THE CROWD:Fundraisers benefit children’s programs

The Balboa Bay Club & Resort was the setting for a gala luncheon enjoyed by 200 local women supporting Court Appointed Special Advocates, otherwise known as CASA.

The Orange County-based children’s charitable organization is led by Susie Luer, Friends of CASA president, in conjunction with Anne Milligan, executive director.

Luer also chaired the luncheon, which featured an informal fashion presentation by Tory Burch and special addresses by two dedicated CASA advocates: Laurie Di Giovanni and Theresa Barta.

Also in the crowd were event committee members Linda Colton, Deborah Keillor, Stacy Holder, Ellen Small, Kimberly Prado and Danusia Keusder. Dina Solomon, Katherine Bland, Robin Barker, Joyce Piercey, Cathy Bart, Stacy Jones, Julie Brennan, Carolyn Luttio and Sandra Gee also participated in the fundraiser, which brought in more than $65,000 for programs to assist abused, abandoned and neglected children.

For more information, call (714) 619-0642 or go to www.casaoc.org.

In other children’s charity news, the Child Abuse Prevention Center hosted wives of professional athletes at “Luck Be a Lady” casino night, held at Joe’s Garage automotive museum in Tustin.

The event was chaired by Jendy and Robb Nen, a former San Francisco Giants pitcher, and attracted other athletes, such as Scott Covington, Nelson Emerson, Darin Erstad, Danny Farmer, Jean-Sebastien Giguere, Craig Greback, Bobby Grich, Trigger Gumm and Mickey Hatcher.

Other local athletes joining the fun were Rob Johnson, Adam Kennedy, John Lackey, Mark McGwire, Sammy Pahlsson, Teemu Selanne, Aaron Sele, Brett Tomko and Clyde Wright.

The party was a casual affair, featuring a live and silent auction with — you guessed it — specialty items from the world of sports memorabilia. Joe’s Garage, which is normally filled with spectacular exotic sports cars, overflowed with athletic prowess helping to raise significant funds. Tickets ranged in price from $150 to more than $500 per person, with proceeds benefiting the family support programs of the Child Abuse Prevention Center that serves some 165,000 at-risk children and families in Orange County.

For more information on the group’s work, go to www.brightfutures4kids.org.

The Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce will come together for a lively dinner Friday at the Balboa Bay Club & Resort in Newport Beach.

The annual Christmas Boat Parade Awards dinner and auction will raise funds to benefit the ongoing organization and promotion of one of the world’s most famous water parades at holiday time.

The Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Country Club will lead the charge with Ed Arnold of KOCE’s “Real Orange” set to act as master of ceremonies for the event. Balboa Bay Club President Henry Schielein has instructed his executive chef Josef Lageder to create a four-course dinner for the evening that will also feature the music of the Michael Whitman Band.

In addition, Schielein — through his European contacts — has arranged a 14-day German holiday vacation, with stays at six of Germany’s finest resorts, as the special grand prize opportunity drawing of the night.

Tickets will be sold, with proceeds benefiting the Chamber of Commerce. Call Cara Stephens at (949) 729-4412 for last-minute reservations and information.

The inaugural Newport Beach Restaurant Week is set to run from Jan. 21 through 25.

This weeklong event is a special citywide culinary promotion created by the local restaurant association to show off fine dining in our fine city.

The best chefs of both classic and casual cuisine will be working overtime at some 75 Newport Beach dining rooms, offering special three-course gourmet menus at $12.95 for lunch and $26.95 for dinner.

Dan Marcheano, president of the Newport Beach Restaurant Assn. and proprietor of the popular Arches restaurant on West Coast Highway, said, “This is a great opportunity for people to get out and enjoy some of the best restaurants in Newport Beach, which are in fact some of the best restaurants in the country.”

For a complete listing of all participating eateries, go to www.newportbeachdining.com or call Peggy Fort, president of California Marketing Concepts, at (949) 675-0501.