NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., Sept. 28, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Five-time Olympic medalist Janet Evans will be the keynote speaker for an event entitled "Maximizing the Potential of Women: An Evening of Inspiration, Motivation, and Communication" to be held 5-7 p.m., Friday, November 13, at The Christmas Company, the largest annual fundraiser of the Junior League of Orange County, Calif., Inc., (JLOCC).
The evening will begin with a networking opportunity, after which small table discussions on how women can reach their maximum potential will be facilitated by Kelly Oberle, owner of Access Human Potential. The event will conclude with a presentation by Janet Evans, now a motivational speaker in demand around the world. The event will be held at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa. Tickets priced at $35 each are available at www.jlocc.org, or by calling (949) 263-3785 beginning Oct. 1.
Born and raised in Orange County, Janet Evans won her first Olympic Gold Medals for swimming at the age of 16. At the time of her retirement, she had accrued 6 American records, 45 national titles, 3 world records, and 5 Olympic Medals. In her inspirational keynote speech, she will share her strategies for developing one's potential and achieving professional and personal goals.
Other events at The Christmas Company will include two Tea Parties with "Fancy Nancy" book series author Jane O'Connor and illustrator Robin Preiss Glasser for parents and children (age three and up) at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Sunday, November 15. A Saturday morning "Breakfast with Santa," from 9-10:30 a.m. will include a visit with Santa, a delicious breakfast and activities such as the decoration of stockings from Family Trees Unlimited. Tickets for these events are $15 each.
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, whose chefs are featured in the book, will provide small plate dining for the evening priced at $75 per person. Entertainment and a Silent Auction will also be part of this event.
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 while enjoying 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 special luncheon ($35), to be held at noon, Friday, November 13. This event is sponsored by The Allergan Foundation.
"In addition to our many events, The Christmas Company will offer the opportunity to shop at more than 90 unique vendors from Orange County and across the United States," says overall chair Janine Wald. The Christmas Company general admission is $10 per person, 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; 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 beginning October 1 online 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.