Swanson: Dodgers need starting pitching reinforcements, and soon

• July 31, 2023

LOS ANGELES — As far as showcases go, Sunday’s was one exemplary effort.

Truly, a fine microcosm of how dire things could be for the National League West’s leading team, of how off-kilter a season it’s been.

The Dodgers have the fifth-best record in all of baseball, four of the best hitters in the game, and an earned-run average in July of a whopping 6.18 – which, yes, is “a big number,” manager Dave Roberts acknowledged after Sunday’s 9-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.

Sunday’s lopsided loss came without three of the Dodgers’ four star hitters and with one of their three rookie starters on the mound. And it served a well-timed reminder – as if the members of the front office needed one with the MLB trade deadline bearing down Tuesday – of just how precarious an edge their ball club is tiptoeing along.

Help would help. Some reliable starting pitching could help stoke some postseason hope.

Maybe that’s a big name like the New York Mets’ Justin Verlander, even though he will make $43.3 million next season when he’ll be 41. The veteran right-hander is a proven playoff performer and he’s still dealing: In a 5-2 victory over Washington on Sunday, he recorded his 250th career win, throwing 103 pitches and allowed just one earned run in 5.1 innings Sunday, lowering his ERA to 1.49 over his past seven starts.

Or maybe the Dodgers trade for a guy like St. Louis Cardinals’ right-hander Jack Flaherty, who has a 4.43 ERA, 1.55 WHIP and 106 strikeouts in 109.2 innings – and who, like all of the Dodgers’ other acquisitions in the past few days, will be a free agent after the season, when they’ll want to be as unburdened as possible in their pursuit of Shohei Ohtani in free agency.

“You can always have room to improve on the starting pitching,” Roberts said, toeing the line without pleading outright for starting reinforcements. “So we’re gonna go with what we have, until we have more – when and if we do.”

But potential acquisitions seem to be flying off the board, including Sunday, when there came reports that the Cardinals sent Jordan Hicks to the Blue Jays and Jordan Montgomery to the Rangers.

So, even though the Dodgers already have made trades to bring in right-handed starter Lance Lynn (he’ll bring his 6.47 ERA into his first start with the club Tuesday) and shortstop Amed Rosario, and to bring back reliever Joe Kelly and utilityman Kiké Hernandez, Roberts found himself issuing an obligatory caveat Sunday: “It takes two teams to make a deal happen.”

It’s possible, then, the Dodgers will choose to live dangerously. To keep MacGyvering together victories with duct tape, bubble gum and Max Muncy’s moon shots in support of their sizzling quartet of Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Will Smith and J.D. Martinez.

After all, the Dodgers – now 59-45 after losing five of their past seven games – have the third-best OPS in baseball (.785). That’s because Freeman is hitting .329 with a .984 OPS and Betts has a .943 OPS and 27 home runs; because Smith has a .862 OPS and J.D. Martinez has an .872 OPS and 25 home runs.

But they have the 22nd-worst ERA (4.51). That’s because Clayton Kershaw has been on the injured list, Dustin May is out for the year and Julio Urias and Tony Gonsolin also have been on the IL or disappointed otherwise, while a trio of rookies have been shoring up the starting rotation.

And because of outings like Michael Grove’s on Sunday, when the overmatched rookie was made to sit in the mess of his own making and wear it, tattooed painfully before he exited having allowed eight earned runs on 10 hits in six innings.

The calvary wasn’t available: Betts got another game off to rest his sore right ankle, and Martinez was pulled before his first at-bat, with what Roberts described as an unknown injury affecting his groin area, back and hips. Then Smith went out after his left elbow was hit by a pitch in the first inning.

Without them, Freddie Freeman – he went 2 for 3 and recorded his team-leading 13th stolen base – couldn’t rescue the Dodgers on his own.

Smith said after the game that he expects to feel well enough to play in the Dodgers’ next game Tuesday, just hours after the 3 p.m. PT trade deadline. He also tried to be diplomatic when he was asked about that: “Help is always good, I guess?” he said. “Our starters are better than what they’ve probably shown, I guess?”

Starting pitching reinforcements will take a lot of the guesswork out of it: Great hitting + dependable pitching = an even better baseball team.

