Passion for Opera Pacific

Two dynamos, Paige Kunkle and Christyne Sutton Olson, joined forces to co-chair the kick-off event for Opera Pacificís 2006-2007 Season of Passion and the 24th annual Opera Ball scheduled for March 31, 2007. With the amazing force of creativity at Neiman Marcus, the third floor was transformed into a New York style cocktail party with dramatic lighting effects and ìPassion-tinisî that dazzled over 100 guests. Celebrity Lynn Holly Johnson, former Bond girl and star of Ice Castles, made a showing along with our own group of Orange County celebrities like Marybelle and Paul Musco, Julie Carr, Mary and Patrick Dirk, Monica Timpe-Godfrey, Helen Timpe, Renee and Bill Adler, and Ginny and Ledge Hale. Co-chair Kunkle added, ìWith all the exciting benchmarks in the arts going on this year, we are thrilled to present an amazing ball with a new Black & White theme to you.î This yearís theme, Opera Pacificís Black and White Ball, will continue each year with surprises along the way, but Paige was quick to warn, they are being kept a secret. An exciting highlight to the Neimanís event was the special appearance of designer Marc Bouwer, who is known for his elegant red carpet gowns that drape the most famous celebrity silhouettes like Eva Longoria, Halle Berry, Charlize Theron, Jennifer Lopez, and Angelina Jolie. The co-chairís husbands, Rob Olson and Jay Kunkle, also made special appearances in support of their beautiful wives.

Stepping Out for Working Wardrobes

ÝÝLeave it to that dynamic executive director Jerry Rosen to get everyone excited about wearing tennis shoes to a black tie gala! Yes, sheís done it again. Over 270 guests turned out to raise $150,000 for Working Wardrobesí programs at their recent annual black tie fund raiser. ìBlack Tie & Tenniesî was just that, outrageously decorated tennis shoes on some of OCís hottest philanthropists like Kelley Cahill, Christy and Lou Marlin, and Mark Dean. Sam Dawson won the highly-sought-after weekend rental of a Gallardo Spyder donated by Lamborghini of Orange County, Geoff Henderson escorted an adorable black Labrador home, and Lou Marlin won a rare experience onboard a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. Dani and Mike Mayer, Marilen Coughenour, and Steven Harper with Michelle Plost wereÝamong the crowd raising proceeds that will help fund Working Wardrobesí Career Development Center which will begin construction in December 2006.

A Special Kind of Holiday Tree

ÝÝSarkoÝwas right, if you havenít been, donít waste any more time and get down there. The new Crystal Cove community is charming and has become the best beach to walk since the El Morro beach strip was torn down. Just in time for a scenic holiday stroll, the 10th Annual Coastal Tree Lighting and Historic District Outdoor Cottage Holiday Decorations began on December 2. Donít miss it! The Coastal Tree, a tradition of lighting one of the most unique trees on display in California, will be filled with twinkling lights and colorful ornaments. In addition to the tree, the Historic District (the 1920ís and 1930ís seaside cottages) will also be transformed into a seasonal display of holiday lights and giant candy canes. The decorations will reflect the historic character of the 1935 to 1955 period of the Historic District. Now thereís more reason to make a visit; take a walk, dine at the Beachcomber CafÈ, or watch the sunset as the holiday magic illuminates the shoreline. Quite a tidbit; over the years, the natural, decorated tree has been a landmark for sailors and aviators, as well as divers and dolphins, and serves as a magnificent backdrop for family holiday photos. It is the only holiday tree on display along this special section of the California Coast. Ý

In the Dog House

ÝÝOur very own Carson Palmer, Ýan OC native and current NFL star quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals has quite a past time off the field with his three dogs; Homer, Chunk, and Muffin (two Rotweillers and a Maltese). He and wife Shae PalmerÝjust put a unique Doogie Mansion on their Christmas list this year for their three pooches. Believe it or not, Homer, Chunk, and Muffin Palmerís new home features hand-laid Chicago brick and Italian stone faÁade, a hand-crafted mahogany door, cool slate floors, sage-green faux-painted walls, exterior and interior light fixtures, silk plants, as well as designer furnishings. They say itís a dogís life; now thatís for sure!

