Not a Grinch

Love January, only because December is over, the rush, stress, and crowds are gone. I have come to believe that the time between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day gets shorter every year. It also amazes me at how Grinchish people can be at this time of year. As we all grew up, it seemed every house had at least one string of lights hung on their roofs and that was when you kept Christmas lights stored in the attic from year to year. Now, thanks to disposable lighted nets, icicles, and garlands that cost about $5.00, its easier to dump them in January and not worry about untangling them in December. Also gone is the yearly ritual of loading up the station wagon with the siblings and jumping from neighborhood tree lot to corner market or drug store searching for the perfect tree. Now it seems like the only choice is artificial or that hardware store that sells their trees wrapped in fish net without a stand (available for purchase, of course).

The Ritz Blitz

The holiday social schedule does begin to pick up right after Thanksgiving, even though it did seem a little light this year. In no particular order, jump on my sleigh, and Ill show you who Ive seen and where Ive been.

An annual event for almost 15 years, party hosts Rick John, Chip Harris, David Pyle, and Todd Goodman invite the Whos Who of the real estate and business world to their evening of cocktails and Ritz burgers at the Ritz Garden Patio. Starting right after lunch and going well into the night and with over 300 people, its quite difficult to say hi to everyone, but I did make an attempt to do so. Schmoozing in one corner of the patio was Richard Gadbois, Jim Watty Watson, Rusty Turner, Tom Schreiber, Barron Ressler, Jordan Otterbein, Henry Durkee, Steve Jerecki, and Jim Ulcickas. Telling great stories and laughing wildly were Richard Dick, Tom Riley, Bruce Bennett, John Tenaglia, John Rogers, Bob Thagard, and Chris Gibbs. Traditionally a male-oriented gathering, a few beautiful women made their presence known including Liz Hurley, Jenny Gilcrist, Denise Carver, Heather Hollister, Michelle Garvin, Jessica Alghazi, and Sherry Nourse.

The twinkling tree-lit pathway meanders towards the lobby of the newly remodeled Ritz Carlton Hotel, once reached, one only had to look northward towards the bar to view the spectacle of Robert Bobbo Sadeghis, Ritz Companies, Christmas Party. An evening that I personally look forward to each year fits the bill of a true dress-up party and is filled with the most amazing people anywhere. Spotted among the crowd were John and Marianne Payne, Cam Crowner and Pallie Jones, Jami Brown, and Susan Bo-roswski. As it has become a party trademark, trays and trays of sliders smothered in onion rings and served with french fries were passed among the ravenous crowds as they danced the night away. A highlight of the evening was a duet featuring Bobbo and Jeff Bettetti swooning some of the Christmas classics.

Spreading Christmas Cheer

Kathy and Don Koll hosted a few friends to their beautiful, new bay-front home to view the Parade of Lights and share their holiday cheer. Guests included Kathys son Kevin with pregnant wife, Melissa, Steve and Virginia Layton, Gregg and Donna Econn, Jim and Kimmy Watson, Carl and Rebecca McLaren, Mac Shattuck, and Reon Rostke. The new house is right next door to the old one, making moving quite a bit easier.

On the same evening, Monty and Sandy Cook opened the doors to their contemporary beauty on Bayside Drive for a feeding extravaganza which included sushi chefs, a lamb chop bar, and individual Japanese noodle spoons filled with creme brulee. Among those of us feasting on these delights were Susie Harris, Blaine Bush, and Shirley Harris.

Hanna Struever and her husband Mark Rubin ran feverishly for several days prior to their annual Christmas soiree. As the threat of rain increased, so did the availability of finding someone to tent the backyard and pool. They lucked out, and of course, celestial stars filled the sky and local stars filled the tents. Moseying through the rooms, each filled with a different cuisine thanks to Blue Water Grill chef, Brian Hirsty, were Lynn and Bruce Fetter, back from Chicago to fill his old president and chief executive officers chair at St. Johns Knits, Monica Tran whose Trust Fund Baby is RED HOT in New York and Malibu, Michael and Laurie McCartney showing off their style, Larry and Christina Sands, David Obage, David Willke, John Hague, Scott Madison, and Jeff Mayhew.

