The Voice Behind Stu News
Residents of Laguna Beach know where to find the news that matters most to them — Stu News Laguna. Stu News Laguna evolved into a trusted source of community news since its inception in 2009. Founder Stu Saffer, who edited and ran conventional newspapers for years, acted on a unique vision and business model — an online news source that mimicked the look and feel of a printed newspaper. This exciting, community-focused concept prompted Shaena Stabler to partner with Stu in 2011.
“I saw what he was doing and was really excited by the idea of an online newspaper that functioned like a real community newspaper,” Shaena said.
For many years, Stu ran the news, and Shaena ran the business end of the paper. They found a true partnership and friendship, which unfortunately came to a sad end when Stu died in May 2017. In the wake of his passing, Shaena took the helm.
“The beautiful thing is, I get to honor him every day,” Shaena said. “It’s Stu News. It’s his name.”
Growing Stu’s legacy of community and connection, Shaena would love nothing more than to see a Stu News in every neighborhood. At the heart of everything for Shaena is that search for relationship. Connecting with people is what makes Stu News Laguna so successful, and it’s what drives Shaena’s musical ambitions.
A talented singer/songwriter, Shaena has released multiple original songs and music videos. Performing and having a community of artists and listeners “was almost like an extension of Stu News. The music always felt like something that brought people together.”
Stu became her biggest fan. After his death, all her focus shifted to the online news source, but Shaena hopes to continue to pursue her music once she finds a partner to help with the company’s day-today management.
“When Stu passed, I really didn’t have time to pursue [music] anymore, so I’ve put that on a backburner,” she said. “But, I’ve started drumming … and it’s a huge outlet for me.”
Her post-pandemic goal is to get up on stage as a drummer. She’s looking forward to continuing to write songs and working in collaboration with other artists. Even though music is a part of her future goals, Shaena is adamant that she has a longterm future with Stu News. There’s room in her heart for two passions.
“They are in tandem, but it’s nice to have the art side, because that is what’s unique about Laguna,” she said. “You can be whoever you want to be in this town. You can run a business, and you can also be pursuing art … there are no boxes."
Photos by Mary Hurlbut and Mike Altishin
What is something every Laguna resident should do/go experience?
“The Pageant of the Masters. It’s living pictures, so paintings brought to life in an amphitheater setting. It’ll bring you to tears, it’s so beautiful. Every year, it is what I look forward to the most of all the events that we have that I go to on a non-pandemic year is the Pageant of the Masters’ opening night. I’m so happy on that night. It’s so Laguna, but it’s also epic. Every year, it’s a new theme, so the paintings are all different. But usually, the Last Supper is the last one. It’s all the words you could use to describe something that you’ve never experienced until you experience it, and then you want to experience it again."
What do you love about Laguna Beach?
“You can be whoever you want to be here. It’s the feeling of inclusivity that I feel when I’m walking. I certainly love that it’s an artist colony, that it was built on the arts. I love looking out and seeing the ocean and the sunsets. This view is like a painting every night. The sense of community. I love that it’s a small town, but also that it has a lot of the amenities and the excitement of a larger city, with the art and festivals, music, restaurants — kind of like the best of both worlds.”
What is your favorite Laguna local spot?
“I love Heisler Park, walking up to Crescent Bay, taking Cliff Drive and walking up, and doing a loop from Main Beach. Heisler Park has all this amazing public art. There’s public art everywhere in Laguna; but at Heilser Park, everywhere you turn there’s public art, and it’s beautiful.”
by: Lauren Salinero
