[singlepic id=424 w=320 h=240 float=left]Let me start this blog entry by saying we love our Laguna Beach visitors … well, at least the friendly ones who don’t kick up a ridiculous ruckus. We know you people out there add color, life and sustenance to our lovely Art Colony. We also recognize the fact that many of us became residents of Laguna Beach AFTER we were tourists and visitors like you. So, most of us are understanding and welcoming to you folks.

But, come Labor Day Weekend, we residents participate in a number of “Take Back the Town” parties, wherein we peek out of our summer residence holes to clamber up and gather once again after 4 months of Tourist Season. We’re a bit blinky-eyed initially, but we quickly energize, reveling in lighter traffic patterns, shorter lines at the coffee shops, and seeing old friends we haven’t bumped into since April.

Last night (Saturday), I attended two neighborhood “Take Back the Town” block parties, one of which came with the renowned band members of Crimson Crowbar (Hollywood’s singer/songwriter David Shelton; bassist John Avila of (the fabulous) Oingo Boing0; guitarist Frank Simes, who tours with Who’s Roger Daltrey; and drummer Stevie DiStanislao of David Gilmour/Pink Floyd fame). Talk about a great way to kick off our favorite season of the year in Laguna Beach!

This morning, as I collected casserole ingredients for the South Laguna party I’m attending today (the 28th Annual “Goodbye to Tourists, Hello To Empty Pedestrian Crossings party”), I ran into the firemen and fire captain of Station E-1 (downtown).

I randomly asked one of our city’ finest about tomorrow’s (Monday) Annual Pancake Breakfast – turns out I asked the right guy, as Tom Fadden is the Chief Information Officer, especially about pancake breakfasts.

Each year, for well over 20 years now, Laguna Beach’s Exchange Club members have joined forces with the Laguna City Police and Fire Departments to shell out hundreds of pancakes in the “Take Back the Town Pancake Breakfast” at Heisler Park.

[singlepic id=427 w=320 h=240 mode=watermark float=right]Despite the fact that these dedicated “pancake chefs” are setting up shop at about 6:00 a.m., and slaving over hot griddles till about 11:00 a.m., they seem to love it.  The breakfast opens for business at 7:00 a.m.; the real crowds start to gather at about 8:30 or so. And, while there are hundreds of local residents in attendance, you’re not going to be carded for residency. Just be warned – no one but no one gets the pancake batter recipe. (Hey. Don’t fight The Law on this one.)

Come on down to Heisler Park Monday (Labor Day morning) – certainly one of Laguna Beach’s finest parks – and say thanks to the people who watch over us every season of the year.

 

 

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