Seed soiree set for Sunday

Barbara Diamond

The Seed Institute will celebrate on Sunday its growth as an aid to

people with disabilities who want to open their own businesses.

Seed Fest 2002 will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Dennis Ekstrom

Gallery, 2135 1/2 Laguna Canyon Road. The fund-raiser will feature

homegrown entertainment, refreshments and auction items. Mercy Miles will

perform. Papas Tacos and Z Pizza will provide the food, and local artists

donated fine art, jewelry and ceramics for sale. Tickets are $15 or two

for $25.

All proceeds will benefit the institute, which was founded in 1996

specifically to train the disadvantaged to start and operate their own

small businesses.

Institute founders Andy Leaf and Julie Damon will attend.

Leaf, a South Laguna resident, has been paralyzed since he was 18 and

broke his neck in a diving accident.

He is quadriplegic, but that hasn’t stopped him. His ability to play

the hand dealt him speaks as much as words to what can be accomplished

despite setbacks.

Information: 499-4224 or www.seedinstitute.org.