That could mean getting back Kershaw, and maybe also Walker Buehler, after his second Tommy John surgery? And it could mean nabbing another dependable arm before the buzzer on the trade market. The clock is ticking on that, and possibly, on the Dodgers’ fortunes this strange season.

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Laguna Beach Art fest is an affair of the arts and the hearts

• July 31, 2023

It’s a sunny weekday afternoon, and artist Agnes Copeland is presiding over a large round table where a handful of students are cutting and pasting – collaging – colorful paper onto small painted canvases.

Copeland’s aspiring artists are creating their works surrounded by booths filled with the variety of artforms and mediums, music and good vibes that are hallmarks of the popular Laguna Art-A-Fair in Laguna Beach.

Copeland, age 90 and a Laguna Woods Village resident since 2009, has graced the festival for 15 years with her colorful multimedia paintings and collages that have the whimsy and charm of folk art.

She began painting watercolors at age 55, but, she says, she studied art history and kept an eye on art all through college. Now she’s a regular at the Village’s Clubhouse 4, where she creates her eye-catching canvases and also teaches art.

“I enjoy creating. I don’t copy and I use my own imagination,” Copeland said. “As an artist, you don’t ever stay stagnant. You constantly move on to something else, and at 90 it gives me something to do.”

This year, Copeland is one of 114 artists who were juried in to the art fest from 227 international applicants ranging in age from 21 to 90, said Kim Brandon-Watson, marketing vice president for the art fest.

Visiting regulars might note that the festival has been infused with new energy. Spaces have been reconfigured, and there’s a terrace-like area for artists workshops, live music ranging from rock and blues to folk and salsa, and, new this season, dance lessons. Plus there’s a beer and wine garden pop-up.

Among the wealth of painters, ceramicists, photographers and fiber artists are three more Village residents displaying their creations. Maribeth and Joe McFaul, a married couple, also came to making art later in life, and the multifaceted Audrey Grider creates visually beautiful paintings and also mines the healing powers of art.

Joe McFaul, a retired international maritime lawyer, first cut lapidary stones as a hobby and came to making jewelry after taking a class at Saddleback College.

“I’m inspired by jewelry from the Southwest and its use of silver and semi-precious stones,” he said, adding that each piece is one of a kind.

Now, he also wears the red apron of a safety supervisor in the lapidary studio at Clubhouse 4.

Maribeth McFaul started out as a science major in college, then went into pre-med and wound up working at St. Mary’s hospital in Long Beach. Art was just a hobby then. However, art classes at Saddleback College brought her on a path to an art education credential from Cal State Long Beach.

“I’m a multimedia and also a street artist. I’ve exhibited at the Festival of Arts and traveled around the country doing street painting,” she said. “Not to be confused with graffiti and murals, street art is done in chalk mostly, on sidewalks. Paintings can be as big as 6 by 8 feet.

“Street art with its impermanence is also performance art – the idea is for people to watch the creative experience in action.”

Grider’s love for horses is evidenced in her colorful paintings. An artist all her life, she has a studio in her home in the Village and is enjoying her first summer at Art-A-Fair and the realization of a long-held dream to show her work in Laguna Beach.

Grider sells her artwork primarily to support rescue efforts of African elephants and auction horses and the protection of whales.

“Such support efforts are important to me,” she said. “It feels good to inspire people with my work and serve a higher purpose.”

Grider suffers chronic pain from Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disorder, and is keenly aware of the healing powers of making and disseminating art.

“For people with chronic pain, the process of creating art offers self-care, stress reduction, meaning-making, and emotional expression through metaphor,” she said. “In addition, through art we can distract away from pain in a healthy way, and experience an increased use of our bodies and sense of self through our creative accomplishments.”

Among other notable artists at Art-A-Fair is Ken Jones, who has created a series of sculptures from musical instruments that are whimsical and fun and beautifully executed. Now in retirement, the clarinets, trumpets and guitars have been given a new life as visual treats.

The woodworks by Henry Lim are astounding in their craftsmanship. Intricate does not begin to describe the individually carved puzzle pieces that, put together, tell stories. Throughout, the integrity of the wood textures provide tonal variety.

Linleigh Love’s fused glass pieces resemble woven place mats except they are made from glass rods that she weaves together in a technique that is not for the faint of heart. Her multitiered kiln firing processes can take hours – 120 to 170 hours for one piece. The intricacies of form that Love achieves through her craftsmanship and the subtle use of color catch and hold the eye.

