In Support of Girls Inc.

It was an intimate evening of champagne and scrumptious hors doeuvres at Donna Karan New York, which was hosted by Harriet Sandhu and Gianna Drake-Kerrison to benefit Girls Inc. of Orange County, a national nonprofit dedicated to inspiring girls to be smart, strong, and independent.

Amongst the crowd seen eyeing the fabulous Resort 2006 and Gold Collections were Darby Manclark, who went home with a smashing black blouse, Donna and Dr. Ronald Phelps, Marta Bhathal, Girls Inc. board member, as well as Lucy Santana-Ornelas, and Shouleh Tolbert. Feliz Gomez and her beautiful daughter, Alexis, were enjoying the refreshments while chatting with the very gracious store manager, Karen Drake.

Tis The Season

Ballet Pacifica launched its 40th season of The Nutcracker and 13th year at the Irvine Barclay Theater. Following the opening night performance, Deutsche Bank hosted an exclusive VIP post-performance reception for key guests and donors.

Deutsche Bank is delighted to support Ballet Pacificas goal of creating beneficial partnerships between arts organizations in the community and uniting global and local artists in order to create a thriving Art Community in Orange County, stated Michael Davis, head of western region of Deutsche Banks U.S. Private Bank, and newly appointed president of the board of Ballet Pacifica.

The VIPs were invited backstage to enjoy champagne and desert and to mingle with the productions dancers. Guest artists Yuan Yuan Tan and Domain Smith made special appearances, along with Artistic Director Evelyn Cisneros-Legate and Choreographer David Allan.

A Shopping Day

for Beckstrand

Too many of us know first hand the destructive power of cancer, says Lil Spitzer, executive director of ?the Beckstrand Cancer Foundation whose mission has been to improve and enhance the quality of life of cancer patients and their families through a variety of programs, including Individual Patient Assistance, which provides financial assistance, advocacy, supportive counseling, resources, and practical help to patients who are in the midst of their cancer treatment and struggling to cope with critical survival needs.

The luxury Italian jeweler, Bvlgari and Beckstrand Cancer Foundation hosted a private holiday shopping and cocktail reception. The very gracious Kirsten Prosser, who recently chaired the Foundations annual gala event, was there to greet all the guests. Among the guests seen enthralled with the exquisite jewelry were Rene Leeson, director of development of the foundation, Joni and A.J. DAmato, Tami Kahn, Tara, and Mike Shapiro, and Vanja Haley.

Encore, Encore

The Orange County Performing Arts Center continued to celebrate its 20th anniversary and the completion of its new venues with a very special Candlelight Encore. The black-tie evening began with a cocktail reception in the grand foyer of the new Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall sharing the same dramatic decor and magic as the Candlelight Concert of the evening before. Guests were then treated to an elegant dinner created by Joachim Splichal and Gregg Wiele of Leatherby Rouge Cafe.

Festivities opened with Terry Dwyer, OCPAC President, welcoming the elegant crowd of 280 guests. Beautifully attired Darrelyn Melilli, chairman of this years Candlelight Encore with her co-chair Jan Landstrom, thanked everyone for their generosity and support. Candlelight Encore attracts many of the Centers Founders and Orange County first families. A very special performance featuring the romantic tenor voice of Broadway, television, and film star Davis Gaines gave a private concert in the Samueli Theater, culminating the magical evening.

Among the guests enjoying the festivities were Nora Jorgenson Johnson and her husband, Dr. James Johnson, Encore committee members, Nona Demetre, Shari Esayian with her husband Harry, OCPAC Board Member Timothy Strader and his lovely wife Susan, and their sons, Tim, Jr. and Patrick with their respective wives Camille and Dana. Birthday wishes were extended to Betty Belden Palmer, and as always, Vesta Curry looking very chic with her white organza cocktail hat. The Candlelight tradition, including both Candlelight Concert and Candlelight Encore held on consecutive evenings, together raised more than $l million for The Center.

Saks Logo Gets A Makeover

Looks like Saks Fifth Avenue will undergo a logo change which will be unveiled this month. The updated 21st-century look will appear in advertising, on shopping bags, and in a wide array of other merchandise and marketing materials. Our customers can count on us as a consistent source of fashion, style, and quality, said Steve Sadove, CEO, Saks Incorporated. The updated logo gives us a modern look that is sure to resonate with our customers and contribute to the resurgence of Saks Fifth Avenue. The refined mark incorporates homage to Saks Fifth Avenues classic script logotypes and the geometry of the perfect square, a shape that has become central to the identity of Saks Fifth Avenue, from its catalogues to its employee pins. Our initial point of departure was the ornate calligraphy logo created for Saks Fifth Avenue by design legend Massimo Vignelli in 1973, said Terron Schaefer, group senior vice president, creative and marketing, Saks Fifth Avenue. The idea was to create an enduring logo for the future by drawing upon the rich heritage of Saks Fifth Avenue. The company then collaborated with Pentagram partner Michael Bierut, a Vignelli protege and himself a renowned graphic designer, on the modernization of the logo. After three years of planning and development, the adoption of Saks Fifth Avenues new signature look this January is a bold step in the revitalization of a true American icon.

Treating the Troops

Toys blanketed the lawn of Newport Beach City Hall as part of a massive statewide gift drive for troops and military families. Operation Christmas for Our Troops III, an event founded by Huntington Beach-based Yellow Ribbon America, aims to collect cash and 100,000 toys, CDs, and DVDs. The drive benefits all branches of the military, with gifts being donated to California military families and music and movies being shipped to Iraq and Afghanistan. Bob Carolan of Newport Beachs American Legion Post 291, of which donated 200 dolls and plastic trucks, was quick to remind us that our troops can use an extra hand during the holidays.

A Sea Of Lights

The 98th zAnnual Christmas Boat Parade held Dec. 13-17 in Newport Harbor is in the books. This year, 90 boats were decked out in decorations and lights to represent the theme of Holiday Magic Through the Eyes of a Child. Congratulations to some of the winners like Steve and Marilyn Harvey, Bob Metcalf and Dave Skousen, Larry and Deb Woodhams, Robert Sasine, Michael Walker, Daryl and LaDoris Heinly, Jeff and Mary Ann Welles, Russ and Lynn Cline, Emily Vogler, and Dan Flynn.

Even Start Children Share the Holidays

Once again the last week of school before the winter break was a busy week of holiday celebrations with the community of Laguna Beach for the students of Even Start Preschool Program at the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach. Organized by Patty Cost, senior center coordinator for the City of Laguna Beach, the weeks festivities culminated in the annual party with the Laguna. Beach Police Department. The police brought gifts for each child and the parents of the children bring food to share with the police. This year Police Chief Mike Sellers swore in the children as honorary police for the day and distributed badges for all the children. This is the one of the best times of the year for our children, parents, and staff, states Terry Anne Barman, preschool director.