{"id":354921,"date":"2026-06-10T17:07:15","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T17:07:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/354921\/"},"modified":"2026-06-10T17:07:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T17:07:15","slug":"o-c-s-newest-night-out-talking-about-death-over-a-pint-of-beer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/354921\/","title":{"rendered":"O.C.’s newest night out: talking about death over a pint of beer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you visited Honey River Brewing<\/a> in Anaheim last Thursday night you might have seen a pink hearse parked outside. And if you were curious enough to peer through one of the vehicle\u2019s windows you may have spotted the pillow adorned with light-hearted words inviting a dearly departed one to climb on in.<\/p>\n

The hearse set the tone for what was going on indoors \u2014 the first ever Orange County gathering dubbed \u201cDrafts over Death,\u201d a conversation that has been held several times in Los Angeles and San Diego counties since it was first introduced in 2019, but took a bit of time getting here. <\/p>\n

One of our contributing writers, Eric Licas, covered the event for the Daily Pilot. He reported that about 50 people responded to the invitation to pull up a chair, have a beer and engage in the conversation many people simply avoid altogether.<\/p>\n

Barbara McMurray, a death doula from Laguna Beach, was one of the event organizers. She recalled that when her father died at the age of 87, none of his relatives knew what he wanted in terms of his final rites, or how his remains should be taken care of. They were all left guessing and hoping they could make the right decisions on his behalf. <\/p>\n

McMurray said Thursday that she wondered what people are thinking when they don\u2019t face the inevitable and plan ahead by discussing their final wishes before the grim reaper calls.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou thought you were never going to die if you didn\u2019t talk about it, if you didn\u2019t plan for it?\u201d she posited. \u201cThat\u2019s the one thing I would like people to understand. It\u2019s healthy and it\u2019s liberating to talk about what you want for your own death.\u201d<\/p>\n

McMurray is a member of the Orange County Deathworkers Alliance<\/a>. They partnered with Meadow Memorials<\/a> and the Death Network<\/a>, a San Diego-based education and support collective, to host Thursday\u2019s event. They were joined by Lisa Pahl, a hospice social worker who helped create a party game called the Death Deck, and Donnie Moore M.D., founder of San Diego-based Autonomy Health<\/a>. <\/p>\n

A lively conversation ensued, even as one of the evening\u2019s key topics was medical aid in dying, which is legal in California.<\/p>\n

Dr. Moore\u2019s practice has specialized in palliative care and medical aid in dying. He spoke about the reason people seek his assistance with the latter.<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir symptoms aren\u2019t really the driving force behind it,\u201d Moore said. \u201cIt\u2019s wanting control, wanting agency, wanting autonomy over their body, really wanting to control their death the way they were in control of their life \u2026 Most of my patients are at a certain point of readiness. Where they stand in their condition, they\u2019ve had a completed life, whatever that means to them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another participant Thursday was Tim Ringgold, a music therapist and member of the O.C. Deathworkers Alliance Death. He suggested the reason that a reluctance to talk about death here more so than in other counties he\u2019s observed (and perhaps why it took so long for Death over Drafts to come to the county) could be tied to a more \u201dperformative\u201d culture that \u201chas a tendency to emphasize discussions about wealth and achievement while downplaying anything that might undermine the outward appearance of success,\u201d Licas writes.<\/p>\n

For complete coverage of this unique event, including the thoughts of others who there to learn about the freedom that can come from discussing death, you can find the story here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

MORE NEWS \"The <\/p>\n

The proposed 132 townhomes would be spread out over 36 three-to-four story buildings in Newport Beach.<\/p>\n

(Screenshot by Gabriel San Rom\u00e1n)<\/p>\n

\u2022 The Newport Beach Planning Commission on Thursday gave its unanimous blessing to the development of 132 townhomes <\/a>at a site near John Wayne Airport on Dove Street that\u2019s currently occupied by two office buildings. Next, the project goes before the City Council for consideration. In April, the same developers, Lincoln Property Co., were given the OK to build the Residences, a 100-condominium community<\/a> at another office building on Quail Street, which is also in the airport area. <\/p>\n

\u2022 A proposed 72-unit, three-story apartment complex and accompanying one-story clubhouse to be built on a 2.1-acre site at 8550 Warner Ave. was shut down by the Fountain Valley City Council<\/a>, which would have had to a approve a zoning change. The site is currently home to an 18,782-square-foot commercial shopping center.<\/p>\n

\u2022 The incoming superintendent of schools for Laguna Beach Unified, Don Austin, told the school board at Thursday\u2019s meeting he considered the job at the district \u201ca calling.\u201d<\/a> Austin is the educator named to the job before the ink was dry on the forced resignation letter from Jason Glass, who was given the boot by the board majority last month. The 3-2 vote approving Austin\u2019s $450,000 (base salary) contract mirrored the vote taken when Glass was dismissed.<\/p>\n

