Rock On at the Nix Nature Center
OC Parks and the Laguna Canyon Foundation invite the community to join local geologist and teacher Maureen Angle at the Nix Nature Center on Saturday, Feb. 4, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. as she shares her rock and fossil collections and tells the story of how this wilderness was formed. Space is limited. To reserve a spot and for more information visit www.lagunacanyon.org.
Imagine a Retreat to Bali
Trip leaders Betsy Gosselin and Karen O’Connell will hold an informational meeting about their upcoming retreats to Bali in May, which will include both yoga and qigong instruction along with cultural excursions and the chance to swim beneath waterfalls and snorkel in pristine waters. Relax, breathe and imagine yourself in Bali on a retreat for your mind and body. There will also be opportunities to join in a non-profit’s work to aid impoverished villagers.
For more information and the location of the “Introduction to Bali” presentation, contact [email protected] (949) 497-9425 or [email protected] (949) 683-5683.
Hare Krishna Hosts Free Vegetarian Feast
Hare Krishna Cultural Center, 285 Legion St. (corner of Glenneyre), will host a free vegetarian feast and festival on Sunday, Feb. 5. The program starts at 5 p.m. and the food will be served at 7:30 p.m.
Walk the Labyrinth, Find Your Core
The Neighborhood Congregational Church will open its Labyrinth in Bridge Hall to the community on Sunday, Feb. 5, in honor of St. Valentine and the February celebration of Valentine’s Day. All people of any faith persuasion or lifestyle are invited to walk the Labyrinth any time between 2 and 4:30 p.m. No charge or donation is required. The Labyrinth is a gift Neighborhood Church enjoys sharing with the community.
According to Labyrinth coordinator Karen Gaither, this labyrinth-opening will focus on “The Path of the Heart.” The unicursal or one-path design of the labyrinth gently guides people to its center, helping people travel the inward journey to each person’s inner core. Neighborhood Congregational Church opens its Labyrinth periodically throughout the year, and under Gaither’s leadership, the community can anticipate many opportunities in 2012 to walk the labyrinth.
NCC is located at 340 St. Ann’s Dr., and the entrance to Bridge Hall is up the stairs through the center courtyard. Call 949-494-8061 or visit www.ncclaguna.org for more information.
Practice Yoga by Candlelight
SEEDS Arts and Education, Inc., in partnership with Anneliese Schools, offers a peaceful night of holistic yoga and wellness by candlelight on Tuesdays from 6 to 7 p.m. Participate in an evening of rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation through light stretching, gentle yoga poses and conscious breathing by the glow of candles, guided by Andrea Deerheart, phDc and yoga teacher.
Held at Anneliese School’s Willowbrook Campus, 20062 Laguna Canyon Rd., the class is $50 for a monthly pass, $15 for a drop-in and $5 for educators and caregivers. Please RSVP to 949-322-9597 or [email protected].
Friend of the Hortense Miller Garden Hosts Annual Meeting
The public is invited to join the Friends of the Hortense Miller Garden on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 6:30 p.m. for their annual meeting in the game room of the Susi Q Center, 380 Third Street. The meeting will include a feature presentation of vintage videotapes of Hortense, the garden and residence. Refreshments will be served and parking is available on the ground floor.
Hayden Discusses ‘The Year of the Protestor’
Activist and author Tom Hayden will speak on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 7 p.m. on protesting at an event hosted by the Laguna Beach Democratic Club at the UU Fellowship of Laguna Beach, 429 Cypress Dr. For more info, contact Marion Pack at 949-922-3273 or [email protected], or visit www.lagunabeachdemocraticclub.com.
Transition Laguna Hosts ‘Visioning 2012’ Potluck
Transition Laguna will host their “Visioning 2012” potluck event on Thursday, Feb. 9, at 6:30 p.m. at the Neighborhood Congregational Church, 340 St. Ann’s Dr. Members will use the occasion to bond together and share all of the things they hope to accomplish to make Laguna more sustainable and community oriented, short-term and long. They also seek volunteers and ambassadors to help with several special events they are planning and encourage the public to join their growing community of active, engaged eco citizens.
The evening begins with a potluck meal and a silent auction fundraiser, followed by a brainstorming session to set an action plan for the coming year. Bring a dish or beverage to share, as well as your ideas. If you have any donations for the silent auction, they can be dropped off at La Vida Laguna Eco Tours, Coast Highway and Boat Canyon, on any weekday, during business hours, through Feb. 9.
Book Swap Encourages Recycling
Thurston PTA will be hold their annual Book Swap on Feb. 9. Recycling, re-using and reading is the theme for the Book Swap, giving new life to gently used books for 6th, 7th and 8th graders. This is a great opportunity to promote the joy of reading among middle schoolers who are looking for something new to peruse.
