Weekend filled to the brim

SUZIE HARRISON

It’s a weekend to get out in the brisk air to experience a bit of

Laguna hospitality. You can also join a party designed to raise funds

for marine mammals in need. There’s wreaths to bid on in support of

Laguna Shanti and an open studio event to attend where art and

artists abound.

HOSPITALITY NIGHT ROCKS

I dig Hospitality Night. It spells community in glowing lights. I

would be hard pressed to say what my favorite part of the festivities

are. I like Santa riding in a fire truck to City Hall and the

lighting of the Pepper Tree. I like the mini-parade of the antlered

greyhounds posing as reindeer and their trek with Santa while he

rides in the funky beach car. The fact that all the merchants are

open late and full of hospitality is pleasant. The important thing

for you to know is to get Downtown a little past 5 p.m. and stick

around for all the great happenings.

PARTYING FOR SEA LIONS

The whole family is invited to the fourth annual Holiday Gathering

to help benefit the Friends of the Sea Lion Marine Mammal Center.

Director Michele Hunter, educator Beate Litz and all the volunteers

do such an incredible job rehabilitating pinnipeds and cetaceans that

are in need along the Orange County coastline.

The party is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday. It will feature an

open house, carnival games, marine mammal inspired arts and crafts,

ornament making, cookie decorating, holiday snacks, an opportunity

drawing and a special guest appearance. This year for the first time

there will also be a silent auction, which they say is a great

opportunity to find that perfect gift for someone on your list.

Each year the Friends of the Sea Lion treat up to 250 marine

mammals including the California sea lion, Pacific harbor seals,

Northern elephant seals, Northern fur seals, an occasional dolphin

and small whales.

In addition to caring for the marine mammals, they have wonderful

educational and outreach programs. Camp Pinniped in the summer is for

kids only -- but what a blast. They also have a similar after-school

program that kids love.

Tickets are $12 for non-member adults; $10 for members; and $8 for

children 12 and younger. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at

the door. Just think, you can buy a ticket for a fun party, have a

blast and perhaps save the life of a marine mammal.

Friends of the Sea Lion is at 20612 Laguna Canyon Road. Give them

a call at (949) 494-3050 or check out their Web site at

www.fslmmc.org. They even have a program where you can sponsor a

marine mammal.

WOODY’S SIXTH ANNUAL

WREATH AUCTION

Woody’s at the Beach is having their sixth annual Wreath Action to

benefit Laguna Shanti starting promptly at 8 p.m. Dec. 9. All of the

proceeds raised from the auction go to Laguna Shanti. Woody’s is

located at 1305 S. Coast Highway. For information, call (949)

376-8809.

ART STUDIOS HOLIDAY

OPEN HOUSE

Don’t forget to go to Laguna Canyon Artists’ Holiday Open Studio

event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. More than 30

artists will open their studios and chat with visitors about their

art. It’s great for holiday gifts or the serious collector with every

art medium represented. Check out their Web site at

www.LagunaCanyonArtists.com to read about all the talented and

renowned artists. Laguna Canyon Artists are individual studios of

artists at 3251, 3275, 21062, 21080 Laguna Canyon Road and 21121

Castle Rock Road.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at (949) 494-4321 or

[email protected].