David Orso may be getting his second birthday surprise when he reads the paper this morning. David celebrated his 40th birthday on Jan. 4, and we thought the rest of Cobb might like to know.

Friends surprised David at Fusco's Via Roma in Acworth on Jan. 3 for a birthday dinner hosted by his wife, Cindy Orso. Cindy told the Kennesaw resident that they were meeting another couple for dinner. Well, let's just say he fell into the trap because 23 friends joined the birthday boy.

Well-wishers included: Kelly and Chuck Bachman, Sarah and John Bullington, Jennifer and Charlie Gay, Tara Guest, Britt and Scott Hennessey, Laura and Jim Johnson, Kelly and Allen Krivsky, Kathyrn and David Mayfield, Millie and Bill Reddick and Kristi and Sam Storey.

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On Dec. 20, 55 residents of Freyer Drive homes in historic Cherokee Heights Subdivision gathered for the 19th Annual Christmas Home Tour and Mantel Contest. Five homes competed for a variety of awards including the coveted Velvet Elvis Award awarded for the finest Christmas ambience.

After touring the homes and enjoying refreshments and convivial conversation with neighbors, an awards ceremony took place at the lovely Tudor home of Kathy and Scott Fricker on Cherokee Street. Awards were presented to Dawn and Thomas Watkin's daughter, Anna, as best decorated child; Shooter, the Fricker dog, won Best Decorated Pet; Trapp and Pete Tischner took the prize for best bribes (food and drinks); Nichole and Patrick Seals won the most eclectic mantel; and Annslee and Matt Hillyer won for best traditional mantel.

Petite and Mike Harpenau's home, a popular stop on the Marietta Pilgrimage Home Tour, won best-decorated door. The Velvet Elvis will be lovingly displayed on their mantel all year until the next Christmas Mantel Contest.

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On Tuesday, the Sole Sisters, Georgia Cancer Specialists and Off Broadway Shoes invite you to participate in the 8th Annual Totes 2 Tots Suitcase Drive.

The Sole Sisters hope to collect a "Gazillion" totes, backpacks, and/or suitcases to be used by children in the care of the Division of Family and Children Services - make them pink, of course. Infants, children and teens in foster care often must shuffle their belongings from home to home in garbage bags during frequent relocations.

Drop off items at Off Broadway Shoes, located at 815 Ernest Barrett Parkway in Kennesaw, from 6-8 p.m. and receive a 20 percent discount courtesy of Off Broadway Shoes.

For additional information, contact The Sole Sisters at the.high.heels @thesole sisters. com.

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Fashion spotlight of the week: She's this week's stunner - white skirt with black lace overlay, black sweater, opaque tights, black boots - Suzanne Waddington of east Cobb - as clear as black and white.

Sally Litchfield is a longtime Marietta resident. She formerly practiced law in Marietta and now stays home to raise her two children. Send Sally news at sallylit @bellsouth.net. Call Sally at (770) 425-7122.