Home tour helps schools

The Corona del Mar High School and Middle School PTA will hold its

32nd annual home tour Tuesday, guiding patrons through six upscale

homes in Newport Beach.

The six homes on this year’s tour span the communities of Pelican

Point, Pelican Crest, Cameo Highlands and Corona del Mar. All

proceeds from the event will go to the PTA, which puts on the tour

every year as its only major fundraiser.

“It goes directly for students’ benefits, so it could be books,

lockers, anything on campus,” said Robin Rae Lewis, chairwoman of

public relations for the home tour.

The organizers aim to raise more than $100,000 through the

six-hour tour, which includes morning refreshments at the Rouge

Restaurant in Fashion Island and lunch from Cafe Jardin. This year,

for the first time, the tour will end with a cocktail reception at

Neiman Marcus.

Tickets are available online at o7www.cdmhometour.comf7 and at a

number of locations, including the Corona del Mar High School office,

the Sherman Library and Gardens gift shop, the Newport Hills Drug

Store and the Fashion Island concierge. Patrons may purchase tickets

until Monday, although the event may sell out before then.

On Sept. 30, the PTA got an early start on fundraising, garnering

$30,000 at an underwriting party.

The purpose of the event, according to chairwoman Michelle Mutzke,

is not only to raise funds for the PTA, but also to inspire visitors

with the six homes on the tour.

“They’re all unique and original,” Mutzke said. “We want people to

walk away with ideas for their own homes.”

Starting the tour this year will be the Irvine Terrace home of

Mark and Sue Ann Cross, which features a wraparound patio and a wide

view of Newport Harbor. Also included are the residences of Ray and

Elizabeth Kennedy and Steve and Maryann Kroh, both in Corona del Mar.

Completing the tour are a pair of Newport Coast homes owned by

Robyn and Gregg Moss and Michelle and Tom Rhodes. Lewis and Mutzke

would not reveal the sixth residence.