The Crowd -- B.W. Cook

“The Slipper and The Surfer: An Orange County Cinderella Story,”

brought in an outstanding half-million dollars in ticket sales for the

Children’s Hospital of Orange County. The sixth annual CHOC Follies,

executive produced by Gloria Zigner of Newport Beach, will net more than

$400,000 in profit after all expenses are paid.

“This is our sixth year, and the Follies has netted more than $1

million [throughout the years] for Children’s Hospital of Orange County

and Children’s Hospital at Mission,” reports a proud and exhausted

Zigner, after the three-day run of the show in a tent erected next to the

Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa.

Cast members, including John Crean, Kathleen Duffy, Terry Jones, Mia

Maffai, Tim White, Diane Mondini, Sandy Segerstrom Daniels and Sallee

Smith, were thrilled with the turnout and response of the crowd. Sandy

Segerstrom Daniels, Dale Skiles and Leslie Cancellieri served as

chairwomen of the production, which was directed by John Vaughan.

Hard-working Lois Augustine served as associate producer and assisted

Zigner in raising funds for the show.

Spotted on Monday at the annual Angelitos de Oro luncheon at the

Center Club in Costa Mesa, Zigner reported that she is already working on

next year’s show, which will unfold sometime in March.

* * *

Prominent Orange County residents Melinda and Tony Moiso once again

served as the honorary co-chairs and the driving force behind the 24th

annual Gentlemen’s Haberdashery, benefiting the Heart of Jesus Retreat

Center. The Newport Beach Marriott at Fashion Island was the setting for

the inspirational men’s fashion extravaganza and luncheon supported by a

host of local individuals, including Leann Berry, David Celestin, Keith

Eyrich, Melanie Fitch, James Fournier, Richard Hunsaker, Robert O’Hill,

Barbara Roppolo and Isabelle Villasenor, to name only a few.

Sister Catherine Marie of the Retreat Center reports that the $125 per

person luncheon titled “Fashion With A Heart: Hearts Making A Difference”

brought out a full house, raising a significant sum for the local retreat

center devoted to children and teens in the community. Rancho Mission

Viejo President and Chief Executive Tony Moiso recruited 60 of the

region’s top business and community leaders to model the latest men’s

wear provided by Fashion Island retailers.

Carol Hoffman did the fashion commentary, while comedian Steve Ireland

kept the crowd in stitches. This year’s production was dedicated, “To the

men and women who have inspired us this past year from law enforcement,

the fire department, emergency medical services and the Armed Forces,”

offered Sister Catherine Marie.

* * *

The World Affairs Council of Orange County hosted a dinner last night

in Newport Beach featuring two speakers from the former Harvard

University Middle East think tank known as the Institute for Social and

Economic Policy in the Middle East.

Herbert Tobin, a Big Canyon resident and council trustee, reports,

“Now is the time for all Americans; Jew, Muslim and Christian to talk and

think together. . . . Unhappily, peace in the Middle East is not a

process that can be left to the participants alone. They are all too

emotionally involved and too politically frozen to find answers by

themselves. What happens in the Middle East will curse or bless us all.”

* * *

Tonight a special dinner tribute will unfold honoring Newport Beach

philanthropist and man-about-town Paul Salata. A sold-out dinner and

awards presentation at the Grove of Anaheim will benefit Goodwill

Industry of Orange County and the American Red Cross’ Orange County

Chapter.

More than 1,000 guests are paying $175 and more to roast Salata at the

event chaired by Bob and Terry Callahan. Presented by the First American

Corp., honorary chairs of this major tribute include Don and Dorothy

Kennedy, Peter and Ginnny Ueberroth, Paul and Chandler Tagliabue, Tony

and Melinda Moiso, and John and Carol Curci.

* * *

Social activist Eve Kornyei came up to me at a recent event either

ready to pull out her hair or strangle me, or both, for incorrectly

reporting the Crean Clambake would take place on May 17, when in fact it

is set for June 1. The fifth annual summer evening at the Hyatt Newporter

benefits the Children’s Bureau, Orange County Chapter.

Kornyei reports, “The good news is your column in the Daily Pilot is

well read. The bad news is you sent the entire town into a panic, and

they all called me at once.”

Actually, there is more good news. Anyone wishing to support the

Children’s Bureau and the Clambake still has time to call and make a

reservation to join in the fun at one of the best summer parties on the

Orange Coast. For information, please call (714) 517-1900, Ext. 213.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.