ReMark's-able!

Photo: remarkslagunabeach.com

Mark DePalma has been known for his name bearing eateries, and affiliations with other restaurants within the Laguna Community for years. These days, his focus is on his newest achievement, ReMark's, located near the Sawdust Art Festival, in Laguna Canyon. Opened in December of 2012, DePalma has made it his goal to create an upscale menu at no nonsense pricing, and also features his many signature cocktails. But it get's better than that. After 8pm, on Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, throughout the rest of the summer, DePalma is offering half off on the entire food menu.

Mark DePalma - photo: remarkslagunabeach.comhttp://remarkslagunabeach.com/

With a 41/2 out of 5 star rating on Yelp!, this is just the kind of summer dining that is sure to make your evening special!

photo: remarkslagunabeach.comhttp://remarkslagunabeach.com/

photo: remarkslagunabeach.comhttp://remarkslagunabeach.com/

ReMark's
853 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach, CA  92651
949-715-8700

Summer in full swing

Photo: Sawdust.org

You just can't have summer in Laguna without going to the art festivals there. My favorite is the Sawdust Festival. At it's present location at 935 Laguna Canyon Road since 1965, it is steeped in long-time Laguna history, and there are still eclectic Laguna artists showing their wares. In fact, all of the artists must be residents of Laguna Beach in order to exhibit there. Be sure to find sculptor Dion Wright's booth, he is one of the original artists still exhibiting since the early 1960's.

Julie Kahn on hand-built tower, 1968 - Photo courtesy of OCinSite.com

 If you're a local, there's no better deal to be found than Thursday night Local's Night. Show your Laguna Beach ID for free entry after 5pm.

Sasha Evans and Doug Miller Photo courtesy of MyHero.com

Set under the Live Oaks and Eucalyptus trees in beautiful Laguna Canyon, you'll find a mix of fine art  and jewelery, hand-made original furniture, crafty pieces, and of course, the famous glass blowers who demonstrate their techniques on site. Live music is offered at 3 different venues, so while others are shopping, you can kick back, enjoy and relax. If you are a music lover or an art lover, the Sawdust Festival is sure to have something for everyone, even the kids.

Charlie Jackson teaches Kaitlin Bailey how to throw a pot. Photo: Paul Rodriguez/OC Register

 Here's a few artists that you won't want to miss while you're there. Dion Wright, in booth #249, Amy Eidt Jackson, #101, Sharon Hardy, #103, Randy Bader, #308. Kirk Millette, #203, and last but not least, Douglas Miller, #310. You may even see Doug playing his violin with one of the live bands!

Music Matters

Laguna's music scene has been nurtured by music lover and tennis instructor, Rick Conkey. Rick has come up with a brilliant combination of ideas, his Music Matters showcase focuses on expanding the careers of talented independent musicians, while also expanding awareness of keeping our oceans and planet clean and healthy. He is also the driving force behind Help Blue Water, which spreads the music, the message and the movement of inspiring action toward a healthier environment.

And what better venue than The Cliff Restaurant for listening to great music, while catching the stunning sunset as it sinks into the Pacific Ocean? You'd be hard-pressed to find one, even here in Laguna. The Cliff Restaurant sits above sand and surf, so your view is seemingly endless, and your chances of spotting dolphin are pretty high. It's a real stunner!

Here's next week's musical line-up, 7/1/2013 - 7/5/2013:

*Monday – The Ken Garcia Band

Tuesday – The PawnShop Kings

Wednesday – Kevin Miso

Thursday – The Salty Suites with Chelsea Williams

The showcase takes place Monday - Thursday, starting at 6 - 10pm for the entire summer. There is no cover charge, and all ages are welcome. Be sure to use the free trolley service, which will drop you off right in front of the restaurant, to avoid parking nightmares.

*The Cliff Restaurant will be offering transportation for their guests with pick up and drop off within the city of Laguna Beach. This service will be available Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. (or when they close) every week.

If you need a ride, just give them a call at 494-1956. They will need your name, phone number, address and time of pick up. For guests coming from outside the city limits, the rates for each way from the following cities are: Newport Beach, Irvine, San Clemente, Mission Viejo / $ 20.00 dollars each way; Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point / $ 10.00 each way

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a pick up, send us an email at info@thecliffrestaurant.com

*photo and ride information provided by StuNews.

