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.