Dinner fundraises for Interfaith Shelter

The 14th annual Friends of the Orange Coast Interfaith Shelter, or FOCIS, dinner unfolded this week at the Five Crowns in Corona del Mar. Organizers call the event FOCIS on Dining and it rewards the shelter with a significant donation each year. More than $800,000 has been raised over the past 12 years.

Co-chaired by Debbi and Ira Victor, in conjunction with the Five Crowns’ Chef Dennis Brask, the evening was a warm gathering of dedicated local citizens. Interfaith Shelter co-presidents Sally Phillips and Bernice Malkin were on hand to welcome the spirited and generous crowd.

The American Heart Assn. joined hairdresser Paul Mitchell for a very unusual lunch, pre-Valentine’s Day. Some 60 men and women had their hair colored red to make a statement about women and heart disease. It all happened last week over a luncheon at the Paul Mitchell school in Costa Mesa.

“Every 60 seconds a woman dies of heart disease, making it the No. 1 killer of women,” said Sergio Islas of the heart association.

The recent Paul Mitchell event was part of the association’s Go Red for Women campaign, a nationwide effort to send the message concerning women and heart disease. It is not just a men’s-health issue.

The Angelitos de Oro are very proud to report that $188,500 was raised through their holiday shopping card in association with South Coast Plaza. It was the fifth season for the card, purchased for a $50 donation to Big Brothers and Big Sisters. All proceeds will go directly to the cause. Angelitos sold close to 4,000 cards, a most impressive turnout to be sure. Shoppers were then entitled to a 20% discount at participating South Coast Plaza stores. Chaired by Pam Muzzy and co-chair Jayne Lally, the pair presented Angelitos president Brenda Currie with a check for $188,500 at a recent reception that also welcomed Big Brothers and Big Sisters executive director Noly Guardamondo.

The Fourth annual Jazz in January brought down the house. Jazz artist Rick Braun preformed on two consecutive evenings over a lavish dinner at the Dana Point Ocean Institute. Proceeds from the event will benefit the marine education program at the Institute.

Tim McMahon chaired, with support from John Treiber, Jens Von Gierke, Daniel LaBelle, Azmin Ghahreman, Dennis Gabrick, Frank Fraser, Barbara Merriman, Mike Metz, Lisa Metz, Reinhard Neubert, Nicole Von Gierke, Suzanne Akullian-Perez and Sally Coombe.

The Ocean Institute is a nonprofit dedicated to ocean-themed science, education, and research that also helps enlighten some 80,000 local school children each year through a variety of programs underwritten by community support.

* THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.

20060209iue7rinc(LA)-- Newport Beach residents John and Sally Coombe enjoy a night of jazz to benefit the Ocean Institute. 20060209iue7qcnc(LA)Jazz in January chairman Tim McMahon and his wife Carol at the recent dinner even held at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point 20060209iue7o9nc(LA)Greg and Sharon Wohl of Newport Beach support the Ocean Institute of Dana Point at Jazz in January. 20060209iue7rwnc(LA)Ladies from Big Brothers and Big Sisters are surrounded by Pam Muzzy on left and Brenda Currie and Jayne Lally on right, presenting a check for $188,500 at recent holiday event in association with South Coast Plaza. 20060209iue7s2nc(LA)FOCIS on Dining Dinner Series co-chairs Debbie and Ira Victor; Five Crowns Chef Dennis Brask; Friends of Orange Coast Interfaith Shelter, or FOCIS, co-presidents Sally Phillips and Bernice Malkin gathered at Five Crowns in Corona del Mar for their annual dining evening.20060209gzf7uqke(LA)