Book of the Month
Happy Valentine’s Day!
“Sense will always have attractions to me that sensibility cannot.”
— Elinor Dashwood, Sense and Sensibility
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen was published in 1811. It was Jane Austen’s first novel and a sharp exploration of love, reason, emotion, and social expectations in early 19th-century England. This story about the dichotomy of two sisters, Marianne and Elinor Dashwood’s personalities. The book explores societal customs, courtship, and friendship. It offers great prose and believable characters. We recommend reading this classic with a cup of tea. Austen’s timeless work will inspire your own Valentine’s Day celebration. She had an uncanny ability to write about her generation expectations versus reality. Her literary characters connect with today’s audiences in book and film format.
From the Archives
We are working on Sawdust Art Festival’s 60th Anniversary archive and book. You can follow the project and contribute your story! The archive contains thousands of never before seen photos, slides, newspaper clippings, and ephemera. Dive into the fascinating history of Sawdust and explore how Laguna Beach’s art scene developed. This book will contain excerpts from the oral history collection, written stories, and poems. It is an ode to an incredible community of talented artists who build their own booths and are multidisciplinary. The Sawdust founders, David Nelson and Jay Grant, have been helping us with archival photo description as shown.
Artists of the Month
Experience the excitement of two new art exhibitions at both of Casa Romantica’s art gallery spaces. On view in the Art Gallery is “Making Peace with the Earth” by Ann Phong, a powerful series of contemporary works inspired by environmental conservation. In the Studio, celebrated artist John Cosby will present his vibrant plein air paintings that capture the beauty of the natural world. These exhibits are on view through March 8th. The next exhibition is California Art Club’s Orange County Chapter Exhibition. You can meet the artists at the opening reception on March 19th starting at 6:00 pm followed by a series of exciting events.
We are honoring the City of Newport Beach’s 120th anniversary! Learn more about the history of this community with our curated events at the Lido Theater. We are working together with Newport Beach Historical Society, Balboa Island Museum, Sherman Library and Gardens, Bill Lobdell, Visit Newport Beach and Mayor Lauren Kleiman with city council to accomplish these goals.
Join us for The Irvine Story, a nearly sold-out, curated film screening with Director Nathan Gopen on February 4th at 6pm at the Lido Theater. The film is 75 minutes long. It will be followed by a Q&A with Nathan Gopen. Spanning 150 years from when James Irvine purchased over 100,000 acres in Orange County to the incredible transformation from agriculture to real estate in the 1960s and beyond, this is a compelling inside look at the making of a premiere master-planned community that is recognized as a role model world wide. Get a first look at exclusive clips, extended interviews, and never-before-seen moments from The Story of Irvine. Meet the experts who helped shape the city’s vision and the community that continues today.
In partnership with Balboa Island Museum and Newport Beach Historical Society, Sin City: Newport Beach is a documentary featuring prominent leaders of the community. This film was inspired by Bawdy Balboa, a book by Judge Robert Gardner. We honor the 120th anniversary together on this Newport Beach Film Festival released movie. It was created by Ed Olsen, Celeste Dennerline, and Nancy Gardner (former mayor). Join us for Sin City: Newport Beach on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, 5:00-9:30 PM at the Lido Theater (3459 Via Lido, Newport Beach, CA 92663). Tickets are $50 to support our non-profit organizations.
The United States of America is celebrating its 250th anniversary in 2026. Mission San Juan Capistrano—the birthplace of Orange County is also honoring its 250th anniversary. This historic milestone offers an incredible opportunity to celebrate, not only our country’s birth but also the rich cultural heritage, resilient spirit, and diverse community that define the City of San Juan Capistrano. All of the Speaker Events will be held at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center. The next one is on February 22nd with Drs. Rose Marie Beebe and Robert Senkewicz. There will be a trolley tour on February 3rd, 2026. Learn more and RSVP at: sjc250.org
At Home in Sunlight: A State in Motion, 1897–1940
January 31 – May 16, 2026
UC Irvine Langson Museum Interim Gallery
18881 Von Karman Ave., Irvine
Curated by: SeeVa Dawne Kitslis
At Home in Sunlight: A State in Motion explores California during a transformative period of unprecedented growth when its industrial infrastructure and cultural identity were rapidly changing. At the turn of the 20th Century, California was a state in motion. Its major urban centers—San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego—competed to establish themselves as dominant Pacific trade hubs open to Asia. Simultaneously, waves of artists arriving westward from Europe and the US Midwest sought to capture the state’s landscape and new way of life.
Route 66 – Happy 100th Birthday to America’s Mother Road: Paintings by Joan Gladstone
December 13, 2025 – May 30, 2026
Celebrate the centennial of America’s most iconic highway as artist Joan Gladstone captures the spirit and nostalgia of historic Route 66 – the “Mother Road” that stretches 2,400 miles from Chicago to Santa Monica – across eight states. This exhibition showcases 18 vivid contemporary oil paintings of the legendary road and its bold, colorful signage, inspired by Gladstone’s travels, archival images and imaginative reinterpretations.
The Festival of Whales returns to Dana Point on March 6th-8th, 2026 with a carnival, clam chowder competition, dinghy dash, live music, and ceremonies. Friday March 6th starts with the Welcoming of the Whales Kickoff Ceremony.You can attend the Festival of Whales Carnival Friday through Sunday until 8pm. The Dana Point Historical Society Walking Tour is happening on Saturday and Sunday from 2-4pm. There is a Marine Mammal Lecture Series. Don’t miss the Concert on the Water & BBQ on Sunday supporting the Marine Corps League South Coast Detachment 022.
Paper is fragile and susceptible to damage and deterioration, yet it holds some of our most treasured memories. Keep those memories safe with polyester sleeves from Gaylord Archival. Protect childhood keepsakes, awards, newspaper clippings, graduation programs, military records, wedding invitations, career milestones, photos, artwork and much more for future generations. You are the guardian of your family history.