Canyon Artists open their doors

Laguna Canyon Artists, an artist colony nestled in Laguna’s scenic

hills, will hold a Holiday Open Studios event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Dec. 4 and 5 for the public to attend.

“A lot of people haven’t seen an artist studio,” artist and event

coordinator Linda Ames said. “It really gives the public an

opportunity to see art created and ask the artist about their

process.”

More than 30 artists working in art media such as painting,

sculpture, photography, fiberglass, jewelry and more will be at their

studios to talk with the guests.

“It’s the only artist colony in Laguna Beach, and it’s a group of

professional artists, some known all over the world,” Ames said.

“It’s a unique blend of artist mediums.”

Each studio has a gallery in front with works available for

purchase.

“It’s important for people to connect a face or personality with

the work they are purchasing, it’s a personal thing,” Ames said.

“They can make the connection and that’s really meaningful.”

The Laguna Canyon Artists Holiday Open Studios event will have

free parking and refreshments. The participating studios are at 3275,

3251 and 2795-C Laguna Canyon Road. For information online, go to

https://www.lagunacanyonartists.com.

-- Suzie Harrison

AIDS board to provide free tests

Laguna Beach’s HIV Advisory Board will honor World AIDS Day on

Dec. 1 by providing free anonymous HIV testing from 3 to 6 p.m. at

Main Beach.

The Laguna Beach Community Clinic’s mobile unit will be parked on

the cobblestone area of Main Beach. No appointment is necessary and

test results will be available within 20 minutes.

At 6 p.m. there will be a candle light ceremony, also at Main

Beach. The names of men and women who have died of AIDS will be

attached to red ribbons, which will be tied to trees in Downtown

Laguna Beach. Information: (949) 497-0385.

Pageant tickets set to go on sale

Tickets to the 2005 Pageant of the Masters will go on sale Dec. 1.

Next year’s show, “On the Road -- A Crash Course in Art and

Popular Culture,” will run nightly July 7 through Sept. 1, with a

gala fundraiser performance Aug. 27. Tickets are $15 to $80 and gala

tickets are $50 to $300.

The Pageant of the Masters is at the Irvine Bowl on the Festival

of Arts grounds, 650 Laguna Canyon Road. For tickets or information,

call (800) 487-3378 or visit https://www.pageanttickets.com.

Fundraiser for woman killed in accident

The Little Bohemian Boutique, 210 Beach Street, will hold a sale

today through Sunday, with all proceeds going to a fund to benefit

the Olimpia Sastre Ordonez, the young mother who was killed while

crossing South Coast Highway on Oct. 27.

Ordonez was working as a nanny for the boutique’s owner, Amii

Schenk, at the time of her death. Schenk asked designers to donate

sale items to the boutique and they will offer the clothing and

accessories priced at or below cost.

Schenk is asking local businesses, individuals, families, civic

clubs and social groups to join the boutique in raising funds by

holding sales, donating a portion of a selected day’s receipts,

putting out donation baskets, holding pot-luck meals and raffles or

finding other creative ways to help contribute.

Ordonez’s two young children are in the care their aunt, Yolanda

Zainos, 36, who was also injured in the accident that killed her

sister. Zainos is recovering from severe head and neck trauma and her

family members are helping to care for the children.

Donations in any amount can be made to the Olimpia Sastre Ordonez

Fund at any Bank of America branch, account number 0097602576.

Alternatively, checks made out to the fund can be sent to the

attention of Steve Schenk, 550 Mountain Road, Laguna Beach CA 92651.

Information: (949) 497-8850.

AIDS group to hold holiday celebration

AIDS Services Foundation Orange County is having a holiday

celebration at Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Drive, from 6:30 to 10

p.m. Dec. 1 (World AIDS Day). All proceeds will benefit AIDS Services

Food Pantry. Hors d’oeuvres and cocktails will be served. Tickets are

$45. For reservations or information, call (949) 809-8760.

Concert goes for parody this year

Lagunatunes Community Chorus Christmas Concert this year will

include a parody performance, “Season’s Gratings: Those Dreaded

Holiday Letters” and traditional holiday classics.

The concert will be at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at Laguna Beach High

School’s Artist’s Theatre, 625 Park Ave. Admission is free.

Lutheran church to hold holiday event

“Christmas for Kids,” an event for kindergartners through

eighth-graders, will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Dec. 5 at St.

Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1110 Morningside Drive.

There will be lunch, cookies, crafts, games, carols taught with

sign language, the telling of a Christmas legend and a video of the

Biblical Christmas story. A donation of $10 per family is suggested.

Information: (949) 494-7998.

Flowers on schedule for garden club

The Laguna Beach Garden Club will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Dec. 10 at

the Neighborhood Congregational Church, 340 St. Ann’s Drive.

The meeting will feature guest speaker Charles Weckerle-Thrum, an

orchid expert who maintains green-houses in Garden Grove and San

Diego. A holiday luncheon will follow. Information: (949) 249-3437.