VIPs Wait on Tables to Help Leukemia Society

“Waiter?” called out one of 200 guests enjoying lunch at the Newporter Resort on Friday.

‘ ‘That’ll cost ‘em,” said waiter-for-a-day Rep. Robert E. Badham (R-Newport Beach), feigning indignation.

The “Celebrity Waiter Charity Luncheon,” which began last year as a spoof on black-tie dinners, is a slice of philanthropic silliness that allows respected business and community leaders to let their hair down while earning tips for the Leukemia Society of America’s Tri-County chapter.

It’s not enough that congressmen, judges and company presidents swallow their pride. In the course of the meal, one pillar of the community would also swallow a goldfish for leukemia.

“As waiters,” explained Ginny Reid, executive director of the chapter, “we expect them to dress outrageously and do dreadful things.” The waiters’ demeanor earned the chapter $10,000.

In sheer pink, a boa, ruffles and a little black hat, Ralph Rodheim of Amies Advertising was the hit of the day: He came in drag.

“You want a kiss?” Rodheim queried guests. “It’ll cost you a dollar. If you don’t want a kiss, it’ll cost you two.”

Inspired by Rodheim’s “sex appeal,” James Straw of Avco Financial Services donated $500 to the chapter. Ralph Bartholomew was less impressed.

“I paid him not to kiss me, and he kissed me anyway!” Bartholomew complained.

Some tip-earning strategies worked better than others.

“I walked by one of the tables and dumped a tray of drinks on them,” Badham said. “They’ve been paying me ever since to stay away.”

The Tri-County chapter serves Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties and the state of Nevada from its offices in Tustin. Chapter directors take the Celebrity Waiter concept from city to city; it will be in Anaheim Friday.

Honorary maitre d’ was state Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach); master of ceremonies was sportscaster Bob Elder of KDOC-TV. Among the 14 waiters were Jim Dale, owner of the Villa Nova restaurant, Bill Hamilton of the Cannery and developer Bill Lusk.

Also at the lunch was Linda Barragan, director of community relations for the Newporter in Newport Beach, which is currently undergoing a $15-million renovation.

“We’ve tripled the size of the lobby, added 104 guest rooms and a seventh swimming pool,” Barragan said. “There will be a cupola 13 feet higher than the existing structure, lit so you’ll be able to see it from all over Newport Beach.

“We’re shutting down the (Newporter’s) Wine Cellar, La Palme and the Bistro and building a new restaurant called Jamboree Cafe. We’re opening an entertainment lounge called Duke’s, in memory of John Wayne. Everything should be ready by late June, early July.”

Vocalist Eric Strom provided the entertainment. In the spirit of fund raising, he was offered $20 after two songs not to sing a third; one tableful of guests locked arms and swayed “We Are the World”-style when he proceeded to sing “New York, New York” anyway.

Wrapping up the day were pie throwing and goldfish swallowing. “We wanted them to finish lunch before they started on goldfish,” explained Reid.

For $300, developer John Coelho had the pleasure of smearing a pie in the face of Balboa Bay Club president Tom Deemer; Stan Lackey paid $150 to see chapter trustee Dave Garretson swallow a goldfish.

Garretson poured out most of the water in the glass before ingesting the creature; moments later, he downed a beer. He said he couldn’t feel the fish swimming around.

“But all of a sudden I feel like flopping around on the floor,” he confided.

One-thousand five-hundred predominantly single professionals gathered Saturday night for a Cinco de Mayo celebration at South Coast Plaza. The party, at which more slacks and tassled loafers were seen than Mexican garb, was sponsored by Cabaret chapter of the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

One hundred pinatas lined the wings off Jewel Court; beneath them partygoers stood in line for ceviche and tequila shooters, danced and played carnival games.

Cabaret member-at-large Teri Goldfarb said most of the chapter’s 300 members work on each party.

“This isn’t one of the groups where you can write a check for $10,000 to underwrite something and that’s the end of it,” Goldfarb explained. “We’re talking lots of man-hours. I personally spend 100 or 200 hours per event.”

Among the guests were D.J. and Katie Hoornaert, honeymooning from Belgium, who were asked if there were such parties back home.

“Huge charities? Yes,” answered D.J., “even 10,000 people in one night. In shopping centers? No.”

The event was co-chaired by Tor Eckert, Frank Barcelona and Phil O’Brien. Eckert expected the Cabaret chapter to realize more than $25,000 from the event.