Calendar

Friday

Mother Speaks Out

Anna Mendez, a mother who lost her son to bullying, will speak at the Laguna Beach Rotary Club’s weekly luncheon meeting at the Aliso Creek Inn, 31106 S. Coast Hwy. Cost is $20, including lunch. RSVP to Jim Cox at DrJimCox@yahoo.com.

Saturday

Literary Luncheon

The American Assn. of University Women Laguna Beach is holding is Literary Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Surf and Sand Resort. The 25th annual luncheon will include presentations from four women authors, book signings and a silent auction. For ticket information, contact chairwoman Dr. Diane Christopherson at (949) 497-3212 or go to aauw-lagunabeach.org.

Keep It Wild Volunteer Day

Help with Laguna Coast Wilderness Park restoration projects during Keep It Wild Volunteer Day from 8 to 11 a.m. Parking is free for volunteers. Sign up online at https://www.lagunacanyon.org/activities.html.

Gaur Purnima

Celebrate the festival of Gaur Purnima at 6 p.m. at the Hare Krishna Temple, 285 Legion St. The night includes a free vegetarian feast, discussion and chanting.

Garden Install

Transition Laguna is holding a garden install from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Neighborhood Congregational Church. Bring your own garden gloves and tools. For more information, visit transitionlaguna.org.

Saturday and March 24

Writing Workshops

SEEDS Arts and Education, Inc. is holding a workshop series on writing for young adults at Anneliese Schools’ Willowbrook Campus, 20062 Laguna Canyon Road. The workshops are from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and each will include a guest speaker, writing time and group discussion. The cost of one workshop is $55 or $45 for early registration. For all three, it’s $135 or $120 early registration. For more information, email info@seedsed.org.

Sunday

Speaking On Suffrage

Historian Glenna Matthews will speak about suffragist Caroline Severance at 10:30 a.m. at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 429 Cypress. A sandwich lunch at noon will allow Matthews to continue the conversation about women in politics. Lunch is $5. Proceeds go to the Alternative Sleeping Location.

‘New Queen of Ragtime’

Mimi Blais, the “New Queen of Ragtime,” will perform at 7:30 p.m. at Neighborhood Congregational Church, 340 Saint Ann’s Drive. There’s a suggested donation of $20. Proceeds will go to benefit the church’s JOY Ministry.

Watercolors On The Beach

Laguna Outreach for Community Arts presents Watercolors on the Beach from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Treasure Island Beach. Get a tour of the tidepools, then create watercolors under the instruction of September McGee. Cost is $35 for adults, $20 for ages 5-18. Register online at https://www.locaarts.org.

Monday

Laguna Beach Net-Works Meetings

“Spark,” a meeting for artists to discuss spirituality and art, is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at 303 Broadway, Suite 107. Then, “Hope,” a monthly support group for families with kids dealing with addiction, meets from 7 to 9 p.m. For more information, call (949) 328-7230.

Taizé Service

St. Mary’s Episcopal Church will hold a Taizé Service from 7 to 8 p.m. at St. Francis by the Sea, 430 Park Ave. Taizé is a Christian service of musical prayer.

Tuesday

‘What Every Parent Should Know’

Laguna Beach Unified School District with California Youth Services presents the latest presentation in the series “The Reality of Orange County Teens: What Every Parent Should Know” from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the LBHS library. The series aims to help parents identify symptoms of adolescent depression, anxiety and more.

Wednesday

‘Out On The Town’

Thurston Middle School’s PTA is holding “Out On The Town,” a dinner dance fundraiser, from 6 to 10 p.m. Stop at participating restaurants for a bite to eat, with the last stop at Romeo Cucina, where there will also be dancing. Tickets are $65. For more information, visit https://www.lbusd.org/Page/2436.

Thursday

Real Estate Loan Workshop

Residents are encouraged to attend a real estate loan workshop at 6:30 p.m. at the DeBilzan Gallery, 224 Forest Ave. There is no charge. Three different lenders will discuss traditional and “creative” loans.

March 23

Driving Class For Seniors

The Susi Q Senior Center is offering a four-hour AARP refresher course on driving skills and safety from 12:30 to 5 p.m. Call the center to sign up at (949) 497-2441. The cost is $12 for AARP members, $14 for non-members.

March 24

Hortense Miller Garden Open House

The Hortense Miller Garden will hold its annual open house from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free shuttle service to the gardens will take off from the parking lot of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, 635 High Drive. The event will feature tours of the house and garden, musical entertainment, art exhibits and more. Donations will be accepted. For more information, visit https://www.hortensemillergarden.org.

