THE CROWD -- b.w. cook

“Ten Newport ladies have a combined total of 215 years of raising money

for Children’s Hospital through the Cinderella Guild,” said one of the

tremendous 10, Marion Pickens. “Now I’m not going to brag about how much

age we 10 share together. Lets just concentrate on our volunteer

fund-raising figures, shall we?’

The classy Lido gal lunched with pals at the Santa Ana Country Club to

raise even more money for Children’s Hospital -- and to add a few more

hours on the 215-year clock. Actually, the dining room at the posh club

was filled with great-looking gals in fall finery at the luncheon that

was followed by an afternoon of serious bridge playing, co-chaired by

Rosemary Barneson and Jean Mahoney.

Assisting in the planning and execution of the afternoon were the

remainder of the tremendous 10 -- Lynn Cancilla, Doris Lindhardt, Chip

Little, Carol McCann, Robin McIntyre, Ann Rowe and Marian Turpin -- who

raised some $20,000 at the bridge luncheon for the hospital.

“Even our opportunity prizes were donated by members,” added the platinum

blond Madam Pickens, attired in a wine-colored velvet pants ensemble.

“Ruth Raff donated a diamond brooch, Betty Tozer provided Catalina Flyer

passes for four ... round-trip naturally, and a one-year valet parking

pass to South Coast Plaza came from member Jean Mahoney,” shared Pickens.

After 215 donor years, the gals of Cinderella are certainly entitled to

kick off their slippers and enjoy a bit of lunch and bridge, especially

when it’s for such a worthy cause.

The Cinderella ladies surely were in attendance at the recent “Spotlight

on Gowns” evening, produced by Nordstrom on behalf of the Orange County

Performing Arts Center’s winter Candlelight Concert.

The fabulous Dottie Stillwell -- a gal who is both practical and knows

the bottom line as well as being one of the citizens on the Orange Coast

who knows how to have a great party and have a wonderful event for all

involved -- will chair this season’s Candlelight Concert for the Center.

Stillwell, working with equally stylish co-chairs Pat Rypenski and Penny

Newman, teamed up with Nordstrom for the evening featuring fall and

winter gowns to help kick off the Candlelight season and honor the event

underwriters. Newman also happens to be the manager of the designer salon

at Nordstrom. Not a bad connection.

Our favorite food meister to the stars, Mark’s of Laguna, catered the

affair, delighting all with his incredible display of hors d’oeuvres and

a martini bar to impress a New York crowd. Evening gowns from such

notable designers as Vera Wang, Christian Lacroix, Randolph Duke, Oscar

de la Renta, John Galliano, Michael Casey, Christian Dior, Donna Karan,

Guy Laroche, Melinda Eng, Sylvia Standig and Chloe graced the party to

applause of many and the enjoyment of all.

The week of Oct. 10-16 happens to be National Hunger Awareness Week. We

are a fortunate lot in that we can dish about gowns for concerts and

bridge luncheons at country clubs. Let us not forget that “there but for

the grace of God go we” as some 400,000 fellow Orange Countians,

including a percentage of citizens right here in our own affluent

Newport-Mesa yard, are at the very real risk of going hungry at some time

each month.

We have all heard the stats. Many of the hungry are children whose

parents are not able to meet their needs. And many more are elderly who

don’t have the funds or the care they need. Clearly, we have become a

two-class society -- those who have and those who have not.

As you read this today, take heart that many local citizens who have want

to make a difference. The Harvesters hold their annual meeting and

luncheon today at the Four Season’s Hotel, Newport Beach. World Food Day

is set for Friday with an event at Chapman University. All week long, the

Second Harvest Food Bank has been collecting food for distribution, as it

normally does, to help serve some 185,000 people each month. Also today,

the 15th annual Food, Wine and Micro-Brew Fest takes place at South Coast

Plaza to benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.

It’s not too late to get involved. For last-minute tickets, call (714)

771-1343.

* B.W. COOK’S column appears every Thursday and Saturday.