Red and white night for PALS

B.W. COOK

The young and the restless met the bold and the beautiful for an

opening night bash at Fashion Island.

Orangewood Providing Assistance Love and Support, the 20-something

young professional crowd dedicated to supporting the Orangewood

Children’s Foundation, toasted champagne flutes at David Wilhelm’s

latest creation, Rouge. More than 150 PALS and a host of local social

movers and shakers filled Rouge to the rafters, sampling mini-quiche

Lorraine tartlets and a little oozing brie covered in caramelized

onions, as brilliant restaurateur Wilhelm opened Rouge with his

customary panache and pure showmanship.

The color of the evening was “red haute,” in keeping with the

decor of the French bistro. Ladies in red satin summer strapless

shifts wore red lip tattoos and drank Moulin Rouge martinis,

surrounded by red leather booths made to seem even more dramatic next

to the crisp, white linen tablecloths. The Wilhelm team hosted

additional events all week long, inviting locals to sample the

cuisine of the new bistro while benefiting nonprofits.

A second major happening brought together the ladies of the

Assessment Treatment Services Center, known as the Sophisticates.

More on that affair next week.

Two major events coming up in September are the first World of

Heroes International Carnival, set for Sept. 12 at Villa Marconi in

South County; and the Romance of the Great Stone Church dinner gala,

benefiting the mission at San Juan Capistrano on Sept. 17.

The World of Heroes happening will benefit the Elizabeth Glaser

Pediatric AIDS Foundation and will feature the stars of the popular

television series, “The O.C.” Peter Gallagher, Melinda Clark and Adam

Brody from the show are set to appear at the party to help

Newport-Mesa organizers Bette and Wylie Aitken, Sandy and John

Daniels, Priscilla and Dick Marconi, Debbie Simon, Justine Amodeo and

Teddie and Michael Ray make the fundraiser a huge success to help

kids with AIDS. For ticket information, please call (310) 314-1459.

The big news from Mission San Juan Capistrano this week centers

around the recently announced honorary chairmanship of O.C. first

lady Joan Irvine Smith for the upcoming dinner gala. The party will

celebrate the completion of a 17-year, multi-million dollar

stabilization effort to preserve the Great Stone Church. The Ritz

Carlton Hotel, Laguna Niguel, will donate a fabulous tapas-style

dinner for the enjoyment of the crowd. For more information, please

call (949) 644-4777.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.