To wrap up a visit to the Art-A-Fair, one might take in the colorful photographs of Diane Lamboley, first shot in black and white, then colored in post-production and then printed on aluminum.

And pet lovers will get their due with Brandon-Watson’s charming pet portraits. She’ll bring your Schnauzer or dachshund or kitty to life on paper and imbue it with a charm that is unique to her sitter and the genre.

Laguna Art-A-Fair runs through Sept. 3. For more information, go to art-a-fair.com.

​ Orange County Register 

Dodgers’ Michael Grove takes his lumps in lopsided loss to Reds

• July 31, 2023

LOS ANGELES — Lance Lynn is a large man, listed at 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds, But he doesn’t seem large enough to fill the gaping hole in the Dodgers’ starting rotation.

While pitchers Max Scherzer and Jordan Montgomery were changing teams and the New York Mets were looking for somewhere to offload Justin Verlander and his hefty contract, the Dodgers’ glaring need was on full display once again.

Rookie right-hander Michael Grove gave up three runs in the first inning, three home runs in the next two innings and the Dodgers lost to the Cincinnati Reds 9-0 Sunday afternoon.

The trade deadline (3 p.m. PT Tuesday afternoon) will have passed by the time the Dodgers take the field again Tuesday night. So far, they have nibbled at the edges of their roster, acquiring Kike’ Hernandez and Amed Rosario to help the offense against left-handed pitching, Joe Kelly to bolster the bullpen and Lynn to help a rotation that looks far from October-ready.

“I think I’ve been very candid in saying that we always have room to improve on the pitching side,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “So we’re gonna go with who we have until we have more — when and if we do. That’s kind of the mindset that we have.”

Lynn will make his Dodgers debut on Tuesday. Clayton Kershaw, meanwhile, won’t return from the Injured List for at least another week. Roberts said Kershaw will throw to hitters in a simulated-game setting again on Thursday, pushing his return back until the series in Arizona (August 8-9) at least.

“Help is always good, I guess,” Dodgers catcher Will Smith said of the potential for more moves before the deadline. “But I think our starters are better than what we’ve probably shown numbers-wise.”

The numbers are not pretty. The Dodgers have lost five of their past seven games (four of six on this homestand), giving up 46 runs in the seven games and trailing by multiple runs at some point in six of the seven.

“I think just kind of finding ourselves behind the 8-ball to start sometimes makes it a little insurmountable. Today that was the case,” Roberts said.

“Just getting a good quality start at times has been a little difficult.”

Grove was left in to take his lumps on behalf of the pitching staff for six innings Sunday, allowing eight runs on 10 hits in that time — while setting career-highs in pitches thrown (96) and strikeouts (10). That brought July to a close for a starting rotation that posted a 6.18 ERA in 23 games during the month.

“That’s a big number as far as ERA. Not sustainable,” Roberts said.

A big number, indeed.

According to MLB.com statistician Sarah Langs, that is the highest for any month since the team moved to Los Angeles, the second-highest for any month in franchise history (minimum 15 games).

In other lump news – Smith left Sunday’s game early after being hit in the left elbow by a pitch. X-rays were negative and Smith said he expects to play Tuesday.

J.D. Martinez presents a more troubling problem. He was removed for a pinch-hitter before his first at-bat Sunday, still struggling with a left hamstring issue that also sidelined him for two games earlier in the week. He was expected to get an MRI, Roberts said.

“Something to the groin area. I’m sure the back is connected. Hips, all that kind of stuff,” Roberts said of Martinez who spent time on the Injured List with a back injury earlier this season. “He couldn’t run (Sunday), couldn’t really swing the bat. I don’t know the answer (about how long he might be out).”

An offense that averaged 5.8 runs per game during July was unproductive without three of its four All-Stars – Mookie Betts missed his second consecutive game with an injured ankle. The Dodgers had just five hits against Reds starter Graham Ashcraft and didn’t get a runner past second base after the fourth inning.

It didn’t matter by then.

The first four Reds batters reached base against Grove. Three of them scored, putting the Dodgers in a quick 3-0 hole. Elly De La Cruz took Grove very deep (418 feet) in the second inning. Matt McLain and Joey Votto hit home runs in the third.

