Town Crier: Week of March 17
LOCA Presents Big Thirtieth Birthday Bash
LOCA Arts Education invites all art lovers to a birthday bash fundraising event to celebrate 30 years of LOCA’s service in Laguna Beach. Festivities will take place on March 26 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Bridge Hall at Neighborhood Congregational Church.
Partygoers will enjoy gourmet foods, wine, and festive games for grownups, including a bash-the-pinata and a “Laguna Gothic” photo booth inspired by Grant Wood’s American Gothic painting. The photo booth, created by artists Cindy Fletcher and Lisa Mansour, will be a life-size mural to step into and pose in.
“We’ll have fun costume pieces to wear, including a Frida Khalo headpiece and eyebrows,” Fletcher said. “It’s a place to play and have a laugh during the party.”
Mike Tauber and Joy Vansell will run the musical cakewalk contest and Sharbie Higuchi will call the winners.
“Everyone walks on numbered squares, the music stops, and a number is called. The person standing on the winning square gets to run to the cake display and claim their favorite to take home,” said Tauber. “However, we require that the winner scream out loud, really loud, to qualify!” he said. “We’ll give away at least 10 cakes, both homemade and from bakeries,” said Joy Vansell. “A favorite is a citrus cheesecake topped with mandarin oranges made by Vinita Voogd,” she said. “It’s usually the first to go.”
Everyone will receive a handcrafted ceramic gift, and those who take part in the wine pull will pick numbered corks and win bottled wine to take home. Auction items include a stay at The Montage Healdsburg, an Angels Jersey autographed by Mike Trout, earrings by local goldsmith Karin Worden, and a set of fantastic dog sculptures by Betty Haight and Kathy Jones, made just for this event. A live jazz trio will round out the fun.
Fundraiser proceeds support LOCA’s award-winning programs throughout Laguna Beach, serving people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. Tickets are available at LOCAarts.org.
Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade Presents Trophies
Two cherished Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade trophies have been presented to local organizations that support our community. The Grand Marshal’s trophy winner is No Square Theatre, celebrating the 30th anniversary of “Lagunatics” and the President’s trophy was awarded to the Pageant of the Masters. For further information or to donate to the Patriots Day Parade 501c3 non profit, email Sandi Werthe at [email protected] or phone (949)494-6016.”
John Gardiner Community Poetry Contest Accepting Submissions
April marks the 25th Annual John Gardiner Community Poetry Contest. The contest, put on by the Laguna Beach Library, is open to all ages. Submissions are accepted from April 1 to 30. A public reading of the winning poems will be held on June 3 at 11 a.m. Poets can submit their work, or get more information about the contest, by emailing Laguna Beach Library at [email protected]. The library asks applicants to include the following information: name, address, phone number and indicate grade level or adult.
Tickets are selling out fast for Susi Q’s “Evening with an Author” featuring Susan Straight
Tickets are selling out fast for “An Evening with an Author,” featuring renowned novelist Susan Straight at the nonprofit Susi Q Center. The event takes place on March 29 from 5 to 7 p.m., with doors opening at 4:30 p.m. for attendees who want to network while sipping wine and enjoying light hors d’oeuvres before the program.
Esteemed arts columnist, published short-story writer and podcaster Marrie Stone will be in conversation with Straight, who is renowned for her entertaining and insightful novels portraying the life and times of Southern California’s ethnically mixed communities.
The event is the first in a series of “Evenings with an Author” planned for the Susi Q. Author Janelle Brown is slated for June 6 and novelist Lisa See will be featured on Sept. 13.
Straight’s most recent best-seller, Mecca, is included in the $25 cost of the program.
“We like to think of the Susi Q as the place where the generations meet,” said Nadia Babayi, executive director, “and this event is a good example of programming that attracts every age group. We’re thrilled at the response.”
Laguna Beach Seniors operates the Susi Q, which was partly established to enable older adults to “age in place.”
“In Laguna Beach, ‘aging in place’ means you’re supported in your lifestyle and your own home as the years tick by, instead of feeling the need to move to a senior community,” Babayi said. “In that same vein, we encourage all age groups to attend our programs so that older adults don’t feel isolated from the community at large.”
Register online for “An Evening with an Author” at www.thesusiq.org and click on Classes. Participants can RSVP by phone by calling (949) 715-8105 or emailing [email protected].
The Susi Q offers various educational and fun programs, classes and clubs for older adults – though all ages are welcome. The Susi Q’s Care Management Department provides free consultation, education and practical resources for vulnerable seniors, enabling them to stay safe, informed, and independent. More information on The Susi Q can be found by visiting www.thesusiq.org.
Rotary Club Now Accepting Grant Applications
The Rotary Club of Laguna Beach is now accepting applications for community grants from non-profit organizations that offer programs and projects within the city, in the areas of health and human services, education, arts and culture, civic and community services. The club will accept applications through March 31 through its website at www.lagunabeachrotary.com. The grants will be awarded in late May.
The club’s community grant program is funded by Rotary Club events held throughout the year, including the Laguna Beach Car Show. Grant applications are evaluated on financial need and the impact to the community.
To learn more about the Rotary Club of Laguna Beach or become a member, visit the club’s website lagunabeachrotary.org.
Mimi & Rae to Celebrate One-Year Anniversary with Ribbon Cutting
On Friday, March 24, at 5:30 p.m., the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce welcomes the public to attend a one-year anniversary celebration with a ribbon cutting at Mimi & Rae apparel store.
“Upon the completion of our first year serving Laguna Beach and surrounding cities and visitors, we are pleased to become a member of an organization that supports the community, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and arts,” owner Mimi Lawhon said.
Mimi & Rae will be offering attendees 25% off their entire purchase. There will be a drawing to win a $150 gift card. Mimi & Rae is located at 664 S Coast Hwy, Laguna Beach. Mimi & Rae will also be providing wine, snacks and sweets. RSVPs can be made to the [email protected].
Laguna Art Museum March Events
March 19 at 11 a.m. – Sherman Library & Gardens: A History with Jill Thrasher
Sherman Library & Gardens’ fine art collection is traveling for the first time in 50 years. This selection of work attempts to reveal the unseen ties between individuals, land, and industry. Each artwork is an opportunity to make connections between past and present, tell a tale of local lore and notoriety and see the ties that weave California’s coastal and artistic communities together. Come hear Jill Thrasher, Sherman Library Director, discuss the connection between the artwork and the unique holdings of the Sherman Library.
March 26 at 10 a.m. – Feminist Art & Craftivism
In celebration of Women’s History Month, join the Laguna Art Museum for a lecture on feminist art presented by Katie Ruiz of The Women’s Museum of California. From the suffrage sashes and banners of the early 1900s to the pink knitted hats of the modern Women’s March movement, textiles and craft have played an important role as a messenger for women’s activism. By celebrating craftwork as a tool of artistic and political expression, and not only as private acts of women’s labor, we see how impactful women have been in our society.
