BRIEFLY IN EDUCATION

Boys & Girls gala coming in May

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Laguna Beach will hold their 7th annual Art of Giving Gala at the Montage Resort & Spa May 11.

This year’s theme is Paradise Found. The gala is the club’s primary fundraising event and brings in up to 20% of the organization’s overall operating budget.

The gala will include cocktails, silent and live auctions, dinner, and dancing to a live surf band.

Individual tickets are $400. Tickets for the opportunity drawing to win a new 2007 MINI Cooper convertible are available for $250 each, with only 200 tickets being sold (ticket holder need not be present to win).

For more information, call Kim Maxwell, (949) 494-2535, ext. 101.

Easter Egg Hunt hops into Laguna

The Laguna Beach American Legion and Women’s Auxiliary will again sponsor the Annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Laguna Beach High School baseball field.

The hunt will take place at 1 p.m. sharp on Easter Sunday, April 8. This free event is open to all children nine years or younger. The American Legion has been sponsoring this Laguna tradition for more than 50 years.

Attendees should come early, between noon and 12:30 p.m., as the Easter Bunny will make a personal appearance and will be available for photo opportunities.

For more information, call (949) 376-6340.

Teen video contest announced

Cox Communications has announced a video contest for Orange County teens about friends who have inspired them, or to show what friendship means to them.

Three winners will be chosen and awarded scholarships, with $2,500 for first place, $1,500 for second place and $1,000 for third place.

Videos will be judged by TV and film experts from networks such as IFC and Cox3 based on their originality, content and creativity. The recommended length is three to four minutes, and films should be submitted on mini-DV, DVD or VHS tape, though mini DV is preferred because it provides the highest quality.

The top videos will air On Demand on channel 1.

The deadline is April 6. For guidelines and application forms, go to www.cox.com/ocpv/ occommunity/edu.asp, and click on scholarship applications.

Playhouse joins Imagination festival

The Laguna Playhouse will hold two performances for children as part of the 2007 Imagination Celebration of Orange County, a family-oriented countywide festival of performing and visual arts events.

At 10 a.m. April 21, the playhouse will present a performance of “Charlotte’s Web.” At 10 a.m. Saturday, May 12, it will present “By the Great Horn Spoon.” Young audience members will be used in the latter production.

Both shows are suitable for ages 5 and up; tickets are $5 each.

For more information, call (949) 497-ARTS (2787) or visit www.LagunaPlayhouse.com.

Nonprofit education grants available

The American Association of University Women, Laguna Beach Foundation invites Laguna Beach nonprofit organizations to submit an application for grants from $100 to $500 that address needs related to AAUW’s mission.

Funding requests must relate to the education and needs of women and girls, or provide information to educate and benefit the public on these issues.

The deadline to apply is May 1. For more information, call (949) 497-5184 or go to www.aauw-lagunabeach.org.

Beauty and the Beast continues through Sunday

Laguna Beach High School’s production of “Beauty and the Beast” continues tonight at 7:30 p.m., with additional shows on Saturday and Sunday at the Artists’ Theatre on the high school grounds. Sunday’s performance will be at 2:30 p.m.

The show features a massive set, “magical” props and over 100 costumes, and is based on the Disney musical.

Tickets are $10 for students, $12 for adults and $15 for reserved seats.

For more information, call (949) 497-7769.

Playhouse announces golf tournament benefit

Laguna Playhouse has scheduled its 7th annual charity golf tournament, auction and dinner for April 18 at Tijeras Creek Golf Club in Rancho Santa Margarita.

Held by the Laguna Playhouse Parents Association, the golf tournament benefits the Playhouse’s Youth Theatre programs.

Registration for the charity golf tournament is $200 per player, or $700 for a team of four. Non-golfing guests may attend the dinner and performance for $40 per person. The Laguna Playhouse is also accepting items for the auction.

To reserve a spot, call Thornton Dickerson at (714) 731-2077, or e-mail westmach@aol.com.

Anneliese’s art auction and party approaches

Anneliese’s Schools will hold its annual student art exhibit, auction and party, “Kinder Kunst,” on April 20 at [seven degrees], 891 Laguna Canyon Road.

Admission is $35 in advance and $45 at the door.

For more information, call (949) 497-8310.