Around Town: Virtual ‘Cool Art Auction’ draws 100 collectors, more than $440K

The 39th annual California Cool Art Auction produced more than $440,000 in sales during the Laguna Art Museum’s benefit event.

Over $240,000 in net unrestricted income was raised from the virtual auction, for which California artists provided 125 pieces of artwork to be sold. The funds raised will go toward the museum’s educational programs and its exhibits.

The auction, which took place on Feb. 6, had winning bids placed by more than 100 art collectors from eight countries and 10 states.

Qatar Donates $40,000 to O.C. Soccer Club foundation

The Orange County Soccer Club Community Foundation received a $40,000 donation from the Embassy of the State of Qatar, part of the celebration for Qatar’s National Sports Day.

“We are incredibly thankful for this generous gift from the people of Qatar,” Orange County Soccer Club foundation Executive Director Lisa Keston said in a statement. “The ongoing support we have received from the Embassy of the State of Qatar in the United States allows us to continue making our community a better, healthier place through soccer clinics, mental health clinics, equipment distribution and academic programs.”

The Embassy of the State of Qatar also donated $25,000 to the Los Angeles Football Club Foundation.

“Qatar believes in harnessing the power of sports to drive positive change,” His Excellency Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al-Thani said in a release. “In celebration of our National Sports Day, we are proud to support organizations that are making sports more accessible to communities across the United States. During this health crisis, ensuring that kids can remain active and reap the benefits of sports is essential. Our partners are ensuring that, even at home, children can do just that.”

In September, the Orange County foundation was able to make a $15,000 donation to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County to fight food insecurity during the coronavirus pandemic, which came to fruition with the assistance of a grant from the Embassy of the State of Qatar.

Newport Beach Women’s Democratic Club to meet via Zoom Feb. 16

The monthly Zoom meeting of the Newport Beach Women’s Democratic Club is set for 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16, preceded by network and socializing time at 5:30 p.m.

In honor of Black History Month, Shelley Henderson, president and chief executive of the National Women’s Leadership Council, will speak on the significance of Black History Month historically and for the future.

Registration is required for this event. Visit NBWDC.org to register and for additional meeting information, or call the administrative office at (949) 423-6468.

Huntington Beach Academy high school students perform radio play Feb. 19 and 20

The Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts, hbapa.org, will present three virtual performances of the play “Failure: A Love Story” on Feb. 19 and 20. Each performance will be conveyed in a family-friendly radio format that listeners can enjoy from their homes.

This magical, musical fable follows sisters Nelly, June and Gerty Fail as they live out their lives above the family’s clock repair shop in Chicago during the 1920s, right before their own time unexpectedly runs out.

Friday and Saturday evening performances begin at 7 p.m., with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $20 per household and may be purchased online.

Free workshops help youth and adults cope during and after the pandemic

Tilly’s Life Center — an Irvine nonprofit whose programs are designed to help teenagers cope with adversity, crisis and tough decisions — has, in partnership with Western Youth Services and other area organizations, launched an online reset toolbox for youth mental health.

This free resource provides training for teens, educators, administrators and community members designed to help young people cope with the effects of the coronavirus pandemic by minimizing anxiety and building resilience. Topics include cyberbullying and bullying prevention, mindfulness for teachers, healthy coping skills, stress and time management, conflict resolution and more.

Workshops aim to assist children and adults in improving the emotional strength and overall well-being of youth in Orange County, both during the pandemic and beyond. For more, visit tillyslifecenter.org or call (949) 246-3067.

Support our coverage by becoming a digital subscriber.