Update: Goko Stays!

Never doubt the power of a handful of vocal locals. Goko Cafe has gotten a reprieve and will stay in its location at Thalia and Coast Highway. Agreement was reached this week between building owners Cary Glenn and Richard Zona and Goko proprietors George Risteski and Connie Stojkoski, averting the possibility of a formula-based Quizno's Sandwich Shop in the quaint but admittedly rundown space.

Mayor Toni Iseman said that this kind of activism is what Laguna's all about, and as a former firebrand herself, she was pleased that the issue awakened Lagunans long enough to sign petitions and pass around e-mails to save the homegrown eatery.

But be aware that our mayor just added to the onerous list of activities a true patriot must do to prove his worth (besides bearing a magnetic yellow ribbon on one's car in support of our troops). Mayor Toni Iseman admonished constituents: “It’s our patriotic duty to eat there.”

Gosh darn, how much can one person give??

Dining Out: Bon Appetit, and Buyer Beware

SAVE GOKO CAFE!!! goes the e-mail sent to The Lagunan at least 6 times since a front-page story came out in the INDY about its imminent demise due to changing market conditions....and the fact, it turns out, that the OC Health Dept. noticed a few, er, infractions, pretty much every time it paid Goko a visit. Seems locals want to petition to keep this cute, homey, albeit grungy mom and pop cafe in a prime location where the landlords want to install a Quiznos sandwich shop.

Then an interesting exchange ensued, with a short message to all from an area journalist who received the "Save Goko!!!" e-mail, labeled "The other side of the story. " It went like this:

FYI - There is a reason the current owners of the building would like another business there. It is my understanding that while the community concern about Quiznos will be addressed, here are the health department reports for the past two years on GOKOS

http://foodinspections.ocgov.com/foodinspections/insp.aspx?record_id=PR0021705&agency=OCH&violsortfield=TB_CORE_INSPECTION_VIOL.ENTERED_BY&violsortorder=desc

Sure enough -- ick. But then it got even juicier.

Back came another e-mail from a fellow who took the time to search and report back on the OC Health Department's findings in several favorite Laguna eateries. Read on:
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Hello. Since you have plainly "accused" Goko's of running a dirty, unhealthy kitchen that should by all rights be closed, I think it only fair to point out that by using the same yard-stick, the following establishments should also be shot down – and each sooner than Goko’s!

In 2007 based on routine inspections year-to-date:

GOKO’S CAFE: 3 MAJOR violations, 11 minor violations
ANNALIESE SCHOOL 4 MAJOR violations, 12 minor violations
ANASTASIA’S CAFE: 5 MAJOR violations, 24 minor violations
COTTAGE RESTAURANT 5 MAJOR violations, 20 minor violations
ALISO CREEK INN 5 MAJOR violations, 15 minor violations, 1 PERMIT SUSPENSION
LOFT at Montage Hotel 5 MAJOR violations, 12 minor violations
A LA CARTE 5 MAJOR violations, 16 minor violations
CLAES at Hotel Laguna 6 MAJOR violations, 1 minor violation , 2 PERMIT SUSPENSIONS

QUIZNOS, Lake Forest 4 MAJOR violations, 24 minor violations

This information is readily available at the County website:
http://foodinspections.ocgov.com/foodinspections/main.aspx?agency=och

I’m glad that the County is tough on all our eating establishments, but Goko’s history with the health department provides ZERO justification for whether a long-standing business should be replaced with a cookie-cutter FRANCHISE.

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The Lagunan here again. I just have to wonder aloud -- has anyone ever worked in a restaurant or cafe? If so, you know what goes on behind the swinging door if the establishment's managers are not vigilant, whether mom and pop are in charge or someone hired to wear the tie. I know at least one person who was sickened after eating at Goko and never returned. Everyone needs to eat, even the creatures we call vermin. If restaurants aren't able to keep the varmints out of the ingredients, wash their dishes in water hot enough to kill bacteria, make sure the refrigerator is actually refrigerating, they should get their just deserts -- for everybody's good.

What are girls supposed to do?

Got a young daughter? Watch this with her. Then talk to her.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=JaH4y6ZjSfE

More Spit and Polish

I'll take the polish, please.

This Saturday the Marines are reprising their Car Wash Saturday. After you've dropped off your e-waste a the LBUSD parking lot, go get the car washed and help out military families.

