THE SOCIAL SCENE

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About 500 guests enjoyed a summer-like evening and savored gourmet food, wine and specialty drinks from more than 20 of Pasadena’s top restaurants during Rosemary’s Children Services "An Evening With Star Chefs" benefit held June 18 at Santa Anita Racetrack.

The fundraiser, which is the longest-running culinary event in the greater Los Angeles area, also provided the opportunity to honor long-time supporter Donna C. Riegel with the agency’s second Golden Star Award.

Freelance reporter and NBC Network News and Access Hollywood producer Joe Rico served as Master of Ceremonies with special guest Leyna Nguyen, Emmy®-nominated reporter and weekend anchor for KCAL Channel 9.

Rosemary Children’s Services is based in Pasadena and serves more than 550 boys and girls in crisis each year. The agency was founded in 1920 and has now evolved into a provider of comprehensive services to children and youth who have been the victims of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment. The agency offers residential services, foster care services, a non-public school, and day treatment services.

Actually, it was not a Rosemary but an Emma – Emma Spear – who, with a few of her fellow members of The Shakespeare Club in Pasadena, decided to found a shelter home for teenage girls suffering from abuse, neglect, and abandonment. In April, 1920 they opened the doors of their first home to 10 girls and a housemother.

When naming the new home, they borrowed a phrase from Shakespeare’s Hamlet: "There's rosemary, that's for remembrance."

One of the agency’s most tireless over the years is Golden Star award recipient Donna Riegel. She is an attorney and provisional judge for the Los Angeles Superior Court. Actually, Mrs. Riegel’s involvement with "An Evening With Star Chefs" began over when she was dating her then-boyfriend, now husband Bob.

Mr. Riegel excitedly told her he planned a special evening of wonderful food from the very best local restaurants. (It so happened that his mother’s house was the site of that year’s benefit.) It was all delicious food and great fun that evening – even if they both did end up busing tables!

That experience began Mrs. Riegel’s long involvement with Rosemary Children’s Services – as a member of the Pasadena guild, a committee member then the chair of "An Evening With Star Chefs," as a member and president of the Board of Directors, as the founder of the Bonnie Guild, and as a surrogate parent.

Mr. and Mrs. Riegel were actually in the middle of a Yosemite vacation and drove back down for the benefit; they planned to arise early the next morning and drive back north to complete a very quiet and restful break. Mr. Riegel is a founding partner in the well-known local real estate company, Sauvé Reigel.

Participating Pasadena restaurants included 561 Restaurant, Castle Catering, Celestino, the Cheesecake Factory, Craftsman Brewing Company, the Dining Room at the Ritz Carlton, El Cholo, Firefly Bistro, Houston’s, Il Fornaio, Los Gueros Grill, Market City Caffe, McCormick & Schmick’s, Mi Piace, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Restaurant Halie, Restaurant Lozano, and The Ventanas at the Westin.  For further information about Rosemary Children’s Service, please visit www.rosemarychildren.org or telephone (626) 844-3033.

Board member Barbara LeFiell, Executive Director Greg Wessels, Board member Gaithri Fernando, Vice President Jeff Scofield, President Selwyn Brereton, Board members Richard Drake and Erin McNamara (who was also Event Chair), Treasurer Karen Drew, Immediate Past President Justin Smith,
and Board member Sandy Harris.

Dr. Martone, Head of Services for Rosemary Children's Services, with his daughter Margaret, his wife Cathryn, and Millie and Richard Drake

Golden Star Award recipient Donna C. Riegel

Two dapper guests - Bill Nitzer and
Jim Bolis -  enjoy the evening

Jun Ohnuki of Restaurant Halie serves to three appreciative guests: Maria Gonzalez, Irma Igualate, and Maria Sabiallos.

The friendly and talented crew from Market City Caffe: Executive Chef Jose Carrera, Ana Barriga, and Tristan Dreyer