Join us for a sparkling and elegant Thursday Evening at the Cool Coastal Californian San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina. Be there to honor those who are at the top of their game in the Industry Choice Awards and as we raise money to support two worthy charities at the Black Tie Tribute Awards and Charity Dinner. All the proceeds from the Auction and Key Drawing will benefit Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) and Rady Children's Hospital of San Diego.

With us once again is a very special charity close to our hearts, CHOC Foundation for children exists to generate community awareness and resources for Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) and CHOC at Mission, supporting specific strategies that underscore the hospitals' local and national leadership in prevention, treatment and research programs. CHOC Foundation for Children's fundraising activities are guided by six philanthropic aspirations: to provide quality medical care for all children; to treat chronic and catastrophic illnesses; to emphasize illness and injury prevention; to support the well-being of children; to achieve medical breakthroughs; and to serve as a community leader and partner in the care of children.

We are pleased to welcome the addition of Rady Children's Hospital of San Diego to our Black Tie event. Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego exists "to restore, sustain and enhance the health and developmental potential of children through excellence in care, education, research and advocacy." More than 13,000 boys and girls were admitted to Rady Children's as inpatients last year, and there were 192,000 visits to outpatient and specialty clinics. During the workweek, nearly 80 surgeries are performed, ranging from relatively simple outpatient procedures to at least one complex heart surgery each day. Research involving hundreds of children in some 70 clinical trials stimulates medical progress nationally and internationally. And each workday, more than 700 children will see a specialist for a consult, expert opinion and/or diagnosis.

Join us at this year's Black Tie Event and Charity Auction on Thursday evening
September 4th, 2008.
Cocktails at 6:00 PM
Dinner at 7:00 PM
Tribute, Charity Auction, and Entertainment Surprises' to 10:30 PM

Judy's If the Dress Fits, Wear It Challenge.

It's not about your dress. It's not even about my dress! It's about the charity for children, paying tribute to superior performance, networking, fun and entertainment.

After three Black Tie Charity Events, we have raised over $575,000 for children's charities. We get dressed up, we pay tribute to award winners, we auction off donated items, and we have some fun and entertainment.

This year, our conference theme is: Cool. Coastal. Californian. And we want to take that a step further with a "Recycle Your Dress" concept. Do you remember what everyone else wore? Maybe. Maybe not. Here's my challenge. Recycle your gown, and donate what you might have spent on a new one to the kids! Just wear a gown you've worn before, and enter my "If the Dress Fits Challenge". It's easy to participate. If the dress fits, wear it. You can add new accessories, if you like, but let's see that gown again! We'll have special donation envelopes for the "If the Dress Fits Challenge" donations. Bring your "gown budget" or any amount you choose, to donate to the kids in this challenge.

And to add to the fun, all ladies entering my "If the Dress Fits Challenge" will be entered into a drawing, and eligible to win a $2000 shopping spree.

It's California you know, and we're thinking Black Tie and Flip Flops. You can wear your flip flops or sandals with your recycled gown, or bring them for wearing later in the evening, or on the dance floor. It's a fun event, a time to remember, reward and give back. We hope to see you there!!!

Friar Tux, located in the heart of San Diego, Ca, can supply all of your men's formal wear needs for this Black Tie & Flip Flops Celebration scheduled on September 4th, 2008 in the San Diego Ballroom of the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina. To have your tuxedo ready and dropped off at the hotel, please complete all information on this order form and email or fax it to Friar Tux by Friday, August 29, 2008. If you have missed this deadline, they have an excellent record of being able to meet your late requests. Late orders must be made by phone only. You may contact Jay Weisman from Friar Tux at (714) 932-1106.

Friar Tux will deliver tuxedos Wednesday, September 3rd from 12 Noon to 7:00 PM and then again on Thursday, September 4th from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Rental returns are due back Friday, September 5th between the hours of 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM. Friar Tux will be located onsite for all of the days listed above during our Debt Connection Symposium and Expo® conference. Rental returns are due Friday, September 5th between the hours of 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM. In keeping with the Cool, Coastal, Californian theme Friar Tux is offering to convert men's tuxedo pants into shorts! Please contact Jay at Friar Tux for further information about this and remember you can wear your flip flops or sandals with your tuxedo, or bring them for wearing later in the evening, or on the dance floor. It's a fun event, a time to remember, reward and give back. We hope to see you there!!

Download the Friar Tux Rental Information/Order Form.