Here are details from Sita Helms, the "helmswoman" of the project locally:

Marines Car Wash Rain Date OCT 13TH 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post #9934, Dana Point, is sponsoring a car wash for our United States Marines of the 5th Marine Regiment, Headquarters Company from Camp Pendleton. Marines will wash and dry your car to a "Spit and Polish Shine." Donations accepted.

In November, these troops will attend their annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball, prior to deploying to Iraq for a 12-month tour. We hope to defray most if not all of the costs they will incur, through this car wash event. Come by to shake a hand, say a "thank you" and be a part of this event.
Where: South Shores Church Parking Lot
Address: 32712 Crown Valley Parkway, Monarch Beach
(Just up from PCH & Crown Valley)
When: Saturday, October 13, 2007
Time: 9AM-2PM

If you are unable to attend and wish to make a contribution, you may make your checks payable to "Headquarters Company Ball Fund" and send them to:
Headquarters Company Ball Fund
ATTN: 1st Sgt. Pritchard
5th Marine Regiment
Headquarters Company
Box 555453 Bldg 62448
Camp Pendleton CA 92055

What Lurks in your Garage?

What to do with that CRT from your old computer, or the sound system that used to be state-of-the-art....in 1995? How about the TV that has seen better days? This Saturday, Oct. 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Surterre Properties is sponsoring a FREE e-waste drop-off at the LBUSD parking lot at 550 Blumont Street at Park Avenue. This is a great opportunity to get rid of stuff in an environmentally responsible way. Nearly all electric devices are welcome, including old fax machines, computers, TVs, printers, etc.

Illegal, Immmoral, Outrageous? That's our TCA

There was a major movement afoot to get scads of folks bused to an important Coastal Commission hearing in San Pedro on October 11 regarding the Transportation Corridor Authority's plan to pave a toll road through San Onofre State Beach. Update: the meeting has been CANCELLED, according to my friend Janine Robinson, who sent me this on 10/6:

The TCA pulled their application before the California Coastal Commission off the table today, saying they had too much to review before the meeting.

So there is no need to attend the Oct. 11 Coastal Commission hearing. However, THEY WILL BE BACK!!! In the meantime, we will continue to spread the word about the proposed Foothill South Toll Road, and build our own momentum to defending our favorite California state park and beach.

As we know, the TCA is relentless and sneaky. In case you missed the story in this week's Independent, read below (see link - ed.). It's a bit confusing, but in a nutshell, the TCA actually has offered the state parks department (which oversees Trestles and San Onofre State Beach) $100 MILLION for permission to build their Toll Road right through the San Onofre State Park. Doesn't that sound illegal, or immoral, or at a minimum, outrageous?

Anyway, thanks for your support--we will be asking you again in the near future to attend a future Coastal Commission meeting.

The Rundown

Monks are being murdered by a repressive government in Burma (read below before you go on - please!)...and life goes on here in our beach town. Gather, participate and stay aware of it all.

Here's a bunch o' stuff to celebrate/enjoy/escape/protect our fabulous community:

***********
From two of my favorite people, Stuart Byer and Joy Dittberner:

LAGUNA DANCE FESTIVAL

A slew of terpsichorean delights are coming to Laguna, and lots of them are free or offered at a really low price.

- Check out this Saturday's (9/29) FREE performance by professional dancers at Main Beach at 4 p.m., buy a t-shirt, take the free dance class that follows at 5 p.m.
- For kids ages 3-12, on Wednesday Oct. 3 there's a free workshop: Dancing Hands, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Neighborhood Congregational Church (340 St. Ann's Drive at Glenneyre) led by UCI dance prof and Lagunan Jodie Gates.
- Lots of other performances, master classes, preperformance talks and a gala this Saturday night with winners from TV's "So You Think You Can Dance."

See the whole rundown at www.lagunadancefestival.org

******************
From my musical muse and peace sister Pam Wicks:

CONCERT FUNDRAISER FOR THE MANNA FOUNDATION
Benefiting Orphanages in Thailand

Saturday, September 29th 7 p.m.

Please join us for this very special concert, co-sponsored by Coast Magazine as we help raise desperately needed funds for orphans in Thailand. It is the wish and goal of the Manna Foundation to raise $12,000 to buy a school bus for the children. Until that goal is reached, the children will continue to be transported to school on flatbed trucks and exposed to torrential downpours along the way. We would love to help them reach that goal and even small donations go a long way
to help make this a reality. We look forward to co-creating a beautiful night with you.

