BRIEFLY IN EDUCATION

Thurston presents ‘Once on This Island’

Thurston Middle School’s Junior Park Avenue Players will perform “Once on This Island,” the musical inspired by “The Little Mermaid,” through next week at Thurston’s Black Box Theater.

The play is filled with song and dance, and stresses the importance of tolerance and understanding between social and cultural divisions.

“This show has brought out the best in our kids,” said teacher Mark Dressler. “They’ve been working hard, really stretching themselves with the play’s abstract presentational style.”

Joanne Culverhouse, Thurston principal, said the show will be especially appealing to elementary children.

Shows will be presented at 4 and 7 tonight and Saturday, and 4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday. The show closes with 4 and 7 p.m. performances Feb. 6.

Tickets are $8 for students, $10 for adults for general admission; all reserved seating is $15. Tickets can be purchased an hour before show time. Call (949) 497-7769.

Mandarin Chinese starts Monday at Thurston

New and returning adults and students 12 and older are invited to participate in the Thurston Middle School Mandarin Chinese Spring program, which begins Monday. Berlitz Language instructor Jean Wu teaches the classes in Room 211 on the Thurston campus.

?Beginning Group 2 meets from 3:10 to 4:10 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday;

?Advanced Group meets from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday;

?Beginning Group 1B meets from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday; and

?Beginning Group 1A meets from 3:10 to 4:10 p.m. Monday and Wednesday.

Cost per person for the 12-week session is $319 for returning students; $300 for multi-family (two or more family members i.e. two siblings, parent and child enroll in the program); and $349 for new students. The fee includes materials.

For more information, e-mail Foreign Language instructor Dave Dixon at ddixon@lbusd.org.

SchoolPower to hold Dinner Dance Feb. 28

SchoolPower will hold a benefit dinner dance Feb. 28 at Montage Resort & Spa in Laguna Beach. The “Mardi Gras at Montage” Dinner Dance will raise funds in support of the Laguna Beach Unified School District.

The success of SchoolPower’s largest fundraising event will have a measurable effect on the foundation’s ability to meet its funding commitments to the four Laguna schools, according to SchoolPower President Jeff Spurlock.

“There is no more important time than now to invest in the education of our kids. SchoolPower is striving to meet all our funding commitments to LBUSD for academics, the arts, athletics, teacher grants and improvements in classroom technology,” Spurlock said.

Organizers are excited about the new “Mardi Gras and Casino night” theme, and promise a fun night of casino games, silent and live auctions, multi-course dinner with wine pairings, and dancing to local band the Kooks.

“It is especially heart-warming to see what our community is willing to donate to help our children,” said auction Co-chairwoman Cindy Landsiedel. “We will have incredible vacations and items for the auction and if ever there was guilt-free shopping, this is it “” it’s all for the kids.”

To learn more about Dinner Dance tickets, watch SchoolPower’s new Music Video featuring principals, teachers, parents and students or donate to SchoolPower’s Community Campaign, now in its final week, go to www.lbschoolpower.org or call (949) 494-6811.

Hills graduates with art history degree

Natalie Hills of Laguna Beach has graduated from Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., with a bachelor of arts in art history.

Scouts hold father-daughter dance

Laguna Beach Girl Scouts Service Unit 1 will host the Achy-Breaky Heart Valentine’s Dance from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m Feb. 7. The Western-themed Father and Daughter Dance will be at Top of the World Elementary School in the multipurpose room. There will be refreshments, crafts, Western games, dancing, photos and fun.

Tickets are $30 per couple and $10 for each additional registered Girl Scout. If dads cannot make it to the dance, grandfathers, uncles, step-fathers or even moms may attend instead.

Those who are not registered Girl Scouts may attend the dance at $40 per couple and $20 for each additional sibling. Contact Vicki McIntosh at (949) 702-3501 or vhmcintosh@yahoo.com, or Julia Becker at (949) 376-2006 or juliabecker1@yahoo.com.

‘No Suits Allowed’ show is Saturday

The 21st Annual “No Suits Allowed” Concert is 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Laguna Beach High School Artists Theater, 650 Park Ave.

The show will feature talented students and guest performers. All money raised will go toward the Class of 2009’s “safe and sober” graduation night activities.

A pre-show fundraiser will take place at Ristorante Rumari from 5 to 6:45 p.m. These tickets are $60 each and include a three-course pasta dinner and reserved section seating. There are also a limited amount of $30 reserved section seats available.

General tickets will go on sale at 4 p.m., Saturday, while they last, with a maximum of four per person. Student admission is $10; adult admission $15. Checks for reserved ticket orders can be made out to “LBHS Class of 2009” and sent to Kathleen Moore, 84 Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach. Call (949) 497-8455.