Sun Shines on Party at Sports Club/Irvine

Young, tanned, toned: They had that look on Saturday night at the Sports Club/Irvine. The look said, thirtysomething and single . The look was actually series of double-takes--yupsters checking each other out coming and going.

The party at the tony health club--normally shuttered on Saturday nights--was hosted by Young Professionals Against Cancer, a 1 1/2-year-old group that raises money for the American Cancer Society Orange County Unit.

Four hundred and fifty guests bought YPAC’s tickets ($30 in advance, $40 at the door), netting an estimated $10,000.

Cool by the Pool

They called it “Summer’s Comin’ ” and dressed the club with surfboards, fish nets, beach balls, striped towels. Party planner Howard Silvert--in shorts, shades, with a cooler at his side--greeted guests from a lawn chair and pointed the way to the outdoor festivities.

Poolside--where a chilly dusk raised gooseflesh on the scantily attired--there was more beach-themed ambience, plus no-host bars, odd food (burgers and brats? at a health club?) and great music cranked out by L.A.’s Peter Hix band.

Who’s Who

The dress code was loose and the choices varied--guests wrapped themselves in everything from Hawaiian shirts and sneakers to acid-washed jeans and cowboy boots to silk and pearls.

Among the single minglers were YPAC President Steve Kwong, party chairwoman Catherine Rondema, and Cancer Society reps Tom McPherson and Michael Wagschal.

Lori Pierpopan and Sharon Davis, both of Huntington Beach, heard about the fund-raiser while at another singles’ event and decided to give the YPAC a try.

“So far, I think it’s a really good party--especially for how reasonable the ticket (price) was,” said Pierpopan. “I went to another one this week that was $75, and all you got was a drink.”

Fun and Games

Earlier in the day, four-person teams from 10 local corporations competed in sports and games at the health club, including a basketball, paddle tennis and a water balloon toss.

Kwong, who competed in the proceeds-boosting games, said his favorite competition was the pool relay. Swimmers wore long Mickey Mouse T-shirts that were stripped off wet after one lap and slithered into by the next teammate--kind of a variation on passing the baton.

“That got crazy,” Kwong said, shaking his head. “The whole thing was just fun.”

Cinderella Story

Also on Saturday night: The Cinderella Guild Juniors, a support group for Children’s Hospital of Orange County, hosted a dinner party at Le Meridien Hotel in Newport Beach that that drew 300 guests and raised an estimated $35,000.

Kristen Heeschen and Gina McGlone co-chaired the black-tie benefit, which included a champagne reception, silent and live auctions, broiled salmon dinner and dancing to retro tunes played by Dr. Feelgood and the Interns of Love.

The star of cocktail hour was a cuddly springer spaniel pup--later auctioned off for a tidy $550 to Gavin Herbert III.