SAVOR 2026: A Night for Literacy

Mark your calendars, because one of the most beautiful nights of the fall season is coming back to Newport Beach. "SAVOR 2026," the signature fundraiser benefiting The Literacy Project, returns to Newport Beach Country Club on Friday, Oct. 2, for an evening that blends the elegance of a Napa wine country escape with a cause close to our hearts here in OC.

Set against the club's picturesque outdoor garden, the evening opens with a cocktail reception like no other. Think a curated collection of luxury automobiles from distinguished private collections parked alongside a fine art exhibition, all while you sip and mingle in the golden hour light. As the sun sets and the bistro lights flicker on, the celebration shifts into an elegant farm-to-table dinner in the garden, the kind of evening where good food, good company and a beautiful setting come together for something that feels genuinely meaningful.

This year's honorees include Erin Anderson, president, CEO and founder of the A. Gary Anderson Family Foundation; Kathy Simon-Abels of the Ronald M. Simon Family Foundation board of directors; and Julie Ann and Jim Ulcickas, the proprietors behind Blue Water Grill Restaurants. All three have made a lasting impact on our community, and this night is as much about celebrating them as it is about the kids the evening ultimately supports.

At its core, SAVOR is a fundraiser with real stakes. The Literacy Project works to break the cycle of functional illiteracy among students who are struggling with reading, giving underserved children a shot at thriving academically, emotionally and in life. These kids walk away with essential phonetic skills, a new sense of self-confidence and, hopefully, a lifelong love of reading. It is hard to think of a more worthy cause.

The evening runs Friday, Oct. 2, starting at 5 p.m. at Newport Beach Country Club.

From 5 to 6:30 p.m., guests can:

• Browse an exceptional collection of luxury automobiles from private collections
• Stroll the art gallery garden, featuring a live artist demonstration presented by Ethos Art
• Enter a premier opportunity drawing
• Take in a performance by virtuoso violinist Ron Kao

From 6:30 to 10 p.m., the evening continues with:

• A farm-to-table dinner in the elegant outdoor garden
• Stories from the four honorees' personal and professional journeys
• A world-class live auction with exclusive packages up for bid

Tickets are $300 per person, with sponsor tables of eight available for $2,400. Sponsorships range from $100 to $20,000, with something available at every level.

Get your tickets here: theliteracyproject-savor2026

Learn more about The Literacy Project at literacyproj.org

Roger’s Gardens Unveils Moonlight Masquerade for Halloween

Roger's Gardens has opened its much-anticipated Halloween Boutique, and this year's theme, Moonlight Masquerade, transports guests to Venice after dark. The free, immersive experience is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and welcomes the public.

Guests begin the journey beneath the Bridge of Sighs, then follow candlelight into the Palazzo of Whispers, where each room unveils a new chapter of the masquerade. Gilded masks, veiled figures, winding serpents and fluttering monarchs fill elaborate installations that turn Halloween shopping into theater.

The boutique builds on Roger's Gardens' more than 50 year legacy and marks over three decades of theatrical retail design. Vice President of Merchandising Hedda Staines and Holiday and Home Decor Buyer Crystal Pittman led the concept, drawing on Venetian artistry and global design trends. Their year-round work with artisans and manufacturers results in custom, collectible decor found only at Roger's Gardens.

Director of Design Christopher Nichols and Senior Visual Coordinator Emily Morgan led the Visual Merchandising Team in bringing the vision to life across six distinct environments. Each April, the team begins designing and handcrafting original props for the year's theme. Many of those pieces, from dramatic masks to gilded relics, are available for purchase, giving guests the chance to take home a piece of the experience.

The Crystal Atrium also features a limited collection of exclusive arrangements handcrafted by the Roger's Gardens Original Designs Team, led by Nichols. Each piece is one of a kind and available in limited quantities.

More than 500 curated products fill the boutique, ranging from traditional to whimsical to wicked. A team of 10 visual designers staged every detail over two and a half weeks ahead of opening. Roger's Gardens draws more than 100,000 visitors during September and October, with guests traveling from across Southern California and beyond.

