A women-only expedition to offers a glimpse into the forces at work in the modern Middle East.

Orange County high school football schedule for Week 7 (Oct. 4-6):

FOOTBALL

Thursday, Oct. 4

Games 7 p.m. unless noted

ORANGE COAST LEAGUE

Calvary Chapel vs. Santa Ana at Santa Ana Stadium

ORANGE LEAGUE

Savanna vs. Magnolia at Western High

Santa Ana Valley vs. Anaheim at Glover Stadium

EMPIRE LEAGUE

Crean Lutheran vs. Pacifica at Garden Grove High

NONLEAGUE

Villa Park vs. El Dorado at Valencia High

Godinez vs. Fairmont Prep at Yorba Linda High

Friday, Oct. 5

Games 7 p.m. unless noted

TRINITY LEAGUE

Servite at JSerra

Santa Margarita vs. Mater Dei at Santa Ana Stadium

Orange Lutheran at St. John Bosco

SOUTH COAST LEAGUE

Capistrano Valley at Mission Viejo

El Toro at San Clemente

SUNSET LEAGUE

Edison at Huntington Beach

Newport Harbor vs. Los Alamitos at Cerritos College

Fountain Valley vs. Corona del Mar at Newport Harbor High

SEA VIEW LEAGUE

Trabuco Hills at Dana Hills

Aliso Niguel at San Juan Hills

ORANGE COAST LEAGUE

Costa Mesa vs. Orange at El Modena High

Estancia vs. Saddleback at Segerstrom High

EMPIRE LEAGUE

Tustin at Valencia

Cypress vs. Kennedy at Western High

FREEWAY LEAGUE

Sunny Hills at La Habra

Sonora at Fullerton

Troy at Buena Park

ORANGE LEAGUE

Katella at Century

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

Northwood vs. Woodbridge at University High

Beckman at Irvine

University at Portola

GARDEN GROVE LEAGUE

La Quinta vs. Loara at Glover Stadium

Bolsa Grande vs. Santiago at Garden Grove High

Los Amigos vs. Rancho Alamitos at Bolsa Grande High

ACADEMY LEAGUE

Capistrano Valley Christian at Ribet, 3 p.m.

NONLEAGUE

Rio Hondo Prep at Laguna Beach

El Modena vs. Foothill at Tustin High

Yorba Linda at Brea Olinda

Canyon vs. Esperanza at Yorba Linda High

Cerritos at Ocean View

Garden Grove at Laguna Hills

Western at Artesia

8-man football

EXPRESS LEAGUE

St. Michaels at Sage Hill

Saturday, Oct. 6

No games

The year was 2004. A social networking site called Facebook launched, though many people were too busy toggling between their MySpace and Friendster accounts to notice. And BMW debuted its second crossover, the X3, back when it was still somewhat novel for a luxury and sports car maker to offer boxier utes. Ah, the good old days …

In light of the ongoing explosion of the luxury SUV segment, I decided it would be a nice dose of nostalgia to check in with the X3 – to see how one of the elder statesmen of the crossover clan is faring amidst the current cornucopia.

First, a bit of history and context: BMW never called its crossovers SUVs, instead favoring the term “sports activity vehicle” for no apparent reason. (In keeping with this tradition, the company would christen the sloped-roof X6 crossover the world’s first sports activity coupe.) Structurally based on BMW’s iconic 3-series sedan and derived from its larger sibling, the X5, the first-generation X3 seemed promising in theory. However, it somewhat under-delivered due to a harsh ride; some questionable build quality; and, at least to my eye, an uninspired design and underwhelming stance.

Fast-forward more than a decade, and the X3 is no longer the runty younger sibling in a small nuclear family; it is now a bona fide middle child amidst a staggering six distinct X models in the BMW clan. And somehow it manages to stand out – so much so that it is reportedly on a path to overtake the X5 and even the mighty 3-series as brand best-sellers. But how?

