Ropage joins cell effort

Ropage Beauty and Salon has recently joined the Cell Phones for

Soldiers Program as a sponsor and cellphone collection center. Cell

Phones for Soldiers accepts the donation of any make or model to be

recycled for cash to buy calling cards for soldiers. Cellphones may

be dropped off at Ropage, 435 Ocean Ave., during normal business

hours, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. Cell Phones for

Soldiers was started by two teenagers in April 2004 and since then,

the program has raised more than $150,000 to purchase more than 4,000

prepaid calling cards for soldiers. Information: (949) 494-8411.

Laguna Community Concert Band offers free show

The Laguna Community Concert Band will present “Concert

Americana,” a free concert featuring patriotic music at 3 p.m. Sunday

at the Artists’ Theatre, 625 Park Ave. The American Legion Post 222

will open the program with the presentation of the colors and the

concert will feature music from a variety of musicians. A musical

Norman Rockwell Portrait and a tribute to Emmy award-winning

Hollywood producer Bob Henry will be some of the highlights of this

presentation. Bill Nicholls and Ed Peterson will conduct the band in

a concert of traditional American songs and Andrew Lloyd Webber

favorites. Refreshments will be served and there will also be a

raffle for Norman Rockwell memorabilia. Information: (949) 497-0986.

Laguna Beach Business Club sets its agenda

The Laguna Beach Business Club will hold its next meeting from

7:30 to 9 a.m. Thursday at the Hotel Laguna, 425 South Coast Highway.

Certified Public Accountant Ted Alvarez will be the guest speaker and

will expand on the highlights of the two new tax bills: The Working

Families Tax Relief Act of 2004 and The American Jobs Creation Act of

2004. The cost is $20 per person and includes a buffet breakfast.

Call to reserve your space by Monday. Information: (949) 295-6023.

Canyon foundation receives $5000 grant

The Laguna Canyon Foundation recently received a $5,000 grant from

the Newport Beach-based Pacific Life Foundation. The grant will help

fund the interpretive exhibit for the new James and Rosemary Nix

Nature Center in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, which is scheduled to

open in late 2005 or early 2006. The nature center’s interpretive

exhibit will explore the historical, cultural, artistic and science

significance of local native habitats such as Quail Peak and

Saddleback Mountain. Pacific Life Foundation awards yearly grants to

agencies active in the areas of health and human services, education,

civic, community and environment, and arts and culture.

Information: (949) 855-7275.

Giving golden gifts at Golden Spoon

For every customer who purchases a yogurt from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

at Golden Spoon, 272 Broadway, on Tuesday, 20 % of the proceeds will

be donated to support the Youth Shelter of Laguna Beach. Information:

(949) 494-5443.

Grad-night fundraiser looms on horizon

No Suits Allowed, the 17th annual graduation night fundraiser for

Laguna Beach High School students will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at

the Artists’ Theatre, 625 Park Ave. The evening will feature a dinner

of Mediterranean cuisine and music by Gary Shapiro. Tickets are $5 to

$10 for the concert only or $50 for dinner and the concert.

Information: (949) 494-3606.

Hear some tales from the front lines

“Confessions of a Marine Corp Field Historian in Iraq,” will be

the topic of a presentation by Charles J. Quilter at 7:30 p.m. at the

Laguna Beach United Methodist Church, 21632 Wesley Drive. The program

will follow a soup supper at 7 p.m. Information: (949) 499-3088.