Girls Inc. Flexes Some Muscle

Ask 15-year-old Brenda Velasquez how Girls Inc. has touched her life and she says: “It helped me feel like I could do anything I want in the world.”

Ask Rachel Schmidt, 11, the same question and she answers: “It has taught me how to be free, have fun.”

Both girls took the stage Tuesday during a luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Irvine to give testimonials about Girls Inc., a national organization aimed at helping girls ages 5 to 18 develop strategies for leading independent lives.

The “Investing in Girls”-themed benefit netted $180,000 for programs conducted by the Orange County chapter in the areas of academic achievement, decision-making, goal-setting and economic self-sufficiency.

“I got involved with Girls Inc. my freshman year in high school,” said Brenda, who attends Estancia High in Costa Mesa. “The staff was welcoming and helpful. I learned I could trust them. They helped me understand I could be anything I wanted to be.”

Rachel, who attends TeWinkle Middle School in Costa Mesa, gives credit to Girls Inc. for enriching her life.

“It was just a normal, little-kid life until second grade when I started to attend [their programs],” she said. “Then it became cool--really neat. They helped me with homework. My grades went up.”

To girls who might hesitate to become involved with such an organization, Rachel would tell them: “If you’re having problems, if your parents are going through a divorce, go to Girls Inc. They will help you leave your troubles behind. Then, when you go home, you’ll have a great day to talk about.”

More than 650 guests--including 25 members of Girls Inc.-- attended the benefit, at which investment strategist Leah Modigliani of New York was keynote speaker. “Knowing about money should be part of any basic education,” Modligliani told the crowd. “Money is about dignity, having choices and self-reliance.”

Terri Baas was benefit chairwoman, and Monica Garcia was honorary chairwoman. Lynn Cornelius Mosich is president of the local chapter of Girls Inc.

Homeward Bound

Relax. Orange County philanthropists Kelly and John Hague of Pelican Point aren’t going anywhere.

With last week’s announcement that Pimco Advisor Holdings--the Newport Beach-based money management company that John Hague directs--was negotiating to be acquired by a German insurance giant, the arts-set worried the generous couple might head for Europe.

“We’re not going to Germany,” said Kelly Hague, who, with her husband, opened the doors of their 10,000-square-foot villa last week to members of the Sound of Music support group of the Orange County Performing Arts Center. “Everything is going to stay the same.”

The Hagues welcomed about 100 guests to the dinner party staged in their Tuscan-style mansion, with its lush courtyards and gushing fountains. The home’s architecture was inspired by the late Wallace Neff--known as the “architect to the stars” during the ‘20s. Neff’s clients included Groucho and Harpo Marx, Daryl Zanuck, Fredric March and Paulette Goddard and Charlie Chaplin.

The couple’s support of the arts is a vital part of their philanthropic game-plan, said John Hague, managing director of the company that operates the world’s largest bond fund. “We’ve been so extraordinarily lucky that we feel it’s really important to recycle back to the community.”

Besides welcoming guests, John Hague pitched in on the party preparations. He helped set up the cigar bar and haul in the ice.

Kelly Hague is chairwoman of the Sound of Music’s Valentine’s Day-themed benefit Feb. 12 at the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach. “We’re hiring Wayne Foster--a $35,000 band out of L.A.” she said. “He’s fabulous, out of control--has played for the Playboy Mansion, the Annenbergs, the Fords. We’re expecting a huge draw.”

The Sound of Music is one of the center’s most popular support groups, Kelly Hague said. “We have 50 active members, and if you get on the waiting list, you’re probably going to be on it the rest of your life,” she said. “We’re the new blood--a bunch of young, sharp, educated go-getters.”

Information: (714) 556-2121.

Mazel Tov!

The Philharmonic Society of Orange County launched its six-week Eclectic Orange Festival--and its new season--with a concert Monday by the Moscow State Radio Symphony Orchestra.

After the all-Rachmaninoff program at Segerstrom Hall, society supporters mingled with music director Nikolai Alexeyev and piano virtuoso Vladimir Feltsman at the Center Club in Costa Mesa. Jane Grier and Carol Baugh co-chaired the reception.

“The hall is beautiful--the audience fantastic!” Alexeyev said through an interpreter. “Too bad it was only a two-hour concert. If we’d had five hours, it would have been one big ecstasy.”

Feltsman, who performed the famous Rach Three (Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, Opus 30) wasn’t surprised by the audience’s tumultuous applause and standing ovation. “The Rach Three always brings an enthusiastic response,” he said.

The festival continues tonight with a performance of Latin American music by Paco Pena and Inti-Illimani at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. Information: (949) 553-2422.

Ware-With All

With her hectic schedule, it wasn’t easy. But a determined Judith Ware--founder-president of the multimillion-dollar Ware Disposal Co. in Santa Ana--reached into Orange County’s corporate sector and helped raise $20,000 to underwrite a dinner for Prevent Child Abuse Orange County last week.

Staged at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach, the event featured a gourmet supper and a classical concert by duo-pianists Pinio Dovalis Benetatos and Katheryn Bailey.

“Children are our future,” Ware said. “We must support them and get the word out about the prevention of child abuse.”

Besides its awareness programs, Prevent Child Abuse has released a manual titled “A Guide for New Parents: That Set of Instructions Your Baby Didn’t Come With.”

“We plan to have it available in the Spanish language by next spring,” said Barbara Oliver, executive director.

Orange County Supervisor Todd Spitzer was chairman of the event, which drew about 150 guests. Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona was honorary chairman.

Information: (714) 258-2272.

Ann Conway can be reached at 714-966-5952 or by e-mail at [email protected].

* DEAL DRAWS SCRUTINY

The state insurance commissioner is interested in the deal between Allianz and Pimco Advisors Holdings. C3