In addition to a full concert with us, there will be a silent auction with lots of great things to bid on. There's a related
article in this month's Coast Magazine - please pick up a copy or read it by going to www.coastmagazine.com - article on page 162.

Neighborhood Congregational Church - Bridge Hall - 7 p.m.
340 St. Ann's Drive
Tickets are $15 in advance/$20 at the door
(additional donations to support the orphanages are welcome)
Please contact 714-602-2056

*************

From Johanna Felder and Bibe Stockman for the Laguna Art Museum:

Another fabulous outing without having to DRIVE:
LAM's CONTEMPORARY COLLECTORS’ COUNCIL TRIP (deadline for sign-up is this Saturday 9/29!)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2007
9:30 am: Meet at Laguna Beach High School, 625 Park Avenue
9:45 am: SHARP – Depart for Los Angeles
11:00 am: Los Angeles County Museum of Art – 5905 Wilshire Boulevard
"Dali: Painting & Film." We will view nearly 100 of Dali's paintings, sculptures, photographs and text, plus his films (optional):
Un Chien Andalou, L'Age D'or, Chaos and Creation, Impressions of Upper Mongolia, Spellbound, Destino.
1:00 pm: Lunch - Promises to be delicious
2:30 pm: Ace Gallery, 5514 Wilshire Boulevard. Doug Christmas, gallery owner, said this will be a “knockout” show of London based Lauren Bon’s work which took two years in the making.
4:00 pm: Private collection in Hancock Park
5:00 pm: Return to Laguna Beach

Cost is $100 for CCC members, $125 for non-members of CCC. Price includes luxury bus transportation, admission to the museum and lunch. Such a deal! Come on, sign up, you KNOW you're not gonna go to that Dali show on your own, and Ace Gallery is a treat. And did I mention there's wine on the bus on the way home?

Deadline for reservations is Saturday, September 29th. Don’t Delay! Trip is limited to 25 people. Make check payable to Laguna Art Museum and note it is for the CCC trip. Send to: Johanna Felder, 2680 Park Avenue, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Your check is your reservation. For more information, call Bibe at LAM – 494-8971, Ext. 213.
If you sign up for the trip but will be late or not able to make the bus, please call Johanna -- cell phone 949-533-4947.

***********

STOP THE FOOTHILL SOUTH TOLL ROAD - SAVE TRESTLES BEACH

Sign up for the bus on Thursday morning Oct. 11 to an important Coastal Commission hearing in San Pedro

Attend the October 11th California Coastal Commission (CCC) meeting in San Pedro and tell the California Coastal Commissioners to deny the proposed Foothill South Toll Road through San Onofre State Beach. Save Trestles Beach. If you have never been there, check it out, it’s worth saving.

The most important hurdle before the Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA) is the powerful, non-partisan California Coastal Commission. The Coastal Commission will be meeting in October to decide whether to approve construction of the toll road in the coastal zone.

Additionally, the Coastal Commission is charged with making sure the TCA’s road doesn’t pollute the water or harm the surf at Trestles. We expect that the TCA will spend a lot of time and money convincing the CCC that their road is a good idea. We need you to attend the Coastal Commission meeting and let the Commissioners know that Trestles and the San Mateo Campground are too important to be sacrificed for a “pay to drive” road.

In preparation for the October 11th hearing we are hosting an organizing meeting on Monday, October 1st with Sierra Club’s Coastal Director, Mark Massara. The meeting will be held at 7 pm the San Clemente Community Center at 100 North Calle Seville, San Clemente CA 92672.

Please mark your calendars and plan to take a day off of work or school to join us at this important hearing on October 11th. The hearing will be held at the Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor Hotel at 601 S. Palos Verdes Street, San Pedro CA 90731. We will also be providing free bus transportation to those who are interested.

Do your part to ensure that a great campground, great community and great surf beach remain livable, pristine and protected. We owe it to our community, our kids and future generations.

For more information contact Robin Everett at robin.everett@sierraclub.org or call 949-361-7534

Sincerely,
Friends of the Foothills Campaign

Organizing Meeting
Monday, October 1st 7 pm
San Clemente Community Center
100 North Calle Seville
San Clemente CA 92672

Coastal Commission Hearing
Thursday, October 11th 9 am
Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor Hotel
601 S. Palos Verdes Street
San Pedro, CA 90731

You might study the arguments of the TCA: see http://www.ftcsouth.com/home/faqs.asp