Summer 2013 - Steel Magnolias

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We Help Children’s Health Blossom
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Stramski Children’s Developmental Center
at Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach
Summer 2013
President’s Message
2013 Off to a
Great Start!
Thank you! We
give our heartfelt
gratitude to all our
sponsors, attendees, members,
and local volunteers for a very
successful Home
Tour. It is your
help and support
that make the work we do on behalf of
the Stramski Children's Developmental
Center possible.
We are an all-volunteer organization, with no paid staff. Our members
plan and execute our fund-raisers,
newsletter, website, annual campaign –
everything we do – with a bit of help
from technical specialists. Our overhead costs are kept to a minimum, allowing the largest possible amount of
the money we bring in to go to the
Center.
Our Home Tour was staffed by volunteers from the community and our
members. These volunteers work year
after year for the rewards of camaraderie and helping in a worthy cause.
Many of our sponsors donate every
year, as well. Our vendors helped keep
costs down and food was donated for
the reception. Anthony Gagliardi welcomed everyone into his home.
Homeowners graciously opened their
doors to our guests and us. It truly was
a community effort.
Next up, is our Rhythm and
Reflection Lounge event on September
sixth.
It will be a great party, with more
opportunities for attending, sponsoring,
donating and volunteering to help us
help the children of the Stramski
Center!
Carolyn Bixby
President, Steel Magnolias
Steel Magnolias Present The
Rhythm & Reflections Lounge!
t’s a party, not a gala!” This year’s Steel Magnolia’s fund raising event promises to
“I have
all the excitement and energy of something new and something different. It
will be an evening of Rhythm & Reflections in a meld of music, memories and connection with the past. What a combination for a fabulous night of entertainment!
This experience will be
filled with many delights. Unique parties
will be offered for
sale; there will be
super attractions for
the live auction; music; a cigar lounge
area designed specifically for the gents;
delicious lounge dining; and many fun
The Grand Ballroom’s Rhythm & Reflections Lounge.
surprises throughout the evening.
You will not want to miss this special event hosted in grand style by The Steel Magnolias.
Proceeds will benefit The Stramski Children’s Developmental Center at Miller Children's Hospital, Long Beach. Please remember the thousands of children who have been
helped by the dedicated staff led by Dr. Gary Feldman.
Bring your friends, meet new ones. You will not forget this spectacular night of
Rhythm & Reflections.
September 6, 2013, Steel
Magnolias present “Rhythm
and Reflections Lounge” at
the Grand located at 4101
east Willow Street, Long
Beach, California. Visit
www.thesteelmagnolias.org
for additional details.
Rhythm &
Reflections!
A highlight of this year’s Rhythm &
Reflections Lounge will be the Parties!
For the first time ever, the Steel
Magnolias will be selling a Party Pass that
will give you VIP access to three of the
hottest parties in town. They will include
a Red Carpet Hollywood experience that
promises to "bring out your Inner Star."
Your imagination will run wild as you
enter “Wonderland” to experience a Mad
Hatter masquerade party.
Finally, prepare to sail the Seven Seas
and experience a land where pirates and
sea monsters dwell.
In addition to the Party Pass you will
have the opportunity to purchase one of
the Steel Magnolia signature parties offered by members of the Steel Magnolias!
Among the parties offered for sale are:
delicious dining while listening to the live
music of Paul Elia and his great five piece
band; travel "with an international flair"
on a Duffy Boat; or "Visit Tuscany" elegant
dining, hosted in a beautiful Virginia
Country Club Mansion. More of these exciting parties will be featured for your family and friends. Check our website
(www.thesteelmagnolias.org) for more detailed information on these exciting party
opportunities!
We do the work! You have the fun!
Steel Magnolias
Scrapbook
Above: Stramski Center Medical Director Dr. Gary Feldman, playfully squirts silly string on patients attending
Game Day at Blair Field on May 19th. Hosted by CSULB Athletics Department for more than 200 children
and their families, pre-game activities with the Dirtbags baseball team included interaction with Chuck
Lopez, who autographed baseballs and T-shirts for the children. Hot Dogs, donated by Dogz, and Cookies
by Creative Cakery.
