Their Hearts go out to CHOC

OUR LAGUNA

The Queen of Hearts Guild had a Mission -- helping to fund expanded

emergency services and facilities at Children’s Hospital of Orange

County at Mission Hospital.

An estimated $60,000 was raised for the project at a dinner dance

hosted by the guild on April 25 at the Montage Resort. It was a

glamorous event, with most of the men in tuxedos and bejeweled women

wearing long gowns, but the purpose outshone the glitter.

“Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments

that take our breath away,” guild President Nancy Benedetti said in

her welcome to the guests.

The proposed expansion of services to children at the hospital is

breathtaking. Eleven dedicated pediatric treatment areas with special

equipment will provide the highest quality of care in an environment

designed specifically for children and their families.

“Our mission is to advance the health of children, including

emergency services. We simply cannot fail,” said Kimberly Chavalas

Cripe, president and chief executive officer of the hospital and

mother of three.

The guild also supports the original CHOC in Orange.

“It is like old home-week for me,” said Karen Linden, who served

on the School Board with Tim Carlyle before moving out of town.

The evening began with -- what else -- a silent auction. Young

flautist Evran Ozan performed music during the reception from his new

album, set to be released next month and available at Sound Spectrum

and L.A. Outback.

Dinner was served in the rather austere Grand Ballroom.

Singer/comedian Roxanna Ward entertained, donating her time. The

audience participated in a song about an 18-wheel truck, counting

with Ward in English, French, German, by twos and by threes, until

they cracked up when she said, “By Roman numerals.”

A live auction conducted by longtime guild member, Arts

Commissioner Pat Kollenda raised $6,200 of the net proceeds. Lynn

Chronert spotted bidders for Kollenda.

“You were all very generous and very good-looking,” Kollenda said,

looking pretty good herself in a dashing tuxedo.

Lyn Carlyle and Valerie Immel co-chaired the evening.

“This is the first time in 19 years when I haven’t had a job for

the guild,” Cynthia Clohessy said.

Clohessy served as guild president in 2000, succeeded by Gini

Mandella in 2001 and 2002.

The guild meets on the third Wednesday of the month. At the next

meeting, on May 21, new members will be introduced and new officers

installed. For more information about the guild or membership or to

make a donation to CHOC, call 494-8119.

ON BOARD

Martha Lydick was elected president of the Laguna Beach Taxpayers

Assn. on April 23 at a general membership luncheon meeting at

Montage, the site selected by Lydick.

“You really did it up proud,” Margy Hefti said to Lydick.

Also elected to the executive board were Bobbi Cox, vice

president; Ed Petersen, secretary; John Prange, treasurer; Bill

McGehee, membership chair and Gary Alstot, immediate past president

and legislation vice president.

Kent Russell and Frank Ricchiazzi were elected for two-year terms

to the board of directors. Past Presidents Ed Armstrong and Bob

Mosier, Tom Conner, Steven Esslinger, Grant McCombs and Alex Wentzel

still have a year to go in their terms.

Marilyn Armstrong, Art Casebeer, George Clohessy, Howard Dawson,

Bob Dietrich, Jack Hefti, Chip Lydick, Jim McBride, Bill McDonald,

Mark Mitchell, Beverly Mosier and Patricia Turnier were nominated as

advisory members for executive board appointments.

Although Alstot couldn’t remember how long he had served as

president, it was enough to get him elected a life member, along with

Armstrong, Mosier, Casebeer, Dawson and Hefti.

Board of Supervisors Chair Tom Wilson was the guest speaker. It

was the second event he had attended that day, with more to come.

About 70 of the association’s estimated 300 members attended the

luncheon, including Councilwoman Elizabeth Pearson, who has been a

member for about 18 years.

For more information, send e-mail to MLydick@aol.com or call

497-7053.

SECRET GARDENS

The Laguna Beach Garden Club will celebrate its 75th anniversary

in October by publishing a limited-edition picture book of Laguna

Beach gardens.

“We are so excited to bring this to the community,” said Patricia

Weier, book-project director of the club.

Local professional photographers are donating their time to shoot

the gardens, ownership of which will not be identified: hence the

title, “The Secret Gardens of Laguna Beach.”

Volunteer photographers include Catharine Cooper, Rick Lang, Don

Romero, Tony Bisson and Jacques Garnier, all of Laguna; Scott

Fitzgerrell, son of Laguna Beach artist Nancy Fitzgerrell; and Nancy

Gooch of San Clemente.

The club will publish 1,500 copies of the book and expects to make

a profit, although that is not the primary purpose. Profits will be

used to educate Southern California property owners about

environment-friendly garden practices, Weier said.

Pre-publication orders are being accepted. Checks for $28, which

includes $3 for shipping, should be made payable to Book Order,

Laguna Beach Garden Club, P.O. Box 362, Laguna Beach, CA 92652.

Include name, address and number of books ordered.

The book will be distributed at the club’s anniversary gala in

October.

* OUR LAGUNA is a regular feature of the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. Contributions are welcomed. Write to Barbara Diamond, P.O. Box

248, Laguna Beach, 92652, hand-deliver to 384 Forest Ave., Suite 22;

call 494-4321 or fax 494-8979.