Fundraiser

Mayor pro tem Verna Rollinger raised more than $9,000 at a June 16 fundraiser, according to a press release. The event, held at the home of Debbie Lewis, helped raise money to support her reelection to the Laguna Beach City Council. A light supper and silent auction was held. "What makes Laguna Beach such a special place? Why did we decide to come here or stay here to live?" Rollinger asked supporters. "Our Laguna is about taking care of each other, acting as responsible stewards of the beautiful environment we share, solving problems by working together, and respecting the diverse expressions and aspirations of each member of our community," Rollinger said at the event.

The Laguna Beach Police Employees Assn. will hold its second annual Dunk-A-Cop fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday on the cobblestones at Main Beach. Proceeds will go toward the Laguna Beach Boys & Girls Club. Last year the association raised $500 for the club, according to a news release. "We hope to raise $1,000 this year!" Det. Larry Bammer, president of the association, said via email. - Alisha Gomez Twitter: @ coastlinepilot

A community fundraiser for the owners of Penguin Cafe is being held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Riddle Field, 600 Hillcrest Drive. The McMurrays recently found out their son, 11-year-old William, has an inoperable brain tumor and they have no health insurance. "We're having it at Riddle Field because we know William likes baseball," said Kim Ressler, who is organizing the event. FOR THE RECORD: An earlier version incorrectly referred to the organizer as Kim Kressler.

Time is running out for a local pet rescue operation. The lease is up in November and won't be renewed on Animal Crackers pet supply shop in theAlbertson'sshopping center. Animal Crackers helps fund the rescues and care for animals abandoned or due to be slaughtered and provides seniors with free pet food. Another location must be found and supporters are desperate to find that location in Laguna. Mayor Pro Tem Verna Rollinger issued a personal plea on behalf of Animal Crackers owner Gina Katzenbedian at the June 19 council meeting, asking anyone who might be able to help find a new location in town to come forward with ideas.

More than 400 people attended Oceana's fifth annual SeaChange Summer Party fundraiser Sunday, which raised more than $1 million for the ocean conservation nonprofit. The event, held at a private coastal home in Laguna Beach, featured a blue carpet to walk, a sit-down dinner, presentations from Oceana's directors and supporters, a silent and live auction, and dancing "under the stars," according to a news release. Special guests were actors Morgan Freeman and Jeff Goldblum, and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra.

Chabad Jewish Center's annual fundraiser, "Children's Dreams," is planned for 6 p.m. Sunday, March 18, at the Aliso Creek Inn and Golf Course. Sheldon and Janet Razin will be honored for their support and dedication to the work of Chabad. Highlighting the event is a silent auction, with something for everyone — a two-night stay at the Montage Resort, jewelry, children's games, sports tickets and works of art by local artists, including Vladimir Pardonovitch.

Girl Scouts of Laguna Beach held a fundraiser at Golden Spoon Yogurt Shop on Dec. 7, raising over $50 in two hours. Scouts from twelve different troops stopped by for the event, which was led by troops 2136 and 789. The girls played games, colored and watched their troop leaders serve yogurt. Troop leaders, including Stephanie Andrews, left, Diane Cimino and Susie Russell, served customers throughout the night. For information, call Jeremy Rose, (949) 494-5443. 20051216iriqvgkn(LA)Girl Scouts of Laguna Beach held a fundraiser at Golden Spoon Yogurt Shop on Dec. 7, raising over $50 in two hours.

Laguna Beach Relay for Life raised at least $57,000 for the American Cancer Society during the 24-hour event Aug. 22 and Saturday at El Morro Elementary School. The top individual fundraiser was Tory Thomas, and the top team fundraiser was a UPS team, said organizer Tori Degen. Wells Fargo, which was unable to participate this year, sent a check for $10,000. Both Thomas and Wells Fargo were honored for their contributions. The Laguna Beach Lifeguard Assn. won the Most Spirited Team award for their lifeguard “theme lap” in which they carried a lifeguard on a paddleboard around the field.

El Morro Elementary School students hit the ground running Wednesday for their annual Jog-A-Thon fundraiser, with proceeds benefitting the PTA. All grades participated, from kindergarten through fifth, excitedly running laps on the field and high-fiving teachers and parents. "It's the No. 1 fundraiser at the school," said PTA President Elaine Brashier. "As you can see, everybody gets involved. " Students had the option to ask sponsors for an amount per lap or a one-time pledge.

Transformation of a South Laguna mansion into the 2012 Philharmonic House of Design will begin this month, culminating in a monthlong showcase this spring for top designers that will raise thousands for youth music education. The Planning Commission on Wednesday approved the application for a permit for the use of the 11,333 square-foot home at 31401 Mar Vista for the annual Philharmonic Society of Orange County's major fundraiser, expected to bring in about $250,000. Opponents have two weeks to appeal the approval, which will be considered.

