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UPFRONT PLACES | PERSPECTIVES | HAPPENINGS
A Smashing Success
Laguna College of Art & Design students painted the RV for Laguna Beach Fire Chief Nico King ( back , second from left ) to drive in the Motorhome Madness contest .
CLUB BOOSTERS
Support has been strong for the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach , which recently collected more than $ 3,700 in a fundraising campaign at Ace ’ s Coast Hardware . Over a three-month period wrapping up in May , the Broadway Street store encouraged its customers to support the club ’ s vital programs , helping to fulfill its mission of empowering young people to become productive , caring and responsible citizens . More recently , the organization announced in June that it had received a $ 25,000 grant from the U . S . Bank Foundation . In addition to garnering funds , the club also was recognized with a Hero of Youth award from the national Boys & Girls Clubs of America for its advocacy on behalf of California ’ s youth . For example , the club participated in Boys & Girls Club ’ s California Alliance Days of Advocacy at the state Capitol in Sacramento in April , having met with Sen . Dave Min and other state leaders . ( 949- 494-2535 ; bgclagunabeach . org ) — Clara Beard
In the OC Fair ’ s Motorhome Madness — its version of a demolition derby — the goal is to crash into other RVs in the contest and destroy them without self-destructing . And the last one standing wins . This year , Laguna Beach Fire Department competed against other police and fire agencies in a three-day first responder extravaganza that served as a fundraiser , collecting more than $ 51,500 for Children ’ s Hospital of Orange County ( CHOC ). The RV driven by Laguna Beach Fire Chief Nico King emerged as the champion in the event and also snagged “ best in show ” for motorhome design ; it was painted by 16 Laguna College of Art & Design students with help from muralist and LCAD instructor James Thistlethwaite . The design features a dragon blowing blue and white flames on one side and a lizard or gecko using a hose to spray water on the other side . Hobie Surf Shop sponsored the Laguna team . When King was presented with the trophy , he looked into the crowd and found some of the LCAD students that worked on the project and presented the trophy to them . Reflecting later on the work by the art students , Laguna fire Capt . John Kuzmic says , “ They did such a fantastic job . We can ’ t say thanks enough for all they did for us .” ( Laguna Beach Fire Department : lagunabeachcity . net ) ( Laguna College of Art & Design : lcad . edu ) — Sharon Stello
THREE PAINTINGS BY FESTIVAL OF ARTS EXHIBITORS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE FESTIVAL ’ S PERMANENT ART COLLECTION INCLUDING “ LET ’ S SEE ABOUT THAT ,” ACRYLIC , BY BRUCE BURR ; “ LIBRARY ENTRANCE ,” OIL ON CANVAS , BY SUSAN HOEHN ; AND “ HOLLYWOOD & VINE ” WATERCOLOR AND PASTEL , BY DAVID MILTON . ( FOAPOM . COM )
Representatives from the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach accept a donation check from Coast Hardware .
TOP RIGHT : COURTESY OF BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF LAGUNA BEACH ; BOTTOM : JEFF ROVNER
18 LAGUNABEACHMAGAZINE . COM