Contact Us
THURSDAY, JUNE 15, FROM 7:30 AM TO 9:00 AM
We are a diverse group of highly respected business professionals who work or live in the community.
We meet once a month for casual, breakfast meetings with timely presentations by engaging speakers in-the-know.
You are invited to join us for breakfast, lively conversation, and the chance to experience our speaker series on the third Thursday of every month (except December) from 7:30am – 9am.
We meet at the 7° [seven-degrees] Events Center, 891 Laguna Canyon Road (between Sawdust Festival and The Hive) in Laguna Beach. Guest fee of $30 includes buffet breakfast (cash or check only - no credit cards).
One visit to a LBBC meeting and you’ll see we are a friendly, lively and casual group. Our gatherings are free from any referral or networking requirements. We are about friendship, diversity, curiosity, and professional and personal growth. Monthly speakers come to inspire, support, inform, and sometimes entertain us. We are also focused on staying connected to the business community and each other in an informal but meaningful way. Our annual Holiday Party is a favorite tradition.
LBBC was launched and founded in 1996 by a handful of local professionals and entrepreneurs and incorporated in 1998. The intent was to spark an ongoing conversation around business opportunities and shared insights within the context of our community and our lives.
The Club has grown into a vibrant group of successful men and women from a broad spectrum of businesses, meeting for breakfast on a monthly basis. The tradition continues, building and maintaining a pool of professionals and businesses we are proud to recommend to our clients and friends.
LBBC membership is by application only. We allow one member for each classification of business, specialty or profession. Reasonable quarterly dues cover the cost of breakfast meetings and cooperative marketing.
Speakers
June 15, 2023, 7:30AM
Marc Wiener was appointed Laguna Beach Community Development Director in December 2019. He has 15 years of experience working in coastal communities, having previously worked as director for the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea. He enjoys public service and the unique challenges that come with the position of being director.
Marc focuses on clear communication and finding the most direct path to a solution. He is pragmatic and thoughtful in his approach and seeks common objectives in a collaborative manner. His goals are to improve the Community Development Department practices and procedures, streamline the entitlement process in a sensible manner, address longstanding policy issues, and ensure that the staff is providing exceptional customer service to the community.
April 20, 2023, 7:30AM
Laguna Beach Police Chief Calvert is a 25-year law enforcement veteran who began his career as a reserve Deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department before being hired as a Deputy Sheriff with the Orange County Sheriff's Department. In 1996 he found his calling at the Laguna Beach Police Department. During his tenure in Laguna Beach, Chief Calvert has worked a variety of assignments, including Patrol, Field Training Officer, Special Investigations Unit Detective, Sergeant, and Lieutenant Shift Commander. As Captain, he also led both major divisions within the Police Department: the Support/Investigative Services Division and the Field Services Division.
March 16, 2023, 7:30AM
Bob Whalen has lived in Laguna Beach since 1984 with his wife Kirsten. Their three children attended and graduated from Laguna schools. His wife Kirsten is a fine artist who has been showing her work at the Festival of Arts for the last 15 years.
Bob is a lawyer who has been practicing for 45 years with a focus on public finance. He has assisted many public agencies in California finance and build all types of public improvements.
Bob has been serving the residents of Laguna as an elected official for 20 years with ten years on the School Board and ten on the City Council. He is currently serving his fifth term as Mayor.
Bob has also served on the board of several nonprofit organizations including the Orange County Community Foundation, Project Youth, the Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach, SchoolPower and the Laguna Art Museum.
May 18, 2023, 7:30AM
Sean is the founder and president of Raw Timberwood, Orange County’s premier importer of tropical exotic hardwoods. The company specializes in the manufacture and wholesale of unique residential and commercial furnishings. With his gallery and warehouse rooted in the Laguna Beach Canyon, Sean has created a home for his life’s work showcasing the endless possibilities that Raw Timberwood has to offer.
During a career that spans over two decades, Sean has developed a reputation for his creative outlook in designing and manufacturing one-of-a-kind architectural masterpieces. Sean’s passion for carpentry started at a young age shadowing his grandfather in the trades.
Sean’s roster of high end residential and commercial projects include NFL stadiums, hospitals, universities, hotels, and his personal favorite—the beautiful homes and restaurants of Laguna Beach.
November 17, 2022, 7:30AM
Ian Cairns was born in Melbourne, Australia on July 24th, 1952, grew up in Cottesloe, a beach suburb of Perth, Western Australia and has been a surfer for over 55 years. Honing his surfing in the big and stormy waves of Yallingup and Margaret River, 200 miles south of Perth, Ian developed world-level big wave skills that lead to a successful 10-year pro surfing career. Ian was influential in establishing the world professional surfing circuit and particularly the World Championship Tour. He was known as the premier "power" surfer of his era who dominated the North Shore during the mid to late-seventies.
