Tennis classic gets a South Coast kickoff

The Adoption Guild of Southern Orange County kicked off the 2003

Roy Emerson Tennis Classic with a holiday party in conjunction with

the grand opening of Puzzle Zoo, a toy store in South Coast Plaza

owned by Jay Demicrift. The event raised funds for Holy Family

Services Adoption and Foster Care.

Chaired by the Adoption Guild President Susan Beall, with support

from Christine Shively and Marily Wilson, the event welcomed the

Newport- Mesa community to Puzzle Zoo and a host of other shopping

destinations at South Coast Plaza. The Rainforest Cafe provided food

and libations while local supporters of The Adoption Guild and the

Emerson Tennis Tournament including Laurie Moran, Carrie MacMillian,

Yvonne Shen, Wes and Carole Armand, Al and Lin Auer, Kelly Wilson,

Shelley Carey, Debbie Lee, Harriet Selna and Halina Groothuis mingled

and discussed plans for the 2003 Emerson Tennis event.

McNEFF SINGERS CRESCENDO

The Crescendo Chapter of The Guilds of The Orange County

Performing Arts Center is set to present The Paul McNeff Singers on

Jan. 16 at Symphony Hall at The Orange County High School of the

Arts. The performance marks the third event in the ongoing Celebrity

Series presented by The Crescendo Chapter.

“Organizers are calling the show ‘Uplifted With Song’ because it

reflects the educational outreach philosophy of presenting the power

of music,” organizer Claire Burt said.

The event is open to the public, with tickets priced at $25 at the

door. For more information, call (714) 771-4679.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

It’s not only the wealthy and socially prominent community members

who make a real difference at holiday time for those less fortunate.

The food servers at Maggiano’s Little Italy Restaurant in Costa Mesa

pooled their tips for the final weeks of the year and donated the

money to the Blind Children’s Learning Center in Tustin to help

visually impaired children 4 to 6 years old.

“Each holiday season, we plan an event for children with special

needs,” said Marianne Skinner, a food server at Maggiano’s who

organized the event.

Linn Morgan, a representative of the Blind Children’s Learning

Center, was thrilled with the outcome of the gathering. “The

celebration was not only fun, but it stimulated the children’s senses

in so many ways. We are so grateful,” Morgan said.

Maggiano’s organizers brought in snow, made a snowman with the

children and invited Santa to come and meet the children so they

could sit on his lap, feel his velvet suit and touch his long white

beard to get a sense of what St. Nick actually “looks like.”

Maggiano’s Restaurant, Target Department Stores, The Corner Bakery

and Orange County Ice contributed to make the season bright for the

children.

FOLLIES AUDITIONS

The indefatigable Gloria Zigner announces that auditions are being

held for CHOC Follies VII. It’s hard to believe that six seasons of

the CHOC Follies have passed, with Zigner and company returning to

present “As The Channels Turn! ... A Musical Romp Through TV Land.”

Zigner tells us that the production, which benefits Children’s

Hospital of Orange County and CHOC at Mission will be presented at

The Grove of Anaheim on March 14 and 15. Auditions for the show will

take place at Newport’s Sutton Place Hotel from 10 a.m. to noon Jan.

11, and from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 19. All talent must be at least 21

years old . Call Lois Augustine at (714) 532-8690 for more

information.

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