Laguna Beach Boys & Girls Club celebrates opening of Dream Play Yard

Not quite three years have passed since a gathering in the backyard of the Boys & Girls Club in Laguna Beach promised funding for a playground of kids' dreams.
Local dignitaries and public officials returned to the site on Friday to participate in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the now open Dream Play Yard at the branch located at 1085 Laguna Canyon Road.
'They've been waiting, years of just gossip about the playground potentially happening,' said Kelsi Briggs, director of the Laguna Canyon branch. 'I'm sure it felt like decades for them. … The day it opened and we were allowed to play on it, we let [the children] do it right away. We opened the doors, they ran out, smiles literally ear to ear from kids and staff.
'Kids were rolling on the grass. They haven't seen grass out here before, so it was a big, huge thing for them. … We haven't opened our games room very much recently because they just want to be outside, which is something that today, we don't see a lot of.'
Dozens of children sat at colorful, kid-sized tables eating lunch, and the public officials on hand spoke to them as their primary audience.
'This is a place for you to play, a place for you to make friends, and a place really for you to explore and flourish,' said Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-73), who in October 2022 presented the club with a check for $400,000 in state funding for the project.
Laguna Beach is now part of California's 72nd district, represented by Republican Assemblywoman Diane Dixon.
'It is so fantastic,' Dixon said. 'We, as elected officials, often go to openings of freeways, and big buildings, or bridges, which are important to the state of California, but this is really the fun. This is really what we're all here for — is to watch the smiles of young people enjoying this gift from the state of California, and thanks to Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris, because it's important to support the parks and other amenities that are a part of our community.'
Mayor Alex Rounaghi, Petrie-Norris and Dixon were among those who went down the slide on the playground following the ceremony, joined by various boys and girls eagerly awaiting their turn.
The amenities on site now include handball courts, basketball hoops, skate ramps, and a green turf for further outdoor activities.
'Play has always been an important part of a child's development, just as it's always been an important part of our Boys & Girls Club' said Pam Estes, the chief executive of the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach. 'If we want resilient and well-adjusted kids, we must let them play. Play is the natural way that kids learn. They develop empathy, creativity, communication and collaboration through it.
'Playing outdoors in the fresh air, it can have a special and powerful impact on their health and wellbeing. In today's world, free play has an even more important role in helping children understand themselves, the real world, and how to navigate, negotiate and contribute to it. We should all remember that play relieves stress and creates happiness.'

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Politico

an hour ago

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Republican plans to cap student borrowing could shatter an everyday profession

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Hamilton Spectator

2 hours ago

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US strikes 3 Iranian nuclear sites, inserting itself into Israel's war with Iran

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The weapons are designed to penetrate the ground before exploding. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations. In addition, U.S. submarines launched about 30 Tomahawk missiles, according to another U.S. official who also spoke on condition of anonymity. The International Atomic Energy Agency wrote on X that there has been 'no increase in off-site radiation levels' after the strikes. 'The IAEA can confirm that no increase in off-site radiation levels has been reported as of this time,' it said. The 'IAEA will provide further assessments on situation in Iran as more information becomes available.' Trump's turn to strikes departs from some previous statements The strikes are a perilous decision for Trump, who won the White House on the promise of keeping America out of costly foreign conflicts and scoffed at the value of American interventionism. 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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Trump's decision to attack in a video message directed at the American president. 'Your bold decision to target Iran's nuclear facilities, with the awesome and righteous might of the United States, will change history,' he said. Netanyahu said the U.S. 'has done what no other country on earth could do.' The military showdown with Iran comes seven years after Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Obama-administration brokered agreement in 2018, calling it the 'worst deal ever.' Fears of a broader war U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was 'gravely alarmed' by the 'dangerous escalation' of American strikes. 'There is a growing risk that this conflict could rapidly get out of control — with catastrophic consequences for civilians, the region and the world,' he said in a statement. 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The group said of those dead, it identified 363 civilians and 215 security force personnel. Trump's decision for direct U.S. military intervention comes after his administration made an unsuccessful two-month push — including with high-level, direct negotiations with the Iranians — aimed at persuading Tehran to curb its nuclear program. ___ Madhani reported from Morristown, N.J. Associated Press writers Nasser Karimi and Mehdi Fattahi in Iran, Lolita Baldor in Narragansett, Rhode Island, Samy Magdy in Cairo, contributed to this story. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .

Axios

4 hours ago

• Axios

Top Democrats left in dark on Iran strike plans

Top Democrats on Capitol Hill say they weren't briefed in advance of the U.S. attack on Iran on Saturday, multiple sources familiar with the discussions told Axios. Why it matters: Democrats left Capitol Hill for the Juneteenth holiday recess without answers to what they said were basic questions about a potential strike against Iran. "Cost, duration, risk to our troops, strategy — the basics before we make a decision of this consequence," Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told Axios last week. Zoom in: Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), the top Democrats on the Senate and House Intelligence panels, weren't briefed before the attack, sources familiar told Axios on Saturday. Their Republican counterparts were given advance notice. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) was given what was described by a source as a perfunctory notice shortly before President Trump's announcement on Saturday night. Himes' committee staff received official notification about the strike from the Pentagon only after Trump made the announcement on social media, another source familiar with the events told Axios. Between the lines: Senators are scheduled to receive a classified briefing on the situation on Tuesday.