In the 1980s Ian coached young surfers and in 2010 became the Head Coach of Surfing America winning world Championship Gold at the ISA World Games in 2010, ISA World Masters in 2013 and ISA World Standup and Paddling Championships in 2015. In late 2020 Ian and his partners launched a new media venture, Surfing.com, and produced and syndicated the World of Waves TV (WOW).
January 19, 2023, 7:30AM
A lifelong resident of Laguna Beach, Alex Rounaghi was elected to the Laguna Beach City Council in November 2022. His top priorities include undergrounding power lines on Laguna Canyon Road, fully funding public safety, addressing housing needs for seniors and artists, protecting the environment, and advancing data-driven government. Prior to his election, Alex served as Chair of the Laguna Beach Housing & Human Services Committee. Alex is a graduate of Laguna Beach public schools and Dartmouth College.
February 16, 2023, 7:30AM
Based in Laguna Beach, CA, Jorg Dubin has had an extensive career creating paintings, sculptures, ceramics and working in design for over forty-five years. Dubin studied painting at the Art Institute of Southern California with Stephen Douglas and sculpture and design with Kris Cox and Richard White. He has been the art director, set builder, and production designer on seven films for O Entertainment. Dubin designed and fabricated the Sept. 11th. Memorial for the city of Laguna Beach titled, “Semper Memento”, (Never Forget), built from two I-beams from the world trade center. He has also created over ten site-specific sculptures and has created work for the hospitality industry all around the country for their public spaces and high-end restaurants. Dubin currently maintains a painting and sculpture studio in Laguna Beach, CA.
July 21, 2022, 7:30AM
By the time Anders was 10 years old, he knew that he’d grow up to be either an architect or a heavy metal drummer. Anders shifted focus from the music studio to the architectural studio when ‘90s, grunge and alternative music pushed heavy metal out of the spotlight, and he began working for some of the best architects in Orange County. After finishing two degrees in architecture and design theory, Anders opened the doors to his own firm in 2005 where Anders specializes in innovative designs for custom homes, galleries, salons, restaurants, retail fashion boutiques and specialized commercial projects. He’s fortunate to have a diverse group of passionate architects working for him who find the same joy in making thoughtful architecture as he does.
Anders received a Master of Architecture degree from UCLA and Bachelor of Architecture degree, cum laude, from Cal Poly Pomona and served on the faculty of Cal Poly Pomona where he taught architectural design studio for 2 years. Anders continues to be a guest lecturer and juror for architecture and design classes at Cal Poly Pomona, Cal Baptist University, USC, Saddleback College, Orange Coast College, Cal State Long Beach, Los Angeles Institute of Architecture, and Design, and Chapman University.
August 18, 2022, 7:30AM
As the owner of Marilyn Wellness Studio located in beautiful Laguna Beach, California, Marilyn Montero serves clients to provide a magical experience with hypnotherapy, life coaching, and wellness coaching for all areas of their lives. These areas include weight loss, anxiety, stop smoking, depression, relationship, habit control, and much more. Marilyn uses her wisdom, education, skills, kindness, and natural intuition to provide an enhanced experience that allows clients to achieve optimal wellness.
Her goal is to understand where her clients are and help them discover their true-life desires to devise a personalized treatment plan that includes hypnosis to help them elevate as individuals to support all areas of their lives. Marilyn is driven by the concept that everyone she can help will have positive effects in the world.
As a clinical hypnotherapist, wellness coach, and life coach, Marilyn is passionate about helping others grow towards wellness. She lives with a deep passion for helping people, this fuels her soul when the results become their reality.
October 20, 2022, 7:30AM
Marian will discuss surviving COVID and maintaining a business in Laguna Beach for over 20 years.
Marian has a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Northern Kentucky University where she was a scholarship athlete in basketball and volleyball. She went on to receive a master’s degree in exercise physiology while pursuing coaching at Indiana University, ultimately becoming a head coach at University Of Wisconsin-Richland. Marian’s love for sports and fitness, and wide-ranging experience as a business owner has helped guide her vast experience in the industry as a general manager, sales manager, and owner.
