Festival of Children set to begin

The second annual Festival of Children will be kicked off with a

patron party on Sept. 4 at South Coast Plaza. Sponsored by Bvlgari

and Ermenegildo Zegna, the evening will take place in a tent in the

Nordstrom parking lot.

Organizers have given the kick-off event the theme “What A

Wonderful World,” and guests will be requested to express in writing

their feelings on contributing to “this wonderful world.” Throughout

the evening, different responses will be read and shared with the

crowd.

The Festival of Children is a monthlong series of events, exhibits

and celebrity appearances that will commence Sept. 6 and run through

the month under the leadership of Sandra Segerstrom Daniels, a

managing partner of C.J. Segerstrom and Sons.

The festival is designed to give information to children and

families on issues of health, wellness, safety, education, sports,

literacy, arts and entertainment. A variety of children’s charities

participate in the festival. One million people are expected to

attend the events throughout the month.

For more information on the kick-off party, please call (949)

644-4777.

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More than $80,000 was raised by the Sandpipers in support of Hoag

Hospital at an annual summer jazz festival at the Hyatt Newporter,

which was attended by more than 450 people. The jazz event was

headlined by keyboardist and composer Keiko Matsui.

A VIP poolside reception at the Hyatt was attended by major Hoag

benefactors, including event co-chair Carolyn Reed and her husband,

James Reed, Debra Irizarry, Allen and Ellie Jaffy, Anne Earhart,

Kellie Smith, Khosrow Mahdavi, David Eggleston and Randy Bohart.

Funds raised at the festival will benefit the Hoag Cancer Center.

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The Queen of Hearts Foundation, started by local women dedicated

to fighting ovarian cancer, raised an impressive $20,000 at the

recent opening of the Claim Jumper restaurant in Costa Mesa. More

than 500 guests attended the opening party, celebrating the Claim

Jumper’s 32nd restaurant and supporting a worthy cause.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.