| # | Name | Email | Comments |
|---|
| 851 | Anonymous | Anonymous | |
| 852 | Alyssa Lightner | alyssa.lightner@soletechnology.com | |
| 853 | Sara Silverman | sara@meeschka.com | December 27, 2007
Hello. My name is Sara Ann Silverman. I am a former co-owner of a boutique named Meeschka which once existed in the City of Laguna Beach. I am currently substitute teaching for the Laguna Beach Unified School District whilst pursuing a Masters in Education and teaching credential from the University of California, Irvine. I have been a resident of Laguna Beach for the past 9 years and am an alumni of the high school here.
On the matter of the Ocean Avenue Brewery:
Council Members,
It has become more than apparent that you are systematically trying to destroy the favorite restaurant/entertainment locations in our town. First Mozambique, then the Rooftop bar on top of the Hotel Camino and now the Ocean Avenue Brewery – a business that has been successful in our town for over 13 years.
One complaint against the Ocean Avenue Brewery is that it caters to mostly non-local customers. This is a false claim. As a former business owner in this town I assert that a successful business in Laguna Beach is not sustained by tourists alone. This is one of the reasons our family business failed. Locals shop and eat our town more than any other. How many more times a year do you eat at our local restaurants than someone from Newport Beach, Irvine, Los Angeles or New York? The Ocean Avenue Brewery would not have survived in this town for as long as it has if it were not a favorite of locals.
I would also like to point out that the same claim can be made for all businesses in our town including the Pagent of the Masters and the various art festivals for which we are famous. Our hotels, such as the Montage or Hotel Laguna, also cater to tourists. Certainly you would not suggest that we take their entertainment capabilities away from them for such a reason? Will you also stop the live entertainment at the Sawdust Festival each summer?
The Ocean Avenue Brewery is not just a restaurant and bar. It is a contributing part of our community. It is a gallery that changes its artwork monthly for our popular Art Walk evening. It is one of the only locations in town that gives local musicians, such as award winning Alec Bridges, a venue in which to be discovered. The Ocean Avenue Brewery is also a place where we hold fundraisers for philanthropic societies such as Surfrider Foundation and Surf Aid International as well as our local fire, police and school organizations. These events raise thousands and thousands of dollars from auctions, raffles and donations. Being able to provide music and dancing are paramount for hosting these kinds of functions.
Another complaint I would like to address regards the noise problem that goes along with amplified music. For two years I was a resident of the 239 building on Lower Cliff Drive. This apartment building is located directly behind Coast Hardware Store on Broadway Street on a hill overlooking our downtown district. From this location one hears the traffic on Broadway which is extremely loud and begins at approximately five o’clock each morning. Most notable and bothersome are the trucks that pick up the trash of Broadway businesses three or four times a week VERY early in the morning. These noise nuisances along with the homeless that also inhabit the alley behind Broadway allow for lower rent prices.
The noise that emanates from the restaurants and bars on Ocean Avenue is practically non-existent and absolutely negligible. I remember also being able to hear the downtown church bells from my apartment. Do you suggest to also do away with those for the sake of the residents who may find them annoying on a Sunday morning?
My final point supports all the businesses that have music and dancing in our beautiful town. Council members, I ask you to think back about the foundation and roots of this town. Please take a look at a picture of our boardwalk circa 1930:
You will notice that the one of the most prominent buildings on the boardwalk features a ballroom dance venue. This venue was a place where locals and tourists alike came to listen to live music and dance together. This evidence shows that our town started because of places, like the Ocean Avenue Brewery, where people can dance, laugh and enjoy themselves in the heart of the hills, ocean, sand and sunny skies. Please do not turn our town into something it has never been: BORING.