April 21, 2022, 7:30AM
After graduating with an incredibly useful degree in philosophy from UC Santa Cruz, Sean Cook decided he would live in Florence, Italy for "a year or so." He figured he'd teach a bit of English, ride a scooter around the city like in a Fellini movie and learn to speak some Italian. While there he worked as an English teacher, Italian translator and then as the owner/manager of a largish English school in a medium-sized city on Italy's second biggest island, Sardinia. Never having really intended to move to Italy permanently, and having noticed that twenty-six years had elapsed since his arrival there in 1994, he decided it might be time to move back to the US, which he did in July of 2021, with his wife and two teenagers in tow. He has recently founded the online language school, Ciao Languages, where it is theoretically possible to study any language you could care to learn. He works from his office/home on Holly Street, right next to his mom and step dad's house (Pam and Al Oligino), just like a nice Italian family.
May 19, 2022, 7:30AM
After 30 years as a successful financial planner, Patrick decided to pursue another passion.
He enrolled in the chef’s school at Laguna Culinary in Laguna Beach. After graduating in 2008, Patrick took his passion for cooking and community and became head volunteer chef for the Orange County Rescue Mission homeless shelter. Patrick founded and operated the popular Kitchen in the Canyon in Laguna Beach, and is currently working as brand manager/sales rep for Ingardia Bros. Produce Inc. while still serving the community with his culinary skills through Orange County Rescue Mission
June 16, 2022, 7:30AM
Denise Di Novi is an award-winning film and television producer, whose projects have grossed over a billion dollars worldwide. Denise counts among her producing credits such diverse motion pictures as Heathers, Little Women, Practical Magic, Crazy Stupid Love, Focus, and a number of films during her producing association with Tim Burton, including Edward Scissorhands, Batman Returns, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, Ed Wood and James and the Giant Peach.
Denise also has experience as a director. Her directorial debut, the sexy, psychological action thriller, Unforgettable, starring Rosario Dawson and Katherine Heigl was released in April 2017. Di Novi has also directed television episodes of Sneaky Pete, Outlander, and Ray Donovan.
Denise set up her own production company, Di Novi Pictures, in 1993 at Columbia Pictures. She went on to have a production deal at Warner Bros Pictures for two decades where she produced many incredible films. Most recently, Di Novi produced the AppleTV+ film The Sky Is Everywhere, directed by Josephine Decker.
Denise was the recipient of Women in Film’s 2016 Crystal + Lucy Award for Excellence in Film.
November 18, 2021, 7:30AM
Billy Fried grew up in Baltimore and graduated from Amherst College with a degree in English Literature and Asian Studies. Billy worked as a waiter in Honolulu, where he saved enough money to travel the world with a backpack, and immerse himself in Asian culture, which he had studied in college. A little serendipity led to some modeling gigs in Japan, which he then parlayed into travels and work in Europe. He met his then wife in Italy, and they launched a fashion line called Billy Ballo. After selling the business, Billy launched a magazine called Buying, Selling & Owning YOUR HOME. Billy embarked on a career in advertising, first working for global agency WB Doner as Sr VP, Business Development. The agency offered him an opportunity to move to Orange County to oversee and help grow the business. In 2003 he launched kayaks into the ocean with the birth of La Vida Laguna. Over the course of nearly 20 years his eco-friendly business has flourished and grown to now offer stand-up paddling, surfing, hiking, electric bike tours, and a number of corporate teambuilding activities. He has become a thought leader and speaker on corporate culture building through team play.
February 17, 2022, 7:30AM
After six years of managing various local coffee shops, Steve and Embry Munsey had friends and family encouraging them to start a coffeehouse. Because of their love for community and grand adventures, the idea took well—and it took quick! In late 2010 they started dreaming up and working on plans to open a Laguna Beach Coffee Shop in 2011.
Life, with its detours and curveballs, including the sudden loss of their son Jedidiah at birth led them to putting the dream on hold. They found themselves back in Embry’s hometown of Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas five years later in 2016, and ended up launching their Mobile Coffee Bar Experience, “Jedidiah Coffee”. They were a part of many special events, exploring North Texas with their three kids in tow, but SoCal never stopped being home. In 2019 they settled back in Laguna Beach to continue the grand coffee adventure. . They love how coffee cultivates community; one of the many reasons why that they added “coffee roasters” to their resume in 2019. At the heart of Jedidiah Coffee (and the Munsey Family), they see a community gathering around a great cup of coffee.
March 17, 2022, 7:30AM
Jacob Cho has been actively teaching martial arts in Laguna Beach since 2008. He started with an after-school program at Anneliese’s private schools then opened Cho’s Academy in September of 2009 with Dana Sara, both lifelong practitioners of the martial arts. Cho’s Academy is currently owned and operated full-time by Jacob.
