B.W. COOK -- The Crowd

They are calling it “Rocktoberfest.” The group 44 Women For Children,

an auxiliary of the Orangewood Children’s Foundation, is planning a fall

family festival to be held Sunday, Oct. 7 at Oak Canyon Park in Orange.

The auxiliary is predominately made up of women in the Newport-Mesa

community including Susan Samueli, Sally Clark, Madeline Gordon, Keri

Doyle, Diane Coon, Betsy Flint, Barbara Knapp, Regina Manian, Susan

Kinsey, Carolyn McInerney, Nancy Vos and Sherri Winkler.

The family outing will include music by Five Degrees of Soul, and

another group called World Tribe. Organizers will have rides, arts and

crafts, food, wine and even a bullfrog race.

The group is dedicated to helping the children served by the

Orangewood Foundation, especially teens leaving the foster care system.

Proceeds from Rocktoberfest will directly benefit the peer counselor

fund.

Call (714) 636-4781 for information and reservations.

* * *

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Orange County Chapter, is

planning to host what it is terming a “legal day” on Saturday, Sept. 22.

The concept behind this special event is to offer free legal consultation

with an attorney to people with multiple sclerosis and their families.

The goal is to help them concerning their rights in areas such as social

security, health care, estate planning, employment issues and much more.

Registration for this service-orientated charitable event is required

by Sept. 14. Call (949) 752-1680 for information.

There are more than 3,000 individuals in Orange County fighting

multiple sclerosis, which is considered the No. 1 neurological disease of

young adults. There is no known cause, cure or prevention for the

disease.

* * *

Penny Newman at Nordstrom South Coast Plaza is working very closely

with Patricia Marshall and Marsha Anderson, co-chairwomen of the

Performing Arts Center’ annual Candlelight Concert and Gala.

Nordstrom will once again kick off the winter social season leading up

to Candlelight Concert with their dazzling collection of couture gowns.

Organizers will redecorate the Brass Plum Salon at the South Coast Plaza

store, turning it into a jazz club setting on Tuesday, Sept. 25. The jazz

theme has been chosen to compliment this year’s featured star

entertainer, singer Diana Krall.

Penny Newman reports that she is also planning a selection of men’s

designer formal wear to add to this year’s show.

* * *

Dedicated local organizers Marie Blash and Nina Rattner are

co-chairing a VIP sponsor reception honoring donors and supporters of the

10th anniversary Susan G. Komen Orange County Race for the Cure. The

reception will be held at Aysia 101 in Newport Beach, and more than 350

guests are anticipated to attend the Sept. 20 evening tribute.

Stephanie Komen, daughter of Susan G. Komen, and Dr. Dava Gerard,

co-founder of the Orange County Komen affiliate, will speak at the dinner

reception. California Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante and state Assemblywoman

Lynn Daucher will also be on hand. Local support is coming from Nanci

Brown; Carla Kammack; Steve, Jane and Kelly Hill; Cathy Pearson; Barbara

Purks; Mary Taylor; Sharon Turner; and Jim, Betty and Shelly Winek.

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation raised more than $1.38

million last year in Orange County alone, with 75% of the proceeds

remaining right here in this community for breast health programs and

treatments.

* * *

The Anti-Defamation League of Orange County, headquartered in Costa

Mesa, will recognize the humanitarian efforts of community leaders with

its annual appeals brunch on Sunday, Sept. 30. Bernard and Barbara King

will receive the League’s Leaders of Distinction Award. In addition,

philanthropists Bruno and Rachel Ledwin, and Sy and Reva Alban will be

honored for their tireless and generous efforts to build a stronger and

more tolerant society.

For more information, call Ruth Bridge at (714) 979-4733.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.