The Modern GypsyÝIt was a localís magical weekend of South American, African, and Middle Eastern rhythms recently at Mike Harrahís OC Pavilion (who has redeveloped much of downtown Santa Ana, including the High School of the Arts and the Santora Arts building) where OC concert goers huddled to hear Flamenco guitarist great Emilio Castillo. Born in Mexico City and a resident of Laguna Beach, he brings fiery passion, rhythm, energy, and love to his music. Emilioís mother, Linda Kleinecke, was there for two of the three nights. Emilioís wife, Carmen Castillo, found a sitter for their kids, Emilio and Natalie, and made it to all three shows.

ÝÝFranci Leary, with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and her husband, Jeffrey Leary, saw the show on Friday and loved it so much they came back on Saturday. Newport Beach composer Joe Mulroy (the musical Surfstory) and Laguna Beach composer/musician Mark Turnball (the musical Manet) caught the show along with musician Dusty Hanvey (the Righteous Brothers), and Shannon Delano and Sabrina Maxwell of the Irvine Company. Local concert promoter and musician Gerald Ishibashi made a showing too. If you havenít caught this act, it is a must see! As producer, writer, arranger, and master guitarist, Emilio has raised the bar and set a new standard for Flamenco guitar music.

The Personal Side of Dana Buchman Up Close & PersonalÝIt isnít very often that we get the privilege of hearing the personal side of one of our fashion designer greats, but recently Dana Buchman shared her passion behind her creativity. When asked about women, seasons, wardrobes, colors, and her world of fashion, we got a glimpse into the mind of a great fashion designer. ReadÖ

ÝÝìEvery season I travel extensively to meet the women I design for. I listen to them. I work with them. I see how they liveódifferent cities, different shapes, different ages, different lives. What they have in common is that they all love to look beautiful and feel comfortable. They look to fashion not as an endorsement but as an expression of self. They recognize fashionís tremendous power to lift the spirit and to engage the emotions.

ÝÝìMy relationship with my customers is very important to me. They rejuvenate and inspire me. When I travel I take time to breathe, to listen, to observe. All that really matters to me as a designer is that a woman looks good and feels good. I like to go into the dressing room and work with customers.

ÝÝìI love seeing my clothes come to life on the woman who needs to look good, no matter what. My days are full of surprise. As a wife, mother, and business person, I want to be wearing something thatís flexible as well as flattering. Women are the backbone of this world, and now they are balancing more roles than ever before. I want to help make life more comfortable for them.

ÝÝìAs a woman and as a designer, I know what makes women look beautiful. I know how to make them comfortable. I know how to give them fashion they can invest in, collect, and treasure. Women today are inundated with fashion propaganda. I pay attention to fashion trends, but they never dominate my collection.

ÝÝìMy collection is multifaceted. I offer clothes that allow women to be brilliant and powerful, or languid and relaxed, playful or seductive. Clothes that celebrate their independence and femininity. There is a specific kind of magic surrounding clothes that are both beautiful and beautifully made, that are both timely and timeliness.î

The Heart and Soul of theÝ

CommunityÝDonna and John Creanís generosity has once again been archived in the landscape of Orange Countyís fruitful deeds. Their gracious gift of $500,000 to the Newport Beach Public Library Foundation was responsible for ìcharting the courseî that made the opening of the new library possible. In much due respect at the official ribbon-cutting ceremonies, foundation president Thomas Cole Edwards and Newport Beach Mayor Don Webb honored the fundraisers and philanthropists that made the building of the library possible for book lovers, young and old. While John Crean was unable to attend, Donna Crean and her sons, Andy and Johnny, daughter Emily, and their families proudly represented the Crean clan in front of the building emblazoned with the name ìDonna and John Crean Mariners Branch Library.î