Above: The elegant aspects of the first and last cruise of the Titanic were recreated for a party sold at last fall's Steel Magnolia Gala. Party hosts (from right to
left) Ned and Barbara Gaylord, Judy McNulty Black and Don Black and Joan and
John Knight. Larry Fay, who created a seven-course menu garnered from historical
books on the Titanic, was a font of information and enthralled the guests with his
considerable knowledge. He also shared his collection of memorabilia from the
ship. The dinner was served on replicated Titanic china and included 100 glasses
for the various wines.
Left: The Steel Magnolias were on the move for their June meeting, which was
held at Fixtures Living, in Costa Mesa. While in route, the 45 or so members
enjoyed bubbly and hors d'oeuvres on the bus. Fixtures Living in-house chef
created a delicious dining experience for the group that was served in the elegant
showroom/gallery. Front row, from left: Diane Kelleher, Sherry Loos; back row:
Dawna DeLong and Sherry Eaton.
Why We do
What We do
M
eet Alexa Guzman, a patient
at the Stramski Children's
Developmental Center at Miller
Children's Hospital, Long Beach.
During a recent visit with Alexa and
her mother, Vanessa, we discussed
the challenges they have overcome
in her young life.
Alexa was born three weeks prematurely, via C-section. Upon delivery, she was not breathing. Fortunately, she pulled through the crisis.
But the lack of oxygen and other
issues clouded her hope for survival.
An organization, Trinity Child
Care, visited Alexa in her home dur-
Frequently
Asked Questions
What is the HRIF (High Risk Infant
Follow-up) program of the Stramski
Children's Developmental Center?
There is a unique population of children that have spent their first few days,
weeks or months of their lives in the cribs
and Isolettes of the NICU (Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit ) away from their families. The Stramski Center program assists
their family with medical case management, education and ongoing support to
face the future together.
The HRIF program follows these special babies until the age of three years and
then they may be referred to the
Behavioral Neurodevelopment Program, if
needed.
"In the case of Alexa, we here at
Stramski Center, are working side by side
with her dedicated family, coordinating
with the regional center and with her specialists to provide Alexa an opportunity to
thrive and reach her potential," stated
Chris Frontino, R.N.
About the Stramski Center:
Did You Know That ...
! it is a specialty designed multi-
ing the first four weeks of her life. Trinity recommended that Vanessa investigate the
Stramski Center's High Risk Infant Program.
The Stramski Center immediately impacted Alexa's young life with incredible care.
!
Of equal importance to Vanessa, the Center
!
also gave her the advice and information required to cope with her infant daughter's
treatment.
!
Alexa is now a very happy year-old baby
in stable condition. Vanessa, her husband,
!
Gabriel, and Alexa's five-year-old big brother,
Gabriel,are extremely thankful for the continued care from the Stramski Center.
When Alexa was born, many held little
hope for her survival. With the assistance of
!
Alexa Guzman
the Stramski Center HRI Program, she is delighted to have proven them wrong. The last-
!
ing positive results the Center has had on Alexa and her family, and thousands of other
children and families, is why we do what we do: raise funds for the
!
Stramski Center.
We see the sustained, compassionate attention and care given
by the Stramski Center staff to their patients and their families,
that is why raising funds for the Stramski Center is our everlasting
quest.
!
disciplinary team responsible for all
care and case management of patients in the program
is home to Southern California's only
Fragile X Program
is one of only a few sleep centers in
Southern California to have an accredited pediatrics sleep disorder program
the Center has one of the few
International Adoption Programs in
the United States
the Center serves as a transitional care
center for infants and toddlers, who
have developmental delays after
months of hospitalization in the NICU
or PICU
some patients are cared for from birth
to age 21
4,000 patients with behavioral and developmental conditions, with their
families, are seen annually
Dr. Gary Feldman was the Miller
Children's Hospital Physician of the
Year in 2010
the employees are a dedicated and
committed staff with little or no employee turnover
Steel Magnolias
PRSRT STD
U.S. Postage
PAID
Long Beach, CA
Permit No. 368
Federal ID # 32-0355983
6216 E. Pacific Coast Hwy. #352
Long Beach, CA 90803
www.thesteelmagnolias.org ·
(562) 331-8007
Home Tour Round up
Another Outstanding Long Beach Home Tour!
