South Laguna Community Garden Park gathering this Saturday South Laguna Community Garden Park volunteers invite the community to join in a gathering of garden friends at the community garden , 31610 Coast Highway , on Sept . 17 from 4:30 p . m . until sunset . Chefs Tiffani Tincher and Ryan “ Farmer Leo ” Goldsmith will join us again to share their farm-to-table hors d ’ oeuvres and local brews and wines . Music will be by the Garden Band and Moon Police members Doug Miller , Grace and Ginger Freeman . Attendees can hear the latest Garden Park acquisition news .

In 2009 with the property owner ’ s permission , volunteers created the South Laguna Community Garden Park with the help of community donations . It is a beloved place for local residents and visitors and is open to all every day . More than 400 gardeners have participated , tending their beds and maintaining the Garden Park for public benefit . As a welcoming green space , it serves as a park for viewing , strolling , picnicking and holding events , including musical performances , classes , potlucks , and educational talks .

However , the future of the Garden Park is not assured until the land is purchased . For the first time since

2012 , the property is on the market . We are exploring options for acquisition with a team of local real estate experts . We hope to have positive news to report soon .

We have received more than $ 1 million in donations and pledges , including a $ 500,000 commitment from the City of Laguna Beach . We know more funds will be needed . Please consider a tax-deductible donation or pledge to support our negotiations to purchase the Garden Park . When the agreement is accepted for purchase of the property , you will be asked to complete your pledge commitment . For reservations , donations and pledges , visit SouthLaguna . org / garden . For more information , call ( 949 ) 499-1804 .

St Mary ’ s awards grants to local and national organizations The St . Mary ’ s Episcopal Church Women Philanthropy Committee recently awarded grants to several local and nationwide organizations . Sally ’ s Fund , Casa Teresa , Miry ’ s List , Creative Identity , Project Bike Love , St . Michael ’ s Riverside , and Friendship Shelter are among the recipients . These organizations work to benefit seniors , the homeless , and women and girls .

Sally ’ s Fund provides transportation

and other essential services to meet the needs of the seniors in our community .

Casa Teresa provides Orange County pregnant women in crisis a home to begin their healing journey .

Miry ’ s List provides a way for people to directly help new arrival refugee families .

Creative Identity is a therapeutic music and expressive arts program supporting artists and musicians with developmental and intellectual disabilities .

Project Bike Love empowers impoverished women by providing them a bike .

St . Michael ’ s Riverside ’ s vision is to serve as a model for addressing the City ’ s homeless population , and to create additional affordable housing , and maximize the use of the church-owned land while meeting both the City ’ s public needs and the Church ’ s commitment to service .

Friendship Shelter provides a full complement of services to the most vulnerable homeless people in our Laguna community and focuses on finding appropriate permanent housing for each individual .

St . Mary ’ s ECW has been hosting its Summer Concert Series over the last few months to raise funds for such

worthy organizations . Many of the performances have sold out and tickets for the final concerts are expected to go fast .

The last ECW ’ s Summer Concerts are on Sept . 17 with Jason Feddy and on Oct . 8 with Tommy Benson . Concert tickets are $ 25 , with meals and drinks available as an add-on option . Reservations are required by presale only at www . ecwstmaryslb . org .

Susi Q offers Fun Short Story Writing Class Published short story author and host of the popular podcast Writers on Writing Marrie Stone will be offering a not-to-be-missed series of six classes on the Art of the Short Story at the Susi Q , 380 Third Street , on Wednesday afternoons from Sept . 21 to Oct . 26 between 2 and 4 p . m .

The fun class will focus on fictional techniques of interest to memoirists and novelists as well as short story writers , from crafting memorable characters to creating compelling conflicts to finding appropriate resolutions ( or not ), to discussions of plot and story , setting and place , and major and minor characters .

The fee is $ 120 for the six-week series .

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