‘Under the Sycamores’

OC Parks and the Laguna Canyon Foundation kick off the educational series “Under the Sycamores” from 2 to 4 p.m. at the sycamore grove in front of Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. Local snake researcher Steve Bledsoe will discuss rattlesnakes and what to do if you encounter one on trail. Sign up at https://www.lagunacanyon.org. Parking is $3.

Boutique Benefit Drop-Off

Drop off your items for the sixth annual Boutique Benefit from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Neighborhood Congregational Church, 340 St. Ann’s Drive. New and gently used clothing will be for sale at the May 5 event, with proceeds benefiting the Laguna Relief & Resource Center, Women for Women International and Friendship Shelter.

March 25

Ballroom Dance Club

The Laguna Beach Ballroom Dance Club will meet from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Community Center, 380 Third St. No reservation needed. Cost is $5 per person or couple.

March 27

Historical Society Program

The next Laguna Beach Historical Society program will on “Lila Zali — Laguna Beach Civic Ballet,” from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at City Council Chambers, 505 Forest Ave. Kathy Kahn will present along with June Budd and former company dancers Merilee Magnuson Blaisdell and Mary Hanf Monzingo. The event is free.

March 29

‘Why My Dad Is A Hero’

The community is invited to the “Why My Dad Is A Hero” event from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Wells Fargo, 260 Ocean Ave., third floor. The winning dad-child combo for the writing contest of the same name will be announced. The night includes dinner, a silent auction and musical entertainment. Tickets are $50 per person or $75 per couple. Children are free. For tickets, email Hope@MiraclesForFamilies.org or call (949) 813-3584.

March 31

CLC Dinner/Fundraiser

The Community Learning Center holds its 28th annual dinner/fundraiser from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Surf Cabanas at the Pacific Edge Hotel. Tickets are $55. Call Sabrina Yeh at (949) 294-5309.

April 2

‘A Special Evening With Dean Koontz’

Author Dean Koontz will speak about his experience as a writer and his upcoming projects at “A Special Evening with Dean Koontz” from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road. Tickets are $50 and be purchased by calling (949) 497-ARTS or visiting https://www.lagunaplayhouse.com.

Tuesdays, April 3 till June 12

Garden Supper Club

SEEDS Arts and Education, Inc. is hosting a two-month-long class every Tuesday afternoon that will teach kids ages 6 to 10 how to grow their own organic vegetables and cook seasonal dishes. The classes are from 4 to 5:50 p.m. at Anneliese Schools’ Willowbrook Campus, 20062 Laguna Canyon Road. The cost is $170 or $150 if you register by March 27.

April 5 to 15

Laguna Dance Festival

Tickets are on sale now for the Laguna Dance Festival. For more information, visit https://www.lagunadancefestival.org or call (949) 497-2787.

April 19

Energy Efficient Homes

SEEDS Arts and Education, Inc. will host “Saving Energy at Home,” presented by Max Isles, founding member of Transition Laguna Beach. The seminar is from 6 to 7 p.m. at Anneliese Schools’ Willowbrook Campus, 20062 Laguna Canyon Road. The cost is $10.

April 21

St. Mary’s Gala 2012

St. Mary’s School in Aliso Viejo is hosting its 17th annual gala at 6 p.m. at Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa, 25135 Park Lantern, Dana Point. For more information, visit https://www.smaa.org/gala.

April 28

Boutique Benefit Drop-Off

Drop off your items for the sixth annual Boutique Benefit from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Laguna Presbyterian Church, 415 Forest Ave. New and gently used clothing will be for sale at the May 5 event, with proceeds benefiting the Laguna Relief & Resource Center, Women for Women International and Friendship Shelter.

May 5

Boutique Benefit

The sixth annual Boutique Benefit will be from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Laguna Presbyterian Church, 415 Forest Ave. Admission is $2. New and gently used clothing will be for sale, with proceeds benefiting the Laguna Relief & Resource Center, Women for Women International and Friendship Shelter.

May 12

Plein Air Painting

SEEDS Arts and Education, Inc. has partnered with Hortense Miller Garden and artist Doug Stotts to provide a plein air painting class for kids ages 8 to 12 at the garden, 22511 Allview Terrace. The class will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $25. For more information, visit seedsed.org.

May 16

Author Lecture

Best-selling author Richard Louv will speak at 7 p.m. at Anneliese Schools’ Willowbrook Campus, 20062 Laguna Canyon Road. The cost is $25. Louv wrote “Last Child in the Woods” and “The Nature Principle.” Register to attend at https://www.seedsed.org/richard-louv-lecture.