The community is invited to help with the project by delivering books appropriate for 6th, 7th and 8th graders to Thurston Middle School through Feb. 8. Bookstore gift card donations are also being accepted for the event, which will be used to purchase age-appropriate books. Contact Sheri Morgan for more information at [email protected].
Learn More About AFS Study Abroad
Laguna Beach High School students interested in study abroad for a summer, semester or year are invited to hear Peter Maris, the AFS regional director at SDL, to be held in Senior Ortiz’s room 80 at the high school at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9.
Laguna’s AFS chapter is offering $1,000 off tuition for LBHS students who spend a high school semester or year abroad. After graduation GAP year programs are still open for class of 2012. Interest forms and information for hosting next year’s exchange students will also be available. And, if you cannot go abroad, consider hosting an AFS foreign student. For details, visit www.afsusa.org.
Laguna Beach Garden Club Celebrates Valentines
At the upcoming meeting of the Laguna Beach Garden Club on Friday, Feb. 10, bring home a special gift for your valentine and help add to the garden club’s local scholarships fund.
The garden club will hold a Valentine silent auction for a planted container lovingly created by a garden club member. In addition to the silent auction, there will be a Gardening Secrets exchange session in which participants share information about successful gardening techniques, favorite gardening tools, amazing blooms, delicious vegetables, favorite species, thorny problems solved, favorite organic products, etc.
For club members and guests the meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. at the new location in Tankersley Hall at the Presbyterian Church at Forest and 2nd St., with a social half-hour and silent auction bidding followed by a half-hour business meeting. The Gardening Secrets exchange session starts approximately 10:30 a.m.
For more information visit www.lagunabeachgardenclub.org.
February Events at the Susi Q
The Susi Q Center, 380 Third Street, is offering a variety of classes throughout February:
Free brain exercise class Fridays: Every Friday, a free brain exercise class will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. in which students will engage in a neurobic workout designed to enhance memory and learning instructed by Pat Glavine.
Low-cost counseling: If you are age 55+ and struggle with the blues, the Susi Q offers low cost private counseling for both men and women with a licensed therapist. Call for an appointment: 497-2441.
Floral arrangements: Design floral arrangements in a class taught by Debby Neville on Friday, Feb 10 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. for $20 per class or $25 for the class and supply fee.
Free tax preparation: Free tax preparation appointments with IRS-trained volunteers are offered every Wednesday and Thursday now through April 15. Call for an appointment: 497-2441.
Free Medicare assistance: On the second and fourth Thursday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Susi Q center and the Council on Aging offer free health insurance counseling by appointment: 497-2441.
Free estate planning advice: Twice a month the Susi Q offers free estate planning legal advice on estate administration, elder law, estate planning and conservatorships from their two volunteer attorneys Leslie Daff and Amy Huff. Call for information: 497-2441.
Laguna Bookseller Takes Page at Antiquarian Book Fair
Laguna Beach rare bookseller and owner of Barnaby Rudge Booksellers Ed Postal will be among the 200 international and U.S. dealers flocking to the California International Antiquarian Book Fair on Feb. 10 – 12 at the Pasadena Convention Center.
The book fair is an attraction for thousands of collectors of rare books who go to shop, learn and meet other bibliophiles. For more information, visit www.labookfair.com or call 800-454-6401.
Biz Club Announces New Board
The Laguna Beach Business Club, a group of business professionals who live or work in the community, has announced its new board members: Bart A Zandbergen, CFP – president; Nicole Anderson, attorney – vice president; Lonnie Seide, attorney – secretary; and Jerry Immel – treasurer.
Laguna Beach mayor Jane Egly will be the special guest speaker at LBBC’s next meeting, to be held Thursday, Feb. 16 at 7:30 a.m. at the Hotel Laguna. The cost to guests is $25 and includes breakfast. RSVP to Bart Zandbergen at [email protected] or 949-455-0300.
Seniors Join Kids in Celebrating Heroism
Laguna Beach seniors and students will soon join forces in a 12-week “Celebrate Heroism” workshop program that enables participants to contemplate heroism, discuss heroic deeds and figures, create inspirational media and share it with others through www.myhero.com, the Laguna Hero Fest and partnering venues.
Led by MY HERO’s media arts education director Wendy Milette, the workshop will begin in late February and include inspirational film screenings, discussions of heroic deeds and figures, dynamic speakers from our community, fieldtrips, and art and film production projects. Possible speakers include representatives from the Laguna Canyon Foundation, park rangers from Laguna Wilderness and local police officers and a potential fieldtrip to the Crystal Cove Alliance may be involved as well.
The workshops will culminate in an exhibition of student work for family members on June 6, and artwork will be displayed in the children’s section of the Laguna Beach Public Library.
