Laguna Beach Beautification Council Hosts First Fundraising Gala
On Oct. 1, the Laguna Beach Beautification Council hosted its first fundraising event at Montage Laguna Beach. The event began with cocktails, souvenir photos by Michael Gosselin and a silent auction in the courtyard, followed by dinner in the Grand Ballroom, where Beautification Council President Ruben Flores spoke about the council’s past and future. The event also celebrated the life of the late Harry Lawrence, founder of the Beautification Council, whose family was in attendance. Supervisor Pat Bates expressed congratulations on the anniversary, and city council members Toni Iseman, Elizabeth Pearson and Verna Rollinger and longtime Beautification Council member Carolyn Hoover were among the 100-plus people who attended the inaugural event. The evening raised $15,000 to help support the Beautification Council’s projects, which include additional trees for the Broadway and new “Street End” projects, education and support for new public and private projects. —M.M.
