Laguna Beach Sister Cities
February Newsletter
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The month of February brings us much to celebrate and honor. But like the rest of the world these holidays and celebrations will look much different this year. Not only is February the month of love and chocolate, it’s also the month that celebrates the Chinese New Year, Mardi Gras,/Fat Tuesday and some of our most treasured and beloved former presidents. This year all of this comes together at one time, giving us all a long 3-day weekend for celebrating. |
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Noteworthy celebrations that all share the month of February |
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Chinese New Year: Chinese New Year 2021 falls on Friday, February 12th, 2021. Chinese New Year Celebrations last up to 16 days, but only the first 7 days are considered a public holiday (February 11th–17th, 2021).
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This year the Chinese Zodiac is the year of the OX. Hong Kong-based geomancer Warrick Wong says the Year of the OX indicates that we should all simply keep calm and carry on as best we can in 2021. And in a note worth taking whether you believe in the zodiac or not, Wong says to "try not to be obsessive about following the news, because so much information is in the air." Essentially, preserve your energy and your spirit.
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Presidents' Day for the year 2021 is celebrated/ observed on Monday, February 15th. President's Day, also known as Washington's Birthday, is on the third Monday of February each year and is a federal holiday in the United States. The day not only honors George Washington (born February 22), the first President of the United States, and Abraham Lincoln (born February 12) whose birthdays are both in February, but honors all the presidents who have served in the United States.
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Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday. It's also called Shrove Tuesday, Carnival Tuesday or Pancake Tuesday, depending on where the celebration is taking place.
Mardi Gras is synonymous with Carnival celebrations in New Orleans, Venice and Rio, but the day is marked in similarly festive fashion around the world in countries with large Roman Catholic populations.
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In New Orleans’ Mardi Gras celebrations have always been veritable bacchanals filled with throngs of people throwing gold, green and purple beads from ornately decorated parade floats. Amid a global pandemic, however, pressing against crowds of strangers is a more frightening than festive prospect. |
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With Mardi Gras parades canceled in New Orleans this year due to COVID-19, the mayor is adamant that Mardi Gras is not cancelled. Rather residents are finding new ways to celebrate safely with thousands of locals transforming their homes into makeshift “house floats”. |
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Socially distanced alternatives to the city’s usual festivities include a cleverly designed app that will assist users to catch, collect and exchange virtual knick-knacks, follow a scavenger hunt and enjoy celebratory musical performances and entertainment. |
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Laguna Beach Sister Cities Announces a Special Culinary Event to Honor our Sister City Menton, France |
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In France the Fête du Citron is observed every year in mid-February. Our wonderful French Sister City Menton celebrates the annual production of specialty lemons and other citrus fruit from the region. It is a combination of the Rose Parade and Carnivale. To honor our beloved Menton this year we are offering our own nod to Citron.
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For all Sister City Laguna Beach members, we are offering this special event to honor Fête du Citron. Local chef/caterer Justin Myers, owner of Delectable OC Catering and Cafe @ Palisades Tennis Club in Newport Beach, will take us on a journey to the Cote D'Azur offering us a Provencal inspired meal with a twist of "Citron".
Justin will guide us through the history of the Fête du Citron and how citrus has inspired the cuisine of the French Riviera. Additionally, for those who want to cook along, participants will be supplied with a shopping list!!!
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We are offering this free to members of LBSCA via Zoom on Sunday, February 28th at 6pm. Limited prepared meals for 2 will be available for delivery prior to the Zoom for $30 or $15 for one. Contact Justin directly if you are interested in participating in the Zoom and/or in receiving this delicious citrus inspired meal. |
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Space is limited so first come first served. You must RSVP directly to Justin no later than Monday 2/22. cafepalisadestc@gmail.com
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MENU
Marinated artichokes with parmesan, garlic,
and parsley accompanied with crostinis
Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Parmesan, lemon juice and zest,
parsley, and tossed with olive oil
Pureed Cauliflower Soup
Limoncello Herbs de Provence Marinated Chicken Breast
****Bring your appetite, a glass of wine and sense of adventure****
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Laguna Beach Sister Cities Garden |
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Our gardeners are working every 2nd, 4th and 5th Monday to keep our beautiful garden that honors San Jose Del Cabo, Menton, France and St Ives, England in tip top shape and looking lush and beautiful. We are thankful to our volunteers and to our partnership with the Laguna Beach Garden Club for all the work they do to keep things trimmed, fresh and watered. You are cordially invited to join in on these maintenance days at 10:00 A.M. For questions or information please contact our Garden Chair Betsy Jenkins at betsyjenkins@cox.net
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Gianne de Genevraye is an International painter who paints public gardens in Europe and the United States. In 2014/15 she was designated as the cultural Artist in Residence for the city of Menton in southern France, painting in four municipal gardens. Gianne organized an exhibition sponsored by the Laguna Beach Sister Cities Association where on-location paintings from their sister cities (Menton; St. Ives, UK; San Jose del Cabo, Mexico; and Laguna Beach) would be exhibited. In November 2015, she painted in St. Ives, in Cornwall, England and in San Jose del Cabo in Baja, Mexico in February 2016. |
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The Laguna Beach Sister Cities Association solo show and exhibition was presented at 7° Event Center in May, 2016. Beginning February 18 Gianne will participate in a virtual show sponsored by the California Art Club. The show is called MARS: AN ARTISTIC MISSION which coincides which the landing of the Mars Rover on the same date. We are very proud of our member and Artist is Residence and wish her well in all her future artistic endeavors https://www.gianne.org/
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We All Need a Laugh Now and Then |
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Personally, I get more from a good joke when I can poke fun at my own daily struggles. If this doesn’t speak to you and make you laugh you may still be a teenager. |
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Upcoming General Membership Meetings |
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We always look forward to seeing you at our monthly meetings. Please note that all General Membership meetings are held on the 2nd Monday of each month, with the exception of July, August and December where we are on break.
We will get back to in person meetings and events when our County Covid -19 protocols tell us it is safe. We know that ZOOM isn’t as much fun, but it’s all we can offer you right now. Please mark your calendars now for our next membership meeting scheduled for Monday, March 8. You will get a notification several days prior to the meeting date giving you either a meeting location or a ZOOM code and we hope you can make it as we start our move forward on planning our wonderful Fête de la Musique, Laguna Beach, 2021.
Always proudly here for your reference and support
https://lagunabeachsistercities.com/
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