SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT
He’s known behind the scenes for his hit show “Family Guy,” but executive producer Seth MacFarlane found himself front and center for the Chrysalis organization. MacFarlane was among the honorees at this year’s Butterfly Ball. The splashy affair drew some of Hollywood’s brightest stars. Ben Stiller, Christina Ricci and Ryan Phillippe gathered at a private Brentwood estate for an evening of music and merriment joining longtime Chrysalis supporters Rebecca Gayheart-Dane and Randy Jackson. The festivities ended on a high note with a performance by the cast of “Glee.”
The Chrysalis organization helps economically disadvantaged and homeless individuals become self-sufficient through employment opportunities. This year’s ball raised more than $850,000.
AND HERE’S TO YOU
It looked like a night at the Oscars as Mike Nichols was presented with the AFI Life Achievement Award. The famed director- whose credits include “The Graduate,” “Silkwood” and “Angles in America”-picked up the prize before a starry crowd at Sony Pictures. Many of the guests have worked with the director, including Julia Roberts, Tom Hanks, Shirley MacLaine, Meryl Streep, Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson and Cher. The evening was full of surprises, topped off by a Simon and Garfunkel reunion. The legendary duo took the stage to sing their 1967 hit “Mrs. Robinson.”
SMILE A LITTLE SMILE
A nighttime chill was in the air at Saddlerock Ranch, but that didn’t stop Malibu High School students from giving a warm welcome to Operation Smile. The kids hosted their 7th annual gala to benefit Operation Smile. Guests gathered on the property’s glorious grounds admiring breathtaking vineyard views and checking out the ranch’s adorable menagerie of zebras, horses and ponies.
They sampled sips of Saddlerock and put down winning bids on Liticia wines, fashionable jewelry and colorful pottery at the silent auction. A bid of just $240 dollars pays for a complete Operation Smile surgery to repair a cleft lip or palate and make a huge difference in a child’s life.
As the stars came out, guests were treated to a special musical performance and a gourmet feast courtesy of Richard Chesterfield. The Malibu High School Club is one of 600 Operation Smile student clubs throughout the United States and the world. The clubs build awareness for Operation Smile, raise funds and educate students in the values of commitment, leadership and volunteerism. Over the past four years alone, Malibu High has raised more than $120,000 for the organization, and that gives us all a good reason to smile.
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