If you would like tennis lessons with Rick Conkey, email rickconkey@gmail.com

Things To Do

Main Beach Lifeguard Tower

 Ah, it's finally summertime in Laguna Beach. The beach is full of bikini clad girls and shirtless guys, the air smells of sunscreen, and there are plenty of things going on all around town. Take advantage of the free trolley system that travels up and down Pacific Coast Highway, ready to drop you off at your favorite restaurant or art gallery. It also runs up and down Laguna Canyon Road to the all of the art festivals located there.

If you're wondering what to do, check out this handy calendar of events.
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/lbvcb/artscalendar_2013summer/#/1


If you like art and classical music, here's just the thing for you: http://www.lagunabeachlive.org/component/content/article/263-live-at-the-museum.html Laguna Beach Live! is located in the Laguna Art Museum, and makes for a perfect evening of culture, away from the beach scene.

 Laguna is known for it's riviera type beaches, but it's also equally known for it's local artists, and you can't go home without strolling through Laguna's unique art festivals. There are three separate venues that you won't want to miss. The Sawdust Festival, which features local, home-grown artists, that range from kitchy to sophisticated, with local music playing in the background. Then, of course,  there's the Pageant of the Masters and the Festival of Arts, which features the world famous pageant, where art comes to life right before your eyes, and the surrounding grounds that host ultra talented artists using all kinds of medium, including oil painting, furniture makers, watercolor artists, and much, much more. Then there is the Art-A-Fair, which hosts all types of art, with live music on the weekends. If you plan to visit these festivals more than once, it only makes sense to purchase the Passport to the Arts, which allows you unlimited access to the festivals for $21.50. Well worth the price if you check the event calendars, and take advantage of great music and other events within each venue.

So, happy summer! We'll be seeing you around town, and in the surf and on the sand!

Metrolink all-weekend pass

With gas prices hovering near the $4 dollar mark, public transportation looks more appealing than ever. Now Metrolink is upping the ante with the brilliant $10 weekend pass. Starting this Friday at 7pm and ending October 9th, you can travel every weekend for only $10! I don't know about you, but I'm planning all of my trips right now!

WOO WOO! Metrolink Expanded Service for Expanded Living

More Metrolinking is coming to Orange County Beginning july 15th!

More Metrolinking is coming to Orange County Beginning july 15th!

Now weekends on Metrolink begin at 7 pm on Friday and lasts until midnight on Sunday. Our expanded weekend service includes more trains and new seasonal trips so you can explore the best of Orange County and beyond. With Metrolink's new All-Weekend Pass you can travel anywhere on Metrolink systemwide for a low $10 fare for the entire weekend.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

WHERE: Expanded weekend service is systemwide including everywhere Metrolink travels throughout Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, Ventura and San Bernardino Counties.

ADDED TRAINS: Four additional seasonal round trips have been added along the Orange County Line and one new seasonal round trip to the San Clemente Pier has been added to the Inland Empire-Orange County Line.

WHEN: Added weekend trips will run from July 1st through October 9th.

NEW PASS: New All-Weekend Pass costs $10 and is valid from 7 pm Friday until midnight on Sunday.

PURCHASE: All-Weekend Passes can only be purchased at Metrolink Ticket Vending Machines located at all Metrolink stations. The fare will continue after October 9th.

Yoga Works Freebie

If fitting into last years bathing suit has you unnerved, maybe you should try out Yoga Works' 1 Free Week deal going on right now. You can try one week for free, and turn yourself into a yogini before you know it!

Artist Ken Auster book signing at Laguna Beach Books

TGIF! The weekend is nearly here, and it's time to start deciding where you're going to spend your much needed spare time. After the Friday happy hour is over, and the dinner out with friends on Saturday, be sure to mark your calendar to spend the last part of your weekend with local artist Ken Auster, who will be signing his book, Intellect and Passion, at Laguna Beach Books. Ken, a long time Lagunan, who has surprisingly featured his works from 15 years of painting San Francisco in his new book. This book highlights his love for The City by the Bay, and reveals a wonderful visual story to the reader. With insights of the rewards and obstacles of painting San Francisco that accompany the paintings, the reader can glimpse the city through the artist's eye.

*Always support your local independent bookstores!*

Ken Auster book signing Sunday, June 12 at 4pm.

Laguna Beach Books

1200 So. Coast Hwy

Laguna Beach, CA  92651

949-494-4779