Around the world and back to Newport-Mesa

The very active local husband and wife merchant team of Lula and

Marion Halfacre is planning a Sept. 12 reception for Brian Jones,

co-pilot of the Breitling Orbiter 3. Now at the Smithsonian

Institution in Washington D.C., the Orbiter 3 was the first hot air

balloon to circumnavigate the globe.

The Palm Garden will be the site of the cocktail reception and

dinner welcoming Jones to Newport Beach. The Halfacres, owners of

Traditional Jewelers at Fashion Island, are working with Breitling to

chair the event that will also feature a book signing of “Around The

World in 20 Days,” by Jones and Bertrand Piccard.

MONEY FOR NEW DIRECTIONS

The Decorative Arts Society in support of New Directions For

Women, an organization devoted to the rehabilitation of

alcohol-addicted and chemically dependent women, raised a most

impressive $30,000 at a recent local dinner event.

Carole and Dick Pickup of Irvine Cove opened their residence to

Newport-Mesa friends and family to honor the 25th anniversary of the

New Directions program in this community. The funds raised by the

Pickup gathering have been earmarked to support the new Pamela Wilder

Family Home, created to house women receiving treatment for

dependency without requiring them to relinquish custody of their

children.

Allison Wilder, daughter of Pamela Wilder, was on hand to announce

a gift of matching funds from a generous and anonymous local

supporter, doubling the success of the evening. Newport Beach’s

Bonnie McClellan and Carolyn Garrett, both past presidents of the

Decorative Arts Society, will present the check for $30,000 to the

organization.

Mary Anna Jeppe, another advocate and Lido Isle resident, offered:

“Pamela Wilder was a member of the Junior League who worked very hard

in bringing the New Directions project to the league. She, Muriel

Zink and Faith Strong were influential in getting the support and

advice of Betty Ford, who was very helpful in developing the program.

Pamela died of cancer quite a few years ago, when her children were

very young. That her daughter, Allison, is now becoming involved with

New Directions is quite touching.”

McClellan added that the anonymous donor has pledged to double

funds raised up to $100,000, and that society members are pulling out

all the stops to increase the tally.

To that end, the eighth annual Decorative Arts Society lecture

series will debut Oct. 8, bringing Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill

to Newport Beach to speak on the subject of “The Woodstock Designs.”

Four additional programs will run through April 2003 featuring

leading design talent of the 21st century.

The lecture series is a “must-attend” event on the local social

calendar. Sandra Ayres will chair this year, with additional support

from Ann Dennis, Elana Donovan, Louise Ewing and Cecilia Nott, to

name only a few. For more information on the Decorative Arts Society

or New Directions for Women, please call (949) 722-7880.

LUFT TO CROW FOR ROOSTERS

Rooster-about-town Doug Davidson informs that Lorna Luft, the

younger daughter of the late Judy Garland and a talent in her own

right, will return to Orange County on Oct. 12 to headline the

Rooster’s eighth annual Monte Carlo Night.

Luft performed last year at the Sutton Place Hotel in Newport

Beach and dazzled the crowd. Her Las Vegas-style review, backed by an

amazing orchestra, was a tribute to her late mother. The Roosters

could have sold an extra 1,000 seats, so this year the production

will be staged at The Grove of Anaheim.

Luft plans to pay tribute to three composers whom she considers

instrumental in her life and career. They are Jerry Herman, Peter

Allen and Burt Bacharach. With a larger venue, the Roosters have set

a goal of raising $200,000 to benefit disadvantaged children served

by many Orange County organizations.

For reservations and information on Monte Carlo Night 2002, please

call the Roosters at (949) 464-2034.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.