Event raises money for Parkinson’s research

There were more celebrities than civilians attending a very

special evening at the El Adobe Mexican Restaurant in San Juan

Capistrano on a balmy Friday night. It was the 16th “almost annual”

Byron Scott Challenge for Children, this year supporting Parkinson’s

disease research on behalf of Newport Beach activist Jim Warsaw.

Several hundred guests in western attire, many of them

Newport-Mesa citizens including Peggy Goldwater and Bob Clay, Pat and

Keith Fearnly, Susan Porter and Brian and Diana Murphy, converged

upon the El Adobe to bear witness to a tradition of caring. It was

clear that the people came to this event because they wanted to be

there and because they believe in Byron Scott, the coach of the New

Jersey Nets and a man many conjecture to be a potential future coach

of the Los Angeles Lakers.

Sammy Lee and his wife were at El Adobe along with Olympian Dwight

Stones, basketball legend turned commentator Bill Walton, and a host

of other athletic stars from every sport. Also spotted in the crowd

were Pat Carew, Diana Atkins, Pat Douglas and UC Irvine’s

distinguished medical school dean, Tom Cesario and his wife, Mary.

Scott’s highly respected wife, known as “Duchess” Anita Scott,

held court with supporters including John Herklotz, Michael Hayde,

Paul Goldenberg, and George O’Connell and his wife. Warsaw, the

former president of Sports Specialties Corporation, is a charter

member of the Byron Scott Varsity Club, which began it’s

philanthropic efforts for children more than 15 years ago. The pair

have been long-time friends as well as national advocates for ethics

in sports, setting examples for both children and adults in an arena

where the hype often overshadows values.

On this night in San Juan Capistrano, the message was clear. The

power of celebrity can make a difference in the lives of children as

well as adults suffering from diseases beyond their control. A number

of guests were introduced to the dining crowd who knew firsthand the

value of Byron Scott’s help.

Of particular note was a young man named Marshall Graber,

attending the Western-themed party with his dad. Both of them were

decked out in boots and 10-gallon hats. As a very young child,

Marshall developed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and was the first patient

aided by the Byron Scott Charities.

It was an emotional evening, despite the Western dancing and the

flowing margaritas. As the guests enjoyed their Mexican dinner,

toasts and tributes were made, led by emcee Brian McInerney. Jim

Warsaw’s family was on hand for the celebration, including his wife

Ellyne and three sons, Bryan, Zachary, and Kyle. His mother, Anne

Warsaw of Big Canyon, and sister, Susan of Balboa Island, were also

in attendance.

The evening was directed by public relations czar David Mirisch,

up from La Jolla to assist in the celebration. Funds raised at the

evening, which included a live and silent auction, will benefit

Parkinson’s disease research via the James A Warsaw Foundation. For

more information, call (617) 451-9393.

S.O.S. SUCCESS

Newport Beach’s Lori Contant reports that the first in a series of

spectacular dinners to benefit Share Our Selves of Costa Mesa was a

smashing success Sunday at Mistral Restaurant in Corona del Mar.

Organizers are calling these three dinner events “The Sharing Chefs”

fund-raisers. Each dinner will star an executive chef from three

outstanding local restaurants and will feature a different holiday

cooking class.

Contant said, “The chefs will share recipes and tips on their

personal interpretation of a holiday dinner. Guests will then be

invited to enjoy a three course meal complimented with premiere

wines.”

The dinner events are the brainchild of “The A-Team”, a support

guild of Share Our Selves, a nonprofit organization providing food,

medical, dental and financial aid for those in need.

The first dinner at Mistral featured Chef Jacques de Quillien

preparing his version of Thanksgiving on the California Riviera. He

called it “Viva la Thanksgiving” and the crowd had a ball

participating in an early Thanksgiving feast.

A-Team founders Kathy and Jerry Thompson joined Al and Marilynn

Sykes, Mike and Kim Russell, Bernice Noecker, Pat Locke and Jerry

Clark at an evening that attracted more than 50 patrons paying $75

and more a ticket to benefit the less fortunate.

Also in the crowd were the fabulous Marla Bird, Karen and Doug

Harrington, Lauri and Mike Mendenhall, Penny and Bill Darling, Bob

and Carolyn Clarke, Jim and Catherine Emmi, Beverly and Robert White,

Pearl Hoag and Iris Hirt.

The next dinner will take place on Oct. 7 at the Bluewater Grill

in South Coast Plaza Village. Chef Brian Hirsty will present

“Christmas from the Sea”. Then on Nov. 4, Chef Sumeth Tila of Royal

Thai Cuisine in Newport Beach will produce “New Year’s Eve in

Thailand.”

Kathy Thompson is chairing the dinner series. For ticket

information, call Verna Degenhardt at (949) 721-1660.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.