Newport CoastCrystal Cove Alliance announces large giftThe...

Newport Coast

Crystal Cove Alliance announces large gift

The Crystal Cove Alliance this week announced that is well on its way toward a $300,000 fundraising goal to help preserve the state park. During its sponsors and underwriters’ cocktail party on Thursday, the alliance announced a $50,000 gift from The Resort at Pelican Hill.

About 75 guests attended the Thursday night event on the bluff-top deck at the Crystal Cove Historic District, which was led by gala chair Teddie Ray and co-chair Linda Kennedy and dinner catered by The Beachcomber Café.

“Crystal Cove Alliance (CCA), the official nonprofit partner of Crystal Cove State Park, is dedicated to preserving the cultural, natural and historic resources of Crystal Cove,” according to a news release. “Founded in 1999 to stop a planned luxury resort from overtaking the area, CCA rescued the historic site and initiated one of the most successful public-private partnership models in the history of the California State Park system.”

For more information, please visit https://www.crystalcovealliance.org

—From staff reports

Newport Beach

‘Poodle Skirt’ author coming to Fashion Island

Children’s author Sandy De Young plans to sign copies of her book, “Kasey’s Poodle Skirt,” at 1 p.m. June 26 at Barnes & Noble, 401 Newport Center Drive.

According to the publisher’s description of the book, “Kasey knows there is something special about her favorite pink poodle skirt, but she is about to see just how extraordinary it really is. One night, she wakes up to find the poodle from her skirt is real. Kasey and Pierre venture everywhere from the zoo to the ice skating rink and never fall short of fun. Will Pierre be there in the morning, or will all that remains be Kasey’s Poodle Skirt?”

—From staff reports

Laguna Beach

The Laguna College of Art & Design netted $105,000 at the annual Collector’s Choice fundraiserat the campus on Laguna Canyon Road.

A crowd of about 400 college supporters attended the event, which included an art raffle, silent and live auctions of works donated by professional artists, and an al fresco dinner. Students at the college directly benefit from the funds raised at Collector’s Choice, which provides financial assistance via scholarships, and pays to upgrade the campus facilities where they strive to fulfill their dreams of a career in the arts.

It’s got to be more than 10 years, more than 15,” Swimm said.

The 21st Collector’s Choice featured donations by 142 donors.

—Barbara Diamond

Hotspot earns extra hour

Mozambique restaurant got back the hour it lost less than a month ago, not by a time change, but by a council edict.

The City Council voted unanimously this week to extend the hours of operation at the restaurant to midnight Sunday through Thursday this summer, reversing the May 18 decision to make the closing hour 11 p.m. The trial period is a sink-or-swim test for the restaurant owner.

Twenty-three supporters, including neighbors, patrons, North Laguna residents, local business people and the attorney for the neighbors, spoke in favor of giving Mozambique the opportunity to show it could control late-hour disturbances in the abutting residential areas.

—Barbara Diamond