\u2022 This year\u2019s Point in Time count of homeless individuals in Orange County showed an increase in both unsheltered and sheltered homeless people in San Clemente, the only south O.C. city not to show an overall downward trend, TimesOC reported. The San Clemente City Council is more than skeptical<\/a> of the count\u2019s accuracy and is disputing it. \u201cClose your ears,\u201d Mayor Rick Loeffler warned the audience during last Tuesday\u2019s City Council meeting. \u201cThis is bull\u2014.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 A routine effort on Friday to empty what the Orange County Health Care Agency called an \u201consite stormwater\/condensation tank located in an area unrelated to the incident site,\u201d led to the spillage of about 50 gallons of water at GKN Aerospace in Garden Grove, the location of the recent chemical crises, according to the Los Angeles Times, and testing was underway to learn whether or not the water contained any toxic chemicals<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2022 The city of Costa Mesa cut its ties with Priceless Pets<\/a> last week after working with the nonprofit rescue group for eight years. Priceless Pets had received 60 days\u2019 notice<\/a> from the city on March 19 indicating the group\u2019s inability to open a full-service animal shelter inside city limits violated the terms of a contract between the nonprofit and the city.<\/p>\n

CRIME \"An <\/p>\n

A Newport Coast man and CEO of an Iran-based technology company was arrested last Wednesday on federal charges accusing him of illegally supplying U.S.-origin networking and encryption equipment to Iran\u2019s military and nuclear establishment, according to prosecutors.<\/p>\n

(KTLA)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Jamshid Ghomi, 63, a dual U.S-Iran citizen who lives in Newport Coast, was arrested last week and charged with illegally supplying Iran\u2019s nuclear and military establishments <\/a>with U.S. computer technology in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. On Thursday, a federal court judge denied Ghomi bail<\/a>.<\/p>\n

COURTS<\/p>\n

\u2022 Laguna Niguel resident Justin Derek Jennings, 41, was sentenced Monday to 108 months in federal prison for shooting a semi-automatic rifle at a O.C. Sheriff\u2019s Department helicopter<\/a> on March 9, 2024. Jennings pleaded guilty to the charges last August.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Melissa Lynn Beisel, 41, has been charged with murder and a felony count of assault on a child with force likely to produce great bodily injury resulting in the death of her toddler son in Placentia last Sept. 22, City News Service reported. Beisel, a Fresno resident, did not make a plea at her arraignment Tuesday; it was was rescheduled for June 30 in the North Justice Center in Fullerton. <\/p>\n

PUBLIC SAFETY<\/p>\n

\u2022 There\u2019s a high rip current and high ocean drowning risk at the beaches this week: A beach hazards safety warning<\/a> was issued Tuesday by the National Weather Service that will be in effect until Thursday evening. The highest surf was expected at south-facing beaches, according to the NWS.<\/p>\n

\u2022 A 69-year-old transient pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle in Newport Beach<\/a>, officials said Thursday. Police responded to the collision about 4 p.m. Wednesday in the 3400 block of Irvine Avenue, near Bristol Street, police said.<\/p>\n

SPORTS \"USMNT <\/p>\n

U.S. men\u2019s soccer star Christian Pulisic signs autographs for fans during a World Cup training session at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine\u2019s Orange County Great Park on Monday.<\/p>\n

(Ronaldo Bolanos \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

\u2022 With 2026 FIFA World Cup matches set to get underway in L.A. Friday, 5,500 soccer fans \u2014 out of 32,000 people who applied \u2014 were given seats in Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine\u2019s Great Park Monday to watch the only public training of the U.S. men\u2019s national team, The Times reported<\/a>. \u201c[The] environment and facilities are crazy. It\u2019s more than we expect,\u201d U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino<\/a> said of the venue. \u201cWe are so grateful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2022 In columns by Eric Sondheimer, Katie Stith of JSerra<\/a> was named The Times\u2019 high school softball coach of the year for 2026 while JSerra\u2019s Liliana Escobar<\/a> was named softball player of the year.<\/p>\n

\"Newport <\/p>\n

Newport Harbor\u2019s Natalie McCarty, shown competing during the CIF Masters Meet in April, set the Orange County record for 300-meter hurdles on May 30 at the state championship meet held at Buchanan High in Clovis.<\/p>\n

(Eric Licas)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Newport Harbor High\u2019s Natalie McCarty finished her high school track career May 30 by setting an Orange County record in the girls\u2019 300-meter hurdles<\/a> in her final race as a Sailor. She clocked in at 41.74 seconds, placing third in the race in the CIF State track and field championships at Buchanan High in Clovis.<\/p>\n

\"Huntington <\/p>\n

Huntington Beach baseball coach Benji Medure holds up the trophy after the Oilers beat Cathedral Catholic in the CIF State Southern California Regional Division I final on Saturday.<\/p>\n

(James Carbone)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Huntington Beach High\u2019s baseball team beat Cathedral Catholic to claim the CIF State Southern California Regional Division I championship<\/a> Saturday, while their counterparts at Newport Harbor High walked away with the Division II championship<\/a> with its victory over Bakersfield Christian.<\/p>\n

