Briefly In Education

Scouts learn to care for flag on Veterans Day

In honor of Veterans Day, on Nov. 13, Webelos 1 Cub Scouts of Laguna Beach Pack 35 learned about how to treat the United States flag.

Led by Laguna Beach Lifeguard Capt. Tom Trager and veteran Rick Rosal, the scouts learned how to hoist, fold and care for the flag in front of the Main Beach Lifeguard Tower.

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Church collecting books for Santa Ana school

Laguna Presbyterian Church is collecting new and gently used books for Wilson Elementary School in Santa Ana.

Donations may be dropped off into the marked boxes through Dec. 5 and at Hospitality Night on Dec. 2 at the church’s hot dog stand on Forest Avenue. Or stop by the church office between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and Tankersley Hall from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Sunday.

But please, no religious books.

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MOPs sweep together Christmas goodies

For the second year, the Laguna Beach Mothers of Pre Schoolers group, or MOPs, has filled shoe boxes to be distributed at Christmas to disadvantaged children all over the world, according to a news release.

More that 100 boxes were filled with toiletries, schools supplies, toys and treats for children that otherwise would not receive anything at Christmas time. Members of the group and Laguna Beach dentists donated the items.

Operation Christmas Child collected 8.17 million shoe boxes in 2010 and hopes to exceed that number this year. This project was started in 1993, and since then 85 million boxes have been delivered to children in more than 130 countries around the world. For many thrilled boys and girls, the boxes are the first Christmas presents they have received.

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Middle school uses physical, mental challenges to fundraise

Thurston Middle School will branch out in its fundraising with the EPIC Challenge from Dec. 6 to 9.

Students will participate in games, races and Minute-To-Win-It type contests during their physical education classes to raise money.

Mission Hospital, Reel Talent Management, Volcom, Crescent Bay Holdings, Silverfish, Laguna Beach Little League and J. Kramer Corp. have gotten the ball rolling. The Langton Family, Kimball Orthodontics, Citizens Bank, Staples, Office Max, Costco, Target, Whole Foods, Ralph’s, Vons Pavilions, Albertsons, Stater Brothers, Wahoo’s, La Sirena, Subway, Gina’s Pizza, Active Culture, Banzai Bowl, Regency South Coast Cinema, Laguna Surf & Sport, Hobie, Trader Joe’s, Starbucks, Walmart, Target, Dolce Gelato, Gelato Paradiso and Ganahl Lumber have contributed as well.

For more information, or to donate, visit https://www.thurstonepicchallenge.com or like the Thurston Epic Challenge Facebook page.

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SMART Girls raise $250 for Komen

The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach-TLC Branch’s SMART Girls participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure against breast cancer event in Balboa Park in San Diego on Nov. 6, according to a news release.

The group of 10 girls raised more than $250 selling fruit kebabs and handmade tie-dyed shirts in Bluebird Park. In addition, several club parents made donations.

The girls were among 25,000 people who participated in the 3.2-mile race. Race organizers thanked the SMART Girls for their involvement and thought their support and awareness was amazing at their young age.

SMART Moves is a Boys & Girls Club of America nationally acclaimed program for young people that provides skills to grow confident and healthy individuals through goal setting, teamwork, problem-solving, and developing healthy relationships with their peers.

For more information about the TLC branch, call (949) 494-7630. For more information about the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach organization, call the Main Branch at (949) 494-2535.

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Thurston is the victor again in Chef Challenge

Continuing the tradition of the Thurston principal winning the SchoolPower Chef Challenge, defending champion and new Laguna Beach High School Principal Joanne Culverhouse conceded the title to her Thurston successor, Jenny Salberg, according to a news release.

Round Three of the social event also continued its winning tradition as more than $9,500 was raised for Laguna’s schools.

In a good-humored nod to Culverhouse’s success in the previous two rounds against then-high school Principal Don Austin, Salberg wore an Underdog shirt beneath her chef whites. She also served up some food for thought with a list of the Top 5 Reasons to Vote for Principal Salberg.

With two equally delectable meals selected by the dueling principals and masterfully prepared by Lumberyard Chef Armando Ortega, Salberg’s list might just have been the ingredient needed for patrons to vote her menu the winner.

One of the reasons on her list was even reiterated by Culverhouse as she gracefully accepted defeat and joked that Salberg, “deserves the win for spending her days with 700 middle-schoolers!”

In claiming the coveted title, “Chef” Salberg gave credit to her longtime colleague saying, “I learned from the best. Dr. Culverhouse was a worthy opponent. She taught me well, and now the student has become the master. Thurston continues to be Top Dog in the Chef Challenge!”

“With support of local businesses like Lumberyard, SchoolPower is able to make a significant impact on Laguna’s schools,” Vice President Samantha Washer said. “The Redfearn’s commitment to their community is to be applauded.”

The evening also offered a taste of the exciting things to come at SchoolPower’s 27th annual Dinner Dance. On display at Lumberyard was a new black 2012 VW Beetle to be raffled off at the March 3 gala, compliments of McKenna Volkswagen. Raffle tickets are $100 each and 500 will be sold. To buy tickets, call the SchoolPower office at (949) 494-6811.

— Jamie Rowe

Twitter: @jamierowe3