NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Oct. 15, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- More than 90 vendors from Orange County and across the United States will be featured at The Christmas Company, the largest annual fundraiser of the Junior League of Orange County, Calif., Inc. (JLOCC), to be held November 12-15 at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa.
An array of high-quality items will be offered, including everything from gourmet food; unique home decor and garden accessories; men's, women and children's clothing; jewelry; and gifts for all ages -- and even for pets. "People are excited to shop for menswear from Johnnie-O by John O'Donnell, home items from Montague & Capulet, and jewelry from Designs by Georgina," says overall chair Janine Wald. "Wonderland Bakery will offer their fabulous cupcakes. Gifts for little boys and girls include 'Just Me! Music' for personalized CDs. Satori Designs is popular for women's wear, and Jean Waters features unique purses, shawls, wraps and jewelry."
Vendors who return year after year are also among the favorites: Cookie Lee, Lu Ping Pearls, Ronelle, Frontier Soups, A Store for Cooks, Chercies, Lavender Blue, Model Metalworks, Hopscotch, Slater and Sloane, Cherished Accessory, Perfect Impression, Beijo Bags, and Posh Party Box are just a few. Please visit www.jlocc.org for The Christmas Company complete exhibitor list.
The Christmas Company general admission is $10 per person at the door, which includes entrance to the shopping extravaganza. Parking at the OC Fair & Event Center is $5. General admission hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday, Nov. 13; 10 a.m.- 9 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14; and 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 15. General admission tickets are available at the door. Tickets for the special events will be available for purchase online at www.jlocc.org or by calling (949) 263-3785 beginning October 1.
The new Junior League cookbook "Orange County Fare" will be introduced in conjunction with The Christmas Company Opening Night Gala to be held 6:30 -10:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 12. Restaurants including A Restaurant, Above All Catering, Blackmarket Bakery, BlueWater Grill, Five Crowns, Golden Truffle, K'ya Bistro, Laguna Beach Gifts, Melting Pot, Mrs. Beasley's, Newport Rib Company, Opah, Panera, The Winery, Zov's Bistro and Cafe, and others, will provide small plate dining for the evening priced at $75 per person. Entertainment and a Silent Auction will also be part of the evening.
A Preferred Shopping Breakfast ($35) will start the overall event at 9-11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 13. Guests will enjoy a glass of champagne and breakfast during their exclusive two hour VIP shopping experience. No baby strollers are allowed at the Preferred Breakfast. Dr. Beth Hamilton and Dr. Stephanie McClellan, authors of "So Stressed: The Effects of Stress on Women's Health and What You Need to Know to Restore Your Energy, Joy and Balance" will participate in a Friday luncheon ($35). On Friday night, Olympic Gold Medal Winner Janet Evans will speak at a Women's Networking Night ($35).
Events for children at The Christmas Company will include a Saturday, November 14, morning "Breakfast with Santa," from 9-10:30 a.m. In addition to a visit with Santa, children will enjoy a delicious breakfast and do crafts from Family Trees Unlimited. Tickets are $15 each.
On Sunday, November 15, Jane O'Connor, the author, and Robin Preiss Glasser, the illustrator, of the charming "Fancy Nancy" book series will attend two Tea Parties for parents and children (age three and up) being held 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., where they will introduce their new book "Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas." Tickets priced at $15 each and autographed copies of the book are available for preorder at www.jlocc.org, or by calling (949) 263-3785.
Funds raised annually by the JLOCC directly impact the community through collaborative projects with partner organizations and support JLOCC's mission of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community. This year's projects include the Kinship Project and Bridges to Higher Education, both offered through Orangewood Children's Foundation; Higher Education Mentoring Program (in partnership with the Orange County Bar Foundation); Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Emancipated Youth Program; and Bear Hugs, a JLOCC project supporting emancipated teens in Orange County.
About the Junior League of Orange County, California, Inc.
The Junior League of Orange County, California, Inc., is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and the leadership of trained volunteers. JLOCC has contributed to Orange County by helping found organizations such as Orangewood Children's Home and the Volunteer Center of Orange County. As a solely educational and charitable organization, the JLOCC's trained volunteers actively support the community through collaboration with organizations that promote and support the health, safety and education of women and children. A 501(c)(3) organization, the JLOCC reaches out to women of all races, religions, and national origins. Originally founded in 1956 as the Newport Harbor Service League, the JLOCC is a member organization of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. To learn more about the JLOCC, call (949) 261-0823 or visit www.jlocc.org.