OUR LAGUNA: Realtors, affiliates take star turns on runway

About $15,000 will be divvied up between South Coast Medical Center, the Laguna Beach Woman’s Club and No Square Theatre, proceeds from the Laguna Board of Realtors annual fashion show.

“We raised a tidy amount of money, exceeding the previous years,” said Patty Truman, who coordinated “Successorize,” at Tivoli Too.

Show time was moved from a noon luncheon to the cocktail hour — and it was a hit.

No Square Theatre performers Randy and Ginger Hatfield, Arts Commissioner Pat Kollenda, Nancy Miller, Danita Cirvello and her daughter, Gabrielle, a sixth-grade student at Thurston Middle School, and founder Bree Burgess Rosen entertained.

“Bree, of course, is the consummate creative talent, singing like an angel,” Truman said. “Her [rendition of] the National Anthem always touches my heart.”

Truman was especially taken with Burgess’ original lyrics for three songs: “LBCA,” “Bummer Time” and “Who Will Buy?”

Classical guitarist Kevin Fitzpatrick also entertained.

Kollenda and board affiliate Jerry Beiser reprised their roles as show commentators. DJ Larry Wohman cued the models with music.

Truman said “thank yous” were inadequate to express her deep appreciation of the people who donated time, talent and money to make the annual fundraising fashion show a financial success, as well and a fun event.

“In giving, we receive,” Truman said.

And there were so many who gave, according to Truman: starting with Nancy Pooley, who chaired the event.

Volunteers included Realtors, affiliates and models.

Suzanne Taylor, Dianna Redmon and Cynthia Fleming procured all the opportunity prizes and auction items — which included two dinners at a fire station, and a ride-along with Police Chief Mike Sellers — and made the baskets.

Chris Williams, Bill Parker and Farzan Parvizi obtained the sponsors, without whom there would be no fashion show, Truman said. Thirty real estate industry-related firms stepped up to the plate.

Redmon, Gayle Waite, Bob Hartman, Stephanie Lennon and Sydney Gordon sold tickets.

Sandra Ross did the artwork for the program. Tina Saint-Paul did the layout, paid for by Beiser. Mahyar Haghighi printed it.

Board President Rick McIntire did his bit behind the scenes as well as modeled. Mayor Pro Tem Cheryl Kinsman did a brief turn on the runway.

Models included Councilwoman Elizabeth Schneider, City Clerk Laura Parisi, Firefighter Thomas Padden, Laguna Beach Visitors and Conference Bureau President Karyn Phillippsen, Woman’s Club member Faye Chapman and Realtors Board members Shauna Covington, Charles Brickell, Marcus Skenderian and Wayne Woodyard, who subbed for an ailing Councilman Kelly Boyd, who got up from a sick bed to make a cameo appearance on the runway.

“Those fellows really cut loose with moves and dance steps usually hidden under their business attire,” Truman said. “Who would have known? All the ladies were equally lively and lovely.”

Melane Barney, who also modeled, and Pam Levin worked with the shops that provided the fashions.

Shops included Hobie Sports, Just Looking, Duet, LH Boutique, Novecento, Olivia Batchelder, Melrose Place, The Vault, Georgiou, CJ Rose, On Board for Men, Upside Down, Katharine Story, Tootsies, Indian Summer, accessorized by Earthstone Jewelry and Leather Connection.

In the audience: City Clerk Martha Anderson, Friends of the Library President Martha Lydick, Woman’s Club board members Peggy Ford, Stephany Skenderian and Lee Winocur Field, Laguna Beach Seniors Inc. President Chris Quilter, SCMC Foundation’s Kate Tschudin, publicist Joan Gladstone and Waste Management’s Michelle Clark.

ODE TO JOY

Veteran Laguna Beach Animal Services Officer Joy Falk recently was honored with the American Legion Community Service Award.

The presentation was made at the Legion’s Annual Law & Order Awards Banquet in Orange.

Police Sgt. Robert Rahaeuser, Laguna’s American Legion Post 222 Commander Bill Sandlin, his wife, Jenny, post 1st Vice President Dave Connell, and his wife, Diane, post Auxiliary president, attended the banquet.

Falk was nominated for the award by the Laguna Beach Police Department, of which she has been a member for 23 years. She is also a Medal of Merit recipient.

A resident of Laguna Beach since the 1970s, Falk was a professional horse trainer and riding instructor before joining the department.

“I graduated from high school and immediately moved here,” said Falk, who grew up in Huntington Beach. “Huntington is nice. Laguna is stellar.” Falk began her career in the department as a kennel aide at the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter, which is overseen by the department, and also did a brief stint in the traffic division.

She married police officer John Falk in 2001.

During her career Falk has seen some bizarre sights. None more so than the rattlesnake that poked its head out of a toilet in a law office on Third Street. No, it is not an urban legend.

An employee went into the bathroom and saw the snake draped over the seat.

Falk was called. She managed to capture it. A good thing, Falk said.

“We were lucky it stayed out,” Falk said. “Otherwise, they would have had to call the plumber to come with a jackhammer.”

The snake was relocated to the canyon.

“Snakes are good for keeping rodents in check,” Falk said.

Then there was the time a pot-bellied pig was spotted westbound on Thalia Street.

“Someone had gotten it and then turned it loose when they didn’t want it anymore,” Falk said.

One of her most rewarding experiences was the time she spent in Louisiana, after the levees broke, stranding animals.

Bren Van Putten, owner of Critter Catchers and Falk made the trip.

“We assessed the needs before we left,” Falk said. “It seemed like the de facto shelters were running out of everything, so we loaded up with veterinary supplies and things like towels and blankets and off we drove.

“It was supposed to be one week, I ended up staying three weeks.”

LE BON TOURNEY SET

Donations to the opportunity prizes and silent and live auctions are being sought for the 4th Annual Dave Le Bon Memorial Spring Golf Tournament.

Le Bon, a Laguna Beach resident, died in 2004. He was a long-time golfing buddy of Councilman Kelly Boyd, who will host the tournament, set for May 12 at the Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo.

Proceeds will benefit Laguna Beach High School girls’ and boys’ golf teams, the Community Clinic, the Boys and Girls Club, Pacific Marine Mammal Center, the Senior Center and the Resource Center.

“Stop off at the Marine Room to pick up applications,” Boyd said. “The $175 entry fee includes dinner.”

Prizes will be awarded for holes in one, men’s and women’s longest drives and closest to the pin on four holes. Check-in time starts at 10:30 a.m. Tee-off is at noon.

OUR LAGUNA is a regular feature of the Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot. Contributions are welcomed. Write to Barbara Diamond, P.O. Box 248, Laguna Beach, 92652; hand-deliver to Suite 22 in the Lumberyard, 384 Forest Ave.; call (949) 494-4321 or fax (949) 494-8979.