ÝÝMany were honored for their role in the milestone: former California Secretary of Education Marian Bergeson for her contribution as honorary chair of the ìBuild a New Mariners Libraryî fund-raising committee; committee chairs Theresa Chase and Chris Wilkinson were acknowledged by board of library trustee chairman Harry Hamilton for ìputting the wind in our sails.î Congratulations abound from Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, Jim and Nora Johnson, Walt Howald, Homer and Janet Bludau, Steve and Gina Rosansky, Monica Burke, and ìDonor Wallî contributors Larry and Barbara Spitz, Darrel and Patricia Nance, Kari Mejia, Cathy and Dan Matusiewica, Bill and Melissa Warren, Catherine Warren, Frank and Judy Colver, Donna and Bob Nichols, Don and Doris Peterson, Lynn Liljequist Newton, Rod and Pat Douglass, Robert and Tina Wilson, Donald and Frances Burdorf, Holly and Mike Kincaid, Paul and Kay Davis, Mike and Lauri Mendanhall, John and Carolyn Garrett, Ann and Scott Ramser, and others.

A Group of Valiant Women Record-breaking accomplishments were reported from event chair Shannan Mingo at the Valiant Women annual tea when the sold-out event of over 500 guests raised net proceeds of more than $80,000 for the expansion of the Mission Hospitalís Emergency Department and Gotschall Family Trauma Pavilion. Shanna Axelsonís personal story received an emotional round of applause, which validated how important Valiant Womenís work is in helping to support womenís healthcare at Mission Hospital. Anne and Michael Crawford were once again among the familiar supporters of Mission Hospital, which is dedicated to meeting the medical, surgical, educational, and spiritual needs of all women. Also making a huge difference were Ruthie Sheffield, Jennifer Anderson, Terri Owcarz, Victoria Jakovich, Cherstyn Monson, Vicky and Michael Carabini, Jeffrey and Susan Brown, and Lorraine Kramer. Valiant Women is a group of dedicated community members, united by the Spirit of Giving and a common desire to ensure that women of all ages receive quality healthcare.

Chit ChatÝKeeping in Swing with Dad...Kudos to our very own Ashley Prange, who was victorious in the recent Big Break V on the Golf Channel. The reality competition challenges 11 semi-pro female golfers who play for a spot on the LPGA Tour. Ashley, born in Newport Beach, is the daughter of Bob Prange, former head pro at Big Canyon Country Club. Ashley won the Tampa Futures event last month and just finished third in an event last week. She is currently second on the Futures money list and it looks like she will get a í07 LPGA Tour Card (awarded to the top five for the season). Ý

ÝÝHandsome couple Zetta and Bobby Grich played hosts to the Child Abuse Prevention Centerís First Annual Underwriterís Party at Mortonís Steakhouse and helped raise over $38,000. Newport Beach resident Larry Thomas of the Irvine Company and Duncan and Madeline ForgeyÝwere among the crowd that helped raise funds to offset the costs of the Bright Futures Ball at The Island Hotel Newport Beach, allowing the Prevention Center to put more money directly into their in-home prevention programs. Ý

ÝÝThe Silver Fox, that beautiful Barbara Eidson, has finally resurfaced in the OC social scene. She just returned from a monthís stay with her daughter Suzanne Amblard and her grandchildren in France, where she skied herself into a bronze glow. She claims sheís busier now than ever, planning events with Chapmanís Fashionables and the Childrenís Bureau. Semi-retirement is suiting her very well as she looks more beautiful than ever, but watch for her very soon on the PR circuit again.

ÝÝThe Secret is OutÖChef Bill BrackenÝand his culinary team at The Island Hotel in Newport Beach has created the ìEvery Sunday Is A Time To Feastî brunch to be enjoyed by guests staying at the hotel, by weekend day trippers to Newport Beach, and by men, women, and children who live in Orange County and yearn for an elegant brunch escape. Every ìSunday Is A Time To Feast Brunchî is certainly not your normal restaurant brunch. According to Brack-en, ìIn Orange County, breakfast on Sundays is enjoyed in the late morning and we have come up with a real eye-opener and palate pleaser brunch served with a unique presentation.î Locals will be thrilled to know that the traditional crab cake benedict has been revamped and is now served on a freshly baked brioche with truffle hollandaise sauce and fresh spring asparagus, which happens to be one of Chef Brackenís favorites. For reservations, please call (949) 760-4920.