For starters, the X3 has grown up in every way. (After all, it has those little X1s and X2s looking up to it now!). This year’s overhaul of the X3 saw it get larger outside and significantly more luxurious and spacious inside. The increased size and opulence had me seriously questioning the slightly larger X5’s raison d’être.

Under the hood, the X3 offers two options. The first is a twin-turbo 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder making 248 horsepower and 258 foot-pounds of torque, which is adequate though not overwhelming. The next step up the power ladder feels like a quantum leap: a twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder kicking out a devastating 355 horsepower and 369 foot-pounds of torque in the X3 M40i. Mated to a silky-smooth eight-speed transmission, this glorious engine simply begs to be driven aggressively. Fortunately, the chassis ranges from excitingly taut in Sport mode to pleasantly compliant when Comfort mode is selected.

More than a decade since its inception, the X3 is positioned to be a leader in the crowded BMW crossover stable – and a bona fide player in the even more intensely competitive midsize luxury crossover scene. All grown up and aging quite gracefully. Too bad we can’t say the same for MySpace.

:: bmwusa.com

It took 62 years to finally crown a black Miss America, in 1983. But after 20-year-old Vanessa Williams, daughter of two music teachers from the Bronx, earned her tiara, she was stripped of her title months later when unauthorized nude photos of her surfaced in Penthouse magazine.

Williams showed resilience and determination, relying on her natural beauty and talent to guide her to three Emmy nominations for her work on the sitcom “Ugly Betty,” 11 Grammy nominations for singles like “Save the Best for Last,” as well as a Tony nod and a best song Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy for her single “Colors of the Wind” from Disney’s “Pocahontas,” which she will sing Oct. 12-13 at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

Williams sat down to talk to Coast about her music and career.

COAST: On this tour, you have the band and the orchestra. How gratifying is it to sing in front of a full symphony orchestra?

VANESSA WILLIAMS: I get a chance to do classics like “St. Louis Woman,” the one I did for City Center Encores! back in 1998. That was an unusual production because we did it 20 years ago and it was virtually a lost score. I think it had been done back in the early ’40s-’50s era. Ralph Burns and Luther Henderson did the original arrangements, Luther did the original dance arrangements, and there was some original score and music that was lost.

COAST: So you basically resurrected the show.

VW: We did the show and then we got a chance to record the album. The Encores series usually does one weekend, so I invited guests and did probably a total of five shows. For the tour, I do a couple of songs from “St. Louis Woman,” do a duet that I did for “Side by Side by Sondheim” with Barbara Cook.

COAST: Speaking of Sondheim, I understand he rewrote a section of “Into the Woods” for you when you played the Witch.

VW: When I got a chance to do a recital with Sondheim and (James) Lapine, the Witch’s last number, “The Last Midnight,” they wanted to take another stab at it. So Stephen wrote additional lyrics for the Witch, and the staging was different because in our version, while everyone is bickering, the baker and his wife and Jack, they leave the baby in a basket upstage. The Witch picks up the baby and basically has all the power not only for the song, but it puts the baker and his wife in a much more vulnerable position. So it’s much stronger both visually and dramatically. And Sondheim wrote some additional lyrics for our version.

COAST: You’ll be singing selections from the upcoming album?

VW: The new album is my American songbook. These are all the songs that have been pivotal in my life. A song called “Being Good Isn’t Good Enough” — I originally learned it in performance class when I was a musical theater major at Syracuse University, and I sang it for the Miss Syracuse Pageant and ended up winning that. And I sang it again for Miss New York State in July, and I ended up winning Miss America within six months. They’re all songs that have to do with pivotal points in my life. And there are also a couple of new songs that will be on there as well.

COAST: “Colors of the Wind” is one of your biggest hits, but prior to that you had a dicey relationship with Disney.

VW: I went in years ago for the voice of Nala in “The Lion King.” And I met the artists and they knew I could sing. And the agent called me back after I had met with everyone. The powers that be said I’m not Disney material. And years later, my same agent and manager tell me that I have an offer to sing the theme song of “Pocahontas,” “Colors of the Wind.” So, it’s a lesson about not giving up hope. Everyone is judged in life, but you have to overcome it and you have to be patient. And hopefully, one day you’ll get a chance to get your opportunity to shine.

