Mixin’ in a few babes

Suzie Harrison

Though a lot has changed since it’s inception three years ago, the

annual “Hunks in Trunks” fundraiser’s goal has remained the same --

raising money to help locals living with HIV and AIDS.

This year’s Aug. 7 event at Laguna Art Museum will have plenty of

the elements that have drawn a large crowd every year.

The fundraiser has always been an event to benefit Laguna Shanti,

but since the nonprofit organization moved to Laguna Hills it changed

its name to Shanti Orange County.

Shanti’s executive director Bob Barnes said the move was necessary

to be more centrally located to all their clients in Orange County

and to cut their rent in half.

Also new this year is the added element of “babes in bikinis.”

What used to be a fashion show of scantily clad men in swimwear has

become a showcase for women models too.

Event manager Deirdre O’Neill of the O’Neill Group, who is working

on the event for the first time, said they wanted to reach a broader

audience.

“We added the babes this year so it’s more open to everybody,”

O’Neill said. “The interest is there for everybody with both the male

models and the female models.”

Co-chair Rick Martinez from Shanti OC said there will be about 30

models strutting their stuff on the runway modeling fashions of

Laguna retailers Diane’s Swimwear, Melrose Place of Laguna and

Satisfy My Soul.

Julie Jaslove, manager of Diane’s Swimwear, is one of the models

and she said it was about time they had girls model too.

“They called me up and said they wanted us to do the fashion

show,” Jaslove said. “I think it’s a great cause. I wouldn’t really

model in a bathing suit for another cause.”

True to tradition Laguna’s own are lending their support. Woody’s

at the Beach and Casa Laguna Inn are the major underwriters for the

event and Sundried Tomato Cafe and Catering will donate the delicious

hors d’oeuvres and buffet.

Absolut Vodka is on board offering cool cocktails and wine and

beer while the DJ pumps out tunes. Laguna’s Zinc Cafe is donating

dessert.

Besides the model attraction, the auction items have been a

popular draw. They include a stay at the Montage Resort and Spa, a

gay cruise to Mexico, a Tahiti package, an Ireland package and a

Mediterranean cruise among others.

Palm Desert area favorite Irene Soderberg will be the “Mistress of

Ceremony,” keeping guests entertained.

“She’s a cross between Ethel Merman and Mae West, performing

cabaret and show tunes,” Martinez said. “She’s just as much of a hoot

as Judy Tenuta [last year’s host].”

HIV specialist Dr. Corey Jorgensen will be a special guest

speaker. He’s been a doctor at the Laguna Beach Community Clinic for

31 years and is the director and originator of the clinic’s HIV Early

Intervention Program.

Jorgensen was honored April 2, as California’s Family Physician of

the Year at the 56th annual California Academy of Family Physicians

seminar in San Francisco.

Woody’s owner Joel Herzer and marketing director Alford Harrison

came up with the idea for “Hunks and Trunks” and approached Barnes

about Shanti being the benefactor.

The first two years the event was held on Memorial Day weekend to

try and attract gay tourists Barnes said in a previous interview.

“The initial intent was to try to lure back gay tourists that

they’ve lost over the years -- the AIDS scourge has kept a lot of us

home,” Barnes said.

“So we decided to have a combined event while raising money for a

good cause ... Laguna Shanti,” Barnes said. “And at the same time,

bring national attention to Laguna Beach.”

The idea really clicked. The event raised $21,000 its first year

and $38,000 last year. They are hoping to raise even more this year.

Tickets are $125 per person and $500 for VIP guests. VIPs start

the evening at 6 p.m. with a private hosted reception with the male

models, mostly comprised of the Long Beach Grunions Gay Swim Team,

and the female models mingling with the guests while they enjoy a

no-host bar.

The main event will begin at 7 p.m. Laguna Art Museum is at 307

Cliff Drive. To purchase tickets call (949) 452-0888 or order online

at www.lagunashanti.org. For businesses interested in VIP tickets,

call (949) 722-6551.

Shanti OC serves more 125 people living with HIV and AIDS with

mental health and wellness programs, counseling, helping with

housing, home delivered meals and other comprehensive programs.

“Working with these guys at Shanti OC has been unbelievable, all

the staff and volunteers and their hard work,” O’Neill said. “We

really need people to support the event. We’re doing it on a

shoestring budget and we’re able to do it with the help from the

community.”