A busy weekend for life

B.W. COOK

It’s going to be a very busy weekend on the Orange Riviera.

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Survivors luncheon takes place

today at the Wyndham Hotel in Costa Mesa. Organizers are calling the

gathering “Life in Bloom.”

It is the 14th year for the event, which features keynote speaker

Jennie Nash, a breast cancer survivor and author of “The Victoria’s

Secret Catalog Never Stops Coming: And Other Lessons I Learned From

Breast Cancer.”

Marie Blash has once again stepped up to chair the event, her

fourth year doing so. Blash will be joined today by a hard-working

local committee that includes Aletha Anderson, Sandy Finestone, Sally

Molnar, Harriette Watson, Betty Winek and Jen Wirtz.

“It is one of the most important days of the year,” Blash said. “I

am in awe of these women, breast cancer survivors. They are the

reason I do this. They are all my heroes.”

The event will also feature Dr. Andrea Stebel of Hoag Memorial

Hospital Presbyterian and Barbara Corey of Myriad Labs, speaking on

hormone therapy and replacement.

The cost of the luncheon is $35. For last-minute reservations,

please call (714) 957-9157.

The third annual “Love Is” pro/celebrity tennis tournament also

takes place today at the Newport Beach Tennis Club. The singles and

doubles round-robin tournament is expected to have a host of VIP

players.

Last year, a Hollywood crowd, which included Matthew Perry, Gwen

Stefani, Gavin Rossdale and Nels Van Patton, turned out to swing a

racquet in support of the Aliah Sweet Fragile Heart Foundation,

beneficiary of the event. A nonprofit organization founded by former

NFL player Joe Sweet and his wife Storme, the foundation grants

wishes to the siblings of severely disabled children.

Expected to join in the tennis are Ken Norton, Liev Schriber, the

Jensen brothers, Maeve Quinlin, Larry Carroll and Keith Morrison.

The foundation was also set to hold “Sweet Jam in the O.C.” last

night at the Pacific Club. Among the invited guests for the musical

jam session were Kevin Costner and Jamie Foxx. A dinner at the

Pacific Club was scheduled afterward for several hundred guests.

The incredible duo of Margaret Burke and Marylin Hudson welcomed

the literary crowd Thursday at the Newport Beach Country Club.

May’s Round Table West luncheon and book confab featured Dr. D.P.

Lyle, speaking on his book “Murder & Mayhem.” Lyle is an Orange

County cardiologist who is also a forensic scientist and mystery

lover.

Dale Salwak spoke on his work, “Living With A Writer.” The author,

who has written 21 books, has been a professor of literature at

Citrus College for 32 years.

Finally, Mani Bhaumik, author of “Code Name God,” detailed his

remarkable life story, from the poverty of Bengal to the luxury of

American success. The internationally prominent scientist is

recognized as the co-inventor of the laser technology that has made

Lasik surgery possible. His book deals with the relationship between

God and science.

In the crowd was distinguished Hollywood and New York literary

agent Dorris Halsey, in from Los Angeles to represent Bhaumik.

Coming up next week, it’s “Martini’s at Marmi” on Wednesday. The

Sophisticates of Assessment and Treatment Services Center are at it

again, throwing an in-store cocktail reception at Marmi in the Corona

del Mar Plaza.

With hors d’oeuvres from Tommy Bahama Cafe & Emporium, martinis

courtesy of Corazon Tequila (that’s a different martini), and even

massages by Spa Gregories of Fashion Island, this should be quite a

wild reception, even by Newport Beach standards.

Denice Mock and Kathie Porter will chair the party, with Marmi

donating 10% of pre-tax sales to the center.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.