The Crowd -- B.W. Cook

It’s all about media, marketing and making a difference. A very classy

cocktail reception was held last week at Troquet at South Coast Plaza to

recognize “significant community improvement projects” in progress

throughout Orange County. Host of the affair, South Coast Plaza,

represented by Executive Director of Marketing Debra Gunn-Downing and

Community Relations Director Billur Wallerich, billed the presentation as

a salute to Orange County 2002. Wallerich notes, “There is so much going

on in Orange County that we all can be so proud of, this gathering is a

small way to acknowledge the contributions of people that are making an

enormous difference for this entire community.”

The petite community relations executive was also noticeably proud of

the handsome lineup of Lalique crystal mementos especially designed for

the occasion. Sixteen participating organizations received the crystal

token as a way of saying “thank you” for being a good community citizen.

Gunn-Downing and Wallerich welcomed a cross-section of leadership

representing such organizations as Children’s Hospital of Orange County,

Orange Coast College, Second Harvest Food Bank, South Coast Repertory,

UCI Medical Center, Hoag Hospital, the Richard Nixon Library and

Birthplace, Mission San Juan Capistrano, Chapman University, Mission

Hospital, South Coast Medical Center, the Orange County Performing Arts

Center, Orange County High School of the Arts, UC Irvine, St. Joseph’s

Hospital and Vanguard University.

Through Wednesday, South Coast Plaza will exhibit a multitude of

displays throughout the retail complex featuring the past, present and

future of area nonprofits and their effect on the community. “The

economic, civic, and artistic strength of Orange County will be

highlighted by this exciting event featuring models, photographs,

artistic renderings, and the mission statements of organizations that are

so important to Orange County,” Gunn-Downing said. “It’s very gratifying

to see so many of our fellow citizens here tonight for this reception. It

is further evidence of what a cohesive community does to support all that

is good and positive. We live in a wonderful place. We have so much to be

thankful for.”

Orange County Performing Arts Center President Jerry Mandel mingled

with Center executives Judith O’Dea Morr and Kerry Madden. Anton

Segerstrom joined the celebration. Also in the crowd was Linda White

Peters from UCI and Electa Anderson from the Mission.

Newport Beach’s man-about-town Mike Farah, chairman of the Celebrity

Foundation for children, reports an upcoming boxing event to be held

March 15 at Joe’s Garage in Tustin. “All proceeds from the

$100-per-ticket event, which includes food and open bar, will go to

building Celebrity Ranch, a retreat for foster families in the beautiful

wine county of Temecula,” Farah said. “This is our final fund-raiser

before construction of the ranch begins later this spring. Children have

been using the property since October on a daily basis. The construction

design, engineering and plans have been recently submitted to the county

for approval, and we hope to build a lasting and permanent structure

beginning later this year.”

Farah and his volunteer crew are planning five bouts of boxing with

the opening bout featuring female boxers and the main event being a match

between heavyweight males. Farah is looking to sell tables of 10 for

$1,000. For more information or reservations, call (949) 644-9434.

The Big Canyon-Spyglass Hill Committee of the Philharmonic Society of

Orange County is planning a special luncheon starring award-winning

actress and singer Rita Moreno. The event will be staged March 21 at the

Irvine Marriott Hotel, beginning with a 10:30 a.m. silent auction and

boutique. A champagne reception will follow, with luncheon served at

noon. Tickets to the Philharmonic Society fund-raiser are priced at $75

per person. “Seating is limited,” said publicity Chairman Deborah Mars.

For reservations and information, call (949) 706- 2764.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.