The Crowd: Toasting guys with pink ties

The Festival of Arts grounds in Laguna Beach on April 21 was the setting for the Orange County Pink Tie Ball benefiting the foundation known as theSusan G. Komen for the Cureof Orange County.

An impressive $360,000 was raised, which will be distributed among local breast health programs and research projects in this community.

Harald Herrmann, chief executive of Yard House Restaurants, has been a staunch advocate of the work of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. This year the Pink Tie Ball paid special tribute to Herrmann for his steadfast support and generosity. The honored guest joined a roster of gents in the O.C. community who have helped to make a difference for women fighting breast cancer.

Among the fraternity members are Bob Abbott, Glenn Gray, Gary Levine, director of radiology at Hoag Hospital's Breast Care Center, John Miller, Scott Wheeler, John Stratman, and Kenneth McFarland, president and chief executive of Mission Hospital.

The Pink Tie Guys, as they are called, joined nearly 400 patrons in attendance for the upbeat evening under the stars, chaired by Marica Pendjer and John Miller. Major support also came from Trish and Michael Gustafson, and Chereen and Lawrence Pasternack.

Corporate sponsors included Saks Fifth Avenue, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, First American Financial Corporation, Yard House, Kaiser Permanente, the Argyros Family Foundation and Ingram Micro, to name a few. Dinner was catered by Crème de la Crème.

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The 19th annual Wild & Crazy Taco Night produced by Share Our Selves, Costa Mesa, attracted 700 guests sampling the taco creations of 26 local culinary masters. The community event netted more than $66,000 which is earmarked to support the Share Our Selves Orange Aid project, helping to feed Orange County residents at risk of going hungry.

The premiere sponsor of the massive taco fest was, appropriately, Taco Bell. Also lending support were Bob and Ann Cress, Nancy and Geoffrey Stack, William and Nancy Thompson, and Jane and Richard Taylor. Barbara and Bob Bois, Cindy and Todd Kipers, and Michael and Diane Stephens were among the underwriters helping to make the event a financial success.