Votto would have had a two-homer day but center fielder James Outman leapt up and reached over the wall to rob him in the fifth inning.

“I think in spurts there were some good pitches today,” Grove said. “My slider was good but my cutter wasn’t. I got punished because I was leaving pitches over the plate.”

Grove had added the cut fastball to his repertoire recently as a way to attack left-handed hitters with a pitch in on their hands. Lefties De La Cruz, Votto, Jake Fraley and T.J. Friedl were responsible for a lot of the damage against Grove Sunday.

“I was just leaving it over the plate,” Grove said. “It wasn’t sharp, especially against these guys who hit the ball well on the inner half. So you’ve really got to get it in there to be effective and I didn’t so I got punished for it.”

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Sparks overwhelmed at tipoff, but battle back to lose late to New York Liberty

• July 30, 2023

LOS ANGELES — Before the game Sparks head coach Curt Miller challenged his team to match or exceed the New York Liberty’s energy.

“We have nothing to lose,” Miller said before tip-off. “They are expected to bounce back but I like our preparation. I like where we’re at mentally going into this game.”

The Sparks, who were down by as much as 27 points in the third quarter, ratcheted up their energy and effort in the second half, pulling within ten points, 80-70 with 2:56 left in the game on an alley-oop layup by Dearica Hamby, who finished with a team-high 21 points, six rebounds and three steals.

A three-point play by Hamby made it 80-73 with 1:47 to go. New York All-Star guard Sabrina Ionescu drained a three, establishing an 83-73 lead with 1:32 to go.

However, the Sparks (9-16) never led at any point in the game. They also could not stop New York (19-6) from making 15 three-pointers, ultimately losing 87-79 at Crypto.com Arena Sunday.

Jordin Canada scored 11 of her 17 points in the fourth quarter. Azurá Stevens had 13 points. Nneka Ogwumike added ten points, five rebounds and three assists, for her second-lowest scoring output of the season.

The Sparks found themselves down 21-2 with 2:52 remaining in the first quarter. New York drained 5 of 7 three-pointers early. During the same span, they held the Sparks to 1 of 15 (6.7%) shooting from the field. Hamby then scored six of her team’s next nine points, as the Sparks trailed 25-11 heading into the second quarter.

New York All-Star forward Breanna Stewart finished with 25 points and nine rebounds. Ionescu had 14 points, six rebounds and five assists. Jonquel Jones added a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds.

Sparks head coach Curt Miller told me his team has nothing to lose against the New York Liberty. That’s why he’s challenging his team to look to run against the Liberty, finding early and easy offense. #WNBATwitter pic.twitter.com/EXqQKuzhUs

— John W. Davis (@johnwdavis) July 30, 2023

The Sparks pulled within ten points, 28-19 with 7:13 left in the second after a nice crossover and pullup mid-range jump shot by Jordin Canada against Ionescu.

New York led 51-35 at halftime. Liberty guard Marine Johannès had 15 points in the first half on 5-5 shooting from 3. New York began the third quarter on a 13-4 run, powered by nine quick points by Stewart. The Sparks trailed 69-50 heading into the fourth.

Meanwhile, Stevens was primarily focused on the Sparks’ defense against a talented New York team that came into the game second in the league in scoring at 88.7 points per game.

“We know they’re a really high-powered offensive team and they have multiple weapons at different positions so the focus will really be defensively for us to really key in, they have a lot of key players so all of them,” Stevens shared pregame.

Strategy aside, Miller also wanted his team to get out and run against New York.

“We’ve got to have our tempo. We’ve got to run,” Miller explained. “We’ve got to find some early and easy offense if we can. At the same time, we have to be deliberate at times and execute and keep the possessions down with a team that’s so dynamic offensively. We’ve got to have a good first quarter.”

However, the Sparks trailed by as many as 19 points in the first quarter, limited by New York to only four fast-break points through the first 30 minutes of the game.

The Sparks will play New York again Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena.

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Women’s World Cup: Megan Rapinoe adjusts to new role while still savoring final days in spotlight

• July 30, 2023

By ANNE M. PETERSON (AP Sports Writer)

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — Megan Rapinoe is adjusting to her new role at the Women’s World Cup, even if it means she’s not on the field as much as she’d like to be.

