Every year, we like to reward our AvantGuild members by gathering them together, buying them a drink (and a little seafood risotto), and toasting to another successful year of media professionalism. In West Hollywood at the former Mustache Cafe, spirits were high and flowing.

- Taffy Akner, mb's west coast director of education

At Chocolat, December 5, 2005

Photos by Philip Alexis Littell

mb's party hosts Erwin Ong and Taffy Akner

Freelance writer Gerri Miller, mb's Taffy, Distinctive Assets vice president of marketing Debra Scott, and Divine Horizons Entertainment director Judi Jordan

McGraw-Hill publisher Roylin Downs and writer Joe Dungan

Andrew Kadar, Allora Communications principal Ralph Allora, and National Writers Union chapter chair Dan McCrory

Chris Gordy, David Schwarz, and PFD Inc writer/producer Simon Lewis

Journalists and mb alumni (and longtime AG members) Chrys Wu and Jeff Miller

Fibonacci Films writer/director and mb instructor Steven Scott and writer Alissa Walker

Stacey Rain and writer David Newsome

Judi Jordan, Ernst & Young PR manager Linda Whalen, and health writer Angela Hynes

atomiclife.net writer Celeste Moure, Jeff Miller, writer and vodka company proprietor (her Modern Spirits brand was chosen as one of the Savuer 100!) Litty Mathew, Ascend Media writer Steve Krcmar, and Chrys Wu (who is obviously shocked at what she sees).

Goddess Productions writer-literary manager Christine Lynne, journalist Melanie Morningstar, and Debra Scott

Freelancer Judy Sandra and writer and mb instructor Laurel House

Gerri Miller, Erwin Ong, Derek Wan, and mb host and America's Next Top Model producer Meredith Craig

Journalists and mb instructors Vanessa Grigoriades, Anna David, and Celeste Perron

Gerri Miller, Taffy Akner, and Debra Scott