Fighting the Enemy With Fashion, Food
The South Coast Cancer League staged a busy luncheon last week that included informal modeling, psychic readings and shopping on its long list of activities.
A sell-out crowd of more than 175 guests--double last year’s turnout--showed up at the Robert Mondavi Wine and Food Center in Costa Mesa for the league’s Taste of Fashion benefit. The $40-per-person fashion show/luncheon raised about $10,000 for the American Cancer Society--Orange County Unit.
Never a Dull Moment
“There’s a potpourri of things to do here,” said Gail Robson, event co-chairwoman. “This is a luncheon and a boutique. Guests can have their fortunes told or buy an outfit.”
Robson chose to have her hair fluffed and styled by representatives from the Moongate Salon. Others browsed through clothes and Frances Klein estate jewelry or had their palms read by psychics.
Luncheon was served at tables draped in white cloths and adorned with crystal vases filled with mixed fresh flowers--a clean look that got guests in the mood for spring.
In addition to pouring a variety of its wines, the Mondavi center served a gourmet meal of salad with roasted peppers on a bed of greens with goat cheese croutons; roast chicken breast stuffed with wild mushrooms and vegetable risotto, and a Valentine’s dessert of heart-shaped puff pastry with creme brulee and fresh strawberries.
The fashion show took place during lunch, with models wandering among tables in designer clothes from Mi Place and the Nancy Alvarez Collection. To round out the full schedule, celebrity host Meredith MacRae (Billie Jo of “Petticoat Junction”) spoke on doing and having it all, and Russ Butler, an artist whose works were on display at the center, spoke about his battle with skin cancer.
Raising Cancer Awareness
“This is about raising people’s awareness about cancer and the need for a cure,” said Mary Dell Barkouras, event co-chairwoman, who lost her husband to cancer. “Most everyone has been touched by cancer. It has directly affected their lives.”
Proceeds from the luncheon will help underwrite the league’s Taste for Life food and wine tasting, which will take place at the Mondavi center May 16. That event is expected to raise about $150,000 for the cancer society. Twenty-four restaurants will contribute food, and 140 different wines will be served.
“It will be an extravaganza. We’re hoping to get 1,000 people to come,” said Mona Lee Nesseth, Taste for Life chairwoman.
Other luncheon guests were Judie Argyros and her daughter Stephanie, Donna Blue, Carol Campbell, Mary Carrington, Ann Glassman, Carol Hagstrom, Nora Johnson, Evelyn Parrella, Tina Schafnitz, Linda Sherman, Judy Steele, Diane Sterling, Jacquie Walters, Mary Ann Wells and Patricia Zimmer.
