It’s that time of year – filled with good cheer, good friends and parties galore! The open house held by the law firm of Keesal, Young & Logan on Dec. 5 kicked off the holiday season with great style and élan. Some 500 guests enjoyed the festivities in the beautiful location high atop the Union Bank building, with city lights twinkling in the view below.

Spectacular décor highlighted the food stations, located on two floors, that were laden with shrimp and crab and duck crepes (centered with an impressive ice sculpture); carvings of turkey with cranberry herb mayo and tri-tip with herb mayo; a sushi station; risotto; and desserts that included colorful cookies, each designed to tempt even the most determined dieter. Tray-passed hors d’oeuvres included bacon-wrapped dates, spanakopita, artichoke trumpettes and bacon-wrapped tenderloin with bleu cheese sauce, all created and presented by Chef Mauricio Perez. A very popular martini luge with a Christmas tree ice sculpture also featured wine and champagnes.

Among the notables were Sen. Alan and Debbie Lowenthal, Assembly member Bonnie Lowenthal, Supervisor Don and Julie Knabe, Mayor Bob and Nancy Foster, Gov. George Deukmejian, Beverly O’Neill, Gary DeLong, Patrick O’Donnell, Suja Lowenthal, Tonia Reyes Uranga, Long Beach police Deputy Chief William Blair, LBPD Bureau Chief Braden Phillips, John Calhoun, Laura Doud, Ernie and Jackie Kell, Doris Topsy-Elvord and Ralph Elvord.

Seen at the scene: John and Michelle Molina, Mario Molina, John and Alice Wallace, Rocky and Julie Suares, Mike Walter, Jim Preusch, Jim Amormino, Blake Christian, Peter Arkley, Jane Netherton, Sergio Alfonso, Gary Green, Denise Wynn, Steve Arcos, Robert Alperin, Thomas Fields, Ray Grabinski, Judge Margaret Hay; Larry and Barbara Jackson, Ralph and Patti Larison, Dennis Lord, Eloy Oakley, Justice Mike Nott, Carmen Perez, Angie Papadakis, Andy Perez, Matt and Debbi Rezvani, Tom Russell, Steve Keesal and Vinnie Proudly presenting the Steel Magnolias check for $215,000 to Memorial Medical Center Foundation President Jim Normandin, second from right, were, from left, Chairman Anthony Gagliardi, Past President Jackey Gray and Founder Shirley Wild. Woo, Philip and Barbara Saumur, Nick and Patti Sramek, Tara Stanbridge, Mort Stuhlbarg, Judge Judy Vander Lans, John Wagner, Bill Simmons, Jim Sullos, Steve Chesser, Diane Ripley, Robin and Michael Burgess, Steve Conley, Barbie Barker and Don Litterst, Art Levine, Darlene Dameron, Judge Bob and Sue Wenke, Richard and Linda Landes, Don Rodriguez, and Jack and Kathy Hinsche.

Keesal, Young & Logan folks included: Skip and Beth Keesal, Steve Young, Michael Gless, Scott Pratt, Terry Ross, Bill and Mei Collier, Marilyn Whitcomb and Sid Britton, Neal Robb, Al Peacock, Bob Stemler, Michele Fron and Paul Underwood, Lisa Beazley, Stacey Garrett, Liz Lindh, Sarah Sangmeister, David Tong, David Piper, Glen Piper, and David and Sally Taylor.

Click here to read the original in the Long Beach Press Telelgram.