THE CROWD:

Dover Shores’ elegant platinum blond Scandinavian hostess Rita Sprinkel represented husband, Reed, and a dining room full of fans and friends for her 33rd annual Scandinavian Guest Maitre d’ Night Dinner at The Balboa Bay Club & Resort.

“I have been doing this since 1975,” said Sprinkel, adding, “I can’t believe so many years have passed by.”

The Nordic beauty came to California as a model and actress and was drawn south from Hollywood to the Newport scene, where she met her husband, a construction mogul who has paved most of the roads in Southern California.

The pair have shared a glamorous life together on land and on sea, often entertaining on their yacht, but every year Rita goes into the kitchen at The Balboa Bay Club working with the chef to create an outstanding buffet presentation of her native delicacies.

The dinner traditionally begins with Rita’s yellow split-pea soup, which is superb. Norwegian meatballs are a must, paired with assorted herring, grav lax and assorted Norwegian salmon.

The shrimp with dill sauce is an all-time favorite. If that is not enough, a marinated pork roast dressed with prunes and apricots is paired with braised red cabbage, roasted red potatoes and Lingonberry sauce.

The crowd toasted with Aquavit and sang Swedish songs of fellowship. A wonderful and unique evening on the Orange Riviera was enjoyed by Lyman and Joan Scheel, David and Berit Alderfer, Astrid Bergford, Eva Kramer, and Ben and Barbara Harris.

USC came to Lido Isle last weekend as residents Karen and Andrew Littlefair hosted a Sunday afternoon get-together introducing friends of the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences to Dean Howard Gillman.

USC alumni joined parents of current students and prospective students for a personal visit with Gillman, a 17-year USC faculty member who was recently named Associate Vice Provost for Research Advancement.

Gillman has been closely involved in the U.S.-China Institute with hands-on action concerning reforms to ensure ethical practices in medical research involving human subjects.

In addition to being appointed to the position of Dean of the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences this year, Gillman also holds the Anna H. Bing Dean’s Chair at the USC College.

Guests converged on the Littlefair residence sharing USC memories and enjoying with rapt attention Gillman’s talk followed by a lively Q & A session.

Andrew Littlefair has also been involved in scientific research working closely with international entrepreneur T. Boone Pickens and the development of natural gas-powered vehicles.

His wife, Karen, is one of Lido’s gracious hostesses and a very talented interior designer.

The world of design is coming into its own as spring dawns on the California Riviera.

The social and fashion worlds will collide over the next couple of months with a bevy of fashion shows, luncheons, trunk shows and displays of every variety.

Next week on Feb. 14, the very chic Michaele Hall of Neiman Marcus, Fashion Island, is throwing a special “invitation only” preview of the spring 2008 fashion trends.

This annual event is a little bit of Paris, Milan, New York and Beverly Hills style presented in a unique Newport Beach experience. Neiman’s follows this preview event with a St. John show that begins on Feb. 28 and runs through March 1.

Also on March 1, designer Craig Taylor, the guru of white blouses, will display his latest collection.

Escada comes to Neiman’s March 3-7 to present the Spring 2008 collections followed by a March 5 trunk show with Edward Wilkerson and Lafayette 148 New York.

There is much more. Dana Buchman Day is set for March 13 followed by a personal appearance by Linda Bergman, fabulous jewelry designer. All the while the purveyor of fashion will be presenting the “Art of Fashion” event March 7-15.

Neiman’s fashion experts have traveled the world to spot the latest trends. Michaele Hall said,” We know what you need now, and we can show it to you during the Art of Fashion week.”

Add to this a major Chanel show and even a trunk show from Brioni for the gentlemen, and it’s just the tip of the fashion iceberg for spring in Newport Beach.

“Neiman Marcus is focusing on color, artistry, femininity and global design,” offered Fernanda Zepeda, working with Hall. For more information on any of the fashion events please call (949) 467-3306.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.