Briefly In the News

Boutique Benefit in need of donations

A local nonprofit is collecting new and gently used quality clothing and accessories for an annual benefit to alleviate homelessness and hunger.

Laguna Beach residents and merchants are asked to clean out their closets to donate designer and brand-name clothing for the seventh annual Boutique Benefit Fundraising Drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Laguna Beach Presbyterian Church, 415 Forest Ave.

The items will be sold at the annual Boutique Benefit one-day sale in May that will support local and international charities that work to end homelessness and hunger.

Items needed include clean clothing for women, men, teens and children; shoes; jewelry; handbags; hats; belts; scarves and sunglasses.

Items are tax deductible.

The benefit has raised more than $85,000 to date for the Laguna Resource Center, the Friendship Shelter, Impact Giving, and Women for Women International.

Residents who miss the Saturday drop-off can donate items on the last Saturday of each month until the Boutique Benefit.

For more information, call Evonne Kane at (949)468-6831, or go online to https://www.boutiquebenefit.com.

*

Susi Q offering mental health services

The Laguna Beach senior center is offering its help to seniors who are feeling down or struggling emotionally.

The Susi Q Senior/Community Center provides mental health services in addition to its activities and events. The center provides individual appointments as well as support groups with licensed mental health therapists.

Clinical Supervisor Kay Wenger oversees a Coffee Talk Support Group on Mondays, one-on-one counseling through the Feeling The Blues program, a Grief and Loss Support Group and the Boomers Support Group.

For more information or to make an appointment, call (949) 497-2441 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

*

Great discussions start Jan. 29

A local discussion group developed by the Foreign Policy Assn. will begin meeting at the end of the month.

The Great Decisions Discussion Group will meet at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Jan. 29 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at 429 Cypress. All discussions are open to the public.

This year, the eight topics of interest will include: future of the euro, NATO, Myanmar, Southeast Asia, intervention, Iran, China in Africa and threat assessment.

A book compiled by the Foreign Policy Assn. with in-depth analysis of each topic will be available for purchase. A film featuring discussions by experts on each subject will also supplement information.

The Laguna group is co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the Social Action Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.

For more information, call Jean Raun at (949) 494 2247.

— Britney Barnes