He has a lifetime of experience coming from a family of martial arts experts. More specifically, his father, a first-generation Korean-American immigrant is a Tae Kwon Do master and pioneer who began grooming Jacob at a very young age.
Jacob knew he wanted to teach full-time, but never imagined how challenging, rewarding and life-changing it would be. Although his academy offers classes for all ages, he is most proud of the many opportunities he’s had to have a positive impact working with local kids. His youth programs emphasize and cultivate discipline, work ethic, self-respect through commitment, effort and resulting accomplishments, respect and caring for others, patience, self-control, fitness, self-defense and much more. Cho says, “The values and life-skills that traditional martial arts offer are timeless."
August 19, 2021, 7:30AM
Ms. Dupuis will discuss her top priorities as City Manager, including listening and collaborating with all the voices in our community through meetings with various organizations in town and via one-on-one conversations with business owners, residents and staff.
She will also discuss a series of comprehensive engagement and satisfaction surveys to include our business community, residents and entire City staff. The results of these surveys will be presented to the City Council at a future strategic planning session so they can set goals and objectives to pursue over the next five years.
September 16, 2021, 7:30AM
Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris is a businesswoman and community leader who was elected to the State Assembly in 2018. In her first term, Cottie has secured millions of dollars in funding for projects in our district and introduced important legislation to combat sea level rise, improve services for veterans and help small businesses.
Cottie serves as Chair of Assembly’s Accountability and Administrative Review Committee and as Chair of the Select Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. She also serves on the Assembly’s committees for Banking & Finance; Revenue & Taxation; Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy and Veterans Affairs.
October 21, 2021, 7:30AM
Mayor Pro Tem Sue Kempf is nearing the end of her 3rd year as a Laguna Beach City Council member. Prior service to our community includes nearly 5 years as a Laguna Beach Planning Commissioner, 4 years as Chair of the City's Emergency Disaster Preparedness Committee, and a member of the Council appointed team to draft the View Preservation Ordinance.
In her professional career, Sue was the President of Mirion Technologies Dosimetry Services Division, Managing Director Vodafone PLC and Executive Director at Verizon Wireless. Sue has served on a number of boards including the Vodafone Foundation and the Women’s Professional Volleyball Association.
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Dan Duling earned his Ph.D. in drama from the University of Texas, Austin. His plays have been produced throughout the U.S. and honored with a number of awards including the Oregon Playwrights Award for Stranglehold. His recent plays include Only You, Monstrosity, and Tesla: A Radio Play for the Stage, for which a Southern California tour is in the works following a very successful showcase at Laguna Playhouse in 2017. Dan is also a former journalist, having written for publications such as the L.A. Weekly, Los Angeles Times and Los Angeles Herald-Examiner. His writing for television, film and new media has included work for Oregon Public Broadcasting, MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central. The feature film, Last Lives, based on his screenplay, originally premiered on the SyFy Channel and is available on DVD.
Mr. Duling has written extensively about the history of the Pageant of the Masters and the Festival of Arts including the history of their impact on the City of Laguna Beach.
Mr. Duling will speak to the Laguna Beach Business Club about the Pageant of Master’s history, what it is today and will share a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into putting on the Pageant.
Gail Allyn Landau is the Founder/Owner of Catmosphere Laguna, Orange County’s first cat café. This life long cat lady is an attorney and mediator who graduated from Loyola University of Chicago School of Law in 1980 and completed her mediator training in 2012 at Pepperdine University School of Law. She was one of the Founders and a Managing Partner of Landau, Omahana & Kopka, LLC in Chicago, Illinois and headed the Medical Malpractice Litigation Division for 18 years.
Gail is a member of the Federal Trial Bar, the American Bar Association, the National Association of Women Business Owners, the Humane Society (local and National divisions,) and has been honored by PETA. She is a popular speaker and round-table moderator on subjects ranging from Professional Liability and Medical Malpractice/Tort Reform to Feline/Human Relations and Animal Advocacy. Gail is a proud supporter of the Laguna Beach LGBTQ Heritage and Culture Alliance.
Gail is a nominee for the 25th Annual Women in Business Awards sponsored by the Orange County Business Journal and designed to recognize five outstanding professional women who have made significant contributions to their organizations, their professions and the Orange County community.
The Catmosphere Laguna Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit (which operates alongside the Catmosphere Cat Café) that is dedicated to finding forever homes for homeless, relinquished, and special-needs cats and kittens.
Larry Nokes will speak to the Laguna Beach Business Club about the Historic Preservation Ordinance Revision issues relating to plan processing and design review.
