THE CROWD:

A “who’s who� crowd came to lunch last week at The Island Hotel, Newport Beach to honor a woman who has dedicated a great part of her life to improving the lives of others in the county of Orange.

The indefatigable redheaded wonder-woman Harriett Weider was honored with the “2008 Good Scout Award,� presented by the Orange County Council of the Boy Scouts of America.

More than 200 VIP guests including John Moorloch, Julianne Argyros, Susan Samueli, Bette and Wylie Aitken, Joseph Prevartil and Steven Rosansky joined in a rousing ovation for Weider, the first woman elected to the Board of Supervisors in Orange County.

A dominant force in the political, social and cultural landscape of this county for more than four decades, Weider was gracious accepting her honors surrounded by family and friends.

Chaired by Ed Laird, the event raised more than $50,000 for the Boy Scouts. The gathering also paid tribute to the work of the Orange County Council, which is one of the largest youth-serving agencies in the county.

During the past year Orange County Boy Scouts served more than 40,000 youth with the underlying purpose of preparing young men to take a proper course in life by offering them a valued-based experience that teaches respect for themselves as well as for fellow members of the community.

The Balboa Bay Club & Resort welcomed a full house in support of Ronald McDonald House sponsored charities with the 19th annual afternoon high tea. Ronald McDonald House is a “home away from home� for families with seriously ill children receiving treatment at local medical facilities.

As English tea and finger sandwiches were served a fashion show featuring the clothes of the Michael Nesskern Boutique were displayed for the large crowd.

Deborah Levy, executive director of the organization said, “We are so thankful for the support we have received, it will make a huge difference in helping families in the future.�

Since its founding in 1989 The Ronald McDonald House in Orange County has served more than 8,000 families (representing more than 22 countries) seeking medical help for their children in Orange County.

The Ronald McDonald House umbrella has been aiding children and their families all over Southern California for more than 30 years. In addition, the charity offers scholarship programs and has provided more than $3 million in college scholarships for local high school seniors.

The Orange County Rescue Mission will be the recipient of donations made tonight at a glamorous cocktail party thrown by The McMonigle Group at a fabulous estate in Newport Coast.

John and Robin McMonigle will welcome the crowd for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres catered by Crème de la Crème, introducing the latest trophy estate on the market on the Newport Riviera. Tory Burch will produce an informal fashion show while other platinum vendors including the private jet charters of Komer Aviation, the jewels of Mikimoto, and the sleek motor cars made by Bentley will enhance the electricity of the night. The McMonigle team including Carrie Williams and Nick Gannon will be on hand to help raise funds for the Orange County Rescue Mission’s Thanksgiving Program which will serve those in need in the community in just a few weeks.

The 2008 Corona del Mar Home Tour was a major success. Chaired by Robyn Moss and Sally Barrington, hundreds of happy home lookers had a sneak peek at a selection of amazing residences that took them from the flower streets of Corona del Mar to the “Leave it to Beaver� neighborhoods of Harbor View, and then to the mansions of Newport Coast and Shady Canyon.

It was the 35th annual Corona del Mar Home Tour featuring among others the Pelican Heights residence of Eve and Eric Lowey. Eve Lowey is a local interior designer and owner of Studio Chameleon. The $60 tour ticket price included a breakfast at Café Beau Soleil in Fashion Island, lunch at Café Jardin in Sherman Gardens as well as an after party at Bliss Linens in Corona del Mar.

All proceeds from the home tour go to support programs for the students at Corona del Mar High School.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.