Sunset Serenades

There are countless things to love about Laguna Beach, but I think the sunsets are my absolute favorite. Even though I’ve lived in Southern California for the past 15 years, an Orange County sunset still takes my breath away. Feeling the air turn cool and watching the last rays of sunlight melt into the ocean, brings a serene and comforting closure to each day. Last week I took my family to Laguna to enjoy one of these world-renown sunsets and we decided to attend the City of Laguna Beach’s Sunset Serenades.

Before the concert we made a stop to Gina’s Pizza in North Laguna for a quick, family-friendly bite to eat. We then stopped in at Casey’s Cupcakes  to grab some of her delicious cupcakes to enjoy at the park. When we arrived, the Heisler Park amphitheater was already quickly filling up with eager concert-goers. I hadn’t attended an event at the amphitheater before and I was glad to find that there was ample room for everyone to sit or lay on their blankets comfortably. Some folks brought their food and wine with them to the concert and were settling in for a sunset dinner during the show.  We took up a spot in the back where we could let the kids run around, and in fact, they ended up dancing…in between bites of cupcakes. The environment at the amphitheater was jovial fueled; I’m sure by the beauty that surrounded us and the music that filled our ears. Sunset Serenades was a demonstration of the Laguna Beach “small town” charm working its magic.  And that fabulous sunset at the end of the long week didn’t disappoint either…it took my breath away!

The Sunset Serenades are hosted by the City of Laguna Beach Arts Commission and happen every Friday at 6:30pm at the Heisler Park amphitheater throughout the month of May.

Sunset Serenades Schedule:
May 4 - Shelby, Tieg &Tara (Modern Vocal Harmonies)
May 11- Erica Powell (Harpist)
May 18 - Mancini/Stone Trio (Vibraphone Jazz)
May 25 - John Troy and Jason Feddy (Singer Songwriter)

By Anne-Marie S

Sustainable Key Card introduced for Inn at Laguna Beach as part of Renovation

Renovated guest room

The Inn at Laguna Beach, undergoing a multi-million dollar renovation, is the first hotel in the city to implement 100 percent renewable wood key cards, completely eliminating plastic key cards. The Nordic birch wood, used for the key cards, is harvested from certified sustainably managed forests in Europe which reduces the carbon footprint by lowering CO2 emissions. These PVC-free biodegradable wood key cards also help reduce oil-based plastic waste.

Sustainable Key Card

"We are the first and currently the only hotel in Laguna that has purchased this key," said Inn at Laguna Beach General Manager Peggy Trott. "With our hotel overlooking the Pacific coastline and direct access to the beach, we want to do everything we can to offer guests a memorable and environmentally conscious experience."

View from guest room

Sustainability plays a large role in the hotel's renovation, which includes all 70 guest rooms, the lobby, Pacific Room, Pacific Terrace, and the pool and pool deck. The renovation began February 29, 2012; the first two phases will be completed the week of April 22, with the third phase scheduled to be finished the first week of June.
Renovations:

• Guest rooms: The beach chic theme, both functional and reflective of an ocean front hotel, utilizes soothing warm colors, a mixture of bamboo and rattan furniture, and new carpet exuding a residential feel. Low VOC paint was used on the walls. Dual flush toilets and low flow, top-of-the-line, Speakman shower heads were installed in the bathrooms, along with new glass shower doors and 30% recycled material tiles throughout. There is also an in-room recycling program. A reusable aluminum water bottle is offered for guest purchase with an in-room refillable water station.
• Lobby: New furniture and fixtures.
• Pacific Room: This meeting space which accommodates up to 50 guests, has new furniture and carpet.
• Pacific Terrace on the 4th floor: New furniture and a fire pit.
• Pool Area and Deck: New red brick and a re-plastering of the pool with new pool tiles. (to be completed in phase 3)

"The sustainability aspect of the key card as well as the renovation aligns with our overall vision. It is a perfect match with the Inn at Laguna's participation in the international 'Clean the World' project," Trott said.

About Clean the World
Clean the World recycles hotel guest room hygiene items at its Recycling Operations Center and distributes them for humanitarian purposes with partnering nonprofit organizations. The items are distributed domestically and to children and families in communities around the globe. Laguna Beach became the first City nationwide in 2011 to adopt the program for all of its hotel properties.