Mr. Nokes’ litigation practice focuses on matters relating to real estate, including land use, building defect, design and construction issues, land subsidence, eminent domain, and inverse condemnation, real estate broker and agent errors and omissions, and general commercial and personal injury litigation, including defamation.
He appears in all California State and Federal Courts. Mr. Nokes enjoys the coveted AV Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and has been recognized for inclusion by Super Lawyers in its publication. Mr. Nokes has been a featured speaker in seminars hosted by the Society of Professional Engineers on issues concerning design and construction defects.
Dedicated to his community, Mr. Nokes was the chair of Laguna Beach’s View Preservation Ordinance Drafting Committee, completing one of the most successful pieces of legislation the City has produced; he is past president of the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce and remains a proud member; and he’s currently involved in working with the City to recognize the oppressive application of the existing historic preservation rules.
Club meetings begin with an order-from-the-menu breakfast and brief networking roundtable. Meetings are hosted at Kitchen In The Canyon, 845 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 ). Non-members are welcome – guest attendance fee $20. For more information about the club or to register to attend a meeting please contact a club member or email:Info@LagunaBeachBusinessClub.com.
Mo Honarkar is a prominent property owner and developer and will speak about his vision for Laguna at the Laguna Beach Business Club breakfast at Kitchen in The Canyon on Thursday, October 18 at 7:30 AM .
Mr. Honarkar is an accomplished Orange County,California based entrepreneur and real estate developer with a longhistory of successful enterprises. Currently, he is the Founder, CEO and President of 4G Ventures, an umbrella corporation for variousreal estate and business investments. Through 4G Ventures, and its subsidiaries, Mo manages and directs a visionary array of exciting projects, including:
• The development of a 171 room Hampton Inn and Suites in the Koreatown section of Los Angeles, California.
• The development of a game changing mixed‐use five‐star hotel property in North Laguna Beach, California.
• The development of multi‐story four‐star hotel in South Laguna Beach on the site of the current, dated Holiday Inn and 14 West Hotel Properties.
• The re‐development of the properties in Laguna Canyon just south of the Sawdust Festival into a new Laguna Arts District.
• The re‐development of a dated and run down shopping center in Newport Beach into a multi‐story, multi‐unit apartment development.
John Miller will talk about Mission Hospital's role in meeting the health care needs of the Laguna Beach community - past, present and future at the Laguna Beach Business Club breakfast at Kitchen in The Canyon on Thursday, September 20 at 7:30 AM .
Dr. Wang, a former emergency Physician will speak about preventive medicine, anti-aging, and skin health. Her passion was instilled by her many patients that requested her to continue to care for them after their care in the Emergency Department. She decided to honor the requests of her patients and dedicated herself to ensure wellness and natural healthy beauty is maintained inside and out for her patients.
Her compassion and skills have taken her around the world and allowed her to adapt a unique skill set that merges eastern influence and western technology. She is dedicated to delivering the highest quality holistic wellness, preventive medicine, and medical aesthetics and continues to practice Emergency Medicine as well as running her own practice and providing care to online patients.
An avid cyclist, Dr. Wang has cycled around the world on philanthropic bike tours for Keshet – A rainbow of hope for special needs children and Bao-ji Xinxing Aid for Street Kids. She believes in helping others with limited resources and has volunteered her services with Doctors Without Borders to provide medical aid to the impoverished regions of China.
In addition to being a Board Certified Emergency Physician, she is also a Fellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians, a Fellow of the American Academy of Anti-Aging, and extensively trained in Aesthetics. She graduated from the University Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine and has spent the over 20 years as an ER doctor previously at UCLA Medical Center, Eisenhower Medical Center and St. Mary’s Medical Center.
Rick Cirelli will discuss Reverse Mortgage Loans- Is It Right for You? including myths & misconceptions, benefits of the program, why the recent enhancements has created a surge in popularity of the program, how to utilize it as a financial planning tool and as a way to solve the common house-rich/cash-poor challenge of staying in your home after retirement.
Richard T. Cirelli, President of RTC Mortgage Corporation, located in Laguna Beach, California, is a mortgage industry veteran with over 40 years of professional mortgage experience. Throughout his career, Rick has held executive positions with some of the country's largest and most respected mortgage lenders. Since founding his own company in Laguna Beach in 2000, Rick has built a strong reputation as a highly professional and knowledgeable mortgage broker.
Rick has been originating Reverse Mortgages for over 12 years and is a member of the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA); serves on the Board of Directors of the Laguna Beach Seniors and is an active member of the Laguna Board of Realtors, Laguna Beach Rotary Club, Laguna Beach Business Club and the Laguna Beach Professional Alliance.
