New Directions Tees Off

It turned out to be everything they expected and even more when 120 golfers took to Strawberry Farms Golf Club recently to tee their way to success for New Directions for Women. Singer/songwriter Paul Williams, former major league baseball player Jim Campanis, and tournament chairman Jim Reed were among the tournament participants that helped raise $65,000 for the nonprofit residential treatment facility providing gender-specific treatment services for women and children in Costa Mesa. The foursome of Kelley Kottle, Elizabeth Robertson, Bo Bauer, and David OFlynn won the open division of the scramble tournament by carding a 55 on the par-71 course. Too bad no one took Lula and Marion Halacre up on their offer of his and hers Rolex watches from Traditional Jewelers if they hit the hole-in-one!

Sophisticates

Celebrate!

We are just now starting to talk about the upcoming celebrations for one of Orange Countys most successful and highly publicized woman support groups, The Sophisticates of The Assessment and Treatment Services Center (ATSC). Their charity season kicked off with a membership reception at the exquisite hilltop villa of Mindy and Glenn Sterns in Pelican Point with more than 100 guests turning out to hear about the wonderful works of ATSC. You may recognize the adorable Emmy nominated Mindy Burbano Sterns who has made a successful career covering the world of entertainment for KTLAs award-winning News at Ten and Morning News for six years. Sophisticates President Sarah Corrigan in her ever-so-charming style, welcomed the crowd by announcing the kick off of The Sophisticates 2006-2007 charity season. This important year will include the silver anniversary of the guilds elaborate fashion show slated for March 2007.

Gerald Aust, president of the ATSC Board of Directors, was there to mention the good works of ATSC, which aids troubled children and their families through professional counseling services at no charge. Event chairs Donna Card and Rebecca Squier thought the women thoroughly enjoyed touring the fantastic home who included Lisa Hallaian, Lori Contant, Fran Cashen, Penny Fox, Claudia Franco, Barbara Magness, Ellen Walker, and past president Marsha Willis.

Best and Most

Creative American

Minds

If you know Catherine Emmi, then youll be well informed on any event she is tackling, and there are usually many! Word is out that The Orange County Chapter of ARCS(R) Foundation, Inc. will host its Seventh Annual ARCS Scholarships Awards Dinner on Friday, January 26, at 6 p.m, at the Beckman Conference Center at the University of California, Irvine. The keynote speaker will be Carl W. Cotman, Professor of Neurology, Neurobiology and Behavior, and Director for the Institute for Brain Aging and Dementia.

There is no doubt that she is one of the volunteers in this national volunteer womens organization that raises funds for American scholars in engineering, medicine, and the sciences. Among 14 chapters in the country and founded in 1999, our Orange County chapter has donated $838,500 to 46 Ph.D. candidates at UC Irvine. One hundred percent of all contributions go directly to scholarships and are tax deductible. Another interesting fact is that a $10,000 donation allows the donor to choose the field of research and name the scholarship.

Its Been a Grand

Harvest

Not only did The Harvesters have a smashing and stylish underwriting party recently as one of the first held in the new Renee and Henry Se-gerstrom Concert Hall, but their fashion show helped take them over the $1 million dollar mark in donations for the Second Harvest Food Bank! Where do we start? Both events were so fab! In the mix and mingle of the well-suited guests in the intimate club-style atmosphere were Barbara Venezia, Lorie Moriarty, JoAnn and Tony Fanticola, and Jenny and John Stillwell, and lookers Leslie and Dino Cancel-lieri. During the festivities, co-chairs Carmela Phillips and Robin McMonigle presented Henry Seger-strom with the Humanitarian Against Hunger Award. Some of the major sponsors of the evening included Madaline and Stephen Gordon, Joe and Carol Weller, Dwight Manley, Julia and Mark Post, Helen and Bill Close, Jean and Tim Weiss, Diane and Charlie Cotton, and the Agamalian family. The underwriting soiree netted an impressive $800,000!

Chit Chat

Doing what they do best, Caroline Jones, manager of Cartier and stylish as ever, was on hand to note every detail of the recent Harvesters cocktail reception they hosted in support of the annual fashion show. Right there checking on his end of the deal, Ray Jacobi, Island Hotel General Manager, was thrilled to host one of the highlight events of the fall fashion circuit both on and off stage. The execs were out in force too; Debra Gunn Downing, Michaele Hall, Anton Segerstrom, and Barbara Eidson. Taking quick tours of the elaborate silent auction tables were Lula Halfacre, Marcy Weinstein, and Jennifer Condas.

The Newport Beach Centennial celebration was all that we might add. Thousands of people turned out on the waterfront from Newport Pier to Balboa Pier to eat, drink, and be merry. Laguna Beach residents Lorri and Ross St. Clair made the party and walked in between piers to take it all in. Shanda Lear-Baylor jumped in as a volunteer and offered to skipper her LEAR 204 electric boat for the shuttle service of VIP guests from the Nautical Museum. From the brilliant firework show to the rocking concerts, people came from near and far to celebrate what is considered one of the best coastal cities in the world. Over in the VIP tent, which means their efforts made the event happen, were Dayna Pettit visiting with Sharon Esterley and Ron Rubino, Deirdre ONeill Machin, Lynn Hackman with Joe Pitisi, Renee Fuentes (as young as ever), Susan and Mauricio Munoz, and our very own Sarko.

We bid a fond farewell this past month to the original clubhouse at Big Canyon Country Club as we have known it for some 35 years or so. The Clubs exclusive track hosts the likes of Tiger Woods and some of the best golfers in the world. The clubhouse portion, which has been a memorable institution for generations of Orange County families, is ready to undergo a major renovation that is scheduled to take a couple of years.

Okay, words outwhat famous management duo is jumping ship for their own gig?

Musical Sounds

The Sound of Music Chapter of the Guilds of The Orange County Performing Arts Center warmly welcomed its newest members Honeybee Hyatt, Irene Lupean, and Zion Pick at a magnificent reception overlooking the Pacific at Karen and Bruce Cahills hillside Italian Estate. The Sound of Music gals really know how to throw a party complete with a martini bar, scrumptious Asian fusion appetizers, and a live band to highlight the informal modeling of Ralph Laurens latest fall fashions. In their own sophisticated style, Sound of Musics long-time members Eve Kornyei, Denise Tsujioka, Beth Hart, Anne Manassero, and Linda Lamitie welcomed new members at the door. As you already know, the groups spring gala is an event not to be missed.