Back in the Swing

The Center Orange County hosts its Annual Women's Golf Classic

BY JAMIE WETHERBE

The Center Orange County, for the fourth year in a row, will host its flagship event for woman—the Annual Orange County Women's Golf Classic. On Saturday, April 26, participants will once again tee off at the 18-hole Casta Del Sol Golf Course in Mission Viejo. For an $85 registration fee golfers get lunch, the use of a cart and “a fantastic time,” says Darlene Oliva-Adler, chair of the O.C.'s Women's Golf Classic. “We hope [participants] have as much fun at the event as we have hosting [it].”

Along with Peg Corley, who is on the center's board of directors, Oliva-Adler started the tournament four years ago. “It's our pet project,” Oliva-Adler says. “I knew a lot of women in the O.C. who golfed, and I thought it would be a great way to bring them together and introduce them to The Center O.C. I wanted them to know what we could do for them, and I wanted them to know what we are doing for the community.”

The occasion typically pulls some 60 golfers—mainly women but some men also get into the swing of things—with funds benefiting The Center O.C. Last year's event raised nearly $4,000, and Oliva-Adler hopes this year's classic will raise the same or more.

In addition to supporting the center, the event is more about meeting new people and catching up with friends than stiff competition. “We don't care about handicaps—we sell mulligans, so how competitive can we actually be?” Oliva-Adler says. “Every year we see new faces … and the same faces returning each year, and we are excited to see that this event has traction in the community. We'd love to grow the event and reach even more women.”

Along with tournament favorites—like the putting, the longest-drive contests, and the “closest to the pin” contests—a silent auction and an awards presentation round out the day's events.

Long-time Women's Classic sponsors include Kris Fischer of SoCalGirlGolf, and this year, the center pulled some new Orange Country-based corporate supporters: WSI Total Solutions and custom golf club manufacturer Warrior Custom Clubs, which will provide prizes for contest winners. The deadline to resister for the tournament is April 16.

For more information, visit www.thecenteroc.org.

FILM

Crystal Clarity

Film offers insights into crystal meth addicts' lives

BY JAMES F. MILLS

Six years ago, Ed McKie was living on a yacht, driving a BMW, and lunching with U.S. Senators Diane Feinstein and Barbara Boxer regularly. Four years later, he was homeless and bankrupt, hopelessly addicted to crystal methamphetamine.

In February 2006, he got high on crystal and went to a screening of Meth, a harrowing documentary tracking the lives of a dozen crystal users. Immediately after the screening, he put down his pipe and hasn't used since.

“Seeing that film gave me hope. To listen to others in the film and see that I wasn't alone, that really affected me,” says McKie, who ironically was one of the people profiled in the movie.

He agreed to participate in the film because he knew the addiction was killing him and hoped his story might help someone avoid a similar fate. He had no idea that he could ever break his addiction, that the person he would end up helping would be himself.

Now, McKie is hoping to help others via a special screening of Meth on Wednesday, April 16 at Santa Ana College. Afterwards, Meth director Todd Ahlberg and McKie, along with several community leaders, will lead a discussion about the growing crystal meth epidemic.

“A big problem [is] that the general public doesn't understand how the drug works, how it affects a person,” says McKie, who is now the secretary of the Orange County Methamphetamine Task Force, which is sponsoring the free screening. “This film will give them a look at crystal meth addicts' daily struggles.”

A recent OCMTF report found that Orange County's gay community was being greatly impacted by meth. New cases of syphilis, HIV, and other STDs are rising sharply, most connected to meth usage.

The drug creates intense euphoric feelings and greatly enhances sexual arousal, but also tends to cloud judgment.

“I must have had sex with 1,000 different men [while high on meth] and never, ever did safe sex or HIV-status come up.” recalls McKie, who has been HIV-positive since the early ‘90s. “I don't even know what their names were to try and contact them now.”

In addition to the screening, McKie is also opening METHEDS (Meth Education), a “place of sobriety for the gay community.” A nonprofit entity, METHEDS will have computers, TVs, a job board, counselors and spaces for 12-step and other support-group meetings. McKie plans to announce the location for METHEDS at the screening and be open by early summer.

Meth screens Wednesday, April 16 at 7 p.m. in Phillips Hall, 1530 W. 17th St. on the Santa Ana College campus. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.ocmtf.com. For more information about METHEDS, contact Ed McKie at 714/244-2079.

Go-go directly to jail

A jail filled with go-go boys is one of the highlights of The Center Orange County's annual black-tie gala, which will honor comedian/writer Bruce Vilanch. “We're using Gayopoly, the gay version of the Monopoly game, as our theme," reports The Center’s Executive Director Ginger Hahn. “People can name their tables after gay icons of Orange County and pay to send their friends to jail where there'll be go-go boys.” The Center, in its 36th year in operation, is also buying a building, the details of which will be announced at the soireé. The fun starts at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 3 at the Hyatt Regency Irvine. For tickets and more information, visit www.thecenteroc.org, or call 714/534-0862.

Naughton or nice

Suave and sexy Broadway star James Naughton sings seductive serenades, pop standards, and jazz favorites, plus tells tales out of school in a fun cabaret evening. Often confused with his younger brother David (star of An American Werewolf in London), James is an accomplished actor, singer, and two-time Tony winner for Best Actor in a Musical for City of Angels (1990) and Chicago (1997). Naughton's cabaret show is April 10-13 at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa. For tickets or more information, visit www.ocpac.org, or call 714/556-2787.

Shanti has intimate dinner

Laguna Beach's famed Mozambique restaurant is the setting for a special three-course dinner benefiting Shanti Orange County. The “50/50 Dinner” costs $100, with $50 covering the meal and $50 for a donation. “It'll be an intimate evening with a great meal,” says Shanti’s Executive Director Sarah Kasman. “We've always done this as a major event, not just at a restaurant. If it's successful, we'll start doing it regularly.” The evening also features a live auction with artwork by local artists, hotel packages, and other items. The 50/50 dinner is Monday, April 21, 6-10 p.m. at Mozambique, 1740 S. Coast Highway. For more information, call 949/452-0888.

Walk with the Angels

Orange County AIDS Walk hopes to hit a home run at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. The 5K walk will take place Saturday, May 10 at the baseball stadium with all-day activities including live music, food vendors, and a family-fun zone. “Hosting it in Angel Stadium allows us to expand, make it more exciting, and bring in more families,” says Doug Vogel, public affairs director of Orange County AIDS Service Foundation, which is hosting. This year's Masters of Ceremonies are Robert Covacik of NBC4's Today in L.A., and DJ Cynthia Fox of KLOS Radio. Registration opens at 7 a.m. and the walk gets underway at 9 a.m. For more information, visit www.ocaidswalk.org.