The Crowd -- B.W. Cook

The 2002 Philharmonic House of Design at Shady Canyon has been a smash

success so far. The inviting Spanish colonial estate created by the

Pacific Design Estates Construction Co., led by the talented David Close

of Newport Beach, showcased the artistry of design experts transforming

every square inch of the spectacular home. The event raises money for the

Philharmonic Society of Orange County.

The Philharmonic House of Design opened June 4 with a premiere party

that attracted some 300 spectators. The tour and cocktail reception was

followed by a formal dinner at the Big Canyon Country Club in Newport

Beach, celebrating both the financial and artistic success of the

project. The premiere night reception and dinner was chaired by Newport

Beach resident Barbara Quist.

Other committee members included Newport Beach residents Judith

Longyear, Varla Knauss, Dee Hannam and Pat Puich. Also involved were

JoAnn Fuerbringer of Costa Mesa, Judith Lelinek of Laguna Beach, and

Barbara Kilponen and Sandra White, both of Fullerton. Proceeds from the

premiere dinner will top $30,000, with the tally from the monthlong home

tour expected to surpass the $300,000 level. The House of Design will

remain open to the public until June 30, and tickets are $20 at the door.

Call (714) 849-7542 for more information.

* * *

The recent Volvo Leukemia Cup Regatta, co-hosted by the Bahia

Corinthian Yacht Club of Newport Beach and the Dana West Yacht Club of

Dana Point, raised an impressive $200,000 for the local Leukemia and

Lymphoma Society. The three-day event covered the Pacific Ocean in all

directions out of the Newport Harbor and attracted local sailing talent

helping to raise the bar of fund-raising.

A number of Hollywood celebrities also got involved, including actress

Cindy Williams and a host of such rising stars as Kerr Smith, Nathan

West, Francesco Quinn, Amber Benson and James Avery.

Lido Isle’s Nancy Levy chaired the Bahia Corinthian portion of the

event, organizing everything from a major formal dinner and auction to

casual bay-side barbecues, and even an electric boat poker rally in which

participants motored off into the harbor going house to house in search

of playing cards to form a poker hand. The best hand won a prize upon

returning to the yacht club. The wild and crazy rally helped to raise

several thousand more dollars to fund the cure for leukemia.

* * *

Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, the UC Irvine Chao Family

Comprehensive Cancer Clinic held a summer serenade under the stars at the

San Juan Capistrano Mission, featuring the talented jazz artistry of Dave

Koz. More than 300 supporters of the Chao family endeavor converged upon

the historic mission grounds in California cocktail attire to pay tribute

to a center that is considered one of the finest in the nation. The

clinic is associated with 40 physicians who are listed among Orange

County’s top 100 doctors.

“The Cancer Center provides a wide array of services for its

patients,” reported Barbara Knapp, associate director of development for

the center. “The funds raised at this event will help to ensure that the

Cancer Center will give the finest possible care through prevention,

treatment and education for patients and the community.”

The dinner at the mission also benefited the UCI Women’s Breast Cancer

and Women’s Cancer Research Center. Some of the dedicated people working

on the event were Bonnie Boyd, Lee Chao, Rose Cheung, Fanny Ma, Constance

Chao, Wendy Salter, June Chao, Darrellyn Melilli and Eva Schneider.

One of the cancer survivors supporting the clinic created a quilt,

which was displayed in the cocktail reception area as guests arrived for

the party. Embroidered on this beautiful quilt was a collection of

sayings, including one from former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt that

summed up the spirit and the emotional charge of the night. The quilt

read, “Women are like tea bags, you don’t know how strong they are until

they are in hot water.”

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.