Laura Farinella was the former Deputy Chief of the Support Bureau in Long Beach and brings with her 25 years of public safety experience. Since starting her career in Long Beach in 1990, she has worked all Patrol Divisions in the department and held multiple high level command staff positions.
Chief Farinella holds a Bachelor of Art Degree in Communications from Chapman University, and a Master of Science Degree in Emergency Services Administration from the California State University at Long Beach. She is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, FBI National Executive Institute, and has completed numerous post-graduate programs and leadership academies.
Laura lives with her spouse and two children in Rancho Santa Margarita.
Meredith Dowling, the new Executive Director of the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce will be the guest speaker at the next meeting of the Laguna Beach Business Club.
She joined the Chamber in September 2017, to help transform the organization and implement a new program of work to increase member benefits, support the City's economic development plans, strengthen local partnerships, and make a significant contribution to the business community. Meredith will be highlighting key milestones the Chamber has achieved in the past six months, present an overview of the Chamber's goals for 2018-2019, and share many of the exciting initiatives already underway.
Meredith lives in Laguna Beach and has served in senior executive roles with the San Diego Regional EDC, Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce, as well as public affairs agencies and business associations in several cities in the U.S. She is enthusiastic about sharing her new vision for the Chamber of Commerce and looks for ward to gathering input and feedback from everyone at the March 15 meeting on the new direction of the organization.
Farm to Fork Garden Design is the realization of a decades-long dream for Gloria Broming. As a passionate home gardener and perpetual student of organic and sustainable farming practices, she turned what was a hobby and volunteering opportunity into a business.
Farm to Fork Garden Design’s clients include private homes, restaurants, and other businesses interested in edible landscaping. As the Community Farmer for Ranch Life, Harvest Chino, and Harvest Upland Gloria and her team are responsible for the de- sign and implementation of the edible garden and orchards, educational programs (e.g., nutrition, seasonal cooking, farming practices), and volunteer program for their communal farm gardens. Gloria also has speaking engagements with neighborhood associations, civic groups, institutions and others to generate interest in edible landscaping and urban farming.
As a volunteer for Transition Laguna Beach, Gloria has helped homeowners and organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, Neighborhood Congregational Church, and Glennwood House to establish and maintain edible gardens. She also has volunteered with Laguna Coast Wilderness Park in their Native Plant and Wilderness Access programs.
Jon Seeman and Lorraine Passero will be the guest speakers at their September meeting. Their topic will be “Inheriting Art: Laguna's First Tradition”.
Art has been an essential component in the lives of husband and wife artists, Jon Seeman and Lorraine Passero.
As a successful sculptor and business owner, Jon has been commissioned by the City of Laguna Beach to create a number of public sculptures. Discovering Jon's artistic heritage, Lorraine was determined to uncover the life and art of his great-great aunt, a 1890s Laguna first woman artist. In her book Distant Indigo, she brings to light for the first time the accomplishments of artist, author, and poet Clara Mason Fox.
AUGUST 15, 2019. 7:30AM1
Ann E. Wareham joined Laguna Playhouse in 2010 as Associate Producer and assumed the role of Artistic Director in August 2011. She worked for 27 years as a producing partner and Producing Associate to Gordon Davidson at Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles.
JULY 18, 2019. 7:30AM
Ms. Coccia will speak about what the Surfrider Foundation is doing to combat the growing plastic pollution epidemic that is negatively impacting our marine ecosystems, wildlife, and human health. As the plastic pollution manager at Surfrider Foundation, Rachael directs the nationwide Ocean Friendly Restaurants program and manages single-use plastic campaigns across Surfrider’s chapter and club networks.
JUNE 20, 2019. 7:30AM
Owner, Editor, and Publisher of Stu News Laguna and Founder/co-owner of Stu News Newport,
Ms. Stabler will speak about the Stu News business model and growth; how to pitch and package editorial ideas to her; the value of advertising in the digital age; and how to leverage social media for your business.
NOVEMBER 21, 2019. 7:30AM
Mohammad “Mo” Honarkar is founder, CEO and president of Honarkar Ventures, which oversees a diverse portfolio of businesses and investments, including Laguna Beach Company, Laguna Creative Ventures, 4G Ventures and The Honarkar Family Foundation.