Visitors to the ninth annual Steel Magnolia “Style…Long Beach Home Design
Tour” were treated to extraordinary architecture, construction, and décor as they
visited five distinctive homes on June 9th.
The 450 guests toured styles from Spanish Villa and Spanish Revival to MidCentury Modern, Ultra Energy-Efficient
Modern to Frank Lloyd Wright inspired
homes. Each paid tribute to the architects
and builders that envisioned and created
these stunning residences. Design details
such as dramatic entry gates, walk-in wine
cellars, central floating fireplaces, inventive
roll-up glass panels, and expansive ocean
views thrilled the guests. These special
homes were offered for view by their own-
Kamal Palace, and the Kelli Klingensmith
ers: Carl and Robin LaBarbera, Carl and
Heather Dene, Jeff and Roberta Jeannette, Odom family. The event netted nearly
$44,000 for the Geraldine Stramski ChilGary and Tamra Gensemer and Michael
dren's Developmental Center.
and Michelle Sullivan.
During the Tour, and at
the Tour's end, a gathering of 450 visitors were
invited to the Park Estates home of Steel
Magnolias' Chairman,
Anthony Gagliardi,
where they were
treated to musical entertainment, along with
food and drinks, doHome Tour Co-Chairs Kim Neipling on left and Leigh Latimer on
nated through the cour- Above:
right congratulate Nancy Gaines as she was presented with the Founder's
tesy of Forbidden City,
Medallion by Founder Shirley Wild, second from right.
Steel Magnolias Members
Founder
Shirley Wild
Chairman
Anthony Gagliardi
President
Carolyn Bixby
President Elect
Judy McNulty Black
Honorary Member
Dr. Beverly O’Neill
Shelly Barbre*
Susan Bell*
Linda Bellehumeur
Carolyn Bixby
Judy McNulty Black
Shirlee Bouch
Mary Alice Braly
Patti Brown
Barbara Chang
Audrey Choura
Stephanie Davis
Dawna DeLong
Patti Dene
Gloria Deukmejian
Paul Diego
Linda Drummond
Aimee DuRee
Diana Eastman*
Sheri Eaton
Carolyn Faber
Eline Fudge*
Anthony Gagliardi
Dominic Gagliardi**
Barbara Gaylord*
Elaine Goodnoe
Gail Gray
Jackey Gray*
Shell Grossman*
Barbara Hall*
Jorene Hankla
Susan Hill
Mari Hooper
Judie Johnsen*
Jeannie Jones
Diane Kelleher
Mary Klingensmith
Joan Knight*
Janis Krantz
Joyce Krauss
Linda Lassers*
Leigh Latimer
Kathy Lingle*
Sherry Loos
Pam Luckey
Carolyn Maney
Valerie Martin
Patty McCarty*
Dawn McKenna*
Lorie Merrill
Betsy Metcalfe
Elizabeth Minor*
Jo Murray
Kim Neipling
Shari Nemirow
Tammy Newland
Kelly Pierce*
Marian Pimcombe
Ellen Pook
Suzanne Powell
Renee Pratto
Susan Redfield
Sofia Riley
Jill Rosenberg*
Garry Sandlin
Loree Scarborough
Bonnie Scott*
Sandra Sherrard*
Lynn Shrum*
Candice Stacy*
Julie Suares*
Marlene Temple
Johanna Tramazzo
Deborah Veady
Karen Wells
Myrna Wigod*
Shirley Wild
Joyce Williams
Gary Lee Wolf
*Sustaining Members
**Honorary Lifetime Member
Newsletter Contributors
Linda Bellehumeur, Carolyn Bixby, Judy Black,
Patti Brown, Diane Kelleher, Betsy Metcalfe,
Marian Pincombe, Shirley Wild
Design – Innovators@aol.com