Around the City: Winners of Best of Plein Air exhibition named; The Laguna Beach Event ends on April 3rd.

Laguna Plein Air Painters Assn. announced this week the winners of its 19th annual Best of Plein Air exhibition and auction, which opened earlier this month and ends April 3 at the LPAPA gallery.

“Jitterbug” by Geoff Allen won the judges’ highest award from this year’s 371 entries from 140 artists. Second place went to “Morning Glow” by Mark Fehlman and third place to “La Jolla Cove” by Michael Hill.

Honorable Mention went to Jason Li’s “Sunset Trail” and the Facebook Fan People’s Choice Award winner went to Mark Fehlman’s “Crystal Cove’s Legacy.”

Proceeds from the sale of artwork benefit participating artists and the non-profit LPAPA.

The LPAPA gallery at 414 N. Coast Highway. The opening hours of the gallery are Thursday to Monday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by appointment.

Costa Mesa awards $630,000 to create ‘Safe Routes to School’ Action Plan

Costa Mesa officials announced last month that the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded the city a $630,000 Safe Roads and Roads For All grant to develop a comprehensive safety action plan aimed at making roads safer .

The Safe Routes to School Action Plan will include specific, actionable project concepts to improve safety on the city’s streets used to access the Costa Mesa Newport-Mesa Unified School District campus.

The bipartisan Infrastructure Act introduced the new Safe Streets program, providing $5 billion in funding over the next five years. The first funding cycle, announced Feb. 1, will award $800 million to 510 communities across the country.

In alignment with the United Nations World Day of Social Justice, the nonprofit Orange County Community Foundation has created a special Orange County Justice Fund in partnership with philanthropist Keith Swayne, co-founder of the Keith and Judy Swayne Family Foundation and the Hawaii Community Foundation.

A first round of grants totaling $400,000 was recently awarded to 25 local nonprofits whose work aligns with the funds’ three key values ​​– a belief that diversity is an asset, moving toward unity, and local impact for all residents regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability or other characteristics.

Funds can be used to support the organizations’ direct services, coalition building and political advocacy. OCCF hopes to increase the Orange County Social Justice Fund to $10 million to make it a lasting source of support for the local community.

To learn more about the fund and how you can get involved, visit oc-cf.org/orange-county-social-justice-fund.

Learn how to use naloxone at a training session in Newport Beach

Naloxone can revive someone who has overdosed on opioids and stopped breathing. Learn how to use the life-saving drug during a training session either in person at the Melinda Hoag Smith Center for Healthy Living, 307 Placentia Ave, Newport Beach on Tuesday, March 21 at 5 p.m.

Aimee Dunkkle of the Solace Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to reducing opioid-related deaths, will teach attendees how to respond when a loved one overdoses. They are also invited to listen or engage in open conversations.

The event is free, and those who show up in person will receive a pack of naloxone to take away. Participants must wear a face covering inside the medical facility.

Mind Booster series focusing on seniors’ memory function, legal issues and more

The Alzheimer’s Family Center will host a four-week series of presentations next month at the Central Park Senior Center, 18041 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach. All take place on Wednesdays from 2pm to 4pm and the fee is $25 for the entire series. The dates are April 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th.

The series will feature professionals from Orange County in the fields of neurology, nutrition, exercise, stress management, cognitive fitness and elder rights. Topics covered include ‘All About Memory Loss’, ‘Superfoods and Nutrition for Optimal Brain Health’, ‘Cognitive Tools and Resources for Mental Health’ and ‘Legal Issues and Planning for the Future’.

For more information or to register, call (714) 593-9630.

Free Alzheimer’s & Caregiving Educational Conference for April 19th

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is hosting a free educational conference on Alzheimer’s and caregiving for residents on Wednesday, April 19 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Hilton Irvine/Orange County, 18800 MacArthur Blvd., Irvine.

The conference is public and allows attendees to learn from experts in the field of Alzheimer’s disease, brain health and care. Free, confidential memory tests are conducted throughout the day. Pre-registration is recommended and can be done at alzfdn.org/tour.

Women’s Philanthropy Fund breakfast on May 18, registration now open

Orange County United Way is hosting its annual Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast on Thursday, May 18 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Irvine Marriott. The event will include a Q&A with Helen Hunt, the Oscar-winning actress, writer, director and producer.

The Women’s Philanthropy Fund was established to support the empowerment of at-risk families and children in Orange County.

“It is an honor and a privilege to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast this year with Orange County’s finest philanthropists and community leaders who have sacrificed their time, talent and resources to support a significant… Making an impact in our community,” said Susan B. Parks, President and CEO of Orange County United Way and charter member of the Women’s Philanthropy Fund. “Thanks to the tireless efforts of many over the past two decades, I can say with confidence that we have made a long and lasting difference to our beloved Orange County community.”

To sign up for breakfast and ask a question for Helen Hunt, please visit WPFbreakfast.com. The cost of attending the event at the Marriott is $300 per person.

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