UPFRONT PLACES | PERSPECTIVES | HAPPENINGS
JOHN WATKINS
SEACHANGE SUMMER PARTY Ocean conservation is always front and center at the SeaChange Summer Party , hosted by Oceana each year to support campaigns in California and across the globe . The group raised more than $ 1.5 million to protect marine life , fight pollution and enhance the overall health and abundance of the ocean . The 16th annual event was held at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club on July 22 , beginning with a cocktail reception and silent auction before heading into a seated dinner , live auction and musical performance by Third Eye Blind . The event was attended by several celebrities from actresses Reese Witherspoon and Sally Pressman to actor Oscar Nunez . During dinner , Oceana CEO Andrew Sharpless honored actor Morgan Freeman for his commitment to conservation . Paul Naudé , CEO of surf clothing brand Vissla and president of the Surf Industry Members Association , was also recognized as the nonprofit ’ s Ocean Champion of the year . Since the first event in 2008 , the SeaChange Summer Party has raised over $ 19 million toward the group ’ s efforts . ( seachangesummerparty . org ) — A . R .
MIDDLE PHOTOS : MARIUSZ JEGLINSKI
MOVI INC .
NICHOLAS KOON
RIGHT THREE PHOTOS : RYAN MILLER
1 . Paul Naudé 2 . Mark Christy , Laura and Lou Rohl , Leticia Christy 3 . Chantal LeDuc , Karen Jordan , Pam Roy 4 . Ava Philippe , Reese Witherspoon 5 . Greg MacGillivray , Tamar Bedolfe , Barbara MacGillivray , Beto Bedolfe 6 . Andrew Sharpless , Morgan Freeman 7 . Elizabeth Wahler , Valaree Wahler 8 . Gabriel Sousa , Kira Cahill , Jim Simon , Karen and Bruce Cahill , Brent Cahill , Kelly Petrovich
1 . The Blue Bell Foundation for Cats booth 2 . The Berkshire Hathaway chef team with judge Rosemary “ Rosie ” Taylor ( center ) 3 . Jamie Crawford and his dog , Prancer 4 . Dan Conroy , Liz Comerford
PET PARADE & CHILI COOK-OFF After a three year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the beloved Pet Parade & Chili Cook-Off returned to Laguna Beach on June 24 with a spectacular event held at Neighborhood Congregational Church . Organized by the Laguna Real Estate Charitable Assistance Fund ( LRE / CAF ), local Realtors , business owners , residents and members of both the police and fire departments came together to raise funds for the Blue Bell Foundation for Cats and the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter as well as LRE / CAF . Jamie Crawford and his long-haired Chihuahua stole the show during the pet parade , winning Most Handsome Male , and he was awarded a painting from Debby Carman of the Faux Paw Artique Gallery . When it came to sampling chili , guests thought Liz Comerford of LRE / CAF had the best recipe . While she took home the main trophy , a runner-up iteration was presented to Dan Conroy of the Laguna Beach Fire Department . The event also featured face painting , local vendors , dog treats , raffle items , live entertainment and pet adoptions from rescue organizations . ( lre-caf . com ) — A . R . g
BOTTOM SECTION : BOB ORTIZ PHOTOGRAPHY
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