‘FOCIS on Dining’ attracts famous guests

B.W. COOK

More than 100 Newport-Mesa guests attended a dinner at Five Crowns

Restaurant in Corona del Mar supporting the Friends of Orange Coast

Interfaith Shelter.

Organizers called the event “FOCIS on Dining,” the third in a

series of five dinners helping to raise funds and awareness in

support of homeless families living at the Orange Coast Interfaith

Shelter in Costa Mesa. Chairing the Five Crowns dinner was Sally

Phillips with assistance from Lynne Bloomberg. Both women serve on

the interfaith shelter’s board of directors.

The motto of the organization is “giving homeless families a

second chance.” Working toward this goal are dedicated locals Judy

Cooper, who serves as president, along with a cross-section of

community support that includes Lois Jacobs, Bernice Malkin, Natalie

Mandel, Harriet Edelstein, Mimi Susman, Susan Bershad and Myra

Wiener.

The organization is planning two more dinners, one at Chat Noir on

April 19, and Pascal on May 23 and 24 in support of local homeless

needs. To make a reservation, call (949) 642-4029.

Newport’s dynamic Peggy Goldwater Clay teamed up with the equally

charismatic Gloria Osbrink and Betty Belden Palmer to co-chair an

evening awards dinner at the Sutton Place Hotel in Newport Beach on

behalf of the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge.

The Orange County chapter of the Freedoms Foundation held its

annual event, titled “America and Those Who Love Her,” honoring

Newport’s exceptional community activist Jan Landstrom, along with

international Olympic star Rafer Johnson and Col. Ralph Smith,

president of the Tuskegee Airmen Inc. Smith, in association with the

airmen, has dedicated himself to working with youth to inspire lofty

goals of achievement and purpose in contemporary American society.

Also honored at the evening affair was Newport citizen George

Grupe, well known in the Newport-Mesa community for his patriotic

stance. Grupe was presented with the “Spirit of ’76 Award” in

recognition of his efforts to promote American patriotism. More than

$30,000 was netted from the evening, which will support scholarships

for both students and teachers to attend seminars at Valley Forge,

Penn., which will “foster awareness of American values and the

American way of life.”

The Newport Beach chapter of National Charity League Juniors will

present its 18th annual mother-daughter luncheon on March 20 at the

Balboa Bay Club and Resort in Newport Beach.

More than 500 mothers and daughters are expected to attend this

early spring event that organizers are billing as “Celebrating

Friendship.” Proceeds from the benefit luncheon, fashion show and

massive silent auction effort will be divided between: the Harry and

Grace Steele Children’s Center at Orange Coast College, which

provides child care for low income parents enrolled in the local

community school; the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, which

supports research in the field of children’s cancer; and High Hopes,

which is an organization that assists people who have suffered brain

trauma.

South Coast Plaza will produce the fashion show segment of the

event, which promises to be both glamorous and fun. Kathy Stuart

serves as president of the National Charity League Juniors, with

major support coming from Newport women Dana Anderson, Rebecca

Boukathur, Cindy Beck, Lisa McBean and Holly Anderson. Others

supporting the cause are Leonie Lumpkin, Diane Connelly, Anne Kent,

Michelle Roth, Merrins Jones, Kay Davis, Ellen Wheeler, Caroline

Deverian, Whitney Mace and Pam Conner. Kudos also go to silent

auction co-chairs Angi Evans and Suzan Anderson for producing a

massive effort that will raise significant funds for the charities.

For more information and reservations, call Cindy Beck at (949)

642-4288.

An interesting luncheon reception at the Center Club in Costa Mesa

welcomed nationally renowned investment strategist Robert Froehlich,

who addressed the community with his “financial diagnosis” for 2004.

As men and women converged for the seminar, sponsored by Deutsche

Asset Management Americas, the midday conversation buzzed through the

Center Club dining room, covering everything from American

involvement in the Middle East, to corporate and personal tax breaks,

to forecasting the stock market for the year ahead, to the amazing

rise in real estate values. Hosted by Doug McCrea, Orange County

director for Deutsche Bank Private Wealth Management, the afternoon

with Froehlich had attendees sitting on the edge of their seats as

the speaker addressed the crowd.

“We have always heard that the smart investor in the market is

looking for the long-term gain,” Froehlich said. “While this is

certainly true, I also happen to know that most investors ask the

question, ‘How can I make money tomorrow?’”

Froehlich advised the crowd to invest in the “biggest of the big

... large-cap stocks.” Predicting that the U.S. dollar will remain

weak for another six months, the investment strategist also informed

the audience that between $5 trillion and $7 trillion is sitting on

the “sidelines” in American money market accounts earning negligible

returns for investors. Calling these funds “irrational money” because

they’re subject to taxation and inflation, Froehlich also labeled

these funds “nervous dollars” because they are funds in search of

investment return.

Based on the current economic situation, the speaker, who is often

seen on national television, offered that three sectors of the

economy should be watched as potential growth sectors in the coming

year. They are financial services, technology and consumer

discretionary services. Also notable in his address was advice to

watch the growth of the economy in Japan.

Luncheon and dinner gatherings focused on finance are becoming

important occasions on the Newport-Mesa social calendar. Individuals,

couples and families concerned about their financial future, seeking

intelligent guidance as the market is affected by global activity,

are more frequently combining business and social agendas in search

of information in an increasingly complicated environment.

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