Tastings and benefit events

Note: The Coastline Pilot is debuting a new feature, offering news

and tips about dining in the local area. To get your restaurant news

listed, e-mail us at coastlinepilot@ latimes.com or fax to (949)

494-8979.

Student chefs will prepare an array of appetizers, and offer small

plates of the evenings’ featured dish at $3 per plate and wines by

the glass to match the fare from 5-7 p.m. Fridays at Laguna Culinary

Arts, 845 Laguna Canyon Road. Casual seating in the kitchen or cafe

will be available. Information: (949) 494-4006.

Woody’s at the Beach offers two-for-one drinks from 9 p.m. to

closing on Thursdays. Buy your first drink and get a ticket for

another to be redeemed at the bar. Woody’s is at 1305 S. Coast

Highway. Information: (949) 376-8809.

Informal wine and cheese tastings will be held Thursday evenings

from 5:30-7 p.m. at Laguna Culinary Arts, 845 Laguna Canyon Road.

Cheese expert James Drakeford will teach the characteristics of the

wines and cheeses served. The cost is $15 and includes two wines and

three cheeses. Information: (949) 494-0745 or (949) 494-4006.

El Morro Elementary School PTA will hold a school fundraiser 6-9

p.m. Thursday at the Golden Spoon Yogurt Shop, 272 Broadway. Buy a

yogurt and 20% of the proceeds will go to support the school.

Information: (949) 494-5443.