I’m knee-deep in my big “Here’s the Best of June!” article - all my recommendations for enjoying the best culture and food and undeniable vortex in this town. That article will probably arrive Monday.
In the meantime, though, I thought I’d take a minute to call out two unsung heroes of the week:
It’s always a good idea to share good news, right??
The Fireman’s Pancake Breakfast at Heisler Park on Memorial Day was it’s usually smashing success. What most people don’t know is that Mozambique provided everything but the coffee (which came from Jedidiah) and the firemen (which came from the City, ha).
Mozambique’s kitchen staff showed up at 4:00 am to get everything set up and assembled. And then they provided ALL of the food, namely:
• 120 pounds of house-made pancake mix – enough to serve about 1,200 people.
• And 140 pounds of sausage, also estimated to serve between 1,000 and 1,200 plates (because we know someone always goes back for seconds).
And yep, it fed ALL the masses. I saw this on the LB Firefighters’ Instagram account, but thought I’d echo the sentiment.
Years ago, I was referred to this pillar of Laguna Beach, Dr. Michael Cook, by a former Skyloft GM who told me unswervingly that Dr. Cook saved his eyesight after an infection he acquired while surfing. I figured the guy was worth trusting my eyes with, too.
Thrity-five years ago … the same year Sinead O’Connor hit the top of the charts with Prince’s song, “Nothing Compares 2 You … Dr. Cook hung his shingle outside the little brown cottage directly behind the Heisler Building on Laguna Avenue.
For many years, he shared that space with longtime business partner, Dr. David Cler. And for many years, I’d stop in to see Dr. Cook for my annual eye checkup as well as my annual “vampire eyes” situation that unfailingly arrives in May.
He’s always been the most dapper and eclectic dresser (down to crazy socks that never match on purpose). And we’ve always had the most engaging, fun conversations about his “foodie” kids, the restaurants I’ve tried lately, and his purposeful travel done with both aplomb and the kind of curiosity I would attribute to Curious George.
When he closed up “i2iOptometry” several months ago and moved to a more relaxed schedule with Tayana Institute, I figured he was easing into retirement.
Not so for this guy. He now splits his time between the Tayana San Clemente office and their Laguna Hills office, and when my “vampire eyes” could take it no more, I tracked him to San Clemente for an appointment yesterday.
There he was, in all his dapper splendor – a proud peacock amidst fellow optometrists and ophthalmologists who were primarily clothed in scrubs. Turns out, he’s not interested in retiring any time soon (although he’s added crocheting to his scuba diving/hiking endeavors because his kids are threatening grandkids).
Unfortunately, he was pushed out of Laguna Beach by a landlord who had taken over his parents’ properties; the sudden increase in rent was mammoth. Although he tried negotiating and considered several other properties in Laguna Beach, he could find no solace in Laguna. So, he’s in San Clemente now, thankfully just three blocks east on Camino de Estrellla.
Sadly, we lost a true fixture here in Laguna Beach. But, turns out peacocks rarely fly far.
Here are his two office addresses if you want to track Dr. Cook down. This one-of-a-kind eye doc is worth the visit.
San Clemente - 653 Camino de los Mares, #103.
949-489-2218
Laguna Hills - 25200 La Paz Rd., #100.
949-489-2218
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.