The real mothers of Orange County. Unlike their counterparts over in Coto, moms along the coast make their children an utmost priority. Its evident every morning as the line of car-pooling SUVs creep along in line waiting to drop off their knowledge-waning little ones at one of the trendy private schools scattered around town. The whole process reverses again at mid-afternoon, so soon after a quick lunch and some new Jimmy Choos.

Thought about mentioning a few mothers whom I respect but realized the ramifications of omitting anyone. There would surely be a price to pay. So I figured each and every person reading this article should take the time to reflect on their own mother and the amount of work and effort it takes to raise us brats. Heres to saluting mothers everywhere.

A GREAT PLACE TO BE SEEN...

By now, I am sure youve heard about Saturday mornings at Crystal Cove. It really is amazing. For the uninitiated, the centers parking lot comes alive

before 7 a.m. with an as-sortment for classic, vintage, and contemporary cars and motorcycles. Totally self-organized, it has become a social gathering unrivaled in this town. Coffee-clutching, a requirement, a bevy of the Orange Coasts coolest gather to sashay their way among the finest that the automotive world has to offer. It has become a testing ground for manufacturers to show off future projects and a place for the do-it-yourself garage mechanic to be admired by the throngs.

Dont leave before 9:00 or youll miss hearing the rumble as the cars begin their departure of the parking lot onto Coast Highway, which for a few minutes is reminiscent of the Grand Prix of Monaco, including the speed, smell, and paparazzi. Among the tire kickers spotted lately were Marco Baljeu, Alan Rypinski, Dan Gurney, Robert Harrel, and sons, Bill Halford and Mossimo Giunilli.

A GREAT PLACE NOT TO BE SEEN....

Wednesday-morning DUI arrests in the Daily Pilot...Let me tell you from experience (no, I havent), as soon as there is a local name listed, the tell-a-friend telegraph is in full swing. I personally have had calls at 6 a.m. letting me know an acquaintance is in print. If ever you needed a good reason for a taxi or a designated driver after a night of excessive libation consumption, this is it.

Toast Masters

Unlike any other meeting in town and staged in the beautiful bayfront setting of the private members only Bay Club Grill, local wine connoisseurs were treated to the distinctive wines of Miura Vineyards. Each wine was perfectly paired with the award-winning cuisine of Executive Chef Joseph Lageder. Emmanuel Kemji, owner of Miura Vineyards and one of the few American master sommeliers, took us through an artful tasting guide from cava to chardonnay to Grenache and pinot noir to syrah for quite a journey.

Joining in our feast were our hosts, Henry and Carol Schielein (along with brother Richard and Rita Fritz, who flew in from Munich, Bavaria). Chairman of the Board of Governors John Wortmann and Rose Queen wife Anne held court with Jim Glidewell and local architect Fleetwood Joiner. Also caught up with winery owner Danny Thomas and Wells Fargos Noel Hamilton.

New in town. Need a little fresh Aire? What could possibly be the hot new restaurant in town, Aire, Svelte alumni Michael Bassler and chef Troy Furuta have transformed the old Lodge at the Camp location into a warm and cozy, hip and tasty dining experience.

Hanging out were the ultimate first-nighters, Wahoos Wing Lam and girlfriend Erin Gruwell. They couldnt get enough of the mini spicy tuna tacos. They just melt in your mouth was heard repeatedly by Wing as he flagged down another tray. Just an aside: Erins book, Freedom Riders Diary, will soon be a movie starring Academy Award winner Hilary Swank portraying Erin. The super hairstylist duo of Condren and Amber Hampton were seen bellying up to the bar and rubbing martini glasses with the over-400 trendy guests.

Wine-tasting dinners are becoming quite popular along the coast and Dennis and Christine Overstreet host the best. Their Au-bergine restaurant was the setting for the wines of the Lancaster Vineyards with winery owner Ted Simpkins and winemaker Jennifer Higgins in attendance; they made sure that corkscrews were working overtime. Laguna legend Richard Hall, Mark Anderson, Jennifer Herft, and Bill Lanting sippedor, should I say, guzzledvintage after vintage of the elegant wine. Suzanne Van Hausen was surprised mid-dinner with a new bow-wrapped Porsche delivered to the restaurant from her adoring husband. Nice dessert!

Looking for a lost shaker of salt or maybe a cheeseburger in paradise? Not a problem if you happened to be at Irvine Meadows (all right, Verizon Amphitheater) for the yearly pilgrimage of Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band. The parking lot instantly transformed into a mini Woodstock-type festival with thousands of tropically clad revelers chugging margaritas and other various rum-based concoctions. Sporting my newest acquisition, a vintage Airstream motorhome, close to 60 of my friends hung out under a bamboo palapa munching on fresh-grilled giant prawn tacos, Kim Millers secret recipe home-made guacamole (husband Bob did a great job as bouncer) and Kevin Kearns truly tropical Jimmy Juice. Kevin and Duffy Duffield proceeded to make sure no one had an empty glass as their wives, Allison and Terry, cruised the parking lot checking out everything there was to see. USCs Steve Lopes and defensive coach Nick Holt were hanging out with their spouses along with Joe DeComa and Kelly Gorman, Steve and Virginia Layton, Dan and Julie Fox, John J.T. Tenegalia, La Jollas Frank and Diane Hurst, Julie Miller and Alan Criston, Mike and Julie Hefner, Tim and Melissa DeCinces, and, of course, Wing Lam. A mid-concert downpour didnt seem to affect the crowd. Seen still dancing to the tropical tunes were Bill and Lori Peterson, Bruce Lawrence, Dennis Biggs, Byron and Shannon Tarnutzer, Jim Somers, and Lidos Brad Smith.