Doctors Fill the House

Friends and supporters filled Dizz’s As Is for a recent fundraiser that raised $16,000 to benefit The Women’s Hospital at Saddleback Memorial.

The casual atmosphere is a favorite among the physician guests, who wear funny t-shirts and serve as the wait staff.

The 18^th year proved bittersweet as well as guests felt the absence of Marc Pitz, one of the Dizz’s As Is owners who helped organize the event in previous years. Pitz died from pancreatic cancer this year. The Foundation presented his father Marcel Pitz and brother Dominic Pitz with special event shirts bearing Marc’s photo.

Another change arrived with Steve Geidt, who returns every year as the live auctioneer. This year, though, the chief executive asked for auction bids from his successor Marcia Manker, the new Saddleback chief executive.

 

 

 

Annual Holiday Market Returns

Neighborhood Congregational Church will hold their Joy of Giving Holiday Market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3, and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6 in Bridge Hall, 340 St. Ann’s Dr.

The market is free and open to the public and offers goods from Nepal, Africa, India, Central and South America. Shoppers can also make gift donations in the name of a friend or loved one that support projects which can change lives, build communities and open doors of opportunity. Handcrafted items from Laguna Beach non-profits and from Concern America in Santa Ana will also be on sale.  Enjoy homemade treats while shopping or, on Saturday, a ‘Lisa Lunch’ for $5.

Parking is free at Cleo and Glenneyre Streets. Visit www.ncclaguna.org for additional information.

 

Ocean Blue Sale Benefits a Special Nonprofit

Ocean Blue Salon & Beauty Center hosts a sale Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., to benefit the Aurelia Foundation, which supports young adults with special needs.

Foundation founder Kym Karath, who performed as the youngest of the Von Trapp children in the original “Sound of Music,” will be on hand to support the event. Proceeds come from a $1 raffle featuring $1,000 in donated prizes.

The event will also feature a trunk show by local jewelry designer Nancy Deline, who contributed a piece for the raffle. Products will be discounted 20 percent and the first 50 guests through the door at 30882 S. Coast Highway will receive a “goodie” bag.

Visit OceanBlueSalonLaguna.com for more info.

 

Reporter Recounts Tollroad Battle

Los Angeles Times report Dan Weikel, who covered the wave of opposition to the 241 tollroad through Trestles Beach, is the guest speaker of the Laguna Canyon Conservancy on Monday, Dec. 5. He will discuss details of the settlement to halt the extension and other transportation issues.

The 6 p.m. dinner takes place at Tivoli Too, 777 Laguna Canyon Rd. RSVP to 949 306-0122.

 

Spark of Love Toy Drive Sets Out

The Laguna Beach Fire Department will be taking part in the annual Spark of Love toy drive, which with other agencies collect and distribute approximately 300,000 toys annually to disadvantaged children who would otherwise not be receiving gifts this holiday season.

Each station in town will serve as drop-off sites for new, unwrapped toys or sports equipment. Toy request and family referral sheets are also available at all Orange County fire stations.

Club Q, a social group for Laguna’s LGBT community, gets a jump on the drive, delivering a load of toys Friday, Dec. 5, at 5 p.m. Police Chief Laura Farinella will accept the contributions personally, says senior center spokeswoman Jo Ann Ekblad in a statement.

 

Youth Theatre Auditions Begin At No Square

No Square Youth Theatre Director Ella Wyatt is looking for singers, dancers, actors, and musicians from age 8 to 18 to appear in a February production of “School of Rock.” Audition appointments are Monday, Dec. 5, and Tuesday, Dec. 6, starting at 4 p.m.

Some lead roles require the performance of rock music on guitar or keyboards. Featured and supporting roles require singing ability in pop/rock style. Rehearsals begin in December and continue in January after the holiday break at local schools.

For more info: visit nosquare.org/auditions.

 

 

A Way to Make a Difference

Over 1,000 volunteers are needed for the Point in Time Count & Survey, a biennial tally of people without a home which will take place Jan. 28, conducted by 2-1-1, an information and referral system for low-cost services based in Santa Ana.

The results will shape the county’s approach to homelessness, says its chief executive, Karen Williams. To volunteer, dial 2-1-1.

Williams participated in a recent panel discussion in Laguna Beach on the housing challenges in Orange County as part of the National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Month.

 

Holidays Light Up Heritage Hill Historical Park

Experience holiday traditions at Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest, 25151 Serrano Road. These include a Victorian Christmas fair Saturday, Dec. 3, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the park’s 31st annual Candlelight Walk, Dec. 10-11, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., where hundreds of luminarias will light the park’s pathways as strolling carolers and musicians fill the air with music.

Admission for each event is $5. Tickets are sold at the park gate on the day of the event.

 

 

 

 

 

Wreaths Serve as a Reminder

The Patience Wright Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will hang wreaths over graves of veterans at Pacific View Cemetery in Corona del Mar Saturday, Dec. 17.

It’s part of a national Wreaths Across America effort to honor those who served.

Info: visit http://laguna.californiadar.org.

 

Moulin Pours a New Release

Singer April Walsh, who annually performs in the Fête de la Musique street music festival in Laguna Beach, was the star of a recent Laguna Beach Sister Cities Association reception.

The event took place at Moulin and featured the release of the 2017 beaujolais nouveau. Menton, France, was the first of Laguna’s sister cities.