Thank you for your time. |
| 854 | Ryan Harman | rharman@lee-associates.com | The brewery has been nothing but a beneficial bistro/nightclub for both locals and tourist alike. The continued commitment to fundraisers, art and local charities has proven the Brewery's commitment to causes other than just business. Hopefully other establishments will follow suit! |
| 855 | Chris Brandon | chris@h2oclothing.net | Save Laguna Beach!!!!!! |
| 856 | Penny | gopenster@mac.com | |
| 857 | Jake Irion | iseeyouirion@hotmail.com | Save the music |
| 858 | Diane Strayer | straycatmama@aol.com | Save the music! |
| 859 | brandy faber | fbrandy@aol.com | |
| 860 | Anonymous | Anonymous | |
| 861 | LUKE GODDEN | LUKEGODDEN@QANTAS.COM.AU | pLAY ON |
| 862 | Anonymous | Anonymous | |
| 863 | Kinsey Knight | kinseyeknight@gmail.com | can't find anything better to complain about?! |
| 864 | SARAH CORONA | SCorona@exoyic-eo.com | |
| 865 | GEORGE CORONA | GCORONA67BEER@YAHOO.COM | |
| 866 | Anonymous | Anonymous | the planning commission are nothing more than corrupt brigands and hypocrites. ocean avenue doesn't serve the city, but five starbucks do? the town charter specifically prohibits "name brands" from doing business in the city unless it serves a purpose. that they can now attack a long-standing business would be absurd beyond belief, but this town has been going to hell ever since the rich yuppies started taking over 15-20 years ago |
| 867 | Matilde Madrigal | mattymadrigal@aol.com | Music near the ocean is heaven sent |
| 868 | Ron Wilson | ronwwilson@cox.net | |
| 869 | Glenn Klugel | gak@gaksurf.com | As the only board builder left building "Ocean Avenue Surfboards " it seems only fitting I sign this, plus my Brother in Truth Jeff Ray told me to ! Big Love from Above, gak |
| 870 | hayley | hmaynard@calpoly.edu | Ocean Avenue Brewery has been a fun spot for Laguna locals to hang out at, listen to music, and dance. Laguna will not be the same if this fine establishment is shut down. I implore you to reconsider your Puritan demands and allow the people of Laguna to enjoy our music and dancing. |
| 871 | Todd Seckman | toddseckman@hotmail.com | |
| 872 | Anonymous | Anonymous | Please keep Ocean Avenue Brewery. It is one of the many landmarks of Laguna Beach. |
| 873 | kira burgess | kiraburgess@yahoo.com | |
| 874 | Raoul Quema | raoulq@gmail.com | |
| 875 | Nicole Phelps | randyboutique@verizon.net | God save the brewery! |
| 876 | lisa berube | forasil@hotmail.com | best place in town! |
| 877 | Lisa Berube | lberube@pmac.com | save the brew!!! |
| 878 | lisa berube | lisa.berube@wamu.net | Nicest people in town! |
| 879 | Chris Berube | rollin1@hotmail.com | Best place to dance in town. |
| 880 | sharon berube | sbearabee@aol.com | Such a family friendly place! |
| 881 | robert berube | bearabee@aol.com | |
| 882 | Viktoria Doma | vikiked@gmail.com | |
| 883 | janelle | janelle_noble@hotmail.com | |
| 884 | Oso Rojo | osorojo623@hotmail.com | keep live music alive and thriving in Laguna Beach! |
| 885 | Stacey Serra | beachdancerss@gmail.com | |
| 886 | Anonymous | Anonymous | Best place for fun in South county. |
| 887 | William Deuchar | cripsauce001@hawaii.rr.com | |
| 888 | Lloyd Silverman | humblepath@aol.com | Enough selfrighteous nonsense from those who revel in power over others. The Brewery is not harmful and provides music and dancing that is beneficial in several ways. |
| 889 | scott Liddicoat | sfliddi@yahoo.com | |
| 890 | david bullock | bullock_davidm@yahoo.com | |
| 891 | Anonymous | Anonymous | |
| 892 | Ivette Turon | turon_ivette@yahoo.com | There is no way to relace the excellent food and amazing atmoshpere that makes Ocean one of my fave places .....I would truly hate to see it go. |
| 893 | Bradley Bright | bradbright@cox.net | I bet there are a lot fewer people complaining about OAB than have signed this petition supporting it,. I also think the majority live in Laguna Beach. So, if the LB council represents the people in this town, that should be their cue to let OAB and it's music continue. |
| 894 | Anonymous | Anonymous | |
| 895 | Anonymous | Anonymous | |
| 896 | Anonymous | Anonymous | been going to OAB for years! |
| 897 | Jennifer Murray | Jenniferm@pjsalvage.com | |
| 898 | Anonymous | Anonymous | |
| 899 | Anonymous | Anonymous | |
| 900 | Anonymous | Anonymous | I have visited Ocean Ave. Brewery several times and have enjoyed myself each time. Great music, people, and staff. This is a great place for us young women as the security is excellent (Kelly) in particular. Keep on dancin' ! - HB |