Laguna Beach school board meeting wrap-up

The following is from the Feb.8 meeting of the Laguna Beach Unified School District Board of Education.

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Programs target bullying on campuses

Supt. Sherine Smith presented a brief history of the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Program, adopted by the district several years ago to incorporate positive reinforcement for behavioral choices in efforts to strengthen students’ connections to their schools, community and the world around them by engaging in activities that build proper social skills and instill a sense of responsibility. Smith introduced the principals of each of Laguna’s schools, who then brought the school board up-to-date on what their students have been doing in accordance with the program.

El Morro Elementary Principal Chris Duddy said his students have been learning how to demonstrate respect and kindness. Last month, the school added Social Responsibility and Bully Prevention to the program, in which students of all grade levels learn to differentiate between normal conflicts and actual bullying, how to use words in either situation, and when to seek help from an adult. He shared an entertaining video put together by staff members that highlights typical “conflict” situations and how to behave the “wrong way” and the “right way” in each situation. From the film, students learned about the “Stop, Walk and Talk” strategy, which advises them to stop, walk away from a conflict and introduce an adult to help talk them through tough social scenarios.

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On a spiritual quest

Henry Garcia wrote a historical novel, "Matthew's Call to Qumran," which takes place around the time of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The longtime Laguna resident will be signing copies of the book at Latitude 33 (Don Leach | don.leach@latimes.com)

At the age of 14, Henry Garcia felt “drawn” to the priesthood, which would lead him, beginning in 1949, to devote much of his life to theological and philosophical studies.

Now a retired U.S. probation and parole officer, the Laguna resident has applied his religious educational background to writing his first novel, “Matthew’s Call to Qumran,” the journey of a young Essene who denies familial pressures to lead a traditional life and carry on the family name, to devote his life to Adonai (Hebrew for “God”) with a monastic community along the western shore of the Dead Sea.

Set in the era when the Dead Sea Scrolls are believed to have been written, the tale — which mirror’s Garcia’s own modern-day journey — tells of Matthew’s life in the monastery, becoming a scribe, and eventually his departure from a life of celibacy and the decision to devote his life to God through marriage and procreation, after he falls in love with a woman from his youth.

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Sweets and treats for your Valentine

Roses are red, violets are blue, Valentine’s Day is around the corner, have you planned that romantic evening for two?

If it slipped your mind, not to worry, it isn’t too late to make reservations for you and your date. Delectable dishes, cocktails, live music and more are just some of the lovely treats Laguna Beach has in store this year.

K’Ya Bistro & Rooftop Lounge at Hotel La Casa del Camino, 1287 S. Coast Hwy., will feature a special four-course menu, including two entrees and a dessert trio for $99 per couple, festive cocktails and live entertainment by singer-songwriter Andrew Corradini in the lobby. For reservations, call (949) 376-9718. The hotel will offer “Sweet Escape” and “Sweetheart” gift packages for couples at special rates. For more information, call (888) 367-5232.

Classical pianist Linda Fuller will entertain couples from 7 to 10 p.m. as they enjoy a four-course Winemaker’s Dinner at Laguna Canyon Winery, 2133 Laguna Canyon Road. For reservations, call (949) 715-9463.

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Back to the kitchen

Former "Laguna Beach" reality star Casey Reinhardt stands behind the counter of her new store, Casey's Cupcakes, in downtown Laguna. The store's grand opening will be on Valentine's Day. (Don Leach, Coastline Pilot)

Laguna Beach has something seductively sweet to offer this Valentine’s Day.

Casey’s Cupcakes, 303 Broadway, brought to you by former MTV “Laguna Beach” sweetheart Casey Reinhardt, will host a grand opening celebration Monday with Cupid’s white chocolate cherry cupcakes, free balloon giveaways and a live performance by the Rudie Dane Band from 3 to 7 p.m.

The fruity cake confections, made with fresh cherries, cherry-vanilla buttercream frosting, white chocolate shavings, and adorned with red candy hearts and crunchy “pearls,” are a perfect way to celebrate your love of sweets, Reinhardt said.

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Homeless and helpful

Ann Kairin volunteers her time hanging coats at the Alternative Sleeping Location as they continue to clean-up damage by flooding. (Faye Chapman, Coastline Pilot / February 3, 2011)

In the aftermath of the December floods, numerous members of the community have pulled together to clean up the town.

