Environmental crowd shows up for all that jazz

The Newport crowd with a passion for the environment, and

specifically marine science, supported the Ocean Institute last week

for a little “Jazz In January.” It was the annual Ocean Institute

fund-raiser created to raise money for educational programs

associated with the interactive ocean education and research facility

in Orange County.

Chaired by Tim McMahon, an executive with Grubb and Ellis, the

party was supported by a host of local citizens, including Chip and

Debbie Brown, Pete and Susan Dolbee, Paul and Patty Gaede, Sheri

Grady, Paul and Barbara Hamilton, Ed and Linda Martin, Bill Palmer,

Dennis and Pat Taylor, Anthony and Janet Vitti, and Supervisor Tom

Wilson and his wife, Nancy.

In an upbeat setting, the crowd joined forces for a wonderful

evening of conversation, dinner and the smooth jazz of Peter White.

The artist performed selections from his new release, “Glow,” as the

guests enjoyed dinner provided by a host of Orange County’s top

culinary talent.

Chefs James Hamamori of WASA Sushi, Yvon Goetz of the Ritz-Carlton

Laguna Niguel and Azmin Ghahreman of the St. Regis Monarch Beach

Resort & Spa served a spectacular meal that featured two entrees,

squab and a veal medallion. Robert Mondavi graciously provided the

wine for the occasion.

Also supporting the evening were a committee of local business

leaders, including insurance executive Steve Friedmann, Dennis

Eversole from Toshiba, and real estate executive Jens Von Gierki. The

Ocean Institute in Dana Point has been a community project for more

than 20 years. Fund-raising efforts have neared the $20-million goal,

allowing the construction of the new facility, which has been

completed after nearly three years of planning and two years of

construction. The facility opened its doors last fall and continues

to be an exemplary institution for the study of our precious marine

environment.

The Philharmonic Society of Orange County held the grand opening

gala at the new Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa in Huntington Beach last

week, filling the massive 20,000-square-foot ballroom with a sellout

crowd of more than 1,200 guests in black tie for a night of dining

and dancing to the music of the Wayne Foster Orchestra.

The evening, called “Espana,” featured a variety of entertainment

to keep the evening alive and vibrant.

The Philharmonic Society is the oldest arts organization in Orange

County, working to bring music into the lives of school children

through massive volunteer efforts to raise funds and then create and

provide music programs for more than one quarter million Orange

County school children each and every year.

The ball was chaired by elegant blond Caroline Bell with support

from Susan Qagundah, president of the Philharmonic committees. Steve

Bone, owner of the new Huntington Beach Hyatt Regency, and Newport’s

Donald Evarts, president of the Philharmonic Board of Directors, were

in attendance. Also in the crowd was distinguished Dr. Christopher

Duma of Hoag Hospital.

* THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.