AROUND TOWN - Dec. 5, 2008

Presidential inaugural gala planning under way

Laguna Beach will be the scene of a gala celebrating the inauguration of Barack Obama as U.S. president.

Denny Freidenrich, an Obama supporter, came up with the idea, which caught fire among his friends, days after Obama won the election.

Laguna’s inaugural gala will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20 at [seven-degrees]. That is the day Obama will be sworn in as the nation’s 44th president.

“We want people to come away from our event feeling like they actually attended one of the inauguration balls,” said Betsy Gosselin, who is on the planning committee.

The event is black-tie optional.

Tickets are $125 per person through Jan. 6. After that, the price is $150 per person, and $175 at the door, space permitting.

For more information visit www.atthisdefiningmoment.com or call (949) 494-2028.

Sidewalk sale on Saturday

More than 30 local merchants on both sides of South Coast Highway will be offering special savings and offers from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday between Brooks Street and Mountain Road.

Holiday Gardens is club topic for Dec. 12 meeting

Ruben Flores will discuss how to lend holiday charm to gardens at the Friday, Dec. 12 meeting of the Laguna Beach Garden Club. Flores is the owner of Visionscape and Laguna Nursery.

The meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. at the Neighborhood Congregational Church, 340 St. Ann’s Drive. For more information, visit www.lagunabeachgardenclub.org.

Coastal tree lighting is Saturday at Crystal Cove

The Coastal Tree at Crystal Cove will be lit for the holidays at sunset on Saturday. Festivities will begin at noon with a Holiday Gift Bazaar. Santa Claus arrives at 4 p.m. and will be present for the tree-lighting at sunset.

The tree is located next to the Beachcomber Café. Seasonal refreshments, including hot chocolate and light snacks will be available. For more information, visit www.crystalcovealliance.org.

Marine Mammal Center has free lecture series

The Pacific Marine Mammal Center is presenting a series of free lectures on marine topics.

 Thursday, 6 p.m., Ray Hiemstra of Coast Keepers will discuss “Marine Life Protection: A Solution to the Crisis.”

 Dec. 13, 4:30 p.m.: Dennis Kelley, Orange Coast College professor, will talk about “Bottlenose Dolphins.”

 Jan. 10, 4:30 p.m., Jeff Nelson, professor of Marine Biology at Saddleback College, will talk on the topic “Coastal Ecology 101.”

The lectures will take place at the Center, 20612 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Contact Kelli Lewis at (949) 494-3050 or klewis@pacificmmc.org to reserve a seat.

Holocaust survivor to speak Dec. 18

Leon Leyson, the youngest survivor of the factory made famous by the movie “Schindler’s List” will share his story, “Saved by an Angel,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, at the Surf & Sand Resort in Laguna Beach.

Tickets are $18 in advance or $20 at the door. For reservations, call Chabad Jewish Center of Laguna Beach at (949) 499-0770 or www.chabadoflaguna.com.