Visitor's Bureau Whips Up Holiday Spirit
The Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau is pulling out all the stops this year to get residents and visitors alike in the holiday spirit. Now through Dec. 14, members of the public can stop in at their "holiday suite" for a cup of coffee and holiday treat at either of their two locations.
The holiday suite will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at their primary location on 252 Broadway, and from noon to 4 p.m. at their location at 381 Forest Avenue.
In a buy local campaign, the bureau is offering a holiday soy candle (valued at $15) to anyone who brings an original receipt for a $100 or more purchase dated between Nov. 15 and Dec. 14 from a Laguna Beach store, gallery or restaurant.
Holiday tree giveaway
The bureau has organized "Unity through Art," where residents and visitors can register to win a one-of-a-kind, nine-foot holiday tree. The tree, on display at the Laguna Art Museum through Dec. 14, is decorated with ornaments signed and created by Laguna Beach artists.
Participating artists include Ken Auster, Judy Baker, John Barber, Grace Barrak, Sherry Bullard, Helma Bovenizer, Sandra Jones Campbell, Jude Taylor- Darlin, John Eagle, Grace Everett, Roger Folk, Michelle Geromel, Valerie Gorrell, Julita Jones, Noel Lashley, Mada Leach, Sue Linder, September McGee, Robert Schaar, Armando Sosa, Mike Tauber, Sue Thompson, Cliff Wassmann and Ella Wu.
Shoppers can register to win by filling out an entry form at the following participating galleries and retailers: De Ru's Fine Arts, 1590 S. Coast Hwy., #5; Endangered Planet, 384 Forest Ave., #13; The Esther Wells Collection, 1390 S. Coast Hwy.; Gem Mountain Studios, 577 S. Coast Hwy.; La Rue du Chocolat, 448 S. Coast Hwy.; Pure Light, 821 Laguna Canyon Road; Schaar Galleries, 484 N. Coast Hwy.; Studio Arts Gallery, 1200 S. Coast Hwy.; The Vintage Poster, 1492 S. Coast Hwy.; Whitney Gallery, 350 N. Coast Hwy.
Other registration venues include the Laguna Beach Visitors Centers and the Laguna Art Museum. The registration period ends at 5 p.m. on Dec. 14, and the drawing for the winner of the tree will be held on Monday, Dec. 15.
Other holiday events Nov. 11 - Dec. 14:
"Leaving Iowa" at the Laguna Playhouse
Told in flashback, this hilarious sentimental comedy about a journalist who returns home to Winterset, Iowa, to find a final resting place for his father's ashes is a nostalgic ode to days gone by. For tickets and information, call 497-2787, ext. 1, or visit www.LagunaPlayhouse.com.
Nov. 16 and Dec. 14: Laguna Craft Guild
Meet the artists and shop for unique art on Main Beach. For information, call 499-2681.
Nov. 22: Laguna Community Concert Band's Holiday Performance
Performance from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Sawdust Art Festival, 935 Laguna
Canyon Road. www.LCCBand.org.
Nov. 22-23, 28-30, and Dec. 6-7, 13-14:
Sawdust Art Festival Winter Fantasy
(See B-1 of this edition.) Visit www.SawdustArtFestival.com.
Dec. 4: First Thursdays Art Walk
Join galleries throughout Laguna Beach on the First Thursday of every month from 6 to 9 p.m., for a festive and cultural evening. Free shuttles to participating gallery locations run from 6:15 to 8:45 p.m.
Visit www.FirstThursdaysArtwalk.com.
Dec. 5: Hospitality Night
Santa arrives to light the City Hall pepper tree at 6 p.m. as Forest Avenue is closed to through traffic and businesses stay open for a community celebration.
Dec. 7: Kid's Cookie Baking
Holiday baking for kids aged 8 to 12. Visit www.LagunaCulinaryArts.com.
Dec. 13, 14, 20, 21: Children's Holiday Event
Come join the fun and enjoy children's events, including card and ornament projects, candle gift making and more. Enjoy holiday refreshments. Stop by any day of the week to create your own holiday candle. www.PureLightCelebrations.com.
Dec. 14: Laguna Community Concert Band's Annual Holiday Concert
Performance from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Laguna Beach High School, Artists
Theatre. Visit www.LCCBand.org.
Dec. 15-24: Sister's Christmas Catechism:
"The Mystery of the Magi's Gold"
The late-nite nun returns with a holiday show that will keep audiences laughing with questions such as what happened to the Magi's gold? Call 497-2787, ext. 1, or visit www.LagunaPlayhouse. com.
