THE CROWD:Celebs show support at local charity events

International fashion designer Carolina Herrera will join her daughter, Carolina Herrera Jr., at a cocktail reception for the opening of the new CH Carolina Herrera store at South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa on Nov. 15. Ellie Gordon and Lynn Freeman are chairing the in-store event on behalf of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra. For more information, call (714) 876-2375.

From international fashion to world-class sports, Tiger Woods hosted the second annual Block Party at the Grove of Anaheim, benefiting the Tiger Woods Learning Center, a youth education facility in Orange County.

Woods joined Fred Couples for a morning golf exhibition followed by a round of golf at Mesa Verde Country Club in Costa Mesa. The day of golf ended with a dinner celebration at the Grove chaired by Newport Beach activists Randy and Sally Crockett; Brian and Lori Hirth; and Tom and Pam Bender. Renowned chef Bobby Flay prepared dinner for the crowd, which also included tennis star Lindsay Davenport; comic Will Ferrell and his wife, Viveca Paulin; Gabrielle Reese; and TV’s Kevin James, star of the sitcom “King of Queens.” James served as emcee of the party, which featured Glenn Frey and Joe Walsh of the Eagles.

Organizers expect to raise more than $1 million to support the Tiger Woods Learning Center. For more information, please call (714) 816-1806 or go to www.twlc.org.

Three important local charities benefited from a recent fall in-store celebration at the new Theory boutique in Newport Beach. High Hopes Head Injury, Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and the Harry and Grace Steele Daycare Center at Orange Coast College will share in the proceeds raised by the Newport Beach Chapter of National Charity League, Juniors. Theory store manager Annaka Nielson donated 10% of the proceeds from the evening to the league, as guests checked out the new line while sampling a buffet served by Bristol Farms. In the crowd were Jennifer Lefebvre, Marcie Garner, Jill Wetton, Christine Remo, Julie Wilson, Carolyn Mangano, Nora Storm, Kathy Purdy, Judith Wattson and Molly Calder.

Laura’s House, an Orange County residential shelter for victims of domestic violence, presented “La Vita Toscana,” an evening of Italian food, wine and entertainment at the Hyatt Regency Irvine. A five-course meal was served as the Wayne Foster Orchestra played “Volare” for the 350 guests who raised $130,000 for Laura’s House. Co-chaired by Newport Coast social standout Nanette Vodra, with Laura Khouri and Daniel Sussman, the party was a smashing success. “We had more underwriting and sponsorship than ever before,” commented Vodra, who joined her husband Donald in supporting Laura’s House.

The presenting sponsor of the evening was Western National Group. Also supporting Laura’s House were a host of local corporate donors including Tiffany & Co, which provided an Elsa Peretti Sevillana diamond necklace that ended up in a major bidding war.

Laura’s House provides residential shelter services to more than 200 women and children as well as counseling service to thousands more in O.C. in need of immediate help. For more information on the work of Laura’s House, call (949) 361-3775.