Thomas Jefferson Kitts is inspired by nature. Also, given a choice, he prefers not to rely on memories, photographs or drawings. The result? A prolific 30-year career as a plein air painter. An avid follower of John Singer Sargent, Joaquín Sorolla and Anders Zorn, the Portland resident is driven by the challenges posed by this style of painting. He stands in agreement with Paul Cézanne's words: "Nature is the best instructor. " "It simply comes down to the fact that the world is more complex a place than anything I can make up in my head - I become lost in it as I paint," said Kitts, 52. "It's the closest I can come to God. " Kitts is one of 40 plein air painters who donated original work to the Laguna Plein Air Painters Assn.

This summer, 20-year-old Laguna College of Art + Design student Jessica Necor will do something she's never done: travel outside of the U.S. to the Philippines. On July 18, the graphic design major will join seven others on a three-week trip, where they will build homes, pass out needed supplies and interact with residents. The group is part of an international youth ministry called Couples for Christ-Youth and will also help victims of Typhoon Bopha, which ravaged the southern Philippines in December.

Sportsworld and Zero Trash played a game Tuesday that went to the wire, and Sportsworld prevailed, 7-4, in Laguna Beach Little League AAA Division action. Ryan Anthony, Max Rossi and Will Keary pitched for Sportsworld and was backed by a defense that made several big plays. Caden Capobianco and Luke Smialowicz made a critical double play in the first inning to hold Zero Trash scoreless. Late in the game, Keary, Anthony, Sam Tyrell and Gavin Trevino all made diving catches.

Chef Ryan Adams might have to put together the world's most eclectic fruit salad to make his three-course meal stand out this weekend. After all, he's sharing the table with a wide palette of hues. For the Sawdust Art Festival's Sustain Local Art and Cuisine fund-raiser Sunday afternoon, more than 20 local craftspeople volunteered to create dinnerware and table-setting pieces for Adams' three-course meal. It might have been easier and cheaper to buy the dishes at Ikea, but the event's organizers had something more ambitious in mind: a genuine, Laguna-made culinary experience, from the food and the music down to the bowls and glasses.

The Laguna Art Museum is where the party's at. Come 6 p.m. Saturday, the museum, decked out as an underground club, will host a slew of art aficionados at its annual art auction. Titled "Art Auction 2013: California Underground," the event features more than 100 works by California artists that will adorn the entire main level of the space. Live performances, silent and live auctions, and gastropub fare are part of the evening's lineup. "It is a twist on a California contemporary speakeasy," Director of Special Events Sarah Strozza said.

By day, Joanne Culverhouse and Jenny Salberg are principals. On Monday night, they also were servers in a restaurant. Culverhouse, principal at Laguna Beach High School, and Salberg, principal at Thurston Middle School, got a workout walking plates to hungry customers inside a packed Lumberyard Restaurant, where diners decided whose cuisine would reign supreme. Culverhouse and Salberg teamed up against Ron LaMotte and Chris Duddy, principals of Top of the World and El Morro elementary schools, in the fourth annual Chef Challenge, a fundraiser organized by SchoolPower for the four public Laguna Beach schools.

Get ready to walk it off — Glennwood House of Laguna Beach is hosting its Walk and Roll-A-Thon fundraiser at 10 a.m. Saturday starting at Main Beach. Money raised from the event will go toward finishing construction of the Glennwood House, which will house 50 special needs adults later this year . "This is the real push time to make this dream a reality," Executive Director Shauna Bogert said in an email. "Once we are open, future fundraising will go toward an endowment to assist residents with rental costs.

Laguna Beach Friends of the Library Assn. officials have been up in arms about the terms of a licensing agreement dictated by the Orange County Public Library. The library support group rebelled against terms they said originally stipulated that all money raised by the Friends for the local branch had to be turned over to the county system. A Dec. 12 letter warned that they would be ousted at the end of January from the book store the group has operated for more than two decades if the agreement was not signed by Dec. 31. Association officials have asked Orange County Fifth District Supervisor Pat Bates to intervene, according to Martha Lydick, longtime president of the local Friends organization.

More than $100,000 was raised at the Laguna Playhouse California Dreamin' fundraiser held Nov. 16 at Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa in Dana Point. Founded in 1920, the Playhouse may be one of the oldest continuously operating theaters on the West Coast, but it hasn't lost any of its vitality. In 2011, the Playhouse was honored with the Laguna Spirit Award and the Chamber of Commerce Premier Business Award. And the folks who attended the lively gala had a whale of a time.

Measure CC campaign hosting fundraiser The Yes on Measure CC campaign is holding a fundraiser in support of the local open-space initiative on the November ballot from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the home of Brock and Marci Lyster, 607 Allview Place. The cost is $125 per person. Small plates of food, wine, valet parking, music will be provided. Valet parking will be available, though there is usually ample street parking. For more information please visit LagunaOpenSpace.com.