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“ Our Town , Our Paper ” lagunabeachindy . com SEPTEMBER 16 , 2022 | Volume XIX , Issue 37

Pageant of the Masters Hosts Red Carpet Affair with Priscilla Presley to Benefit the Arts

World Soirée host Priscilla Presley
By Chris Trela On Saturday , Aug . 27 , the Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters held its glamorous end-of-summer soirée , a jam-packed night of fine art , living pictures , strolling entertainment , and giveaways .
The Wonderful World Soirée welcomed the legendary Priscilla Presley to host the evening , and 10-time Grammy winner Arturo Sandoval , who performed an intimate concert on the Festival ’ s green .
The evening kicked-off with a red-carpet entrance for all guests
PHOTOS BY JIM COLLINS
Actor Joe Mantegna arrives at the Wonderful World Soirée
and VIPs in attendance . Many guests posed on the red carpet with photo booths capturing the special moments . Among those who walked the carpet were celebrity guests Joe Mantegna (“ Criminal Minds ”), Michael Tucci (“ Grease ”) and Priscilla Presley .
Loge Center ticket holders had 1-hour early access to the event and enjoyed a special wine reception with Celebrity Cruises . Each VIP guest received a commemorative wine glass and gift bag .
A Chinese Lion Dance excited ticket holders as it danced through

MEET CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE ALEX ROUNAGHI

Wildfire Prevention
MICHAEL KOVAC
Festival of Arts Board of Directors President David Perry
the queue line , next to the red carpet , and then through the entrance of the Festival of Arts . Attendees were welcomed by strolling entertainment throughout the entire grounds including African stilt walkers , Japanese geishas , circus performers from Le Petit Cirque , and more .
Those in attendance enjoyed the sounds of the Grammy-winning musician Arturo Sandoval whose vivacious melodies and infectious rhythms filled the Festival grounds . “ The concert was fantastic . Arturo
PAGEANT , page 3

Cracking Down on Loud Vehicle Noise Pollution

AB 2496 Awaits Signature on Governor ’ s Desk
By LB Indy Staff
Across the country , noise pollution from loud vehicles has become a significant problem in local communities , including Laguna Beach .
According to observations by law enforcement , custom-made or aftermarket equipment that modifies vehicle exhausts to exceed noise limits set by state law is often the root of the problem .
Noise pollution can cause stress and discomfort in the short term , but in the long term , it can provoke sleep disturbance , cognitive impairment , hearing loss , high blood pressure and even cardiovascular disease . For that reason , Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris ( D-Irvine ) has authored Assembly Bill 2496 , which the California State Legislature passed as part of a broader effort to crack down on noise pollution from illegally modified vehicles .
“ Reducing noise pollution is a top priority for improving our resident ’ s quality of life ,” said Laguna Beach Mayor Sue Kempf . “ This legislation
INSIDE
NOISE , page 24

COASTAL REAL ESTATE GUIDE

By Clara Beard | LB Independent It ’ s not every day you see a 24-yearold putting their name into the hat for a seat on the Laguna Beach City Council . Or any council for that matter . But that ’ s exactly what Dartmouth College graduate and a lifetime resident of Laguna Beach Alex Rounaghi is doing in the build-up to the upcoming election - where three empty council seats are up for grabs in November .
Growing up , Rounaghi attended Ms . Heidi ’ s Pre-School , El Morro Elementary School , Thurston Middle
ROUNAGHI , page 22
The Ultimate Real Estate Guide for Homebuyers & Owners in Newport Beach and Laguna Beach