CITY ROUNDUP: Veterans to march in parade

Local Vietnam veterans are planning to march in the March 1 Laguna Beach Patriot’s Day Parade, and are looking for veterans of that era to join them.

The Vietnam vets have marched in the parade since 1985. Veterans are encouraged to wear their old uniforms, and the group will form near Laguna Beach High School, 625 Park Ave., between 9 and 10 a.m. on parade day. Participants should ask at the check-in booth at Park Avenue and Short Street for the location of the group.

The parade covers about six blocks and starts at 11 a.m. A traditional get-together at the Marine Room at 214 Ocean Ave. will follow. Family and friends are invited. Interested veterans should contact Patrick Freeman, (949) 497-7473, [email protected]

Kiraly movie set for summer release

Sherwood Kiraly’s movie, “Diminished Capacity,” which debuted at the Sundance Festival last month, will be distributed by IFC Films, Kiraly said.

The film, based on Kiraly’s novel of the same name, and starring Alan Alda, Matthew Broderick and Virgina Madsen, is expected to be released in July in five cities, including New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. It will then be released throughout the country.

Relay For Life

Laguna Beach residents and business owners are encouraged to attend the American Cancer Society’s presentation, “What is Relay,” 6 p.m., March 19 at the Laguna Beach Library, 363 Glenneyre St.

Attendees will learn about Relay For Life, the Cancer Society’s annual relay event, including how to become part of the planning committee, become a team captain or team member. Refreshments will be provided.

“Relay For Life is powerful in providing hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated,” said Jay McCullough, Regional Vice President for the American Cancer Society.

Volunteers are also needed to join the 2008 planning committee for the Relay For Life of Laguna Beach, scheduled in August at El Morro Elementary School. For more information on Relay For Life, visit www.relayforlife.org.

To reserve a seat for “What is Relay,” join the Relay For Life planning committee or sign up as a team captain, call Ellen Dever at (949) 567-0603, (949) 892-0334 or e-mail [email protected].

Miller Garden plans work parties

Lovers of gardens, high school students needing community service hours, and others are invited to spend a morning working at the Hortense Miller Garden.

Work days are scheduled for the second and fourth Saturdays of February, March, and April from 9 a.m. to noon. No gardening experience is needed for many of the projects. Workers will meet at 9 a.m. at Riddle Field and carpool up to the garden. Call Betsey Parker at (949) 493-6840 for more information.

Blood drive at church

The Red Cross will be collecting blood at Laguna Presbyterian Church on Feb. 24 between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Donors must be in good health, weigh at least 110 pounds, and not have donated blood within the last 56 days.

To learn more about the blood donation process and donor eligibility, visit www.HelpSaveALife.org.

To schedule an appointment, go to www.givelife.org and list the Sponsor Code: lagunap. In appreciation for their generosity, donors will receive a $10 gift certificate from Mimi’s Café, and be entered in a drawing to win a gift card for a $500 spa package.

Donors must bring identification with them. The church is at 415 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach.

Bookstore hosts two mental health authors

Two authors who delve into the mind’s capacity for love and despair will be at Laguna Beach Books this month.

Terri Cheney, author of “Manic,” a memoir of coming to terms with her bipolar disorder as an entertainment lawyer, discusses her life and recovery at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

Cheney’s story centers on how difficult it was for her to be properly diagnosed as bipolar in Hollywood, where exuberance, rebellion and energy — key markers of a manic state — are regarded as assets.

Cheney spent seven years enduring the ups and downs of the disease, including suicide attempts and incarcerations, before a correct diagnosis was reached.

Fred Luskin, author of “Forgive for Love,” offers the tool of forgiveness as the key to successful relationships at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22.

Luskin directs the Forgiveness Project at Stanford University, which studies the effects and plans techniques for utilizing forgiveness. His newest book presents the seven-step program they developed, as well as anecdotes on couples who have learned to make forgiveness a cornerstone of their happy, lasting unions.

Laguna Beach Books is at 1200 S. Coast Hwy., in the Old Pottery Place. For more information, call (949)494-4779 or e-mail [email protected]

Donations sought for Boutique Benefit

Donations of high-quality new or gently used clothing are being collected for the second annual Boutique Benefit.

Proceeds from the May 3 event, at the Neighborhood Congregational Church, will go to the Laguna Relief and Resource Coalition.

To arrange a pick-up, call (949) 497-2767 or e-mail [email protected]. Donations can also be dropped off at the Resource Center Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. The center is at 3305 Laguna Canyon Road, at Stan Oak Drive, south of the Dog Park. Phone: (949) 497-7121. All donations to the Boutique Benefit are tax-deductible. Visit www.boutiquebenefit.com for updates. Anyone with questions or temporary storage space to donate may call Kane at (949) 661-1236.