Many of those volunteers — seen shoveling mud, hauling debris, sweeping gutters and throwing their manpower into the dirty work — were the homeless.

“We have a group of really hard-working people here who care about each other and the community,” said Donna Valenti, who runs the Laguna Relief and Resource Center in Laguna Canyon, which houses about 45 of the city’s homeless folks. “When this disaster struck, many of them were more than happy to go out there and lend a helping hand.”

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Musical connections

Kayhan Kalhor. (Coastline Pilot / January 27, 2011)

The theme of the ninth annual Laguna Beach Music Festival is intercultural composition, when renowned composers and musicians from across the nation band together with emerging artists in an eclectic string of performances.

Hosted by Laguna Beach Live! and the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, the festival will take place Feb. 7 to 13 in downtown Laguna and will feature 11 new guest musicians, including string quartet Brooklyn Rider, kamancheh player and Persian music master Kayhan Kalhor, and master of the shakuhachi (Japanese bamboo flute) Kojiro Umezaki, of UC Irvine.

“Brooklyn Rider has collaborated extensively with Umezaki, a fellow veteran of the Yo-Yo Ma Silk Road Ensemble, as well as with Kalhor, to create the unique blend of cultural music,” said event manager Sandy Robertson. “This year’s performances will take chamber music in an exciting new direction.”

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Science teacher under review

A Laguna Beach High School science teacher who allegedly showed up late and drunk at the school has been placed on a 45-day employment review.

The Board of Education determined after a hearing that Joanie McKnight displayed “unprofessional conduct” Dec. 10.

McKnight was sent home from the school last month after the principal asserted that she smelled of alcohol. Her lawyer strongly denies that she had been drinking before work.

McKnight continues to teach during this period imposed by the district, according to her attorney, James Harker.

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Student artists’ drawings praised

Katelyn Kolberg, a second-grader at El Moro Elementary School, works on her winning entry for the Laguna Beach County Water District's Roll out the Rain Barrel Art Contest. Winning participants were given six weeks to recreate their winning drawings on a 55-gallon rain barrel. (Coastline Pilot / January 27, 2011)

Four students and aspiring young artists from Laguna Beach schools were honored at Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting for their winning entries in the first annual “Roll Out the Rain Barrel” art contest, recently held by the Laguna Beach County Water District.

Open to fifth- through 12th-graders throughout the district’s service area, Laguna College of Art & Design students and district customers, the contest sought original drawings that could be painted onto actual rain barrels, which collect and store rain water from roofs that would otherwise be lost to runoff and diverted to storm drains, streams and the ocean.

Katelyn Kolberg of El Morro Elementary School, Thurston Middle School’s Colette Hammett and Summer Stanaland, and Laguna Beach High School student Sabrina Johnson were selected from 28 participants to re-create their art on a barrel.

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An image of peace

Artist Fitz Maurice works on a mural for the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack in conjunction with a local arts group Art Miles mural project, at an empty space on Pacific Coast Highway near Pottery Shack. (DON LEACH, Daily Pilot / January 13, 2011)

One day recently, while Laguna artist Fitz Maurice was in attendance at her weekly church service, she said a vibrant image suddenly appeared to her.

“I could see a bottom of blue and lots of color, but I didn’t understand what it was or its significance,” she said.

About a month later, the award-winning painter — whose credentials include the New York Unisphere Award (2009) and Jackson Pollock-Lee Krasner Award (2002) — was commissioned by the Art Miles Mural Project to contribute a segment of its 9/11 Tribute Mural, which will make a national tour before being presented at Ground Zero in September on the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attack.

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Teacher’s conduct defended

The husband of a Laguna Beach High School science teacher defended her at Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting against an allegation of unprofessional conduct after she reported to work late Dec. 10 and was accused of alcohol intoxication. Another teacher and a former student also spoke on her behalf.

Mike McNight, husband of Joanie McNight, who has taught at the school for more than 20 years, said his wife was late but not under the influence of alcohol when she came to school the day after learning that her brother had suffered a heart attack.

Following the incident, Joanie was placed on paid leave for a month and returned to the classroom Tuesday. The board was to consider placing her on probation at a closed session that day. The results of the closed session have not been made public.

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