COAST: Early in your career your opportunity to shine was taken away. Was the Miss America pageant’s 2015 apology sufficient?

VW: The apology was to my mother. My parents endured a lot more than I knew because they were basically shielding me from a lot of things through the years. I was aware of some things, but my mother was protecting me from death threats and tremendous terrors. I have my story, which people think they know. And my mother had a completely other story, which was fascinating. My mother, it made her feel very good about it. She was satisfied.

Anyone who meets Hubert Keller becomes a fan.

“He is talented,” says Tony Nguyen, executive chef of AnQi at South Coast Plaza and Crustacean Beverly Hills. “He is also so cool. You know he DJs?”

Two years ago, at the inaugural Fire It Up event held at the Grand Wailea in Maui, Keller took stage. He stunned attendees as he began spinning at an impromptu afterparty.

“He was great,” recalls charcuterie expert Justin Brunson. “It really made the evening memorable!”

Keller’s set was one of the event’s highlights. The other was the barbecue. That night, surrounded by renowned pitmasters Sam Jones, Chris Lilly and Wayne Mueller, a passion ignited inside him.

“I watched all these talented guys and I saw how they did things,” recalls Keller. “I learned and I did research and now I have something that I think is really spectacular.”

This past July, Keller returned to Maui and presented a jaw-dropping display: two whole lambs roasting on spits perched above a hot bed of coals. For hours, the chef and his team raised and lowered the spits to evenly roast the meat. They took turns, standing for hours; basting the lambs and fanning the coals. As the festival crowd sauntered onto the grounds, pineapples were placed on the perimeter of the pit. The ambient heat charred the tough exterior and cooked the sweet fruity flesh inside. The pineapple slaw garnish perfectly accompanied Keller’s succulent slow-cooked lamb. It was apparent: the “Top Chef” alum had mastered it.

On Oct. 5, Keller brings his newfound knowledge to Newport Beach. At Orange County’s first Fire It Up food event, Balboa Bay Resort will set the stage for Newport Beach Wine & Food Festival’s barbecue-focused afternoon. Before the event, we caught up with Keller and learned about what dish he’s serving – (Answer: The decadent Fleur Burger Rossini. Think: Wagyu beef, Foie Gras, and black truffles.) – and one place he loves but refuses to share with the world.

COAST: People ask you all the time, “Where are the best places to eat?”

HUBERT KELLER: For my show on PBS this season we will go to under-the-radar places in Las Vegas because that’s where Fleur [Keller’s restaurant] is located.

COAST: Are there any places that you refuse to share with the public because you fear that the publicity might ruin the place?

HK: There is one place I can think of … I tried it on the islands. There was no sign. It was a tiny shack near the ocean. There was one woman and she took your order and cooked everything in the back on a hot coal stove. [Keller gets visibly giddy when he remembers how the woman’s hands deftly turned large behemoth lobsters plucked straight from the ocean.] Without a high-tech stove or tools, she would turn each shell over a metal grate. So simple. The lobster meat inside was perfect though.

COAST: Your eyes sparkle when you talk about this woman. You were obviously impressed.

HK: They were large lobsters. The kind, if you overcook them, they get tough and chewy – not good at all. But, this woman, she knew what she was doing. I thought maybe it was a fluke. Maybe it would be good only that one time. So, I went back and there she was cooking, all by herself. The lobster again was great. People think it’s easy to cook over fire like that but it’s much harder. You can’t turn down the heat. You have to understand where the hot spots are, when things must move, when to leave them. It takes time.