Girls Incorporated of Orange CountyÝ

ÝÝAnytime a successful person can be a testimony to others, there is a lesson and motivation. Most recently, six-time Olympic Medal winner Jackie Joyner-Kersee offered her inspiring words to over 300 guests at the Girls Incorporated of Orange County annual dinner and auction fundraiser, ìInspiring all girls to be Strong, Smart, and Bold.î And she did just that. She shared her inspiring and motivating story of strength and determination to be successful while balancing all of lifeís obstacles. Supporting a wide variety of programs to help girls take charge of their lives were Raj and Marta Bhathal, David and Nancy Sheffner, Nick and Gena Reed, Gigi and Dan Werbin, Harriet and Sandy Sandhu, and Julia and George Argyros. ìGirls Incorporated provides programs that are life-changing for many young girls who would not otherwise have these kinds of opportunities,î says Nancy Sheffner, Girls Inc. annual event chair and board of trustees member.

Help Wanted / Good Feelings Offered

ÝÝThose classy Roosters seem to never rest either! They are at it again doing what they do best, which is raising money for worthy childrenís charities throughout Orange County. Each year The Roosters Foundation of Orange County holds its Holiday Food Drive and provides hearty turkey dinners for over 2,500 needy families during the holiday season. This year on Sunday, December 17, 2006, some 250 volunteers will participate in the food packing process. The cost of a food basket is $25, which feeds a family of six to eight. They are asking the community to participate in the food program to create family unity during the most important time of the year for our children. Food Drive Chair Jeff Smith coordinates the year long effort. In addition, his committee of Cliff Wallace, Mark Ryan, Lowell Sneathen, Jon Giberson, Joe De Ladurantey, and Doug DavidsonÝare actively involved with serving the community through the Roosters Foundation. Jeff commented, ìHunger is a terrible thing, but we can truly make a difference in the lives of those we serve and family unity.î To learn more about the Roosters, please visit their web site at Ýwww.roosters.org.

Girls Night Out

ÝÝLaurie Zagon, founder/director of Art and Creativity for Healing is pleased to report that the fifth annual ìGirls Night Outî held in November at the Orange County Museum ofÝArt was a huge success. The money raised will be used to support the organizationís programs for children and teens. Art and Creativity for Healing, Inc., is a non-profit organization that offers guided fine art classes and workshops for children, teens, and adults suffering from abuse, illness, grief, and stress. ìWe couldnít be more pleased with the outcome of this yearís Girlsí Night Out, and I would like to thank the 150 wo-men who helped make our event such a fabulous success,î said Zagon.

ÝÝShelby Cottman, Maureen Webb, and Sara Winokur were among the crowd enjoying the live entertainment by the fabulous Irene Soderberg. A very creative live auction item,Ýwon by Kelly Smith, called the ìGroup Painting,î was createdÝby the guests when they arrivedÝby adding two ìhealing brush strokesî to a 3 x 5 ft. canvas. The fifth annual ìGirls' Night Outî was underwritten by theÝArt and Creativity for Healing Girls Night Out committee members: Kelly Smith and Michelle Whiting. Co-Chairs: Ann Camp, Janice Steiner, and Lani Wilson.

Sharing Their Wine

ÝÝBrian Clark and Steve Johnson easily enticed over 170 guests to join them at Mortonís for the Share Our Wine Charity Auction benefiting the Child Guidance Center, Inc. (CGC). The creative fundraiser invites each guest to bring a bottle of wine with a value of at least $50 that will get auctioned off during the evening. The big donor of the night was Michael Krause, who paid $1,100 for a bottle of 2003 Screaming Eagle. Joining in the fun were Chris Hildreth, Tony Costanzo, Hank Paris, Elaine OíRourke, and Mark Vengroff. The good time helped raise money for the CGC, which provides specialized outpatient mental health, and child and substance abuse counseling services.