Local residents and candidates are invited Thursday, Oct. 27, to visit the organizations that provide free or low-cost healthcare, food, legal services, emergency shelter beds and homelessness prevention programs in the city of Laguna Beach.
The Laguna Beach Community Clinic, 362 Third Ave., Friendship Shelter, 1335 S. Coast Highway, the Alternative Sleeping Location and the Laguna Food Pantry, 20652 Laguna Canyon Road and Seaside Legal Services, 301 Forest Ave., will open their doors from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. for tours and information gathering.
Barbara McMurray, a publicist for several of the organizations, organized a similar tour for candidates in 2014. “It proved to be a good way to connect City Council candidates with the mission of each of these nonprofits, see who they serve, and talk face-to-face with their directors to gain a greater understanding of their daily challenges and victories.”
Club Benefits from Ranch Party
Beau Bianchi and Kelsey LaRoche, who both attended the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach as kids, were recent honorees at the third annual Night at the Ranch fundraiser.
Co-chairs Steve Blue and Leif Hanson and more than 250 guests attended the event, which grossed over $200,000, they said. Every year the event honors local club alumni who have influenced the club and community with service and dedication.
The benefit took place Friday, Sept. 16.
Free Flu Shots Available
A free flu vaccination clinic is set for 9:30 a.m. to noon, Sunday, Oct. 16, in Tankersley Hall at Laguna Presbyterian Church, 415 Forest Ave. No appointment is necessary.
The church will also hold blood drive, Wednesday, Oct. 19. Contact Sandy Grim at [email protected] or 1-800-RED CROSS for an appointment.
Chamber Hoists Oktoberfest Laguna-Style
By the time Munich’s Oktoberfest ended, revelers left behind 680 articles of clothing, 660 wallets, 580 passports, and 220 keys. The Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce promises its Oktoberfest fall mixer Wednesday, Oct. 19, is sure to be as memorable, but for epicurean reasons.
Host Skyloft will offer samplings from a new fall menu, including the “secret” menu for locals. Musical entertainment by Michael Cartwright’s band will be provided.
The public is welcome to attend. Admission is $15 for members; $25 for non-members.
Purchase tickets at LagunaBeachChamber.org or 949 494-1018.
Laguna Beach Business Club Speaker Series
Local optometrist Dr. Michael Cook describes lifestyle, aging and genetics Thursday, Oct. 20, as the guest speaker of the Laguna Beach Business Club.
The 7:30 a.m. breakfast meeting convenes at the Hotel Laguna. Non-members are welcome.
RSVP at 949 455-0300 x218.
City Offers Parents a Child-Free Evening
Parents can enjoy an evening out while their children enjoy “kid time” in a safe, fun-filled environment on Friday, Oct. 21, through Parents’ Night Out, a Community Services Department program.
The cost is $20 for Laguna Beach residents and $25 for non-residents with sibling discounts available.
Register by Wednesday, Oct. 19, by contacting coordinator Patty Quilter, at 949 464-9535.
R Star Expands Its Sponsor Base
Himalayan Grill at Peter’s Landing Marina Complex, 16400 Pacific Coast Highway in Huntington Beach, is offering all diners the opportunity to donate to the Laguna Beach-based R Star Foundation.
If diners identify themselves as supporters, 20 percent of dining tabs will be donated to R Star, which supports education in rural villages in Nepal.
Reservations are recommended.
Learn more at www.RStarFoundation.org or call 949 497-4911.
‘Glee’ Cat Visits Youth Shelter
The Community Service Programs youth shelter in Laguna Beach hosted cat-actor, comedian and social activist Aragon the Cat and his owner CeCe Card on Saturday, Oct. 8.
The 24-pound therapy pet is featured in the television show “Glee.”
Animal Planet also filmed a segment for a documentary exploring service animals and their impact on the humans they assist.
The at-risk children from the shelter patted Aragon and listened as Card described her experience with animal therapy.
Photo: Shelter youth and Aragon.
Club Steps Aboard for a Night Cruise
About 30 members and guests of the Woman’s Club of Laguna Beach recently set out from Dana Point Harbor under a crescent moon on board an Ocean Institute ship to see bioluminescent sea life.
The white flashing lights came from plankton, tiny creatures about the size of a grain of sand brought up from 800 feet below. Biologists aboard the ship explained that light flickers are related to the cold temperature of the water and the darkness of the ocean bottom.
A highlight of the cruise was a close up view of a sun fish, a large white species with flippers and an open mouth, the heaviest known bony fish in the world.
Club president Barbara Crane organized the event, which included a barbecue dinner on the beach.