The outspoken 38-year-old known for her eclectic hair colors and the iconic victory pose she struck at the 2019 World Cup is the oldest player on the team. She already announced that her fourth World Cup would be her last.

“Ultimately, we’re at the World Cup. This is where everybody wants to be, whether you’re playing 90 minutes, whether you’re a game changer, whatever,” she said Sunday. “I think it’s a lot similar to what I thought it would be — bringing all the experience that I can, all the experience that I have, and ultimately being ready whenever my number is called up.”

Rapinoe has played limited minutes so far, coming in as a substitute in the 3-0 victory over Vietnam in the tournament opener, which was her 200th career appearance for the team.

She was available but didn’t play in the disappointing 1-1 draw with the Netherlands on Thursday in Wellington. U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski made just one substitution in the match, bringing in midfielder Rose Lavelle after the first half.

“I think all of us on the bench, it’s like we think we should be on the field as much as the players on the field believe that they should be on the field,” Rapinoe said. “Every player on the field that starts the game thinks that they should play 90 minutes, and every player who doesn’t, who is a sub, thinks that they should be on at some point.”

The United States has won the last two World Cups, but the players find themselves in a more precarious position as they chase an unprecedented third consecutive title. The Americans need at least a draw going into the final group match against Portugal on Tuesday at Eden Park in Auckland.

The Americans top Group E, even on points with the Netherlands, but hold the edge because of goal difference. Portugal, which beat Vietnam, could send the United States home early with a win over the Americans.

“We’re unsatisfied with the way we played, but we know there are areas that we can be better and I think there’s some really simple fixes we can do to put ourselves in a better position to have more joy on the ball, especially in the final third,” Rapinoe said. “I think everybody’s looking at this like `Let’s go.’”

At the 2019 World Cup in France, Rapinoe scored six goals over the course of the tournament, including a penalty in a 2-0 victory over the Netherlands in the final. She also finished with three assists and claimed both the Golden Boot and the Golden Ball for the best overall player.

Rapinoe, who is engaged to former WNBA star Sue Bird, has been a leader on and off the field.

She made headlines during the 2019 tournament when she said she wouldn’t visit the White House if the United States won. Her decision was based on her disdain for then-President Donald Trump, and the team did not go to the White House after winning its second World Cup.

And in the midst of a dispute with U.S. Soccer over equal pay with the men’s national team, Rapinoe helped the women hold firm on their position.

“I just think back to 2019 in particular. We didn’t really talk about it a lot as a group but we were like, `Well, we have to win. This is kind of like a must-win World Cup for us.’ And I think it did give us confidence,” she said. “It pressured us, but I think we also knew that we could handle it and it was almost a mandatory upping of our level to be able to match everything that we were saying off the field. I think in so many ways we were betting on ourselves.”

Rapinoe has won two Women’s World Cup titles and an Olympic gold medal with the United States. She also took home the Ballon d’Or and the Best FIFA Women’s Player awards — the game’s top individual honors — for her play in 2019.

As a fierce advocate for social justice issues, including gender equity and LGBTQ rights, she was awarded the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, by President Joe Biden last year.

The team also won a new contract that pays the players the same as their male counterparts.

“I’ve always tried to use whatever platform we have, and this platform was built long before I got here. We just continue to add to to it, to grow the game, to make the world a better place, to use our voices, to advocate for more,” she said.

At this World Cup, she’s passing that legacy on to younger generation. Fourteen of the U.S. players are playing in their first World Cup. In 2019, Carli Lloyd was in a similar role of a player who was also something of a coach who led by example.

Rapinoe is doing that now.

“Still every day in training I’m like, `I’m gonna try to bust your ass,’ and that makes them better, that makes me better,” she said. “That makes the whole team better. So I think it’s been really rewarding. And I think ultimately, and I think that this gets lost, but I get to play in another World Cup.”

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Lance Lynn looking forward to ‘clean slate’ with Dodgers

• July 30, 2023

LOS ANGELES –The trade to the Dodgers this week has given Lance Lynn a clean slate. But he realizes nothing can entirely wipe away a 6.47 ERA.

“It’s a clean slate because you’re on a new team, but you don’t forget the last four months, either,” said Lynn who officially joined the Dodgers Sunday. “There’s a lot of positives that you can take and the negatives that I’ve had this year, I need to figure out how to make sure those don’t come back up.”

