B.W. COOK -- The crowd
The third annual “Crean’s Clambake,” which benefits the Children’s Bureau
of Southern California, attracted more than 300 guests for an early
summer lobster dinner at the beach.
That’s right, there wasn’t a clam to be found--just lobster, and giant
lobster to boot--served by George and Jose Valenzuela and their staff on
the beachfront lawn of The Balboa Bay Club, Newport Beach.
A perfect Saturday evening in June set the mood for the crowd that had
come in casual beach attire, required by the invitation. Darleen Manclark
looked smashing in her pink and orange gauze skirt with top to match,
accented by a pink leather-waisted jacket to fend off the evening chill
that was sure to come.
Others in the crowd handled the June chill by dancing in the sand to the
music of Tom Thumb and the Hitchhikers. The tunes and the mai tai
cocktails certainly did the job.
Donna and John Crean were all smiles greeting the crush that came to
support the children’s organization, one of Donna Crean’s pet charities.
She was recently honored by the group at a black-tie gala at the Beverly
Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.
For the clambake, a host of Crean pals, both of the local and out-of-town
variety, made the most of a wonderful and relaxed evening of talking and
dining with old friends. Even Donna Douglas, co-star of the classic
television series, “The Beverly Hillbillies” joined in the fun.
“Oh my gosh, it’s Ellie Mae,” blurted one of the evening co-chairs, Shari
Ciko Brown. “She was my hero as a child. It was my favorite TV show; I
just loved Ellie Mae Clampet. I can’t believe she’s here tonight.
“It’s too much,” added Brown, busy handling her hostess duties to ensure
fun for one and all -- including Douglas.
Another longtime Crean associate, Royal Radke, former
banker-turned-florist-turned-ship captain, shared the duties with Brown.
Radke helped secure support from generous sponsors, including Bank of
America, Disneyland and many local merchants.
Former Disney honchos Ron Dominguez with his wife, Betty, and Jack
Lindquist and his wife, Belle, were in the crowd. Also spotted were Peggy
Goldwater and Bob Clay, Carleen Brennan, Lana Chandler, Eve Kornyei and
Stan Hanson, Sarah Corrigan, Barbara Venezia and hubby Stan Tkaczyk, and
Heather and Marty Klein.
In addition to the dining and dancing, plenty of bidding was taking place
with both a silent and live auction helping to bring in funds for the
bureau. Jim Dale handled the live selling duties with personality plus.
***
The Orangewood Children’s Foundation threw the “2000 Orange Blossom
Ball,” billed as “not your ordinary black-tie event.”
Indeed. More than $250,000 was raised for Orangewood by more than 550
guests arriving in the spectacular party tent erected on the Irvine
Spectrum grounds. Greeted by a host of mimes, jugglers and magicians,
supporters of the event were encouraged to dress in outrageous formal
attire. Standouts included Orangewood board member Tom Powell and Harry
Hamilton, provost of Chapman University.
Catered by Regency Caterers of the Hyatt Irvine, with entertainment
featuring Jaqueline Foster’s Showdance performers, the evening offered
such wild surprises as confetti cannons blasting paper butterflies over
the dining tables.
Frank Foster, president of Fieldstone Communities and also an Orangewood
board member, served as master of ceremonies. County Supervisor Tom
Wilson was on hand, as was Frank Cutler, a major donor and evening
sponsor with a large entourage of guests.
Local support for the cause comes from the most generous Henry and Susan
Samueli of Corona del Mar, responsible for a recent gift of $1.7 million;
Stephanie Argyros, Marian Bergeson, Tom Dobyne, Patti and Jim Edwards,
John Hagestad, Shirley Pepys and David Wilson.
* B.W. COOK’s column appears every Thursday and Saturday. He is the
editor of the Bay Window Magazine, a Balboa Bay Club publication.
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