Hoedown to Help Educate Public About People of Short Stature

Lovers of country music jammed Twin Palms restaurant in Newport Beach on Monday to hear the Mavericks--winners of vocal group of the year at the recent Country Music Assn. Awards--and watch a style show by Manuel, fashion guru to stars such as Elvis, Johnny Cash and Linda Ronstadt.

The sophisticated hoedown netted about $20,000 for the Short Stature Foundation, an organization dedicated to educating the public about the needs of small people.

Thinking Big

Tina Schafnitz of Newport Beach--whose son, Alex, is of short stature--took over the helm of the Irvine-based foundation three years ago when its founder, Richard Crandall, resigned.

“He told me he wasn’t able to do it any longer,” said Schafnitz, who lives with her husband, Matt, in Newport Beach. “So I said, ‘Give me the keys!’ ”

Crandall founded the organization in 1984 after his daughter, a short-statured person, committed suicide, Schafnitz explained.

“There are thousands of dwarfs in our country,” she said. “There is one born in every 20,000 births. But they hide. They are ridiculed and shamed. They do not feel accepted in the world. The world was not made for little people.

“I want to bring them out of the closet. They are a special gift from God. That’s why we’re here tonight.”

Proceeds from “Tall in the Saddle” will be used to fund the second printing of the book, “Dwarfism: The Family & Professional Guide.”

Country Style

Guests who could afford the high-styled duds created by couturier Manuel stood out at the party. Schafnitz paired her $6,000 Manuel jacket--a Mississippi gambler riding coat shot with gold thread and black rhinestones--with hot pants and a gold satin shell.

Tamara Box--owner of Out of Santa Fe in Newport Beach--wore a white T-shirt, Guess jeans and alligator boots with her elegant taupe gambling coat. “Manuel’s clothes are expensive because they’re couture--one of a kind,” said Box, who sells the designer’s clothing at her Fashion Island store. “They’re beautifully tailored, silk embroidered and are of the highest quality.”

Said Manuel: “I really love what I do. You have a dream, you hug it with all the love you can, and you’ve got success.”

A Chat With Costner

Before she joined the crowd for a concert and sit-down dinner at tables decorated with glittered cactuses, Twin Palms co-owner Cindy Costner--ex-wife of actor Kevin--talked about her recent interview with Time magazine. (She is featured in an Oct. 7 article about the movie “The First Wives Club.”)

“Revenge doesn’t have a big place in my life,” she said. “For women who may be going through what I went through, I’d tell them to concentrate on the fine details of their children’s pain.

“In terms of my own pain, I have to tell myself, ‘Life is bigger than my problems right now. It’s not as dark as it can seem.’ “And before you know it, it’s better.”