The Crowd: Toasting guys with pink ties

The Festival of Arts grounds in Laguna Beach on April 21 was the setting for the Orange County Pink Tie Ball benefiting the foundation known as theSusan G. Komen for the Cureof Orange County.

An impressive $360,000 was raised, which will be distributed among local breast health programs and research projects in this community.

Harald Herrmann, chief executive of Yard House Restaurants, has been a staunch advocate of the work of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. This year the Pink Tie Ball paid special tribute to Herrmann for his steadfast support and generosity. The honored guest joined a roster of gents in the O.C. community who have helped to make a difference for women fighting breast cancer.

Among the fraternity members are Bob Abbott, Glenn Gray, Gary Levine, director of radiology at Hoag Hospital’s Breast Care Center, John Miller, Scott Wheeler, John Stratman, and Kenneth McFarland, president and chief executive of Mission Hospital.

The Pink Tie Guys, as they are called, joined nearly 400 patrons in attendance for the upbeat evening under the stars, chaired by Marica Pendjer and John Miller. Major support also came from Trish and Michael Gustafson, and Chereen and Lawrence Pasternack.

Corporate sponsors included Saks Fifth Avenue, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, First American Financial Corporation, Yard House, Kaiser Permanente, the Argyros Family Foundation and Ingram Micro, to name a few. Dinner was catered by Crème de la Crème.

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The 19th annual Wild & Crazy Taco Night produced by Share Our Selves, Costa Mesa, attracted 700 guests sampling the taco creations of 26 local culinary masters. The community event netted more than $66,000 which is earmarked to support the Share Our Selves Orange Aid project, helping to feed Orange County residents at risk of going hungry.

The premiere sponsor of the massive taco fest was, appropriately, Taco Bell. Also lending support were Bob and Ann Cress, Nancy and Geoffrey Stack, William and Nancy Thompson, and Jane and Richard Taylor. Barbara and Bob Bois, Cindy and Todd Kipers, and Michael and Diane Stephens were among the underwriters helping to make the event a financial success.

A committee of volunteers works with great heart and soul not just on taco night but throughout the year in support of Share Our Selves. Some of the committee members deserving a major pat on the back include Minnie Ballard, Gaye Besler, Sheri Blackwood, Shannon Burns, Bill Cowles, Elizabeth Evans, Carolyn Gregg, Kelly Harvey, Helen Kinsey, Julie Larson, Karen McGlinn, Mary Moyer, Patty Nesbit, Debbie Springer, and Cindy Tuch.

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Orange County golfers are invited to participate in the fifth annual ClubCorp Charity Classic to be held on June 2 at the Aliso Viejo County Club. This year’s event will benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Assn.’s Augie’s Quest, theAmerican Heart Assn., and the Employee Partners Care Foundation of ClubCorp.

The title sponsor of this year’s tournament will be the Irvine-based Signature Controls Systems Inc., represented by Brian Smith, founder of the company. The shotgun tournament is set to tee off at 9 a.m.

Organizers are also planning a carnival for the entire family.

“It is an honor to make a positive impact on the lives of so many by aligning this golf event and family carnival with three important charities,” ClubCorp General Manager Matt Zuckerman said.

To support the tournament and/or to find out more information about the event, please call Zuckerman at (949) 598-9200 or email him at matt.zuckerman@ourclub.com.

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The Adoption Guild of Southern Orange County held its 51st annual “Patroness Tea by the Sea” on Newport’s Lido Isle. The Lido Community Assn. clubhouse fronting the bayfront harbor was the setting for an afternoon of boutique shopping, silent auction bidding and plenty of support for the work provided by Holy Family Services.

Adoption Guild president Mindy Pfenning joined tea co-chairs Mary Eadington and Jeannette Perry welcoming guild members. These included Pam Selber, Karen Weinberg, Suzanne Wyrick, Keri Miller, Janie Merkle, Liz Maxson, Susan Kirkland, and Nancy Collins. Also supporting the Adoption Guild efforts were Marily Wilson, Deidre Wilson, Stephanie Stewart, Susan Knox, Nancy Harman, Joyce Macardican, Ann Clark, Marta Alexander and Hillary Weathers Benedict.

On May 9, the Adoption Guild will continue the celebration with a “bring your own” wine tasting evening set to unfold in the Newport Beach residence of Bob and Britt Meyer.

The evening is planned as a thank you for the generous underwriters and members of the Adoption Guild, who supported the recent tea helping to raise funds for Holy Family Services. Hi-Time Wine Cellars in Costa Mesa will provide a sommelier pouring wines provided by the arriving guests, paired with wonderful Asian inspired hors d’oeuvres created by AnQi at South Coast Plaza.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays. B.W. Cook is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.