AROUND TOWN - Oct. 17, 2008

Middle East expert to talk at Fellowship

A special program, “Creative Engagement with the Arab World,” will take place at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 26 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Laguna Beach.

The talk will be presented by Elye Pitts, based on his graduate work at Stanford University in Middle East Studies, and his knowledge of Arab culture, long-term observations, and research and policy level consulting throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

Pitts, a Laguna Beach-based consultant in nonprofit management and economic development, has also taught at the university level.

The program at the Fellowship, 429 Cypress Drive, will be followed by a $5 lunch, during which the speaker will be available to answer questions.

The public is invited to attend.

Marine Mammal ‘Masquerade’ on Nov. 2

The Pacific Marine Mammal will hold its Marine Mammal Masquerade from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at Mozambique, 1730 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach.

Proceeds from the event will support the rescue, rehabilitation and release of Southern California’s marine mammal population.

The event will include South African cuisine dinner, fine wine, special guest live band, opportunity drawing for a seven-day Alaskan Cruise for two, a live auction — and many fabulous masks.

Tickets are $150 per person. Send checks to Pacific Marine Mammal Center, 20612 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA, 92651 or call (949) 494-3050.

RUFF Thanksgiving lunch planned for Nov. 27

RUFF (Rescuing Unwanted Furry Friends) is holding its annual Thanksgiving lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 27 at Tivoli Terrace restaurant, 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach.

Four-legged friends are invited to join the festivities.

Attendees can choose a traditional turkey dinner with all of the fixings or a tasty vegetarian option.

Tickets are now available by calling (949) 340-2239. Tickets are $35 if you pre-pay by credit card at the time of reservation or $40 if you pay at the door.

Ticket for children younger than 12 are $15.

University women honor four leaders at dinner

The American Association of University Women Laguna Beach Foundation will be honoring four outstanding women leaders of Laguna Beach at their 10th annual celebration dinner Monday at Tivoli Too, 777 Laguna Canyon Road.

This year’s honorees are Laguna Beach School Board member Betsy Jenkins, honored in the Education category, who will be introduced by Joann Culverhouse, principal of Thurston Middle School and a former AAUW honoree; Mary Ferguson, for Volunteerism, introduced by former honoree, Nancy Lawrence; Jan Satler, for Arts and Environment, introduced by former honoree, Deana Pink; and Susan Bryant, for Women in Science, introduced by former honoree and current co-president of AAUW, Laguna Beach, Barbara Hamkala.

Social time at 5:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. Ed Merrilees will provide keyboard music for the occasion and June Neptune, herself a previous AAUW honoree, will make sure the event has a special ambience.

Reservations are $65. For more information, call (949) 497-0986 or visit www.aauw-lagunabeach.org

Costume bash for Surfrider is Oct. 31

TRKY is throwing a Halloween costume bash for the local Surfrider Foundation chapter starting at 8 p.m. on Oct. 31 at the Blue Laguna restaurant.

Admission is $10. For more information, visit www.bluelagunaoc.com