OCTOBER 17, 2019. 7:30AM
Tyler Russell McCusker is General Manager and Founder of KX 93.5. He was raised in Tucson, AZ and moved to California in 2007 to begin a broadcast career, majoring in Multi-Media Journalism at Chapman University. He worked at K-EARTH 101, HOT 92.3, and KIIS FM in Los Angeles before accepting the job as night personality on 93.7 KCLB in Palm Springs.
SEPTEMBER 19, 2019. 7:30AM
Rene and Tomi will speak about the path that lead them from working in an Arizona based coffee shop to ownership of Laguna Beach Coffee Company, and how they’ve created a coffee house that brings the community together.
JANUARY 16, 2020, 7:30AM
President and Artistic Director.
In a career spanning more than 15 years, Tommy Phillips is known for his innovative programming ideas, reliability and trust within the classical music industry, and for his capacity for creative ingenuity.
FEBRUARY 20, 2020, 7:30AM
Sue Kempf is serving in her first term as City Council member in Laguna Beach. Prior to her election win, she served 3 terms on the Planning Commission, co-chaired the Emergency Disaster Preparedness Committee and was a member of the View Ordinance Task Force. Sue spent her entire career in the private sector as a company President and an executive in the technology industry.
She will talk about the new Urban Economist report on the downtown as well as the major components of proposed downtown specific plan.
JANUARY 21, 2021 8:30AM
In a past year of turmoil for our business community and uncertainty about 2021, Mayor Whalen will speak to the successful efforts the City of Laguna Beach has taken and will convtinue to take on behalf of our business owners and residents amidst the COVID-19 chaos. Bob Whalen is currently serving as the Mayor of Laguna Beach. He was first elected to the City Council in November 2012 and was re-elected in November 2016 and in November 2020. He is now serving his fourth term as Mayor. Bob has a long record of public service in the City having served as a board member and President of sevveral local nonprofit groups including SchoolPower, the Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach and Laguna Beach Little League.
FEBRUARY 18, 2021, 8:30AM
Cary will discuss the impact of COVID-19 closure orders and restrictions on his Laguna Beach restaurants. Cary’s ability to pivot and adjust his business model over the last year has been a stunning example of just how a successful restaurateur/entrepreneur survives these times.
Cary began as a busboy at the Marine Room in San Diego working his way through college on his way to a career in medicine, but quickly discovered that medical charts were no rival for the energy of the restaurant business. Before opening Lumberyard, Cary opened eight other restaurants including five Enterprise Fish Companies, what is currently known as Brophy Brothers (it was the John Dory when Cary ran it) in Santa Barbara and Walt's Wharf in Seal Beach.
March 18, 2021, 8:30AM
Howard Robin, M.D. is Board Certified in both Anatomical and Clinical Pathology and Immunopathology. His areas of medical expertise include pharmacology, toxicology, autopsy pathology, clinical laboratory medicine, and cancer diagnosis and treatment modalities. He has provided forensic expert testimony in medical malpractice, product liability, civil litigation, and criminal cases.
Nationally known as a compelling speaker and medical expert, Dr. Howard Robin is currently chief medical officer and founder of NeorahDx, a microbial pathogen detection company. The first diagnostic test developed by NeorahDX will be deployed to detect and diagnose COVID-19. The technology is suitable for home use for the diagnosis of flu, colds, urinary infections, and GI problems.
April 15, 2021, 8:30AM
Elizabeth served the City of Laguna Beach as a Planning Commissioner for 6½ Years and as a City Council member for 12 years. She served 3 terms as Mayor and is very familiar with the city’s planning and building department processes and also has many positive relationships with City Hall and the City leaders. She also has relationships with many architects and builders who have designed and built in Laguna Beach.
For 12 years, Elizabeth championed the creation of a new Senior Center in Laguna Beach, working tirelessly to move the project forward at City Hall. She garnered citywide support and raised much of the funds to help with the construction costs of the building. The Susi Q Senior Center officially opened in 2009.
May 20, 2021, 7:30AM
Peter Blake is a renowned dealer of California Light and Space who opened his eponymous Laguna Beach gallery in 1993. The Peter Blake Gallery is recognized today as the longest standing and leading exhibitor of West Coast Minimalism and is know for its rigorously curated solo and group exhibitions. The Gallery’s program has an ongoing history of exhibiting artists long due for reappraisal such as Peter Alexander, Lita Albuquerque, Larry Bell, Mary Corse, Tony Delap, Fred Eversley, Joe Goode, James Hayward, Scot Heywood, John M. Miller, Helen Pashgian, and DeWain Valentine. Over the last decade the gallery has also participated in a number of prestigious art fairs including The Armory Show, Art Los Angeles Contemporary, Design Miami, EXPO Chicago, and Seattle Art Fair.
