Around Town: Tickets on sale now for May 8 Newport Beach Virtual Garden Tour

Children’s education programs will be the beneficiaries this year when the 25th annual Newport Beach Garden Tour is presented virtually on Saturday, May 8, the day before Mother’s Day.

The tour, featuring professional footage of the six gardens showcased for the event, is hosted by the Sherman Library & Gardens’ Volunteer Assn. and serves as its biggest annual fundraiser.

“The video format was especially appealing to homeowners who are proud of their beautiful gardens, but were never keen on the public wandering through them,” Scott LaFleur, executive director of Sherman Library & Gardens, said in a statement.

“In recognition of our 25th Anniversary, Orange County philanthropists Julia and George Argyros recently donated $25,000 towards our Newport Beach Garden Tour. Education and youth is a funding area that the Argyros family is passionate about, and proceeds from this year’s Garden Tour supports children’s education programs. We are extremely grateful for the patronage of the Argyros family,” LaFleur added.

Each year, the association invites local artists to paint interesting facets of one of the gardens featured on the May garden tour. Their paintings will be available for purchase at an in-person summer party at the Sherman Gardens on Aug. 28.

Tickets for the virtual tour only are priced at $20 for Sherman Library & Gardens members; $30 for nonmembers. The cost for both the tour and the summer party is $50 for members and $60 for nonmembers.

Ticket purchasers will receive an email with the tour link and password. Visit thesherman.org or call (949) 673-2261 for more information.

Laguna Art Museum to reopen next week

Following Orange County’s return to the red tier with respect to its coronavirus transmission, the Laguna Art Museum is set to open once more with modifications.

The museum has announced plans to reopen its doors on Friday, March 26, with “Wayne Thiebaud: Clowns” to be the featured exhibit. Originally scheduled to close on April 4, the exhibit has now been extended through Oct. 24.

With capacity limited at 25%, advanced tickets for timed entry will be available online at lagunaartmuseum.org.

Additional health and safety protocols include the requirement of face coverings, and contactless temperature checks will be performed. Those visiting the museum are reminded to observe physical distancing.

All-class reunion planned for Laguna Beach High School grads

The 2021 Laguna Beach High School all class reunion will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 1 at Heisler Park.

All guests are asked to pack their own picnic lunch and beverage to enjoy while visiting with other Artists or Breakers, depending on which mascot was in use during their years at Laguna Beach High.

Beth Williamson Leeds, Class of 1959, is organizing this year’s event. All donations collected that day will go to the Alumni’s Laguna Beach High School Scholarship Fund.

To learn more details visit the Laguna High Alumni page on Facebook, contact Amanda Horton (‘93) at lagunabeachhighschoolalumni@gmail.com, Beth Leeds at bethleeds22@yahoo.com or call Dede Westgaard Pike (‘78) at (949) 370-2404.

Huntington Beach Boy Scout Troop 555 plans dine-out fundraiser at Panda Express

In hopes of raising money to replace old equipment used for their outdoor adventures, Huntington Beach’s Scout Troop 555 plans a dine-out fundraiser on Saturday, March 27 at the Panda Express at Five Points Plaza, 8575 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach.

Twenty percent of the sales at that Panda Express location on that date, between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m., will be donated to the troop. Diners can order ahead at PandaExpress.com or on the restaurants app, using the promo code 323322.

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