Top Acts of 2016

Act of Generosity: Philanthropists Bill and Sue Gross gave U.C. Irvine $40 million this year and extended their generosity to locals. They matched the monies raised at “Pantry Palooza!” and gave single mother, Sandra Woodard, $15,000 towards her cancer treatment.

Act of Stupidity: Anthony Booth Armer executed two daredevil acts of leaping off tall storied buildings into water. His YouTube Channel “8Booth” had it all caught on camera which led the LBPD to his arrest.

Back to Back Act: Laguna’s own professional race car driver, Michael James Lewis, swept both races at the Pirelli World Challenge in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Act of Kindness: Musician Nick Hernandez (Nick I.) raised funds through performance and shared surfing skills with special needs kids, giving them a day they’ll always cherish. surfershealing.org

Act of Caution: A strange odor at Casa del Camino summoned the bomb squad, a robot and SWAT team, only to discover it was cologne left on a heater.

Act of Bravery: Firefighter Pat Cary doubled as a lifeguard in his heroic and ingenious save using his ladder to rescue a man trapped in a dangerous blowhole. Subsequently, City Council awarded him the Medal of Courage.

Act of Champions: LBHS Breakers Baseball Coach, Mike Bair, ended the Breakers’ 78 year drought and led the team to their first Southern CIF title victory!

Class Act: Shallom and Jilla Berkman, owners of Urth Caffe, unearthed the charm and beauty of the historic former Cottage Restaurant with impeccable style and grace.

Sister Act: Water Polo sisters, Aria and Mackenzie Fischer, each brought home the gold from the Rio Olympics!

Act of Hospitality: All throughout 2016 our modern day Laguna Greeter, Michael Minutoli, enthusiastically waved hello to motorists coming in and out of Laguna.

Final Act: Three Laguna parents lost their battle to Cancer in 2016; Marc Pitz, Roger Shew and Sandra Woodard. They were taken far too soon and will be missed dearly.