Keesal, Young and Logan hosts open house
What a festive occasion to kick off the holiday season.
The beautiful offices of Keesal, Young & Logan were filled with partygoers who were over the moon with holiday excitement and joy during a gathering Dec. 2.
Conversations were abundant, as were smiles and laughter, with the law firm living up to its standard of superb dining and gracious hospitality. Skip and Beth Keesal and the KYL Team welcomed more than 300 guests.
Impressive ice sculptures showcased specialty foods: martini luge, a sleigh ice sculpture that featured shrimp and crab claws. Traditional tray-passed hors d'oeuvres included lamb chops, bacon-wrapped shrimp, beef empanadas, chicken meatballs and a chicken quesadilla cornucopia. Lola's Mexican Cuisine offered a tamale station. Duck crepes and risotto also were served.
All of the feasting was completed at the Champagne bar, complete with chocolate-covered strawberries and a fruit and cheese tray.
Seen at the scene: Julie and Don Knabe, Martha and Tino Bernadett, Nancy Gaines, Sheriff Robert and Celines Luna, Terese and Charlie Parkin, Dawn McIntosh, Doug Haubert, Noel Hacegaba, Sergio Alfonso, Gary Green, Kathy and Jim McDonnell, Harold Wang, Al Austin, Laura Doud, James Johnson, Bonnie Lowenthal, Mary Zendejas, Kristina Duggan, Daryl Supernaw, Megan Kerr, Suely Saro, Joni Ricks-Oddie, Josh Lowenthal, Judge Dan Lowenthal, Dave Stanton, Michael Tumanjan, Michelle Tumanjan and Tonia Uranga.
Musica Angelica
More than 125 guests gathered Dec. 3 at the Long Beach Terrace Theater to celebrate Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra's 30th anniversary.
A gala holiday party preceded “A Baroque Christmas” concert, performed by the orchestra at the Beverly O'Neill Theater.
Student orchestras from Millikan and Poly high schools entertained with classical music of the season. Holiday-themed food and libations preceded Steve and Lisa Goodling being honored for their innumerable contributions toward sustaining Musica Angelica over the past seven years. Musica Angelica announced the establishment of the Steve and Lisa Goodling Historical
From left in front row, Cheri Busch, Carolyn Powers, Joyce Krauss and Debbie Lorbeer and in back row, from left, Gina Strong, Mary Beth Ives, Joan Knight, Corrie DwWit, Anne Shull, Cathy Satariano, Kay Berg, Liza Van Dyke and Mary Suttie show some of the gifts the Long Beach Yacht Club gathered for its annual toy drive.
Performance Practice Scholarship, which will be given annually to an undergraduate university music student in Southern California.
More than $50,000 was raised to support the FundA-Need program, benefitting Musica Angelica's education and community outreach program. The program includes hosting elementary, high school and college students at the orchestra's concerts, site visits to local schools and organizations, curriculum support for Long Beach Unified School District teachers and an annual music competition to showcase the region's outstanding young musical talent.
Guest artist Siegfried Koch heralded event attendees with his baroque trumpet into the Beverly O'Neill Theater for the performance of “A Baroque Christmas.”
Seen at the scene: Honorary event co-Chairs Jane Close Conoley and Collie, Jill Baker and Trevor and Nohel Corral, Jan and Joe Hower, Brian and Anna
Russell, Harry and Maria Saltzgaver, Jean Bixby Smith, Barbara Bixby Blackwell, Jim Petri, Lana Farfan, Tala Baltazar, Nancy Eilers, artistic director Martin Haselboeck and Executive Director Matthew Faulkner.
Yacht Club toy drive
The Long Beach Yacht Club's annual Christmas luncheon of the Sand Dollars, chaired by Joan Knight for the past 31 years, is a much-anticipated tradition.
The Sand Dollars consists of the wives of senior staff commodores.
This year's event on Dec. 8 featured shopping with 19 vendors who offered a varied array of jewelry, clothing and foods. Attendance was limited to 225. A delectable lunch of warm salmon salad or steak oscar was served with a piano background. There were champagne table favors.
A plethora of guests brought toys for the Stramski Children's Developmental Center at Miller Children's Hospital.
