THE CROWD

B.W. Cook

The Cabaret Chapter of the Guilds supporting the Orange County Performing

Arts Center is hosting a summer open house on Lido Isle Sunday. Cabaret

is a singles organization that raises funds for The Center through a full

calendar of activities including everything from tennis and golf to

black-tie dinners such as the annual Diamonds and Dice gambling night at

the Mesa Verde Country Club.

Len Ullrich will generously open his bayfront Lido estate for the

Cabaret gathering. The cocktail buffet begins at 5 p.m. Tickets are $35

for current and prospective members. For last-minute reservations, call

Shirley Badasch at (714) 546-4613 or Janet Beal at (949)

760-8351.

The popular television show “Frasier” recently let character Niles Crane

go on a field trip from Hollywood to Orange County. David Hyde

Pierce graced the tent of Twin Palms, Newport Beach on behalf of the

Alzheimer’s Association this week inviting the community to help fight

the disease. The event was organized as a kickoff luncheon for an Oct. 2

memory walk that is being organized this month. Event planners are

looking for people in teams of five to register for the fall walk.

Hyde Pierce has been both a public relations figure on behalf of the

Alzheimer’s battle, and a hands-on volunteer dedicating his own personal

effort to the cause. The actor shared his connection with the local crowd

explaining the advanced memory loss suffered by his father, and the

Alzheimer’s that also claimed his grandfather. For more information on

the upcoming walk, call (714) 383-1984, ext. 38 and ask for Kristy.

For the local Newport-Mesa crowd traveling to South County, there is a

most interesting event set for Aug. 18 in San Clemente. Cabrillo

Playhouse will feature “Plays For Living,” with a special performance of

“We The Family” produced by Gil and Sharlene Konowitch.

The drama is an in-your-face portrayal of contemporary life meant to

stimulate family discussion of today’s societal problems. Following the

performance, the audience talks, led by a trained group leader.

For ticket information, call (949) 363-7758.

Orange County celebrates tonight at South Coast Plaza as Orangewood Pals

throw a major summer party in a tent outside Nordstrom. Pals is a young

professionals organization associated with the much-loved Orangewood

Children’s Home, a favorite cause of local activists.

They are calling tonight’s event, “Countdown to 2000,” raising funds to

help renovate the game room at the Orangewood Children’s Home.

Grant King and his wife, Stephanie Argyros King, are hosts of

the evening. Grant is also a Pals board member and chairman of the

millennium countdown for Orangewood. The local financier became involved

through his wife, a founder of the organization. Stephanie was inspired

by her mother, Judie Argyros, a longtime and generous supporter of

Orangewood.

Others involved include Sally Clark and Rene Matz, Bob

and Kimberly Miller, David and Marcy McKenna,

Mitch and Lori Junkins, Sue Carter, Steve Otto,

Shelly Scott, Jennifer Coulson, Randy Miller and

Poppy Johnson.

Two live bands will rock the tent beginning at 8 p.m. while cocktails and

hors d’oeuvres are served. At 10 p.m., Nordstrom will provide a

spectacular fashion show for men and women with models hitting the

catwalk to show off the latest fashions for 2000.

“We are going to raise money to provide a new game room for the kids at

Orangewood,” said co-chair Grant King. “The game room will bring

kids happiness and provide fun in a positive environment as they recover

from the trauma of abuse.”

Tickets are $75, and last-minute reservations can be made. Call the Pals

hotline at (714) 741-9368.B.W. COOK’s column appears every Thursday and

Saturday.