Women love their men fashionable

B.W. COOK

It seems the ladies love men’s fashion shows as much, and perhaps

more, than their own. The Sophisticates of ATSC are planning to

present “MEN” of the O.C. May 19 at the Pacific Club, Newport Beach.

Eve Kornyei reports that the ladies will throw a cocktail party with

a men’s fashion show and a live auction to benefit the children and

families helped by ATSC. The finest threads from Gary’s and David

Rickey will be shown on the runway by some of O.C.’s finest male

stars. Tickets are priced at $75 per person. Call Christy Nietro at

(714) 730-6529 for reservations.

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Lauri and Mike Mendenhall opened their Spanish villa in Cliffhaven

for a lively Cinco de Mayo Margarita reception on behalf of the

Orange County Museum of Art. The reception specifically honored

patrons of the 2004 Art and Architecture Tour hosted by the Museum

Council and the American Institute of Architects of Orange County. A

large crowd mingled about the art-filled Mendenhall residence,

enjoying the collection and the spectacular spring weather as the

party spilled into the verdant patio and garden through open French

doors. Lovely Nora Lehman co-chaired the affair on behalf of OCMA,

working with Jeff Gill, an architect representing AIA, Orange County.

The actual tour will take place June 6. Tour participants will be

transported by electric boat around the Newport Bay, stopping in at

four “architecturally significant art-filled homes.” To complete the

event, the newly restored 100-year-old Balboa Pavilion will present a

post-tour, no-host cocktail and hors d’ oeuvres reception, buffet

luncheon all accompanied by an art show and sale. Funds raised will

support the OCMA’s children’s outreach and educational programs.

Lauri Mendenhall, a respected writer and photographer, greeted

guests including Gigi Barto, a Bayshores resident participating in

the upcoming home tour, Lynn Brown, art show chair, Jeanne Denholm

and Diane Nelsen, curators of the upcoming art and architecture tour,

Lyn Belasco, Brian Langston, Jean and Ted Robinson and Cecilia and

Bruce Nott.

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Art in O.C. was also celebrated recently at the annual Orange

County Arts Awards. The Sutton Place Hotel, Newport Beach, welcomed a

sold-out crowd in the ballroom for the fifth presentation of Arts

Orange County, “a nonprofit umbrella arts council dedicated to

developing, sustaining and promoting the arts and arts education

throughout the county.”

Mary Lyons of Harbor Island, arts Orange County board president,

welcomed many local arts patrons and the artists themselves for an

evening hosted by Andy Barnicle, artistic director of Laguna

Playhouse, and Maria Hall Brown, associate producer of KOCE-TV’s Real

Orange.

Supporting Arts Orange County were local patrons Ed and Helen

Shanbrom, David Young and Beth Burns. The presentation was chaired by

Patricia Poss with assistance from Joyce Almas, Vesta Curry, Linda

Dixon, Mary Hamilton and a host of additional community treasures

helping to make art a vital part of community life.

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It’s all about community and cars as Fletcher Jones Motorcars,

Newport Beach, displayed the photographic artwork of 50 students from

Eastbluff Elementary School. The subject of the endeavor was mother

Earth, with the young photojournalists and artists snapping shots in

a local ecological preserve in conjunction with Earth Day, April 25.

The exhibit was initially hung at the Mercedes-Benz dealer and was

moved to the Newport Beach Nautical Museum May 1 for expanded public

viewing throughout the month.

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Jerry Mandel, president of the Orange County Performing Arts

Center, will join the Gary Matsurra quartet for an evening of cabaret

by the bay, at 8 p.m. Wednesday. The Balboa Bay Club and Resort will

host the evening of jazz in support of the Fashionables, with funds

raised earmarked for Chapman University’s school of film and

television. Tickets are $10 with the full amount donated to the

Fashionables and Chapman University. For reservations, please call

(949) 630-4145.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.