Worthwhile causes abound

The Spring 2003 social season on the California Riviera is in full

swing with a plethora of events in support of worthwhile local

causes.

Here’s a brief preview of some of the events.

CHINESE NEW YEAR’S

It’s the Year of the Ram. A Chinese New Year’s celebration

sponsored by the Pacific Symphony Orchestra Chinese American League

will produce an elegant evening on March 8 at the Sutton Place Hotel,

Newport Beach, featuring a very stylish fashion presentation of the

2003 spring/summer collection from MaxMara.

The evening is always a special occasion, graced by the

performances of very talented young musicians who have won local and

regional competitions. This year, Martin Leung on the piano and

Steven Chen on the violin will perform for the crowd.

The Honorable Judy Chu of the California State Assembly will serve

as master of ceremonies for the evening.

Organizers, including league President Elena Ross, are calling the

event “A Evening of Elegance.” The party is a prelude to benefit the

next showcase for young musicians, to be held March 14 in Cheng Hall at the Irvine Barclay Theatre complex.

Arlene Cheng is serving on the celebration committee, along with

Ruby Au, Nike Cheng, Verna Chow, Helen Lin, Ellen Ong, Linda Tay and

Charles C.H. Wu.

Mercedes Benz is sponsoring the evening for the Chinese American

League, which was founded by Arlene Cheng in 1992.

For more information on the Chinese American League and the

upcoming event, please call (714) 755-5788.

CHOC FASHION SHOW

The 41st annual All Guilds Fashion Show for Children’s Hospital of

Orange County and CHOC at Mission will kickoff with a patron brunch

on March 2 at Costa Mesa’s Center Club.

The event will honor CHOC donors of $200 or more who have helped

sustain the All Guilds fashion show.

This year’s fashion show co-chairs are Andrea Northcote and Fran

Paulson. The actual Fashion Show, which is set for early April this

year, is titled “Once Upon A Time” and is being produced by fashion

show producer Leonard Simpson.

The 15 guilds of CHOC have cumulatively raised more than $20

million for the children’s hospital. They literally make a life and

death difference for children 365 days a year.

For more information, call Helen Wardner at (714 ) 532-8690.

SHARE OUR SELVES BENEFIT

Costa Mesa-based Share Our Selves is planning a very special

evening on March 1, pairing celebrity chef Michael Kang of “Five

Feet” fame with the new Marriott Suites Hotel in Garden Grove.

The Newport-Mesa crowd will travel to support the SOS cause,

offering $75 per person and more for the dinner dance, which will

have a Mardi Gras theme. Karen Harrington, director of development

for SOS, reports that prizes will be presented to those guests

wearing “the best and more outrageous masks.”

Michael Kang, well known for his Five Feet restaurant in Laguna

Beach, is opening a new bistro in the Anaheim Marriott Suites Hotel

in Garden Grove. Kang is the founding chef of the SOS Celebrity Chefs

Dinner and the “Wild and Crazy Taco Night.” Both events have raised

funds for SOS.

For those unfamiliar, Share Our Selves is a local nonprofit agency

that provides for the needs of those living in poverty in Orange

County.

SOS has the loyal support of some 450 volunteers working

year-round to make a difference.

To attend the Mardi Gras dinner, please call Karen Harrington at

(949) 642-3451.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.