\"Newport <\/p>\n

Newport Harbor baseball celebrates winning the CIF SoCal Regional Division II championship.<\/p>\n

(Jeremy Westerbeck)<\/p>\n

LIFE & LEISURE \"Clovis <\/p>\n

Clovis Hung earns his history degree this month as UCI\u2019s youngest School of Humanities graduate.<\/p>\n

(Steve Zylius \/ UC Irvine.)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Clovis Hung, 15, will collect his bachelor\u2019s degree in history from UC Irvine\u2019s School of Humanities on Sunday, the youngest person to ever do so. As if that\u2019s not impressive enough, by the time he\u2019d enrolled at UCI at the age of 13, he\u2019d already earned five associates degrees from Fullerton College. Check out this feature on Hung<\/a> for more about his varied interests and ambitions.<\/p>\n

\"Longtime <\/p>\n

Longtime employee Kay Nakauchi reflects on working for the Huntington Beach Union High School District for 68 years of service at the district offices.<\/p>\n

(Don Leach\/Daily Pilot)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Kay Nakauchi retired earlier this year after nearly seven decades (!) working for the Huntington Beach Union High School District<\/a>, where she was a stenographer, administrative secretary, executive secretary and certificated personnel secretary. Daily Pilot reporter Matt Szabo caught up with her on a recent day when she visited the district office for this interview<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Miss <\/p>\n

Miss Huntington Beach Gabrielle Samiy plants her orange rose in the Queen\u2019s Rose Garden during 61st Anniversary Queens\u2019 Rose Garden Ceremony at the Huntington Beach City Hall plaza in Huntington Beach on Friday, June 5, 2026. (Photo by James Carbone)<\/p>\n

(James Carbone\/James Carbone)<\/p>\n

\u2022 The 61st Anniversary Queens\u2019 Rose Gardens Ceremony<\/a> was held Friday in Huntington Beach, where the reigning Miss Huntington Beach, Gabrielle Samiy, planted a rose bush, \u201cRemember Me,\u201d that she selected for the garden. Also honored with memorial rose bushes were the late June Dugmore and Lee Love Ghione, both of whom were past presidents <\/a>of Huntington Beach Sand Dollars and passed away earlier this year.<\/p>\n

\"Elle <\/p>\n

Elle Fanning with Michael Angarano, who plays the fictional Fullerton College professor who gets Margo pregnant in \u201cMargo\u2019s Got Money Troubles.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Courtesy of Apple TV)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Apple TVs hit series \u201cMargo\u2019s Got Money Troubles,\u201d starring Elle Fanning and Michelle Pfeiffer, is putting a spotlight on the many charms of Fullerton<\/a>, including Fullerton College, which hosted the cast and crew for a few days of shooting. <\/p>\n

CALENDAR \"Visitors <\/p>\n

Visitors to the Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival Saturday will view a curated collection of 40 wooden-hull vessels.<\/p>\n

(Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival)<\/p>\n

\u2022 The Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival<\/a> will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. this Saturday, June 13, at the Balboa Yacht Club, 1801 Bayside Drive, Corona del Mar. This year\u2019s featured vessel is the tall ship Spirit of Dana Point, operated by the Ocean Institute<\/a>. Admission is $10 per person. Children ages 12 and under will be admitted free. A BBQ lunch and beverage service will also be available for an additional cost. More details can be found at newportbeachwoodenboatfestival.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2022 North OC YoungLives is planning its annual pancake breakfast and maker\u2019s fair for 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 20, at Harbor Light Church, 1734 Orange Ave., Costa Mesa. Adult tickets are $15; children 10 and under eat free. Proceeds will go toward helping teen parents and their children attend summer camp. For more information or tickets, visit northocyounglives.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2022 UC Irvine Langson Orange County Museum of Art has announced its upcoming exhibition, \u201cStaging California in Early Hollywood,\u201d will open June 26. This exhibition, which runs through Oct. 4, marks the consolidation of all UC Irvine Langson Museum programming under one roof at its Costa Mesa location, 3333 Avenue of the Arts. To learn more, visit ocma.art\/exhibitions<\/a>.<\/p>\n

KEEP IN TOUCH
We appreciate your help in making this the best newsletter it can be. Please send news tips, your memory of life in O.C. (photos welcome!) or comments to carol.cormaci@latimes.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"If you visited Honey River Brewing in Anaheim last Thursday night you might have seen a pink hearse…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":354922,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[163,165,164,9350,58123,6946,1583,588,58120,4840,58121,58122,35412,3226,12382,58124,8074],"class_list":["post-354921","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-anaheim","tag-anaheim","tag-anaheim-headlines","tag-anaheim-news","tag-coast","tag-costa-mesa-angler","tag-course","tag-hospital","tag-huntington-beach","tag-large-all-electric-hospital","tag-power","tag-single-life","tag-surf-city","tag-uc-irvine","tag-unit","tag-visitor","tag-wildlife-sanctuary","tag-world"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/354921","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=354921"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/354921\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/354922"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=354921"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=354921"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=354921"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}