Around Town: Artist to demonstrate plein air painting in Corona del Mar
The Southern California Plein Air Painters Assn., or Socalpapa, will kick off its annual membership drive with a demonstration of plein air oil painting by artist Greg LaRock at 9 a.m. Friday at the corner of Poppy Avenue and Ocean Boulevard in Corona del Mar.
LaRock earned a bachelor’s of fine art degree in drawing and painting from Cal State Long Beach and is involved in the California Art Club and Laguna Plein-Air Painters Assn.
Socalpapa has almost 300 members and it is dedicated to bringing together those who are interested in plein air art, also known as the act of painting outdoors.
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PBS SoCal receives $1.7 million grant
Costa Mesa-based PBS SoCal, or KOCE-TV, received a three-year, $1.7 million grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation to produce documentaries concerning issues facing Southern California foster youths.
The content will be shared with audiences on air, online and through screenings, panel discussions and social media.
“Core to our mission is using the power of public media to help the community solve its most challenging problems,” PBS SoCal President and Chief Executive Andy Russell said in a statement.
The Hilton Foundation, based in Agoura Hills, was created by Hilton Hotels founder Conrad Hilton. The foundation awarded $107 million in grants worldwide last year.
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Pacifica Christian High School raises funds for autism charity
Pacifica Christian High School in Newport Beach and its student-led Pacifica Athletic Committee is partnering this week with the Kids and Dreams Foundation to raise money and awareness for the autism charity.
The fundraiser for the Nebraska-based foundation is part of Pacifica’s Wedge Week, the school’s first spirit week, which runs through Friday.
The school is raising funds through sales of “Dream Big” T-shirts on campus for $10 and having students raise an additional $750 aside from T-shirt sales.
Kids and Dreams works to provide support to families and children dealing with autism and bullying.
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Newport Bay Conservancy to present symposium on El Niño
A symposium to discuss issues such as El Niño, climate change and sea-level rise will be presented by the Newport Bay Conservancy from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Back Bay Science Center in Newport Beach.
The event will feature climate experts in discussions related to the effects of ocean temperature changes on marine life and wetland habitats, including Upper Newport Bay.
Admission is $15 for conservancy members and students, $20 for registered guests and $25 at the door.
The Back Bay Science Center is at 600 Shellmaker Road.
For information or to register, visit newportbay.org.
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Marina Park wins awards
The city of Newport Beach will receive two awards from the American Society of Civil Engineers in February for its $36 million Marina Park project, which was unveiled in December.
Marina Park is on 10.5 acres on the Balboa Peninsula and features a 24,000-square-foot community and sailing center, a 23-slip marina, a cafe, a nautical-themed playground and a park area.
The project captured awards in the Airports & Ports and Architectural Engineering categories, according to a news release.
Marina Park was designed by Rabben/Herman and Bundy-Finkel Architects, while the marina was designed by Moffat & Nichol.
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Alzheimer’s Assn. to hold teleconference
The Alzheimer’s Assn., a national organization with a chapter in Orange County, will present a teleconference Feb. 9 on common behaviors associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
The free discussion will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Registration is required by Feb. 8.
To register, call (800) 272-3900 or email kmoorehead@alz.org.
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Costa Mesa preschool to close after 34 years
Westcliff Early Childhood Center will close June 30 after 34 years in Costa Mesa.
The preschool’s owner and director, Joyce Smith, said she plans to retire.