Susie Moore threw together what she called a last minute cocktail party, but there was nothing last minute about it. The beautiful buffet was surrounded by Jordan and Beth Otterbein, Sergio and Mari Belle Avila, Cynthia Childs, and Kelly Hague. Having to move on the fourth party of the night, I was forced to leave just as the party was heating up and the dancing began. Next year Ill stay longer.

Over on Lido, Lance Klueger and Brad Smith partied with friends David Bradburne and Bobcat, Mark and Lisa Zielinski, Jake Khlos, Bob and Corky Winters, Rob and Cathy Grice, Bob Allen, Cynthia Cook, Tony and Juliette Baia, and Sharon Powers. Its still a wonder that Lance wasnt kicked off Lido, considering he made the mistake of giving David the bullhorn so he could talk to the passing boats.

Happy Ending to a Sad Tale

Not a Christmas party, but a party just the same, Joe DeComa, my brothers and I were asked by USC head coach, Pete Carroll, to host a post-UCLA game-end of season celebration for his coaching staff and their families. As you know, our normal tailgate parties consist of 300+ of our best friends stuffed into a prime corner of the Coliseum, so it was a little hard to keep this one undercover and intimate. Instead of the normal high profile FIGHT ON! truck, we opted for vintage Airstream and a remote corner of the Rose Bowl parking lot. The pre-game party hosted a small group including Mark Sarkisian, Keith and Kirsten Sarkisian, Kathryn Gilmore Smith, Mark and Sherry Whitfield, Kelly Gorman, Mike Gottlieb, the Wortmann Family and all the USC Song Girls. The outcome of the game made for a somber celebration, yet the coaches showed up in force and couldnt have been more appreciative. Along with Pete and Glenna Carroll were his brother Jim and niece Nicole, associate athletic director Steve Lopes and Helaine Lopes, defensive head coach Nick Holt and wife Julie, Lane Kiffin, Steve Sarkisian, Ken Norton Jr., and Sam Anno. Our personal chef, Lindy Lindenberger, BBQd almost 80 pounds of tri-tip, 10 dozen hot dogs, and 60 pounds of Sabbatino sausage to the hungry staff and families, who obviously overcame the tragic loss by drowning their sorrows with calories.

Singing in the Rain for a Cure

Sugar Ray and Smash Mouth were literally singin in the rain at Charlie and Brandi Hawkins 2nd Annual Holiday Party in Laguna Beach. The inclement weather could not put a damper on the evening, however: The charitable event helped raise money for Music for a Cure, the non-profit organization co-founded by Sugar Ray bassist Murphy Karges and his wife Julie to bring music to children who are critically ill or facing financial hardship. All the guests

arrived in style as they rode to the Haw-kins private residence in stretch limousines where they made their dramatic entrance along a red carpet. The wind and rain did not stop the party, said Murphy Karges. Everyone just moved inside the house and the bands played on the bed in the master bedroom. Well do whatever it takes to help the kids who need us! In addition to the per-formances by Sugar Ray and Smash Mouth, the Hawkins 2nd Annual Holiday Party featured a variety of stellar attractions. The diamond necklace from Wagner & Ko was the only item given away in the raffle and Chuck Rock, owner of Hush in Laguna, had the winning ticket. Mike Kaplan, owner of Mikes Tickets in Orange County, had the winning bid for the Sugar Ray and Smash Mouth signed guitar and the Kelly Lyons purse. Rick Gamara, owner of Asombroso Tequila had the winning bid for a signed Anaheim Ducks team jersey and a suite at an upcoming game. The evenings special guests included center fielder Jim Edmonds of the World Series-winning St. Louis Cardinals; Steele Platt, owner of the Yard House restaurants; two-time Olympic gold medalist Oksana Gritschuk; Sirpa Selanne (Teemu Selannes wife); Sean Pronger of NHLs Vancouver Canucks; and Mike Leclerc of NHLs Calgary Flames, among many others.

Gone, but not forgotten

2006 is nothing but memories and the new year is upon us, so take a second to appreciate the place we hang our hats and may this new year be better than last.