Briefly In The News

Trager to be memorialized

A “Celebration of Life” for Susan Trager, a 10-year Laguna Beach County Water Commissioner, will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, at Tivoli Terrace on the Festival of Arts grounds, 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. The memorial is open to family, friends and colleagues of Trager, who died of cancer March 22 at the age of 63.

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Fête de la Musique invites performers

Volunteer musicians, singers and other performing artists are invited to participate in the fourth annual Fête de la Musique presented by Laguna Beach Sister Cities Assn. from 2 to 4:30 p.m. June 18 throughout downtown Laguna Beach.

The Fête de la Musique, which was awarded the 2010 Laguna Beach Arts Alliance’s Best New Arts Program, is held in conjunction with World Music Day each June. The Fête originated in France and is celebrated worldwide on, or near, the summer solstice.

The Fête de la Musique begins at 2 p.m. with opening ceremonies at the Main Beach cobblestones. During the afternoon, musicians and singers will perform at several locations throughout downtown . The day will conclude with a sing-along closing ceremony at Laguna’s Main Beach at 4:30 pm.

“The Fête has spread to over 110 countries and 250 cities around the world, and we’re very excited that Laguna Beach’s Fête de la Musique is now included in this circle of live music celebration,” said LBSCA President Karyn Philippsen. “We welcome anyone, of any age, to participate. Every genre of live performing music is welcome. Amateur musicians play alongside professionals, and the entire community engages in the experience.”

The event is free.

Interested musicians and singers may register with Chairman Chic McDaniel by calling (949) 690-4444 or via e-mail at chic.mcdaniel1@cox.net. For more information, visit https://www.lagunabeachsistercities.org.

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Whole Foods Market presented a check on Friday for $1,468.30 to the Laguna Beach Historical Society after selecting the organization to be the recipient of 5% of its net proceeds on Community Day, April 27. Whole Foods Manager Rich Dinan presented the check to Historical Society President Kimberly Stuart and board members Gene Felder and John Hoover.

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The Ebell Club of Laguna Beach raised money for local groups and students at its annual Kentucky Derby Fundraiser May 7 at Mozambique.

The event included a silent auction followed by a Southern-style lunch, a hat contest and watching the running of the Kentucky Derby. Funds from the event will support Sally’s Fund, Laguna Relief and Resource Center, Laguna Playhouse and four high school scholarships.

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Carole Zavala has been named interim executive director of the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, according to a press release.

Zavala, a Laguna Beach resident, recently served as interim director for Laguna Beach Seniors and has more than 25 years of experience with nonprofits.

Zavala leads the group for the next six months as it recovers from the devastating floods of December, which damaged much of the facility that cares for stranded and sick marine mammals.

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Zavala said. “The PMMC is blessed with an incredible staff and a contingent of volunteers who are completely dedicated to the mission. My role is to support them in the outstanding work that they provide for our coastal marine mammals.”

—Compiled by Cindy Frazier and Jamie Rowe