Out of the Blue: Drumming up safety, support

I met with the Laguna Beach Police Department this week to discuss Sunday’s Full Moon Drum Circle. Yep, it’s already here, the last big beast of summer drumming, and it falls on a weekend.

Nail down the shutters and bring your daughters inside, Laguna.

The good news is that over the last 13 years, there have been 156 consecutive full-moon drum circles, all but four at Aliso Beach. In that time, the event has not generated an arrest, an overdose, a drowning, a fight or any other sort of violence. At worst problem might be some extra trash, but most make an effort at the end to sweep the beach. It is a peaceful, spiritual gathering.

But like all things, when it’s this good, it will eventually go bad. Call it the alcohol factor, that most pernicious of drugs. It just seems to bring out the aggressive gene in some, who then ruin it for all the others.

Nothing bad has happened yet, but Laguna police and the county parks department recognize that when crowds form this big at night, they must be prepared.

Officers Joe Torres and Jim Beres have been generally supportive of the event, despite complaints they have received about noise, fire spinners and the serious injury suffered by a young woman crossing the street a few months back.

They assured me their intent isn’t to shut down the drum circle or close the parking lots, but they do want to get in front of any potential problems and cite people for drinking, doing drugs and engaging in any other behavior that puts people in jeopardy.

I respect their goal to protect us. And they are putting some positive, preventive measures in place such as:

• Telling people who park on the east side of Coast Highway to use the tunnel — I’m sure many don’t even know it’s there.

• Telling people who are dropping off their kids to be back before 10 p.m. or they will be unable to re-enter the lot.

• Handing out fliers reminding people of park regulations.

• Patrolling the event.

So if your intent is to come and enjoy the drumming, whether playing, dancing or watching, you have nothing to fear. Come on out and responsibly celebrate the last full moon of summer. This fabulous and dynamic cultural event runs from 7 to 10 p.m.

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For the bicyclists

In other news, I was thrilled to see Cliff Drive getting sharrows on Tuesday. The city is accelerating plans to mark with paint and signs a comprehensive north-south bike route alternative to Coast Highway, from Nye’s Place to Crescent Bay.

Even if we can get a fraction of riders off Coast Highway to take this more gentle, scenic route, we may be saving lives.

Another bright note is that the City Council on Tuesday endorsed a resolution brought by Kelly Boyd to support bike education among youths. It’s a largely ceremonial measure without funding, but it demonstrates again how serious our city has become about safe biking.

And on Aug. 19, council members Toni Iseman and Bob Whalen will unveil their plan for re-engineering Laguna Canyon Road, with the hope of realizing a dedicated Class 1 bike path to the canyon, among other things. Wouldn’t that be a boon to residents, visitors and even merchants. We’re making slow, steady progress, with lots more to be done.

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Actually, the coffee has its merits

Finally, in writing this column I sometimes overstep the bounds of propriety in order to entertain. Such was the case with last week’s story on Jean Paul’s Goodies, where I described his coffee as mediocre and questioned whether he baked his own goods.

I was wrong and have been schooled on both counts.

Some were offended by my characterization of their beloved java as less than stellar. I can certainly attest that JP’s brew is a jolting, forthright cup of Joe, notable for it’s power to clear any intestinal excess from the night before.

Others thought I was too hard on the man in general. It was all meant in fun. To Jean Paul and his acolytes, I apologize. The man truly made alchemy in his little shop for 31 years.

Up at 3 a.m., day in, day out, doing every little chore to keep the line moving and the masses fed. Who on earth — at least in America — could do that today?

Saturday will be his last day. Come out and give the man the thanks he deserves. Whether he likes it or not.

BILLY FRIED is the chief paddling officer of La Vida Laguna and member of the board of Transition Laguna. He can be reached at [email protected].