AROUND TOWN - Feb. 5, 2009

Blood drive Sunday at Presbyterian Church

The Red Cross is holding a blood drive from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at Laguna Presbyterian Church, 415 Forest Ave. Donors must be in good health, weigh at least 110 pounds and not have donated blood within the last 56 days. To schedule an appointment, visit www.givelife.org and list the Sponsor Code: lagunap.

Donors will receive an appetizer gift certificate from Mimi’s Café and be entered in a drawing to win a gift card for a $500 spa package.

Ebell Club to celebrate diamond anniversary

The Ebell Club will celebrate its 75th anniversary Feb. 21. The goal is to raise enough funds to provide continuing support to more than 20 local community charities and programs.

Guests will cruise Newport Harbor on the 140-foot, three-story Eternity Yacht while they enjoy dinner, dancing, live music, casino games and a silent auction. There also will be drawings for a diamond necklace and a three-night stay in Telluride, Colo.

In 1933, as the country was amid a consuming depression, the Ebell Club of Laguna Beach held its first meeting. Now, 75 years later, the community is facing similar economic challenges and charitable organizations and projects need more support than ever.

To purchase tickets, at $175 per person, contact Benefit Chairwoman Valerie Dalena at ebelldalena@ymail.com. For more information, visit www.ebelllagunabeach.org.

Clean up at First Saturday adopt-a-street event

The community is invited to participate in a street and beach cleanup sponsored by Zero Trash Laguna on the first Saturday of the month from 8 to 10 a.m. Participants may meet at: Aliso Creek Plaza/Yoga Works; Brooks Street/XS Energy Drink; Thalia Street/Thalia Surf Shop; Forest Avenue/Hobie Sports; and Laguna Beach High School.

Bags and gloves are provided and the “top collector” at each site will receive a $25 coupon for El Ranchito. After walking your adopted street and dropping trash, participants may return to Brooks Street at 10 a.m. for a group photo.

For more information, e-mail chip@zerotrashlaguna.org

Assistance League seeks donations for programs

The Laguna Beach Turnabout Shop welcomes all donations and is especially in need of jewelry, collectibles and housewares. Donations help fund the Assistance League’s many community programs. Shop hours are from 10 a.m .to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The shop is at 526 Glenneyre St. For more information, call (949) 494-5977.

Garden Club presents bromeliad expert

The Laguna Beach Garden Club will present former local resident and bromeliad expert Chris Lutz at its Feb. 13 meeting.

Lutz is president of the Saddleback Valley Bromiliad Society. His personal bromiliad collection numbers more than 1,000. The meeting also features the chance to bid on Valentine’s garden baskets.

The meeting is at 9:30 a.m. at the Neighborhood Congregational Church, 340 St. Ann’s Drive. For more information on the garden club, visit www.lagunabeachgardenclub.org

Cultural arts grant applications due

The city of Laguna Beach is accepting applications for cultural arts grants through today. The grant funds must be used by nonprofit organizations for projects to promote tourism and encourage overnight hotel occupancy during the non-summer months.

Applications must be submitted at the counter in the Community Services Department. For more information, visit www.lagunabeachcity.net