The Crowd:

Recently, NASA fired a missile aimed at piercing a specific crater on the moon’s surface. A second stage of the rocket was designed to collect data from the lunar explosion gathering information from beneath the surface dust, in an effort to determine if there is ice on the moon.

The estimated 5-billion-year-old satellite, essential to our solar system and our very survival, may hold the seed of life if ice is discovered and scientists deem that the planet may be able to sustain some sort of scientific colonization and prolonged exploration in the future.

The eyes of humanity in classrooms, laboratories, boardrooms and the executive suites of the most powerful governments on the planet will pay close attention to this phenomenal exploration marking yet another serious milestone in the history of man’s quest for knowledge.

Two weeks prior, our own Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana held its annual gala fundraiser, which organizers appropriately labeled “Out of this World.”

The juxtaposition of the two events may have been planned or simply coincidental, but the message concerning the vital importance of the study of science in our classrooms resonated at the gala and could not be more significant.

Every human is affected by this scientific research whether we realize it or not. Clearly those in support of the work of Discovery Science Center are very aware of its importance and despite the hardships of our present economic situation loyal Orange County residents in excess of 400 patrons turned out and raised more than $400,000 in support of science education sponsored by the center.

The gala also marked a celebration launching a second decade of community involvement for the center.

Center President Joe Adams and board Chairman Dan Bolar welcomed the “who’s who” crowd and introduced gala committee Chairwomen Pamela Winslow Kashani and Mary Norberg, who with committee assistance, planned an exceptional dinner party under a billowing white tent that was decorated as the solar system using faux hanging planets, stars and dramatic stage lighting.

The dinner was catered by Turnip Rose Elite providing the crowd with a multi-course gourmet supper served in elegant silver dome fashion.

Guests were entertained by a musical group called “Soul-ution” and by a special musical performance by Kashani, a Broadway singing sensation who shared her talents with the local audience.

Spotted in the crowd were Greg and Sarah Agee, newlyweds Brenda and Mike Milinkovic, John and Sherry Miller, Carol and Jeff Carlile, Sharyn and Peter Buffa, Marion Bergeson, Bob and Shawn Magnuson, and Newport’s social ringleader Peggy Goldwater Clay and her husband, Bob Clay.

Also on hand for the event were Tina and Mike Catlin, Pat and Malcom Niles, Kay McCarty, Beth Krom, Jill and Mark Skaist, Lisa and Tom Carr, Glen and Jutta Gebauer, Julie and Tom McDorman, Kathy and Noel Hamilton, Susan and Richard Luehrs, Barbara and Greg MacGillivray, and the distinguished Patricia Beckman, daughter of the late scientists and philanthropists Arnold and Mabel Beckman.

Beckman was on hand to witness the presentation of the center’s prestigious Arnold O. Beckman Award to the Boeing Co. The center honored Boeing for its continued commitment to the education of children in the field of science.

Rick Baily, vice president of Boeing and Discovery Science board member, accepted the honors. Boeing has made a $1-million lead gift to the center earmarked for building a new $6-million permanent Space Exploration exhibition on the second floor. The exhibition is set to debut in the fall of 2010.

Other notable guests included Jack and Mary Norberg, Larry and Kristina Dodge, Ted and Jillyn Verdon, Pam Horowitz and Rolf Uitzetter, Jon and Susan Wampler, Ron and Melissa Hudson, and Discovery Science Center Vice President of Development Linda White Peters and her husband, Dr. Ross Peters.

Major corporate underwriting came from Taco Bell, the Horowitz Group, Micosemi Corporation, Boeing, Allergan, the Kashani family, the Peterson family and Walkie and Janet Ray.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.