BRIEFLY IN EDUCATION

Mom’s Group meets Fridays at church

Mothers of young children are invited to participate in the Laguna Presbyterian Church Mom’s Group, which meets from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Fridays, except during ski week. Meetings are in the Parlor of the church, 415 Forest Ave. The current study, led by Caroline Millson, is titled, “Friendship With God.” Come once to check it out, or every Friday as a regular attendee.

Childcare for preschool-aged children is available by calling (949) 494-7555 for a reservation. A nominal donation is requested, and scholarships are available. For more information, e-mail Lisa Wilhelm at lwilhelm@lagunapres church.org or Millson at carolinemillson@ hotmail.com. For more about family programs at Laguna Presbyterian, visit www.lagunapreschurch.org

Local youth carry on King legacy

The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach’s Keystone Club have committed the last two years to transforming the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday as day “on,” as apposed to a day “off,” in order strengthen the community and honor the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The King Day of Service was initiated by Congress in 1994 as a nationwide effort to turn the federal holiday honoring King into a day of community service that helps solve social problems. On Monday, volunteers across the nation honored the legacy of the civil rights leader, who encouraged people to work together in addressing community issues.

The Keystone Club began planning for the King Day of Service by discussing community issues within Laguna Beach and developing a community service project to address a specific issue. The group decided to volunteer to help the Laguna Relief and Resource Center.

Boys & Girls Club staff, friends, families and Keystone members rolled up their sleeves and scrubbed, mopped, swept, vacuumed, raked and dusted the Center.

“Our club members who volunteered today embody the spirit of volunteerism and service to others that is so appropriate on Martin Luther King Day,” said Bob Whalen, Boys & Girls Club board president, who participated in the King Day of Service. “We are very proud of our Teen Center members and the staff that guides them everyday. One of our key goals for 2009 is to continue the expansion of the Teen Center and its outreach into the community.”

The Laguna Relief and Resource Center provides homeless and low-income assistance as well as disaster relief and preparedness for Laguna Beach residents. Volunteers from the club’s TLC branch provided a home-cooked dinner. The free dinner was served at Heisler Park and is provided daily by volunteers of the Laguna Relief and Resource Center.

Keystone Club is the Boys & Girls Clubs most dynamic teen program. Each club is chartered and promotes leadership and service clubs for 14- to 18-year-olds. Keystoners elect officers and implement activities in six areas: service to club and community, character and leadership development, education and career exploration, unity, free enterprise and social recreation.

‘No Suits’ show set for Jan. 31

Performers are gearing up for the 21st Annual “No Suits Allowed” Concert, set for 7:30 p.m. Jan. 31 at the Laguna Beach High School Artists Theater, 650 Park Ave.

The show, organized by Gary Shapiro, will feature many of Laguna’s talented high school students and guest performers. All money raised will go toward the Class of 2009’s “safe and sober” graduation night activities.

Shapiro, a math teacher at Laguna Beach High School, has helped put on the concert as a fundraiser for the graduating class for all 21 years of the show. Shapiro spends hours working with the kids, and brings in the elementary school chorus and guest performers, including other teachers and members of the community.

A pre-show fundraiser will take place at Ristorante Rumari from 5 to 6:45 p.m. These tickets are $60 each and include a three-course pasta dinner and reserved section seating.

There are also a limited amount of $30 reserved section seats available.

General tickets will go on sale at 4 p.m., Jan. 31, while they last, with a maximum of four per person. Student admission is $10; adult admission $15.

Checks for reserved ticket orders can be made out to “LBHS Class of 2009” and sent to Kathleen Moore, 84 Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach, CA .

For more information, call (949) 497-8455.

Adult English classes offered at high school

The Laguna Beach Unified School District is offering free English as a Second Language classes for adults beginning Tuesday. Classes will be from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday through June 18.

Classes are at Laguna Beach High School, 625 Park Ave., above the swimming pool at the corner of Manzanita Drive and Park Avenue, across from the administrative headquarters. Register in class with the instructor. For more information, call (949) 497-7700, ext. 210.