Newport Beach Wine & Food Festival takes place Oct. 4-7. :: ewportwineandfood.com

____________________-

TIDBIT:

On Oct. 18, food-centric locals will flock to the Festival of Arts grounds for Taste of Laguna. The tasting event will bring together longstanding neighborhood favorites such as Las Brisas and Royal Hawaiian with culinary standouts, Broadway by Amar Santana and Azmin Ghahreman’s Sapphire to present an array of flavors representing the community. For tickets and more information, visit the website.

:: tasteoflagunabeach.com

For centuries, ancient healers celebrated gold for its rejuvenative properties. Now fashionistas are following suit and embracing the precious metal for winter. According to Ken Downing, creative director for Neiman Marcus, to master this season’s look: Don’t be afraid to layer! “There’s the girl who tries to disappear into the wall and then, there’s the girl decked out in high boots with great big shiny earrings. I’ll say to myself, ‘I want to meet her. Where is she going?’ ” Black velvet, lace and sheer overlays help break up the monotony, keeping the black and yellow gold look polished, sultry and street savvy.

Masha Ma kicked off her spring lineup with a shirtdress, which she described as “clinical, clean and sharp.” It was also very feminine, confirming this was an exercise in slate-cleaning. What followed marked a turn into a softer, more fluid and luxurious place with a collection that felt self assured.
She turned her back on the club scenes but her interests continue to lie in a strange, futuristic universe — and she referenced the film “Annihilation” for this season.
The color palette had less black and electric blue, but a lot of bright emerald green, yellow and safari hues. Outerwear remained an obsession, with ongoing support from sponsor Kolon Sport; highlights included a long, pale yellow rain coat with fin-like flaps jetting up off the back, a shiny emerald green bomber with oversize arms and a short tan rain jacket with a hood.
“I want my woman to be protected in my clothes but at the same time not restricted,” she said backstage before the show. She also noted the label has taken on casting director Barbara Nicoli, known for her work with Gucci, and that under new operating rules, aims for a beautiful and intellectual look.
“I want them to look intellectual, not

Follow WWD on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.Read More…

This summer’s heat wave has lingered in more ways than one. Not only have the temperatures in Paris this week been unseasonably warm, but the catwalks have also been awash with breezy fabrics and vibrant color.
At Poiret, it was as if a Saharan wind had blown through the collection, carrying with it the colors of ocher dunes and indigo Tuareg veils. For her sophomore outing at the recently revived French heritage label, Yiqing Yin sent out gently draped clothes that swirled around the body, promising sweet relief from scorching weather.
There were hints of sari draping in a pink dress, while pants came in billowing sarouel shapes, paired with a workwear-inspired shirt or a trim leather jacket. She beefed up her daywear with the introduction of denim, and a terrific selection of outerwear, including a white trenchcoat with a softly pleated shoulder panel.
Yin collaborated with artist Bernard Frize on striped patterns that she warped with layers of gauzy crinkled knits. The two share an unerring sense for color harmonies. The designer layered hot pink chiffon over burnt orange satin, and played a harmony of pastels on a crinkled tank top and shorts, coolly topped with a robe coat.
These clothes were made

Follow WWD on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.Read More…

Moved by current events, Johnny Talbot and Adrian Runhof were out to empower women this season with a collection of sharply bulked-up shoulders — superhero style — shimmery armor and body-covering lengths. They kept it sexy but added ample layers of protection, often in the form of wide, cape-like sleeves with slits to allow movement. With less exuberance than is customary for the pair, the collection still had personality.
The designers reined in the color scheme, opening up the show with a muted khaki boiler suit, paired with colorful, beaded stiletto boots with a sports-sock stripe at the top. Sleeves were cinched on the wrists a short coat dress embroidered with hologram sequins; the matching bucket hat added extra cover. The pair piled on bands of tightly gathered material — a form of bullet belt? — to make a skirt in one case and crisscrossed across a chest in another, paired with oddly cut shorts. There was jacquard camouflage as well, with pale blues and pinks made into a long dress as well as jeans paired with a silver top. Shimmery boxing shorts were worn with a matching jersey cape coat that skimmed the floor.
It was meant to be about “courage and

Follow WWD on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.Read More…