The Crowd -- B. W. Cook

Friends and family members gathered at Henry’s Bistro, the waterfront

dining room of the Balboa Bay Club, to toast the 96th birthday of Loyal

Nichols. Surrounded by loving family members Patsy and Dave Schweitzer;

Brad and Pam Martin; Alison and Brad Schweitzer; and Lorie, Brett and

Whitney Browman, the radiant blond Nichols recounted the many special

occasions, as well as the many changes, she has witnessed in a very full

lifetime. Also sharing in the evening of memories was Lynda Peterson,

longtime friend of Nichols.

The birthday girl and her late husband, Percy Nichols, who passed away

in 1989, were early members of the Balboa Bay Club, joining in 1953. She

was clearly pleased to be dining in the new clubhouse on her birthday and

to be a part of the transformation of a community tradition that she and

her family helped to inaugurate some 50 years ago.

Hoag Hospital has established many vital community traditions and

links to the people of Newport-Mesa. This week, the Toshiba Senior

Classic at the Newport Beach Country Club brings the world’s top golfers

to the city in a tournament that may also bring more than $1 million to

Hoag. Last week, on a smaller scale, yet no less important, Hoag

sponsored Dr. Daniel Wallace, a world-renowned expert on fibromyalgia who

is based in Los Angeles, at a midweek symposium and book-signing held at

the hospital. The filled-to-capacity evening seminar was attended by a

cross-section of community members seeking answers to personal health

issues.

Wallace, joining his wife and co-writer, Janice, at the event, wrote a

new book titled “All About Fibromyalgia,” a definitive guide to a

syndrome that primarily attacks women, and leaves victims in an

often-desperate search for help.

Wallace addressed the crowd on this often misunderstood and

misdiagnosed disease, fielding pointed questions from the audience.

Coffee was served, books were sold and signed, and people were helped in

an evening that enabled those seeking information to talk directly to an

expert. A splendid example of social, scientific, business and community

interests working together. For more information on fibromyalgia and

Wallace, call Pam Sharp at (310) 652-7770.

Nearly 500 guests converged upon the Hyatt Regency in Irvine for the

annual “Voices” luncheon sponsored by the women’s division of the Jewish

Federation of Orange County. The affair was co-chaired by Jodi Greenbaum

and Jacquee Lipson, both of Newport Beach. In addition, Newport Beach’s

Natalie Mandel was named the Anne Entin Woman Of The Year for her more

than 25 years of service to the Jewish Federation. Mandel, 81, recently

celebrated her 60th wedding anniversary with husband Leonard. “So much

has changed in philanthropy over the past 25 years,” she noted, adding,

“But we still have to stuff the envelopes!”

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.