Laguna Beach Local News
By Jean Hastings Ardell
At the annual Año Nuevo Retreat my husband and I attend in Pacific Grove our group likes to talk about the books we’ve recently read, the issues of the day, and offer predictions for the upcoming year. At December’s gathering on Zoom we considered this question: Would the Black Lives Matter movement, and with it the dialogue about systemic racism, continue its momentum or would it prove to be a blip on the 2020 calendar? The majority agreed that the issue would continue to be in the news and on people’s minds.
“Icons on Inspiration”
In place of its usual winter gala, the L.A. Phil presents this virtual fundraiser featuring Music and Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel in one-on-one conversations with Julie Andrews, Natalie Portman, Katy Perry, Common, Colombian singer-songwriter Carlos Vives and pianist Yuja Wang. The evening also includes a selection of socially distanced musical performances filmed recently at the Hollywood Bowl. Premieres at 6 p.m. Saturday; on demand through March 6. Free; donations accepted. laphil.com
“Terezin: Children of the Holocaust”
A filmed version of playwright Anna Smulowitz’s fact-based drama premieres, centered on six young people at the Nazi concentration camp in what is now the Czech Republic. A Q&A with the cast follows; for ages 12 and up. $25. 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday. terezin.eventcube.io
Laguna Beach Local News
Laguna Playhouse recently received support from Bank of America for its Our Stories program, which supports Transitional Age Youth (TAY), ranging from in age from 16 to 25.
Our Stories encourages participants to create original dramatic works using their own life experiences. The program focuses on TAY and at-risk young adults who experience isolation and behavioral health challenges, encouraging them to creatively explore and share their life experiences through storytelling, playwriting and a shared performance opportunity.
“The Our Stories program is vital in helping us to strengthen the health and well-being of individuals at-risk, strengthen community connection, and envision a better future for all through theatre and storytelling techniques,” said Dylan Russell, Laguna Playhouse Director of Education and Outreach. “Bank of America’s support of Our Stories is fundamental in reaching underserved communities. We are immensely grateful for their
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In a year when most decisions have been shaped in one form or another by the coronavirus pandemic, Laguna Beach felt the impact in multiple ways.
Beach and school closures, cancellations and modifications of arts programs and annual festivals and changes to restaurant dining are just some of the issues the city grappled with.
Here are some of the top stories in Laguna Beach for 2020:
The Promenade on Forest
A long list of restrictions were put in place to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus in 2020. When outdoor dining was permitted, Laguna Beach introduced the Promenade on Forest, allowing for the businesses downtown to continue to operate with modifications.
Newport Beach News
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NPD Founder Doug Freeman, who received the 35th Anniversary Founders Award, Co-Chairs Elizabeth Kurila and Joan McBride, Amy Sfreddo, representing Presenting Sponsor OCBJ. Photo by Tony Lattimore
In 1986, Orange County businessman and philanthropist Doug Freeman convinced President Ronald Reagan to establish National Philanthropy Day to thank those in the community who are the “ultimate givers.”
In November, 2020, National Philanthropy Day celebrated its 35
th anniversary with the theme of “Bringing Philanthropy Home.”
Each year more than 130 Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) chapters throughout the U.S., Mexico and Canada honor the philanthropic efforts of individuals, businesses and groups. Freeman, who continues to participate, says of AFP, “I am so grateful that AFP took on the responsibility early on of sponsoring this effort all these years.”