CITYSCAPE ROUNDUP: Program offered on photo pair

The Laguna Beach Historical Society is presenting “Lives of Photographer William Mortensen and Writer/Model George Dunham,” at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the City Council chambers, 505 Forest Ave.

Mortensen lived in Laguna Beach from 1931 until his death in 1965. Together, Mortensen and Dunham collaborated on nine books as well as more than 100 magazine and newspaper articles. The event is free, and the public is invited.

Larry Lytle, a lecturer at California State University Channel Islands, has been researching Mortensen.

In response to a request from the society for Mortensen photographs, Carlene Challis came forward with photographs of herself and her young children David and Diane “Dee Dee” Challis, director of the Pageant of the Masters.

Volunteers are needed to greet visitors to the Historical Society’s Murphy-Smith Bungalow, 278 Ocean Ave. The museum is open to the public at no charge every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. For information, call (949) 939-7257.

Memberships in the Historical Society are $15 for individuals, $25 for households and $50 for businesses.

More information on the Society and Laguna history is at LagunaHistory.org.

Grief recovery class offered

Laguna Presbyterian Church is offering an 8-week grief recovery class for those who have lost a loved one.

The class will use the Grief Recovery Handbook, a path of specific actions needed to complete the grieving process and accept the loss of a loved one through death. Jackie Pearson, a licensed therapist, will facilitate. The public is welcome to attend.

Meetings will be 4 to 5:30 p.m. Mondays, beginning Sept. 25, in the parlor of Laguna Presbyterian Church, located at the corner of Second Street and Forest Avenue.

A $20 materials fee is due when registering, and the deadline to join the group is Sept. 21.

For further information or to register, contact the church office at (949) 494-7555 weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Friendship Shelter plans ‘funky’ party

“Can You Dig It? A Happening to Help Our Residents Grow Roots” is this year’s fall fundraiser to benefit Friendship Shelter, a homeless rehabilitation program and emergency shelter serving Orange County.

The ‘60s-themed party will be held at Fusano’s Laguna Nursery from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, and “colorful, groovy hippie attire is encouraged,” according to chair Maggie Hempen, owner of Such a Great Party, an event planning company.

The party will include a silent auction, music from the ‘60s and ‘70s by the Barry Rillera Group, food catered by Gary Scott and a hosted bar featuring the evening’s signature Hippie Dippie cocktail donated by Young’s Market.

Auction items include spa treatments, works of art, getaway weekends, restaurant dinners and a week’s accommodations for two at Papageno, a private resort in Fiji donated by owner Anneliese Schimmelpfennig.

Guitarist Rillera toured with The Righteous Brothers for 30 years and performed with the Ray Charles Orchestra and rock group White Trash.

Fusano’s is at 1370 South Coast Highway.

Tickets are $100 per person, $180 per couple. For reservations or to learn more about sponsorship opportunities and donating goods or services to the auction, call Jennifer Greenwalt, development director, at (949) 494-6928, ext. 14.

Friendship Shelter operates the Laguna Beach emergency shelter and 60-day Self-Sufficiency Programas well as Henderson House in San Clemente. For more information, visit www.friendshipshelter.org.

Annual tree trimming begins downtown

The city’s annual tree trimming program has begun within the downtown area, which includes the following streets: Forest Avenue, Ocean Avenue, Beach Street, Mermaid Street, Second Street, Third Street, and Glenneyre Street, City Manager Ken Frank announced Sept. 7.

The work will continue through October in various areas of the city.

Volunteers sought for Crystal Cove park

Volunteers are needed at Crystal Cove State Park to work in the historic district. Volunteers are also needed on a regular basis in the visitor center and the park interpretive store seven days a week in the mornings and afternoons, and also in the evenings on Fridays and Saturdays.

A training session will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27, at the Los Trancos office.

To reserve a spot in the training or for more information, contact Winter Bonin at (949) 497-7647 or via e-mail at [email protected].

Habitat for Humanity project needs helpers

Anyone willing to paint, landscape, plant or build fencing is invited to join in the final stages of a Habitat for Humanity project in Garden Grove which will be dedicated on Oct. 20.

Saturday is the date for the next building event, and car pools will depart from the Third Street parking lot behind Laguna Presbyterian Church, 415 Forest Ave., at 7 a.m.

For more information, call Rick Shoemaker at (949) 497-9104 or e-mail at [email protected]..

League invites new members for coffee

The Assistance League invites prospective new members to meet for coffee at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 25, to learn about the group’s various philanthropic programs, tour the Turnabout Thrift Shop and meet new friends.

Several classifications are available to suit various time requirements: active, associate and professional. The event takes place in the Chapter House, 547 Catalina St.

Parking is available in the rear at Goff Alley off of Park Avenue and also under the shop. Information: (949) 494-6097.