ON THE TOWN:
The Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City was the sumptuous setting for the Oakmont League of Glendale’s annual benefit fashion show Thursday. “Imagine” was the theme for more than 250 members and guests who filled the ballroom. Festivities began early with no-host cocktails and the opportunity drawing viewing.
The daring had the chance to try on furs from Dicker and Dicker. Since the weather was mild, special guest designer Mr. Blackwell left his own muffler from Dicker and Dicker at home.
Benefit co-chairs Jeri Benton and LindaMalmquist planned a full program that included a welcome by Oakmont League President Viviane Furlong, an invocation by Father Gregory Dongkore and a delicious lunch of Breast of Chicken Piccata. Following lunch, a fashion show featured Lourdes Chavez Designs and designer fashions from Robert Ellis and Sy Devore. Two male models who doffed their shirts were the hits of the show.
Benefit supporters from Glendale included Georgia Abelmann, Wanda Bistagne, Doris Boyer, Fran Buchanan, Michaelynn Cashion, Ruth Charles, John Davitt and wife Gail Davitt, Nancy Frazee, Debbie Hinkley, Glady and Jack Kabateck, Vicki McConnell, Doris McKentley, Mary Ann Plumley, Lisa Raggio, Maria Rochart, Monica and Jose Sierra, Evelyn Siracuse, Mercy Valazquez, Yeimei Wang, Katherine Yamada and Rosalie and Ron Youra.
Ron Youra was the lucky winner of a one-week stay at Kona Hawaii Condo and a $500 travel voucher donated by Fran and Terry Buchanan and Montrose Travel.
The Oakmont League of Glendale was founded in 1939, and for nearly 70 years has been serving Glendale and surrounding communities with service and financial support.
Benefit proceeds will fund college scholarships and donations to more than 30 nonprofit organizations.
Soroptimist International of Glendale had its fifth annual “Bras for a Cause” on Saturday at the Oakmont Country Club. Wall to wall, outrageously decorated bras made by community members were on display at what event chair Gayle Craig called the “most unique fundraiser” held in Glendale.
Soroptimist Kathy Lefkovits is the brains behind the bras, having founded the event in 2003. This year’s theme was “Bras for a Cause Goes on Vacation.” More than 30 bras supported the travel theme, including a hot air balloon creation of seven bras.
The evening began with a silent auction and viewing of the decorated bras and ended with a sit-down dinner and live auction. But what do auction winners of the decorated bras do with them?
“I have no idea. Honestly,” admitted Lefkovits.
She added that Soroptimist members display the bras they win in their offices. Lefkovits planned to bid on her own creation, “Gone Fishing” — complete with fishing frog and tiny trout swimming in one of the bra cups.
Out of the more than 250 “Bras for a Cause” supporters who filled the ballroom, Glendale residents included Soroptimist officers — President Margo Bottcher, Lou Rhodes, Jill Lewis, Julie Shermer, Craig, Sandy Doughty, Debbie Mallon, Carolyn Stelter, Mary Lou Stamy, Julie Beers and Helena Danni, and directors Beverly Scott and Lefkovits.
More Glendale residents were Georgia Abelmann (still fresh from Thursday’s Oakmont League fashion show) Joyce and Joe Ayvazi, Deputy City Manager Yasmin Beers, Glendale Board of Education member Mary Boger, Bob Bottcher, Lynda Burns, Carol Burton, Paula and Art Devine, Lina and Homer Harper, Susan Hunt, Anna Jump, City Clerk Ardy Kassakhian, Aram Kazazian and daughter Christina Kazazian, Lisa Koontz, Doyle Kutch, Bill Lefkovits, Lisa McMurry, Lynne and Carl Raggio, Pam and Steve Ropfogel, Jeanette Stirdivant, Genevieve Sultenfuss, Yeimei and John Wang, Olive Warner, City Councilman Dave Weaver and wife Linda Weaver and City Councilman Bob Yousefian and wife Sue Yousefian.
Soroptimist International of Glendale raises money and awareness for breast cancer and other philanthropies benefiting women and girls. Most of the evening’s proceeds will be donated to breast cancer services programs at Glendale hospitals and grants to local nonprofits that work on behalf of women and girls.
RUTH SOWBY may be reached at ruthsowby@msn.com.