Fashionably supporting Chapman University

The Fashionables, in support of Chapman University, held its summer

champagne membership reception at a posh model residence in the

Newport Coast. Capital Pacific Homes opened a glamorous villa in the

Montecito Collection in honor of Chapman and the local ladies and

gents who support the university.

The stylish, afternoon soiree was organized by three powerhouse

Newport gals -- Eve Kornyei, Chris Sullivan and Adrienne Brennan.

The entire affair was hosted and generously underwritten by

Barbara and Hadi Makarechian of Capital Pacific. On hand for the

annual membership gathering were Rusty Hood, Leslie Cancellieri,

Martha Green, Nancy Burnett, Carol Wilken, Sandra Biegel, Suki

McCardle and Sue Hook.

The Fashionables, one of the longest running and most generous

support groups of Chapman, have an established tradition of

Newport-Mesa support dating back to the founders of the organization.

The Newport Coast event was accentuated by informal modeling from

upscale retailer Neiman-Marcus, a favorite haunt of Fashionable women

and men on the Riviera.

Betty Belden-Palmer, Fashionables president, reports that it has

been quite a year for the group. The success story began with a

sold-out holiday luncheon (Christmas at the Ritz) raising close to

$100,000, and continued with smaller gatherings, adding momentum to

the fund-raising effort.

Presently, the Fashionables are working to support the film school

at Chapman, raising funds to create a “Fashionables Cinema,” which

will be a small movie screening facility of 475 square feet that will

seat 35 people. The project will be one of three facilities available

to students, featuring state-of-the-art technology.

Others supporting the Fashionables efforts are Mary Sue Witter,

Pat Cranford, Darlene Weiner, Jo Anne Mix, Olivia Chami, Karne

Hardin, Kathie Porter, Norma Smith and Mary Roosevelt.

Food and wine lovers get ready for the 11th annual South Coast

Plaza Summer Festival supporting the Second Harvest Food Bank of

Orange County and the Someone Cares Soup Kitchen.

The festival, which will unfold from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the

Crate and Barrel/Macy’s Home Store wing of South Coast Plaza,

promises to be an exciting evening featuring a spectacular array of

restaurants, wineries and breweries showcasing the best food and wine

in the region.

This has always been a very special event enjoyed by the local

crowd, and generously underwritten by South Coast Plaza, allowing the

charities to benefit from the ticket fee of $40 in advance and $50 at

the door. The most significant part of the event is that every ticket

sold buys an incredible 1,000 meals, enough food to feed a family of

four for three months.

To support the effort, please call (714) 435-2160.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.