Six environments to explore:

The Gilded Vestibule — A life-size gilded mask greets guests at the entrance, surrounded by silver and gold oddities

The Serpent's Soiree — A dramatic serpent winds overhead above entertaining pieces and artisan creations built for gathering.

The Veiled Gallery — Seven-foot veiled stone figures stand guard among masks, hats and wearables for choosing a new identity.

The Monarch Salon — Towering columns and a fireplace anchor a room where monarch butterflies flutter amid festive decor, watched over by one grumpy little pumpkin.

The Hall of Relics — A gilded bone archway leads to a chamber of dramatic paintings, skeletons and serpents.

The Crystal Atrium — The finale unfolds beneath shimmering crystal webbing, showcasing extraordinary arrangements and exclusive Original Designs.

Moonlight Masquerade runs through the end of October at Roger's Gardens in Corona del Mar.

Roger’s Gardens is at 2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd., Corona del Mar.

Get RELISH Ready: OC’s Premier Food and Wine Weekend Returns to Newport Beach

RELISH is back for its second year, and this three-day celebration of food, wine and spirits at VEA Newport Beach, a Marriott Resort & Spa, runs Friday, Oct. 2, through Sunday, Oct. 4. The event was created by celebrity chef Jamie Gwen and celebrity event planner Nicole Hirsty of Cobalt Events.

Friday's Opening Night Cocktail Party & Grand Tasting runs 5 to 8 p.m. and brings chef-curated hors d'oeuvres, interactive food and drink pop-ups, hand-crafted cocktails and award-winning wine. On hand this year: Geoffrey Zakarian, Scott Conant, James Beard Award-winning pastry chef Sherry Yard, Kat Turner, maitre fromager Afrim Pristine, sommelier Rebecca Rose Phillips, author and TV personality Katie Chin, and co-founder Jamie Gwen.

From 8 to 10 p.m., RELISH After Hours offers a smaller, more intimate setting with an exclusive meet and greet with the talent. Tickets are limited.

Saturday is packed. It opens with Fashion + Food at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza, where an exclusive luncheon at ANQI brings guests together with Zakarian and Conant. From there, The Park Club hosts The Art of Cheese & Wine with Afrim Pristine and a hands-on knife class from Wolfe Cutlery. The day closes with the RELISH Culinary Icons Dinner and Sip & Savor Cocktail Hour, a one-night-only multicourse dinner from Zakarian, Conant and Yard.

Sunday returns to VEA with the Burgers + Bubbles Brunch, pairing Chefs Sherry Yard's and Kat Turner's takes on the classic burger with Veuve Clicquot. The weekend closes with RELISH in Wellness, built around mindfulness, nourishing food and guided wellness activities.

This year's partner list includes Visit Newport Beach, Travel Costa Mesa, South Coast Plaza, Bloomingdale's, Veuve Clicquot, Belvedere Vodka and Le Creuset, among others.

Tickets and event packages are available at RelishFoodWine.com. 

RELISH Event Schedule

Friday, Oct. 2

• 5-8 p.m. | Opening Night Cocktail Party & Grand Tasting at VEA
• 8-10 p.m. | RELISH After Hours* at VEA

Saturday, Oct. 3

11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Fashion & Food at ANQI at Bloomingdale's South Coast Plaza with Chefs Geoffrey Zakarian and Scott Conant

• 2:30-3:30 p.m. | The Art of Cheese & Wine with Cheesemaster Afrim Pristine at The Park Club
• 3:30-4:30 p.m. | Master the Art of the Perfect Cut with Wolfe Cutlery at The Park Club
• 5:30-10 p.m. | RELISH Culinary Icons Dinner + Sip & Savor Cocktail Hour at The Park Club

Sunday, Oct. 4

• 10 a.m.-noon | RELISH Burgers + Bubbles Brunch at VEA
• Noon-2:30 p.m. | RELISH in Wellness at VEA

*Limited tickets available