Newport-Mesa animal lovers flock to Zoofari 2002

This was one party that was a real zoo. Zoofari 2002, produced by

Friends of the Santa Ana Zoo, attracted a major contingent of

Newport-Mesa animal lovers to one summer party that was surely a

replacement for those unable to attend an African safari this season.

It was chaired by the dedicated Sandy Pignone with support from

Newport’s indefatigable Debbie Newmeyer, who, with her husband Tom

and his firm, underwrote a substantial portion of the evening.

Additional major support for the zoo came from Newport plastic

surgeon Michael Elam and his wife Shelly, the Del Staggs, Triad

Design, OCB Reprographics, Les and Jeff Kaufman, and Paige and Jay

Kunkle.

“I found a need to keep a jewel of our community evolving,”

offered Paige Kunkle of Westcliff/Dover Shores.

The blond, statuesque Kunkle, with an infectious smile, wore an

off-the-shoulder black summer dress to mingle with the animals at a

party that called for Black Tie Safari attire. Paige’s husband Jay

interpreted the invitation to mean black tie on top and black shorts

on the bottom. One woman came as a leopard, another as a jaguar and

still another as a zebra. Tarzan and Jane were there. He was looking

buff in his loincloth and it turns out he’s a professional

bodybuilder/trainer named James Parker. His “Jane,” who is really

Brandi Stotts, wore a suede halter dress with fringe that made the

animals howl in the distance. Stotts was also seen with handsome

Zoofari supporter John Floyd, who is executive director of Friends of

Santa Ana Zoo’s board of directors. Floyd chose a jungle print vest

and bow tie to compliment his tuxedo, also worn with short pants.

More than 400 zoo lovers converged upon the property, a major

contingent being Newport-Mesa residents. Answering the drum beat of

the jungle were guests including the David Bowers, the Jim Herkimers,

the Donald Thompsons, the Richard Byes, June Adams, Marjorie

Phillips, Elinor Schmiet, Mary Koenig, and Miki Young. The president

of the zoo board, Curtis Farrell, a former Lido Isle resident,

commented, “I got involved with the zoo because I have four children,

and this was one organization without politics involved.”

Farrell has served on the zoo board for more than 10 years and has recently become the president.

“I feel that my involvement with the zoo makes a difference and I

can see the results. Working with this board gives me a real

appreciation for what it takes to make a small organization thrive.”

Farrell added, “One hundred thousand people go up and down the

freeway everyday passing by the zoo without even knowing that it

exists. We are a community jewel, and part of our job is to get the

word out.”

Newport’s philanthropic couple Peggy Goldwater and Bob Clay joined

in the fun participating in the massive silent and live auction and

enjoying the dinner of filet and swordfish served to patrons by the

caterer, Panache, under the stars of a summer night in Prentice Park.

The band played on into the night as the full moon pulled the crowd

onto the dance floor. By the end of the evening, an impressive

$110,000 was raised, and the jungle juice was still flowing. Funds

raised will support numerous programs of improvement as well as

education and recreation for young people experiencing this special

20-acre zoological garden with more than 200 rare and exotic animals

making their home in the heart of Orange County.

Newport’s Pat Neisser, a celebrated travel authority said, “I’ve

traveled all over the world to see marvelous animals, and all I

really had to do was travel down the [Santa Ana] Freeway for a few

miles to this wonderful place.”

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.