A good end to the season

SUZIE HARRISON

The simmering down that is the end of summer can be a bit of a

downer, though the dispersing of the hoard of people is welcome. But

this year I get to extend my joy a bit longer as Jane Goodall makes a

reappearance in Laguna.

JANE GOODALL RETURNS

Jane Goodall will be making a rare return visit Sept. 13 for a

benefit to help raise awareness and support for the Cougar Fund and

the Jane Goodall Institute.

Goodall joined the Board of Directors for the Cougar Fund last

year, after learning what was happening to the cougar. The cougar was

formerly the largest ranging land mammal in the Western Hemisphere

and is now only found in 14 states in North America.

Last year before the event I got to speak with Goodall. It was

such an amazing experience to not only have a phone interview -- but

also an exclusive in-person interview at the Blessley family’s home

in Laguna. They became good friends of mine through this venture. Wes

Blessley worked tirelessly to put on this event with the support of

his super-sweet wife Donna. Their daughter Cara Blessley Lowe is a

co-founder of the Cougar Fund. Blessley Lowe is an amazing person and

a brilliant filmmaker and writer, who in addition to other projects

wrote a book and made a documentary, “Spirit of the Rockies.”

She worked on these projects with Cougar Fund co-founder --

world-renowned photographer Tom Mangelsen. He is a great man with a

portfolio of wildlife photography that is beyond mind-boggling.

The whole group involved was unbelievable. It was an incredible

experience I won’t soon forget. And yes, meeting Goodall -- holy cow,

I was speechless.

“I always assumed the cougar was protected across America. And was

shocked to discover this great predator is still hunted across the

majority of its range,” Goodall said.

Goodall’s first childhood book was about a cougar and she fell in

love with this animal then.

“We didn’t have TV, we read books, had imagination and went

through the majority of our journey through our imagination,” she

said.

She became a part of the Cougar Fund after learning about what it

is doing to help save the lives and bring support and awareness for

cougars.

“When I learned of the work the Cougar Fund is leading, I wanted

to support this important effort.”

She has a tireless schedule, traveling 320 days a year to support

ecological and environmental issues, animal rights, education,

conservation and the other important works she’s involved in.

“My spirit is in Laguna beach. In Laguna Beach there’s a new

coalition of people trying to make an impact to the environment and

make a difference to animals under the same threat, combining the

two, hopefully raising money for causes I am so passionate about.”

This year Brenda Stouffer with the Heart and Soul Coalition and

Endangered League has been working her tail off to make sure that

this event would happen again in Laguna Beach.

“An Evening with Jane Goodall” will begin at 8 p.m. at the

Festival of Arts grounds with the gates opening at 6 p.m. for the art

exhibit. It will begin with a presentation by the Heart and Soul

Coalition and Endangered Habitats League, followed by the Cougar Fund

remarks and video. At 9 p.m. Goodall is the featured speaker, ending

with a book signing by Goodall, as well.

Local wildlife artists Julita Jones and Chris Hoy will be

exhibiting with other national wildlife artists during the evening.

There will be a special pre-event reception at Richard MacDonald

Gallery at 5 p.m. with tickets priced at $100 per person.

Tickets for the evening’s event range from $25 for general

admission, $100 for preferential seating, $12 for students and are

all tax deductible. For tickets, call 1-800-487-3378 or (949)

388-4924.

For information about the Cougar Fund go online to

www.cougarfund.org or for information about Jane Goodall go online to

www.janegoodall.org.

SAWDUST’S END

I talked to several of the Sawdust Art Festival exhibitors at the

end of the season and most were pleased with how it went.

“I’ve been an exhibitor for 14 years and it was fabulous,” Karen

Petty said. “I had my best summer ever.” When you do something good

it proves itself over and over.”

Walter and Pamela Otto also had a great season, so did Loren

Chapman for his 29th season. He said it was one of his best seasons

ever if not the best.

“People have been collecting my work since the mid ‘70s,” Chapman

said. “They seem to be all showing up. I still make 90% of what I do

at the show.”

He pointed out he was the artist responsible for building the

first glass demo in ’75 at the Sawdust.

Yes, it was another exciting season and fun times at the Sawdust

Art Festival.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at 494-4321 or suzie.harrison@latimes.com.