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JULY 19, 2024 | Volume XXI, Issue 29
Aquagrom Raises 11K and Counting for Local Beaches REMEMBERING By Clara Beard | LB Indy The second annual Aquagrom, spearheaded by 12-year-old Alia Marriner, raised more than $11,000 for ocean conservation last Saturday after 25 oceansavvy groms took to the water for an abbreviated version of the longstanding Aquathon - a locally-organized swim, climbing and walking event along Laguna’s coves and coastline from Crescent Bay to Aliso Creek. After Marriner completed two Aquathons with her friend Cedar Reckas, she organized the first ever Aquagrom in 2023 - an inviteonly swim and walk from Crescent Bay to Victoria Beach, just for kids. “These groms and I care so much about the ocean. We’ve grown up by the ocean, and we feel that it’s our duty to protect it. It pains us to see humans trashing it like it’s a landfill. This is why all the groms have gotten together to do a swim, raising money for the Surfrider Foundation,” Marriner said. The group of 25 groms set out on Saturday, July 13, from Crescent Bay and arrived at Victoria Beach at around 12 p.m. “So far, we’ve raised $11,230 from over 125 donors, and we are still going,” Marriner
ELISABETH BROWN, A Visionary in Orange County Land Conservation
Liz Brown. Photo/Laguna Greenbelt
Laguna Beach groms take part in the 2024 Aquagrom, the kids’ version of the popular local Aquathon. Photo/Mitch Ridder
said. “All the groms did so well on the swim and raising money and everyone had a blast. So many kids did lemonade stands or came up with other creative ways of getting donations and raised a ton of money.” AQUAGROM, PAGE 3
Biden Scheduled to Headline Private Fundraiser in Laguna Beach By Clara Beard | LB Indy Following in the footsteps of Hillary Clinton and Barak Obama in 2016, President Joe Biden is anticipated to arrive in Laguna Beach next Friday, July 26, for a private campaign fundraiser hosted by Getty Oil heir Anne Earhart, Janet Keller and Bernie Schneider, and former United States Ambassador to Spain and Andorra James Costos. According to a Biden Victory Fund event invitation, tickets for the private reception range from $1,000 to $250,000. As of July 18, the fundraiser is going ahead as
planned, but the announcement comes when Biden, 81, faces mounting pressure from top Democrats to call off his presidential campaign because of health and competency concerns. On top of that, on Wednesday, July 17, the Biden administration revealed the president had tested positive for COVID-19. Peggy Wolff, chair of the Laguna Beach Democratic Club, said it comes as no surprise Biden should want to campaign in Laguna Beach. “Laguna Beach has always been a stronghold BIDEN, PAGE 14
By LB Indy Staff Elisabeth ‘Liz’ Brown, biologist and inspirational Orange County advocate for open space and wildlife habitat protection, died peacefully on July 6 at the age of 81. A beloved figure in the Southern California environmental community, she served as president of Laguna Greenbelt, Inc. from 1985 to 2019. During that time, she played invaluable roles in collaborative efforts and legal battles protecting wilderness around Laguna Beach, establishing organizations to manage those lands, and creating BROWN , PAGE 2
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REAL ESTATE GUIDE Hillary Clinton waves at onlookers as she leaves the Montage Laguna Beach in August 2016. Photo/Mitch Ridder
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