Briefly In Education

Teen theater group hosts gala Saturday

Gallimaufry Performing Arts’ self-producing teen theater company, the Generation Gap, will hold its fourth annual gala benefit from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Josephson residence, 1685 Del Mar Ave.

The “Annie Moffat’s St. Valentine’s Day Ball,” named after a party attended in Alcott’s “Little Women,” will feature entertainment, food, beverages, a raffle and special presentation regarding the latest Gap production, all presented by the local teens.

Tickets are $30 per person, $50 per couple and are tax-deductible.

For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.gaillmaufry.info/gap.html.

Make reservations with Kami Henderson at (949) 735-1999 or [email protected].

Local artists benefit SchoolPower

Local artists partnered with Laguna’s public schools at Thursday’s Art Walk, by donating pieces to SchoolPower that were displayed at the JoAnne Artman and Townley galleries.

The featured pieces, which will be auctioned at SchoolPower’s Dinner Dance Auction, were donated by an array of artists, including James Verbicky, Louis Longi, Gerard Stripling, William DeBilzan and Hugo Rivera.

SchoolPower President Robin Rounaghi said she was pleased with the arrangement.

“As a foundation committed to funding music and the arts in Laguna public schools, this feels like a great fit,” she said. “Our auction has a great tradition of featuring local artists and this year, thanks to some extra inspiration from our dinner dance committee and the generosity of renowned local artists, the pieces are especially impressive.”

“We were hoping to generate interest in the pieces from the community as a whole, not just reach those attending the Dinner Dance,” Auction Chairwoman Kim Ressler said. “We are so thrilled and thankful for the support of the JoAnne Artman Gallery and the Townley Gallery and all of the participating artists. Their commitment to our schools is truly inspiring.”

The SchoolPower auction pieces can be viewed and bid on at Joanne Artman Gallery (where a mention of SchoolPower will generate a 5% donation this month), the Townley Gallery and at www.lbschoolpower.org.

Scholarships for high school, college

The Orange County Community Foundation recently launched online scholarship applications for the more than 80 scholarship programs it offers to Orange County high school and college students. Application deadlines are in February or March.

Provided by funds established by donors who have a commitment to higher education, the scholarship program matches applicants to scholarship opportunities based on specific criteria such as their school, major and extracurricular activities.

In 2009, more than 300 scholarships worth more than $600,000 were awarded to help students pay for tuition, books and fees.

Most scholarships administered by the foundation are available only to students in Orange County; however, there are a few exceptions.

For more information about the program, to view deadlines or apply, visit www.oc-cf.org/scholarships.

Seeking mothers of preschoolers

A new group of mothers of preschoolers, called MOPS, are looking for other mothers to join their support group where they meet to eat, socialize, do crafts and “recharge” while their kids are cared for at Laguna Presbyterian Church.

For information, contact Dorit Lessard at (949) 235-9064 or [email protected]; Deborah Sekerka at (949) 415-1501 or [email protected]; or Diane Babcock at (949) 497-6907 or [email protected].

Club names 2010 board members

The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach has announced its 2010 board of directors.

Leading the board is Bob Whalen as president, followed by Kelly Mazzo as vice president of board development, Bill Wood as vice president of development, Keith Swayne as vice president of endowment, John Zegowitz as vice president of community outreach, Walt Lindberg as vice president of human resources, Dorene Butler as secretary, Brent Farhang as treasurer, Bill Fischer as past president and members James Bermingham, Dan Burge, Don Crevier, Keith Gallo, Paula Hornbuckle, David Howard, Susan Jacob, Phyllis Phillips, Teddie Ray and Piero Wemyss.

For more information, visit bcglaguna.org.

CPR and junior lifeguard classes set

The Community Services Department will offer CPR courses, which also include AED and First Aid Certification by the American Red Cross, beginning Feb. 24 at the Community and Susi Q Center.

The classes teach what to do in case of an emergency.

Junior Lifeguard Clinics will also be offered to prepare and train those 8 and older who want to try out for the Laguna Beach Junior Guard Program. Participants will develop and improve their swimming endurance, strength and speed.

The first clinic runs Feb. 27 through March 13 and the second from March 20 through April 3. Each clinic runs for three Saturdays, in the morning.

The swim test will be administered on the last day of each clinic.

Cost is $15 for three classes.

For more information, call the Laguna Beach Community Pool at (949) 376-9818 or e-mail Adam Gufarotti at [email protected].