FRIENDS OF CASA HOLIDAY LUNCHEON Holiday spirit was in the air as Friends of CASA hosted its annual Holiday Luncheon at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club in nearby Dana Point on Dec . 1 . More than 480 guests arrived to a Champagne reception which featured Barclay Butera Interiors ’ Starfish Wish trees , adorned with ornaments designed by Orange County artist Timree Gold that displayed unique wishes from 282 children in foster care . Guests were able to select a child ’ s request to fulfill ranging from a new bicycle or Barbie dolls to a trip to Disneyland ; silent auction items were also displayed during the reception . In the ballroom , Givenchy and South Coast Plaza partnered to showcase the fashion house ’ s forthcoming spring line , and a pop-up shop at the event offered leather goods , footwear and handbags with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Court Appointed Special Advocates . A keynote speech by child welfare expert and former foster child David Ambroz was the highlight of the afternoon , though the luncheon also featured an opportunity drawing thanks to Lugano Diamonds as well as a $ 35,000 matching gift from the Harry Bronson and Edith R . Knapp Foundation . Aiming to enhance CASA of OC ’ s work to provide critical support for local youth who have been abused or neglected , the event raised a record-breaking amount of over $ 640,000 this year . ( casaholidayluncheon . org ) — A . R .
1 . Back row : Anoosheh Oskouian , Cyd Swerdlow ; front row : Lourdes Nark , Catherine Frandsen , Wendy Tenebaum 2 . Givenchy fashion presentation 3 . Dana Strader , Holly Joseph , Colleen Masterson , Regan Phillips , David Ambroz 4 . Liz Batterton , Liz deSousa 5 . Donna Medelberg , Nancy Eaton
TOP SECTION : JOHN WATKINS PHOTOGRAPHY ; BOTTOM SECTION : ANDY COLES
MY FAVORITE THINGS GALA For any supporter of Laguna Dance Festival , the arts is sure to be one of his or her list of favorite things — which the nonprofit banked on during its Dec . 2 gala . Held at Surf & Sand Resort , the sold-out event put dancing in the spotlight . The 180 supporters in attendance were escorted to a Champagne reception by girls in white dresses from the Corona Dance Academy , where they were invited to peruse silent auction baskets with themes such as fitness , beauty , wine and more ; a live auction also featured five luxurious trips ideal for travel enthusiasts , adding to the more than $ 100,000 raised during the gala . Dinner was paired with vino by Hall winery in Napa Valley , served at tables adorned with florals from The English Garden . Once everyone was seated , the dancing began , with 14 performances from professionals as well as LDF scholarship winners . The night concluded with dance lessons that allowed supporters to show off their own moves . ( lagunadancefestival . org ) — A . R . g
1 . Carissa Hsu 2 . Jodie Gates 3 . Magdalena Fialek , Allen Genkin 4 . Magdalena Fialek , Allen Genkin
LAGUNA BEACH MAGAZINE 23