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“ Our Town , Our Paper ” lagunabeachindy . com MARCH 31 , 2023 | Volume XX , Issue 13

Lagunatics Close the Curtain on ‘ 30 Years of Yucks ’ with Final Show Fundraiser

From left , Rick Breco , No Square ’ s founding artistic director Bree Burgess Rosen and fundraising and marketing director Carrie Reynolds . Clara Beard / LB Indy
The Lagunatics community theater group celebrated its final show on March 26 with a fundraiser gala , featuring a silent auction , food and drinks before theatregoers and No Square supporters filed into the Forum Theatre at the Festival of the Arts grounds to enjoy the last showing of the sold out anniversary performance . Lagunatics put on a total of nine performances of “ 30 Years of Yucks ,” which placed the spotlight on the group ’ s “ silliest moments and greatest hits ” over the years . LAGUNATICS , PAGE 22

LBUSD UNVEILS PROPOSED UPDATES TO SCHOOL FACILITIES

Tentative plans include shared-use Olympic-sized pool and parking structure at high school
By Clara Beard | LB Indy
The Laguna Beach Unified School District ( LBUSD ) has rolled out its conceptual 10-year plan for upgrading multiple facilities at Laguna Beach High School , Thurston Middle School , and El Morro and Top of the World Elementary Schools .
The estimated total construction costs for upgrades to the high school , which include a new aquatic center , parking and tennis facilities , are $ 88,299,000 . The Thurston Middle School enhancements are estimated at $ 4,786,000 , El Morro Elementary School at $ 19,840,000 and Top of the World Elementary School at $ 7,280,000 .
“ The plans are all conceptual , and they could change ,” LBUSD Superintendent Jason Viloria said . “ It ’ s a multi-year process . Once some of these plans , with the board ’ s direction , get solidified , we will start building out what it could potentially there ’ s a community feedback and engagement portion that comes into there ,

Listen . Feel . Transform .

Upcoming at Soka Performing Arts Center
Jean-Yves Thibaudet • Great Pianists April 2 , 2023 | 5PM
Kenny Barron • Jazz Monsters April 15 , 2023 | 8PM
GET YOUR TICKETS NOW ! | SOKA . EDU / PAC • 949.480.4278 1 University Dr , Aliso Viejo CA 92656 | FREE PARKING
where you have more conversations when there ’ s actually something more less hypothetical and more real .”
On March 23 , community engagement regarding the project entered its first phase with a LBUSD school board study session at Thurston library . For an hour , board members and school officials heard from parents and surrounding neighbors on topics relating to the plan , which
LBUSD , PAGE 22
“ A pianist of uncommon sensitivity and refinement .”
LA Times

LAGUNA SCHOOLS BENEFIT FROM SCHOOLPOWER ’ S 37TH ANNUAL GALA

By LB Indy Staff
SchoolPower , Laguna Beach ’ s Education Foundation , hosted its 37th Annual Gala with the theme “ JOY !” on March 18 at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club .
Chaired by Shaheen Sheik-Sadhal , Ayesha Mahapatra , and Anita Sankaran Piskun , the event brought together parents , community members , sponsors and educators to support Laguna Beach students .
“ Joy was an effervescent experience ,” gala co-chair Shaheen Sheik-Sadhal said . “ A night when Anita , Ayesha and I shared aspects of our South Asian culture to reflect the joy that SchoolPower brings to our students , staff and families . From trustee Ashley Brown ’ s stunning decor , to the Bollywood Flash Mob , to a sea of vibrant colors , we were thrilled to create an evening where we could all come together to celebrate the wins for our community .”
After a cocktail reception on the lawn that featured a performance by Rang de Irvine , UCI ’ s Bhangra Dance Troupe ,
SCHOOLPOWER , PAGE 20

SEE NEW CLASSIFIED SECTION ON PAGE 22

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“ One of the giants of jazz piano .”
The Guardian ( UK ) Jean-Yves Thibaudet • 4 / 2 Kenny Barron • 4 / 15