Lynn’s negatives have been obvious. He has allowed more runs (94) and home runs (28) than any pitcher in baseball and more hits (130) than anyone in the American League where he spent the first four months with the Chicago White Sox.

But Lynn looks at other things – like a career-high strikeout rate (10.8 per nine innings) – and knows he must be doing something right.

“I’ve had some ups and downs this year, for sure,” he said. “When you look at ERA and wins and losses, it’s the worst I’ve had in my career. And then you look at strikeouts per nine and stuff like that, they’re the best I’ve ever had.

“It’s been a weird year, but hopefully we can make sure that the ERA and wins take care of themselves and we keep the other things going in a positive direction and maybe a change of scenery will help that.”

The Dodgers are also likely to have some suggestions for Lynn on pitch usage and sequencing. But Lynn said Sunday morning that he hadn’t had that conversation with pitching coaches Mark Prior and Connor McGuiness yet.

“I just got here today. So I’m just kind of putting names with faces right now,” said Lynn who rode to the stadium with fellow White Sox evacuee and friend Joe Kelly. “I’m going to throw a bullpen and we’ll get a chance to talk after that. Right now I’m just trying to stay ready for when my turn is going to be and go from there.

“I physically feel good. So when you feel good, you know that you can go out there and be capable of a lot of things.”

The plan is for Lynn to start Tuesday against the Oakland A’s, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, giving him five days’ rest since his last start with the White Sox. Right-hander Tony Gonsolin will start Wednesday while left-hander Julio Urias gets pushed back to Thursday, That will give Urias eight days off between starts to let a cracked nail resolve itself, Roberts said.

BETTS STATUS

Mookie Betts was out of the starting lineup for the second consecutive game Sunday due to a sore right ankle. Betts injured his ankle while avoiding a pitch during Friday’s game but Roberts said the swelling has gone down and he expects Betts to be back in the lineup after the off day Monday.

“Could he play (Sunday)? Certainly. With an off day tomorrow, is it more beneficial to potentially give him three days off? Absolutely,” Roberts said. “I thought it was a no-brainer to give him that extra day.”

Roberts said the ankle will not limit Betts to right field or second base and he will be “available for anything” when he returns.

ROSARIO WORK

Acquired from the Cleveland Guardians this week, Amed Rosario has been almost exclusively a shortstop during his career. But the Dodgers plan to use Rosario at second base and in the outfield.

Rosario was on the field before Sunday’s game working with coaches Dino Ebel and Chris Woodward at second base. Rosario has never played there before but Roberts said he would be comfortable playing Rosario there immediately.

ALSO

In order to add Lynn to the active roster, the Dodgers optioned right-hander Tyson Miller back to Triple-A Oklahoma City. It is Miller’s fifth option this season (between the Dodgers and Brewers) so if he is promoted again he cannot be returned to the minors without clearing waivers first.

UP NEXT

The Dodgers are off Monday.

Athletics (TBD) at Dodgers (RHP Lance Lynn, 6-9, 6.47  ERA), Tuesday, 7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, MLB Network, 570 AM

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Laguna Woods City Council approves cannabis dispensary ordinance

• July 30, 2023

Laguna Woods is closer to a possible legal marijuana dispensary opening within its borders.

The City Council on July 19 approved the first reading of an ordinance on business regulations for cannabis storefront retailers in the city. Voting for the ordinance were Mayor Cynthia Conners and councilmembers Shari Horne and Annie McCary, and voting against were councilmembers Carol Moore and Noel Hatch.

The ordinance now goes to a second reading, scheduled for the council’s regular meeting in August.

Before the vote, the council noted that cannabis remains illegal under federal law, being classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance under the federal Controlled Substances Act. However, marijuana was legalized under state law once California voters approved Proposition 64 in 2016.

The council also noted that the cities of Costa Mesa, Santa Ana and Stanton allow cannabis storefront retailers, but the Orange County Sheriff’s Department remains opposed to such businesses.

Also brought up was the 10% tax that the city would impose on cannabis sales (on top of a 15% state excise tax). The city’s tax was set due to potentially increased law enforcement costs, the council said.

Councilmembers heard from nearly 20 people at their meeting, around half of them Laguna Woods Village residents and the rest cannabis consultants and advocates and representatives of marijuana dispensaries outside Laguna Woods.

