Around Town: Mammal Center raises more than $17,000

The Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach has announced that it raised more than $17,000 at its Martini Madness fundraiser May 31.

It is the largest amount in the event’s six-year history, according to a news release.

Proceeds from the event, hosted by Jon Madison and Madison Square Garden & Café, will go toward the cost of food and medication for marine mammals recovering at the center.

“Once again, Jon’s generosity and kindness has directly helped us care for the over 120 seal and sea lion patients currently at our hospital in need of medical attention, and we are so grateful for his support,” said Keith Matassa, the center’s executive director.

More than 200 people mingled on the cafe’s patio while sipping specialty martinis created for the event. The event included a drawing for two round-trip tickets on Alaska Airlines and a visit from marine center mascots Sammy and Sealena.

The Pacific Marine Mammal Center is a nonprofit organization with a mission to rescue, medically treat and rehabilitate marine mammals.

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Laguna senior earns Girl Scout Gold

Daniela Lucidi, a senior at Laguna Beach High School, received the Girl Scout Gold Award on May 31.

Daniela, a member of Diana Cimino’s Senior Girl Scout Troop 1250, created a swim program in association with the Glennwood House of Laguna Beach, a facility for mentally and physically disabled people.

She spent more than 90 hours identifying an issue, investigating it, building a team and creating and following through on a plan.

The Gold Award in Girl Scouts is comparable to the Eagle Scout award in Boy Scouts. Daniela plans to study psychology and education at Cal State Long Beach in the fall.

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Chamber Singers get festival grant

The classical music ensemble Laguna Beach Chamber Singers has received a grant from the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts Foundation.

Under the direction of artistic director Christin Cornell, the Laguna Beach Chamber Singers perform two classical choral music programs a year — a holiday performance and a spring concert — in Laguna Beach.

With fewer venues for classical music, the group strives to revive the classics. The choir’s vocalists perform an eclectic mix of classical choral music, opera, madrigals and musical theatre — featuring Renaissance to contemporary compositions.

Acceptance into the group is by audition.

For more information, visit lagunabeachchambersingers.com.

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Laguna Beach resident Lori Savit, riding Atticus, won first place in the Training 1 class of the San Juan Capistrano Dressage Society Show on June 19.

Atticus is an 8-year-old horse owned by Maureen Hall. Savit began training in dressage 18 months ago after years of occasional trail riding, according to a news release. This was her second show with Atticus as her partner.

Savit is also the founder of Laguna Beach Horse Lovers, a group of riders and non-riders who share their passion for horses and create special events to enjoy horse sports together such as barn tours and guided tours of horse shows.

For more information, visit lagunabeachhorselovers.com.