The Crowd: Aiding Sioux Indians, City of Hope and more
Newport’s Twila True continues to make her presence known on the social circuit, lending her formidable support to nonprofits that help many people in need.
Last fall True, who runs a number of business enterprises including an exclusive jewelry salon on West Coast Highway in Newport Beach and a beauty emporium on 17th Street in Costa Mesa, held an inaugural dinner fundraiser with friend and event partner Donna Pickup, raising a half million dollars to assist Sioux Indians in South Dakota — a remarkable effort for a far-away need, supported by major community turnout.
Recently, True and team focused on lending a generous hand to the City of Hope. A kickoff party held in the jewelry salon announced the upcoming March 11 City of Hope Gala, which will unfold in the ballroom of the Balboa Bay Resort. It’s the third annual benefit for the hospital, which has a worldwide reputation as a leader in cancer research, treatment and cure.
Frank DiBella, a cancer survivor who credits his City of Hope physicians, including Dr. Sumanta Pal, with saving his life, will again chair the extravaganza.
And that it is. DiBella along with close pal Milan Panic, former prime minister of Yugoslavia and founder of MP Biomedicals LLC, pull out all the stops. Billed as “Let’s Be Frank About Cancer; Fly Me To A cure,” the party promises fabulous entertainment, dancing until the Cinderella hour and, of course, the finest cuisine and libations.
DiBella’s committee joined some 60 VIP guests for the Twila True reception, which featured the introduction of an over-the-top opportunity drawing offering winning patrons fine jewelry valued at upward of $80,000. Participation in the drawing continues until the evening of the gala. The generosity of hostess True mixed with that of City of Hope donors, who raised nearly $300,000 in underwriting funding during the cocktail reception.
To learn more about the March 11 event, go to letsbefrankaboutcancer.com. To find out about the lifesaving work of City of Hope, visit cityofhope.org.
Mardi Gras magic benefiting SCFTA
The West County Area Chapters of The Guilds of Segerstrom Center for the Arts — including three long-time organizations known as the Carmen Chapter, the Center Stage Chapter and the Stage Door Chapter — are planning a Mardi Gras-themed, New Orleans-style fundraiser March 2 at Irvine’s Duck Club.
Marty Olds and Louise Costa will co-chair the party, which will feature the Nonpareil Dixieland ensemble led by Bruce Babad. Cajon cuisine is on the ticket. Admission is $65. All funds from the party and silent auction will go to the Segerstrom Center’s community engagement and educational programs, which serve some 380,000 young people in Orange County each year.
A dedicated committee of arts advocates offering support include Delphi Ballinger, Ed Cady, Gail and Jim Daniels, Michela Engle, Diana Hardy, Irene Iverson, Susan Kinkade, Jackie Olstad, Darleen Hardwick, Abby Daniels, Judy Keenan, Pat Faust and Margaret Ann Vincent.
To purchase tickets to the Mardi Gras, visit DHOWE@SCFTA.org or call Diane Howe at the center, (714) 556-2122, Ext. 4224.
A nod to Norway on Coast Highway
The glamorous Newport couple Rita and Reed Sprinkel of Dover Shores will host the final Scandinavian dinner held at the Balboa Bay Club on March 5.
It is the end of a culinary Newport tradition begun more than two decades ago by the former actress-model Rita Sprinkel, a native of Norway who moved to Newport in the 1970s following a stint in Hollywood.
Sprinkel has called upon guest chef Joseph Lagader to join Bay Club chef David Fuñe in creating the farewell feast, which will include her family recipes for Norwegian meatballs, gravlax, split pea soup, smoked fish and pickled herring — all enjoyed with toasts of Sprinkel’s rose-wrapped Scandinavian aquavit.
Popular hotelier and guest maître d’ Dieter Hissen, a well-known figure on the O.C. culinary circuit, will front the Sprinkel dinner.
B.W. COOK is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.