JUNE 17, 2021, 7:30AM
Mike Garcia came to Laguna after spending over 35 years in the Fire Service working for 3 different departments, most recently working for the City of Long Beach for 28 years. While in Long Beach he worked in Operations in all districts within the city, holding the ranks of Firefighter, Paramedic, Captain, Battalion Chief, Assistant Chief, Deputy Chief, also participating as a long-term acting Fire Chief. He has held many administrative assignments during his career. As a manager he has led the Bureaus of Support Services. Also leading the Fire Prevention Bureau as the Fire Marshal, which included New Construction/plan review,High-Rise, State Mandated Facilities, underground tank/hazmat, Special Events and Filming, Harbor and port Fire Prevention, fire /arson Investigations, and code enforcement.
JULY 15, 2021, 7:30AM
Ms. Ford's motto is: ‘We’re not here forever, I should give it a go; if you put your mind to it, you can do it!’ This motto has pushed her to perform stand-up comedy to sold-out crowds at the Comedy Store on Sunset Blvd. This was six weeks after arriving into the US. It was also right after Laura learned of the loss of her grandmother the night before the performance. She lost some hair in the grieving process, but she learned that she could do it and make her grandmother proud.
Laura immigrated to the US with her husband on New Year’s Day 2015, arriving in Seattle. Laura went to law school on a scholarship and graduated at the age of 21 and chose to specialize in Environmental Law.
2019
2018 July - Oct
2018 April- June
2018 / 2017
2019 June - August
2019 Sept - Nov
Jan 2020 - Jan 2021
2021 February - April
2021 May- July
301 Forest Ave.
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
tedalvarez@alvarezcpas.com
949-497-3371
255 Thalia St, Ste B
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
info@anitawangmd.com
949-734-0580
401 Glenneyre, Ste. D
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Diana@lagunalawyers.com
949-494-9211
380 Glenneyre, Ste. D
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
mkgustinella@aol.com
949-262-7880
380 Glenneyre Street, Ste. E
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
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http://lagunafamilydentistry.com
949-494-7522
950 Glenneyre Street
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Dave@csira.com
949-500-3283
Our members
1000 N. Coast Hwy, Ste. 10
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
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http://www.andersonlawgroupinc.com/
949-715-4303
26012 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
pchang@pacificmmc.org
949-494-3050
1000 N. Coast Hwy, #7
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
rick@rtcmortgage.com
949-494-4701
265 Laguna Avenue
Lagune Beach, CA 92651
e-mail: iccler@cox.net ph: 949-494-1892
384 Forest Avenue
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
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949-341-0500
Women’s Clothing & Accessories
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Laguna Beach, CA 92651
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Laguna Beach, CA 92651
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https://www.lagunabeachcompany.com
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375 Glenneyre Street
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
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Laguna Beach, CA 92651
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PO Box 8022
Laguna Hills, CA 92654
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Laguna Beach, CA 92651
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Laguna Beach, CA 92651
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Laguna Beach, CA 92651
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Laguna Beach, CA 92651
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Laguna Beach, California 92651
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Community and Corporate partners
We are proud to announce that a new collaboration has been created between the Laguna Beach Business Club and Laguna Beach Seniors. Entitled “Community and Corporate Partners”, the collaboration provides a community of local businesses committed to supporting the aging population by incorporating the skilled volunteers and resources of the Business Club Members into activities of the Susi Q.
For the benefit the constituents of the Susi Q, the Business Club members are committed to providing service and support to the senior community throughout the year by:
• Having access to expert advice when needed
• Creating opportunity for local corporate employees to volunteer with LBS
• Sponsor programs offered by LBS with name recognition and visibility
• Incorporate annual opportunities for days of service
• Establishing a lasting partnership with our friends.
• Business Club members commit to providing service support to the senior community during the year.
“We are delighted to join with the members of the Laguna Beach Business Club who are offering to share their professional expertise and experience to help the Susi Q serve the community more successfully.”
Cody Engle, Susi Q President
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President:
Dan Niazi, Laguna Beach Company
Vice President:
Pamela Knudsen,
Blue Bell Foundation for Cats
Secretary:
Pamela Knudsen,
Blue Bell Foundation for Cats
Treasurer:
Noah Ariciaga, Laguna Canyon Smog and Repair
Membership Director:
Rick Cirelli, RTC Mortgage Corporation
Director:
John Wallace Benecke, Interior Design
Past President:
Anita Wang, MD, FACEP, APC
PH: 949.280.1077
Info@LagunaBeachBusinessClub.com