Bring out the pets

SUZIE HARRISON

Sunday was the time to say bye-bye to the art festivals, always

strange though it happens every year. I’ll miss the events and

artists, and I’m sure I’ll long for next summer, but the throngs of

people and traffic I can do without.

PRIMPED PETS AND TASTY CHILI

Oh yes, it’s time for me and Sam to brush and bathe our dog Reef

and head to Tivoli Too! for the eighth annual Pet Parade and Chili

Cook Off Sunday.

I would love to bring my 6-year-old cat Pacific and his 1-year-old

silver and striped baby brother Jack Kerouac, but they might not have

as much fun as I would like.

Since all animals are invited to attend and join in the parade,

anyone who has a pet that likes to go out and about are welcome to

bring them.

The chili is a treat, but the pet competitions and pet parade are

the best and always something to look forward to.

Past years’ winners include a cat, a duck that sucked on a baby

bottle and a rat dressed as a bride.

Tickets are $3, and children 12 and under are free. All proceeds

go toward good causes that help our animal friends -- Pacific Marine

Mammal Center, Bluebell Cat Foundation and the Laguna Animal Clinic.

The event is from noon to 3 p.m. at Tivoli Too! at 777 Laguna

Canyon Road.

MINGLE AMONG ‘LEGENDS AND ICONS’

Carolyn Bent, founder and president of the Friends of Laguna Beach

Community Clinic, said there are a few tickets remaining but they are

going quickly for the community clinic’s “Legions and Icons”

fundraiser dinner and dance on Sept. 18 at the Marcone Automotive

Museum in Irvine.

Bent said having the event at the automotive museum is a great way

to lure the male population.

“They can drool on the fabulous cars and dream,” Bent said.

Then she clarified that they should probably not drool directly on

the cars, but nearby the collection that’s worth $30 million,

including historic, exotic and classic cars and motorcycles.

More important is to attend to support the clinic, which is

critical to Laguna Beach. I’ve heard countless stories about how the

clinic has made such a difference in people’s lives. The doctors are

friendly and caring and the clinic offers myriad services.

The ever-generous Laguna resident and philanthropist Mark DePalma,

of Mark’s Catering, will provide the cuisine. So many people, myself

included, miss Mark’s Restaurant, so here’s a chance to get another

taste.

The last big event at Mark’s was on May 27, 2003, and was a

benefit for the Laguna Beach Community Clinic with 100% of the

proceeds donated to the clinic.

Throughout the years, he has given much to the AIDS Services

Foundation. The death of his brother to AIDS has made him passionate

in the fight against it.

The event will offer complimentary cocktails from 5:30 to 7:30

p.m. Attendees can bid on silent auction items including luxury

vacation packages to Costa Rica and other lovely destinations and

autographed sports memorabilia from more than 80 athletes.

Dinner will follow from 7 to 9 p.m. along with the live auction

with cool and exciting items and an honoree program. Dessert and

dancing wind down the evening from 9 to 11 p.m. with jazz music by

the Hi-Fi Quintet.

This year the clinic added the capability to link to a secure site

to make a donation online or to buy tickets at

https://www.lbclinic.org.

Tickets are $145 per person and are available by calling the

clinic at (949) 494-0761 ext. 125. The Marconi Automotive Museum,

1302 Industrial Drive in Tustin.

‘WORLDS FAIR’ HITS FESTIVAL GROUNDS

I have met the most wonderful people through AIDS Services

Foundation Orange County and the benefits they have put on over the

years.

In September the group has its “Worlds Fair” at the Festival of

Arts grounds. This year’s theme is “Lost Vegas.”

The event will be Sept. 25 and general admission tickets are $250.

For more information, go to https://www.ocasf.org or call (949)

809-876 or (949) 580-2021.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at (949) 494-4321 or

suzie.harrison@latimes.com.