Fundraiser

BARBARA DIAMOND Sometimes it's hard to believe that people in this town ever talk to anyone more than 4 feet outside their own orbit. Saturday night, the Community Clinic will present Icons and Legends, its major fundraiser, Mayor Cheryl Kinsman will host a fundraiser for her reelection, and Laguna's own Carl St. Clair will conduct the Pacific Symphony in its first-ever concert here -- not to mention wonderful activities...

LBHS student wins Soroptimist award Laguna Beach High School student Alia Manetta has been awarded with the Soroptimist Violet Richardson Award, which includes a $1,000 scholarship. The award honors young women for their volunteer service. Alia is an intern with the R Star Foundation, a nonprofit that helps women and children in Nepal. She is also the creator of the LBHS Goat Club, which fundraises to buy goats for the needy in Nepal. "No doubt [Alia's] variety of talents and large community service resulted in the decision," Rosalind Russell, director of the R Star Foundation, said in a statement.

Suzie Harrison Tying one on can connote a lesson in decadence, however, the Festival of Arts version exemplifies altruism with its fifth annual Tie One On fundraiser from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday. More than 120 festival artists are participating in this year's event, where the artists have been given a white tie as a canvas to create an original piece of artwork to be auctioned. Some ties are wearable but the majority are solely works of art in almost every medium: sculpture, jewelry, bronze, ceramic, wood, glass, stone, oil, watercolor, etching, acrylic and photography.

Editor's note: This corrects the time Career Transition Coaching Group will take place. Tolan to discuss book on Middle East Sandy Tolan will discuss his book, "The Lemon Tree: An Arab, A Jew and The Heart of the Middle East," from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at St. Mary's Episcopal Church, 428 Park Ave., Laguna Beach. The event was previously scheduled for Feb. 23. The book was selected by the monthly book group St. Mary's Reads and was the first selection of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles for its reading program, according to a news statement from the church.

The Laguna College of Art & Design netted $105,000 at the annual Collector's Choice fundraiser, held Saturday at the campus on Laguna Canyon Road. A crowd of about 400 college supporters attended the event, which included an art raffle, silent and live auctions of works donated by professional artists, and an al fresco dinner. Students at the college directly benefit from the funds raised at Collector's Choice, which provides financial assistance via scholarships, and pays to upgrade the campus facilities where they strive to fulfill their dreams of a career in the arts.

At the Laguna Beach Friendship Shelter, those without homes are offered a chance to get back up on their feet again. On June 16, the nonprofit will hold its second annual "Stories of Home" fundraiser at [seven-degrees] to support its programs, which help the homeless become independent once more. The production will include actors such as Richard Burgi, formerly of "Desperate Housewives," and Tony-nominated actress Jonelle Allen. Besides professional talent, the individual vignettes will also be performed by locals, such as Laguna Beach High School students and kids from the Musical Theatre University at No Square Theatre.

The Laguna Beach Presbyterian Church Preschool will hold a fundraiser from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Sunday, March 19 at the Surf and Sand Resort. Auction items, raffle prizes and a fashion show are planned -- and a grand prize giveaway of a week-long stay at a Hawaiian North Shore home. The fundraiser is looking for alumni to participate in the fashion show. Information: Lisa Cameron (949) 494-4713. College of Art and Design opens doors The Laguna College of Art and Design is inviting prospective students to attend an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb 25. Participants will be given an opportunity to have their portfolios reviewed and meet with admissions staff and faculty.

Kerry Rubel On Friday, March 11, students at Top of the World School participated in their annual jog-a-thon. It was a festive morning as students ran, walked or jogged around our soccer field in their new TOW jog-a-thon T-shirts designed by fifth-grader Lucy Koch. The jog-a-thon committee, headed by Bettina Rey, did an awesome job organizing the fun-filled event. Proceeds from the jog-a-thon support TOW PTA programs such as Local Color, Class Act, after-school programs and technology support.

SUZIE HARRISON Between AIDS Services Foundation's "World's Fair -- Lost Vegas," the Moonshine Festival and Lagunatics, my head is still spinning from the fun. The momentum just keeps going with the Laguna Art Museum auction and Laguna Beach Live's jazz workshop and concert ... will the fun ever stop? LAGUNA ART MUSEUM'S ART AUCTION Laguna Art Museum will have it's 22nd annual art auction on Saturday. The event is always a blast and a great way for people to buy art from esteemed artists at reasonable prices.