THE CROWD:A most happy birthday celebration

Marion Pickens, one of the grand ladies of Lido Isle, celebrated her birthday surrounded by more than 125 friends and family members at the residence of her daughter Alison and son-in-law Kimo McCormick last weekend.

Pickens has been a mainstay on the Newport social and charitable front for many years, contributing her time, talent and financial assistance to numerous community causes. The Saturday-evening celebration was catered by Ann Crane of Meyerhof’s Cuisine M.

Sampling the dill encrusted poached salmon and other delicacies were local Newport guests, including Bette and Lynn Jackson, Marion Turpin, Nancy and Ned Kriz, Debbie and Don Benedict, Penny and Mert Munson, Joann and Ed Koll, Cindy Beutel, Keith and Suley Mackie and Pat and George Shaw.

Family members flew in from San Francisco, Oregon and Texas, including Bernice Jennings and Claire and Dale Cunningham from Dallas. Also in the crowd were Jack and Ann Davis, Ann and Mel Grau, Donna and Dave Shockley, Judith and Willis Longyear, Peggy McCormick, Pete and Mary Manno, Pat and Bill Hopkins, Marion Smith, Karen and Tom Treaccre, Anne and John Wortmann.

Close family members were also there, including Bruce and Sandy Pickens, Lauren Pickens, Courtney Pickens and Meredith Potter. Meredith is a recent graduate of Chapman University, pursuing a career in broadcast journalism in Los Angeles.

Jude Steele and Frances Gadbois, another pair of Newport’s most dynamic women, joined forces some four years ago to create a line of jewelry and start a business together.

With an initial investment of $9,000, the two young women entered a very competitive business path. Their hard work has paid off.

Today, their jewelry line known as JudeFrances is marketed nationwide and carried by such venerable stores as Neiman Marcus in Fashion Island.

This month, the duo celebrated the publishing of a book they have written titled “Just Go For It,” a first-person account of their road to business success.

On Oct. 19, Steele and Gadbois will join with the local charity Court Appointed Special Advocates for an official book-launch party in Newport Beach.

The new book is a heartwarming narrative filled with humor about two carpool/soccer moms who together have a combined total of five children and even more pets, while still managing to turn $9,000 into a multi-million-dollar business.

Gadbois shares that Tony Award-winning actress Kristin Chenoweth has signed on as the new face of JudeFrances Jewelry and will appear in their 2007 ad campaign. For more information, go to www.judefrances.com.

It’s time for Christmas Company 2006. Summer is just a memory and the holidays are upon us, as the Junior League of Orange County welcomes the holiday season on Saturday with the opening night gala of Christmas Company 2006.

The annual shopping extravaganza will be at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort this year, with a black-tie-optional opening night party being called Formals and Flip-flops.

This is a very important fundraiser for the Junior League, which uses money raised to benefit charitable endeavors throughout the county all year. Saturday night’s opening celebration is the beginning of a four-day event, during which merchants from across the United States offer an incredible display of holiday gift merchandise, including fashions, books, home decor, gardening items, holiday decorations, gourmet foods and much more.

The opening night also features fabulous food from contributing restaurants, including Five Crowns, Blue Water Grill, Newport Landing, the Melting Pot, Newport Rib Company, Cannery Seafood of the Pacific, Saltwater Mexican Grill and French’s Cupcake Bakery, and wines and beverages courtesy of Gallo of Sonoma and Pavilions Market.

Tickets to the opening night party are $100 a person and are available for purchase at www.jlocc.orgor by calling (949) 263-3785. General admission to the Christmas Company’s remaining shopping days is $10 per person, including parking at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort.

Molly Calder of Newport Beach reports that the National Charity League Juniors are very busy planning an in-store party at the new Theory boutique at South Coast Plaza.

The event is set for Oct. 20 and will feature an in-store fall and winter fashion preview of the popular Theory line. The generous fashion boutique has offered National Charity League Juniors shoppers a 20% discount on merchandise, as well as a 10% donation going back to the League to benefit its three local charitable endeavors: High Hopes Head Injury Program, the Harry and Grace Steele Children’s Center and the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation.

Contact Calder at mmcalder@sbcgolbal.net for more information.

Three most accomplished local women are set to be honored by the Jewish National Fund on Nov. 5 at Temple Bat Yahm in Newport Beach.

The Jewish National Fund will pay tribute to Hazel Dyer, Sheila Sonenshine and Brigitte Gabriel, bestowing the Women of Valor Award for their dedication and community involvement.

Of particular note is the life story of Gabriel, a native of Lebanon. Gabriel speaks openly of her personal account of growing up in Southern Lebanon, being educated with fabricated and politicized accounts by the Lebanese government concerning Israel and the Jewish people.

Her personal story centers around seeking emergency medical care for her mother in Israel when she could not receive treatment in Lebanon. Gabriel shares an emotional account of misinformation in contrast to the reality of her experience in Israel.

As a result, she has gone on the international lecture tour in support of America and Israel, defying the political propaganda being spread in much of the Middle East.

For more information on the Jewish Nation Fund event, call (949) 260-0400 or e-mail jburnett@jnf.org.

The city of Newport Beach and all the people involved in Sunday’s centennial birthday celebration should take a collective bow for a job exceptionally well done.

The family-oriented Sunday extravaganza was well planned, well executed and thoroughly enjoyed by all ages and all walks of life attending.

There was something for everyone, with an antique car show with fabulous old woodies and motorcycles, an art walk featuring local artists, food booths, incredible music on both piers and one of the most spectacular fireworks shows ever produced.

Our second hundred years is destined to get only better and better and better.

The community offers a collective and special pat on the back to all the volunteers and hard-working staffers who that produced this milestone celebration.