . It ’ s become even more compelling and worrisome with the dramatic and tragic events we have just witnessed . If we take all this too much to heart and dwell on the ratio of our one vote to the millions in swing states , we wouldn ’ t be able sleep at night .
Our Laguna Beach City Council elections , however , also have a big potential to influence our lives , and it ’ s actually possible for us to influence them ( to some degree ). Aug . 9 , the filing deadline for the ballot is a mere two weeks away . Most candidates for other offices have already been campaigning for months . We still don ’ t know if incumbent and former mayor Bob Whalen intends to seek re-election . Incumbent councilmember George Weiss indicated his intention to run by pulling papers at the city clerk ’ s office on Tuesday . We ’ ve had two announcements for the council seats currently held by Whalen and Weiss . Hallie Jones and Judie Mancuso have declared and have been holding meet-and-greet events . However , City Clerk Ann Marie McKay reports that no one has completed and filed papers with her office .
If Laguna had political analysts like the networks present on national issues , what would they say about our candidates so far ? This presents a difficult assignment since “ telling it as you see it ” as a resident endangers one ’ s effectiveness in future participation in council decision-making . Two of these candidates are going to win the election , and heavens , no one wants to be on their bad side for future issues . Knowing that I am probably already on their bad side , I will pretend to be an “ analyst ” and tell you how I see the candidates and the race right now .
Native Lagunan Hallie Jones has
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a leadership personality , is very articulate and has had a career of management with environmental organizations . As executive director of the Laguna Canyon Foundation she helped negotiate an improved design for the Caltrans widening at the El Toro Road / Laguna Canyon intersection . She has not involved herself in local council decisions as an individual . What does she think about the list of issues we have been facing in the process of recovering from the pandemic , the harsh and disruptive councilmember Peter Blake and a difficult city manager , transitioning to a stabilizing city council and reassuring city manager ? How will she lead the city with continuing course corrections , and what are her plans for the
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with artists donating their art .”
Initially created for Sawdust artists , the board of trustees broadened its criteria in the mid-90s to include any artist who lived in Laguna Beach .
Potential applicants can obtain an application form through the Sawdust Art Festival website or by calling 949- 494-3030 . The Artists ’ Benevolence Fund trustees review applications , and monies are awarded if the parameters are met . The fund charter only allows trustees to give money to artists who have suffered unexpected calamity or tragedy that prevents them from working .
“ For that reason , there is a lot of trauma and deep humility that comes along with each application ,” Brokenshire said . “ We ’ ve had applicants who have to undergo serious surgeries or have applied because of a fire that caused loss of their equipment or displacement due to domestic violence .”
The fund has helped replace tools or provided an emergency fund while artists are temporarily unable to work . The ultimate goal is to help affected artists get back on their feet .
“ I think that the Sawdust Art Festival has a lot of heart with what it does in terms of teaching , being a nonprofit and being an environment for people to enjoy ,” Sawdust exhibitor Joan Gladstone said . “ The Artists ’ Benevolence Fund is just one more aspect of the heart and soul of the show .”
To raise money for the fund , the board trustees host a popular live auction at the Sawdust grounds every year . This year , the event will take place on Aug . 11 from 12 to 3 p . m ., featuring all original artwork from Sawdust artists , with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting the Artists ’
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future ? Animal rights activist and environmentalist Judie Mancuso has unsuccessfully run for city council twice before and , in 2022 , ran for State Assembly , losing to Diane Dixon . She runs a nonprofit promoting animal rights at the state level and thus has contacts in Sacramento . She is vice-chair of the city ’ s Environmental and Sustainability Committee and , in response to the 2021 coastal oil spill , led a demonstration at Main Beach featuring Jane Fonda and statewide as well as local politicians . She speaks often and strongly at city council meetings , sometimes taking positions on agenda items she should have researched further before speaking and other
Benevolence Fund .
“ It is packed ,” Sawdust artist Joan Gladstone said . “ When I ’ ve gone up to see the auction in process , every single seat is filled and many people return year after year to see what ’ s available and to bid .”
Brokenshire said the auction organizers ’ hearts are always full when they see how many Sawdust artists are willing to donate their one-of-a-kind pieces for the auction . Along with the item , the contributing artist informs the organizers of the piece ’ s market value and reserve price .
“ This is important because it ’ s an auction ; wherever possible , we aim to get as high a bid as possible . More money equals more artists helped ,” said Candice Brokenshire , one of the auction organizers . “ But given art is such a personal experience , and depending on who attends the auction , not every piece gets a bite . If that ’ s the case , we respectfully return the art back to the artist .”
After the fundraiser , some Sawdust artists have been known to go on to eventually sell their auction pieces over the summer and still donate the proceeds to the Artists ’ Benevolence Fund .
“ We also have artists who have benefited from the fund who , in turn , donate work when they can — that ’ s a beautiful cycle of giving back ,” Brokenshire said .
Last year , the auction and related donations raised approximately $ 17,500 .
This year , Voice of Laguna ’ s Ed Steinfeld will be the auctioneer , alongside David Nelson , the current chair of the Artist ’ s Benevolence Fund . Trustees Trevor LePenske , Barbara Lolli , Ed Chang and Beth Kukuk , along with a few volunteers , will also
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times making needed points on environmental issues .
George Weiss , elected to the council in 2020 , has proven to be a diligent city council member , analyzing issues and reporting to residents on the issues presented at each city council meeting and how they were decided . He is a staunch defender of residents ’ interests , supporting the failed Measure Q , which attempted to set limits on future development . Frequently finding himself on the short end of a 3-2 or 4-1 vote , he has sometimes been subjected to disrespect from other councilmembers . We find him defending himself strongly when accused by councilmembers
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take roles in the payment station , wrapping station and presenting the artwork to the guests in attendance .
The public is encouraged to attend the auction on Aug . 11 , and entrance to the Sawdust Festival is free for participants .
“ It ’ s a wonderful win-win . You can leave with a fabulous piece of art , in a variety of mediums , and know that the money will help an artist when they need it most ,” Brokenshire said .
In addition to its traditional annual auction , the Artists ’ Benevolence Fund board is always looking for new ways to raise money to help artists in need .
“ The art auction has been a staple for so many years , but there have been early conversations about possibly hosting a golf tournament for community members who ’ d rather contribute in a different way ,” Brokenshire said .
Joan Gladstone said she was unaware of the Artist Benevolence Fund until she joined the Sawdust exhibitor coterie four years ago . Ever since then , Gladstone has donated her vibrant paintings to the cause . This year , she ’ s contributing a limited-edition fine art print of Michael Minutoli , Laguna Beach ’ s current greeter .
“ I ’ ve been so impressed by the work that they do to assist artists in need . I know at least one person who was helped by the artist ’ s benevolence fund to tide her over in an emergency . She was an acquaintance that had a health issue , and her insurance didn ’ t cover what she needed ,” Gladstone said . “ So the Benevolence Fund aided her at that time .”
The auction items will also be available to view online at sawdustartfestival . betterworld . org .
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