Seen at the scene: Sand Dollars attending were Melva Miller, Kathy Tatarino, Joan Knight, Mary Beth Ives, Corrie DeWit, Anne Shull, Cathy Satariano, Joyce Kraus, Kay Berg, Lisa VanDyke, Cheri Busch, Carolyn Powers, Debi Lorbeer, Gina Strong, Mary Suttie. More there were first female Commodore Camille Daniels, Lisa Meier, Shirlee Bouch, Mari Hooper, Nancy Koblenski, Loree Scarborough, Barbara Hall, Lorie Merrill, Pattie Martin, Ruby Wool and Pat Watkins.
Garden Club luncheon
Kicking off the holiday season for the Naples Islands Garden Club was their traditional luncheon at Virginia Country Club, which supports the Spark of Love toy campaign. There were 102 guests at the Dec. 7 event, which produced an abundance of toys and $1,000 in gift certificates.
Fire Chief Xavier Espino spoke of his 37 years with the Fire Department and of his upcoming retirement to spend more time with his wife, Colleen, who was in attendance. Will Nash, longtime firefighter coordinator of the Spark of Love Toy Drive, shared the joy of the children receiving toys.
Pianist Vince Torbey set the holiday theme and the excitement of the crowd.
Seen at the scene: President Deborah Smith, CoChairs Cathy Ridder and Tina Everson, photographer Trish Schooley, Sandy Davidson, Marianne Huntley, Barbara Jordon, Pam McCredie, Marilyn Bittle, Ginny Clark, Donna Malbon, Kathy Owen, Linda Frame, Maureen Schultz, Lynne Clarke and Linda Pillsbury.
Steel Magnolias
After presenting her year-end report, Steel Magnolias President Elizabeth Borsting presented a check for $152,500 to Rob Gunsalus, president of Memorial Hospital Medical Center Foundation, in support of the Stramski Center. There were nearly 100 Steel Magnolias and their spouses gathered at Betty Reckas Cultural Center to celebrate the holidays.
Membership Chair Claire Guillen introduced new members Val Uyeda, Angi Burkard, Patti Martin and Andrea Crompton. After all previous Founder's Honorees were celebrated, the 2022 Founder's Award was presented to Karen and Bill Gagliardi. They received thunderous applause.
Seen at the Scene: Mary Alice and Bob Braly, Theresa Brunella, Gary Lee Wolf and Carl Lee, Kurt Borsting, Carmen Bubar, Liz and John Krummell, Lynn and Jack Gesner, Dane and Neal Hickerson, and Dr. Bill Wild.
Women's golf club
The South Course Women's Golf Club met for their annual holiday lunch on Dec. 9 at the Old Ranch Country Club. A plethora of toys were collected for the Spark of Love Toy Drive.
Golfing awards were presented to the year's top golfers. Among the many awards, the most dedicated went to Elizabeth Bassar while Patty Reilly won most improved.
Seen at the scene: The new Board also was installed: Serving with President Jeralee Shewfelt will be 2023 board of directors Jen Stahl, Rise Stenico, Ann Burke, Linda Granillo and Jan Timmons. Committee chairs include Jan Timmons, Cheryl Knight, Patty Reilly, Susan Whitecotton, Robbie Stuart and Susan Fox.
Santa's Workshop
Santa's Workshop, presented by Steel Magnolias, raised $15,000 at a weeklong fun holiday event.
Lynn Gesner's lavishly decorated waterfront home was the site of dinners and a Duffy boat ride to see the spectacular lights of Naples waterways. Santa greeted the children of passing pedestrians with candy canes.
Seen at the scene: Steel Magnolias Gary Lee Wolf, Anthony Gagliardi, Carl Lee, Jean Joseph, Surina Geoffrey, Hilda Sanchez, Dave Rigby, Paul Diego, Bobbie Fesler, Billy Gagliardi, Karen Gagliardi, Lynn Gesner, Jack Gesner, Claire Guillen, Fay Abed, Joan Venditozzi, Michele Dobson, Stephanie Davis, Mike Hall and Jose Carrasco.
News of Social events with charitable purposes may be sent to Shirley Wild at spwild@verizon.net or by calling or faxing 562594-9468. Please include a contact phone number. Send high-resolution JPEG photos to spwild@verizon. net and include group name and identification of individuals from left. 5150 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 200 Long Beach, CA, 90804.