Village residents opposed to a cannabis dispensary in the city expressed concerns about the potential for increased traffic, security issues and general disturbance to the peace of a retirement community.

They noted that Village cannabis users have other options: the dispensaries in the three other cities, including a free shuttle service to a dispensary in Santa Ana, along with delivery services.

“I voiced my concerns for the safety of our residents with what I see will cause increased traffic and unknown entities coming to our retirement village from all parts of the county, as well as concern for our villagers driving under the influence,” Village resident Pat Micone said in an email after the meeting.

She added that she hopes the City Council will delay a decision to allow all Village residents to weigh in on the matter.

Kathryn Freshley said she believes a dispensary in Laguna Woods would be “providing convenience for the few with the risk of security for the many.”

She said she has been observing the comings and goings at a dispensary that has been operating in Laguna Woods without city approval for about a month.

“I have watched that shop for several evenings and afternoons over the past month,” she said, noting that mostly men ages 20 to 40 seem to be visiting. “I have never seen a senior go into the shop.”

Freshley added, “Do we want to be the only legal outlet in South Orange County? Why aren’t Laguna Hills, Lake Forest, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo and Dana Point authorizing legal marijuana outlets in their cities? They have the younger generation who are the most users.”

Village residents in favor of a cannabis dispensary in Laguna Woods emphasized that, for many, marijuana is a medicinal aid that helps alleviate pain. Some said their chronic pain makes the long drive to Santa Ana, or even sitting on a bus for the ride to the city, unbearable. Delivery is not an option, they said, because there are too many unknowns.

“Many residents are intimidated by the drive (to other dispensaries), being in a strange place and dealing with young people who don’t understand the needs and mindset of seniors,” Virginia Rettig said in an email. “The whole process can be exhausting, mentally and physically.”

A Laguna Woods dispensary “hopefully would have bud tenders that would be older and experienced in geriatric needs and medical conditions,” she added.

Residents “should not have to travel to a Santa Ana dispensary to buy what they need and want,” said Jonathan Adler. Instead, he said, residents should be able to buy cannabis products “conveniently and safely, near home, in our city.”

Councilmembers Horne and Moore weighed in on their reasons for voting the way they did.

“It is something our residents want and have voted for repeatedly,” Horne said. “They get great benefit from it for lots of issues: relaxation, nausea, better appetite and pain control.”

Moore said that although she is OK with people using cannabis, she noted in an email “two very troubling aspects”: She believes the 10% tax is too high and the draft ordinance gives preferential treatment to one outfit that hopes to set up shop in Laguna Woods.

​ Orange County Register 

Angels salvage final game in Toronto with 10-inning victory

• July 30, 2023

TORONTO — The Angels’ drought with runners in scoring position was ended by a player who has struggled all year in that spot.

Hunter Renfroe hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning to give the Angels a 3-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday afternoon.

Before Renfroe pulled a ball inside the left field pole, driving in automatic runner Mike Moustakas, the Angels had been 0 for 10 with runners in scoring position in the game, and 0 for 27 in the three-game series.

Renfroe, who had driven in the other run with a sacrifice fly, was hitting .163 with runners in scoring position for the season.

Closer Carlos Estévez, who had pitched a perfect ninth to get to the game to extra innings, then worked the 10th. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled to drive in the automatic runner and then Matt Chapman walked.

Estévez then struck out George Springer and Cavan Biggio and he got Danny Jansen on a flyout, as the Angels salvaged one game out of the series.

The Angels came into Toronto trailing the Blue Jays by three games in the race for a wild card spot, and they leave town down by four games.

Renfroe, who also had two hits, was one of only two players in the Angels lineup who was in the Opening Day lineup, along with Shohei Ohtani.

Otherwise, injuries have shredded the Angels lineup. For much of the past month, they’ve managed solid production from the replacements, but not this weekend in Toronto.

Despite the lack of offense, they stayed close on Sunday because of strong performances by their pitchers.

Left-hander Tyler Anderson, who is seemingly now the Angels’ No. 6 starter, gave up one run in 6-1/3 innings.

After a rough start to the season, Anderson has settled in and produced more like the pitcher the Angels expected based on his career track record. He has a 3.53 ERA in seven starts since June 18.

Matt Moore picked up five outs before Estévez recorded the final six.

More to come on this story.

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