Amber opening at Chateau Samara
The Newport Beach Arts Foundation, led by the dynamic Karen
Butera, is preparing the final touches for the much-anticipated gala
opening night (Nov. 8) of Chateau Samara at Pelican Hill.
Butera, an internationally renowned designer with a roster of
celebrity projects and clients, has teamed up with developer and
visionary Askar Karabayev, an American immigrant from Kazakhstan in
central Asia, to create a California interpretation of a Russian
villa using the semi-precious stone amber in custom treatments
throughout the spectacular residence.
The use of amber was the choice of the Royal Russian Dynasty
before the Communist Revolution. The Amber Room in the palace of
Catherine the Great was removed during World War II and has never
been found. The priceless wall panels have been the subject of great
speculation for more than 60 years.
Butera, Karabayev and a construction and architectural staff of
the most talented artisans on the West Coast will debut the Chateau
to the public as a benefit for The Newport Beach Arts Foundation. The
real estate and design world is clamoring to see the finished
project, which will be placed on the market in the $12 million price range.
Butera and her volunteer staff from the Arts Foundation are
pulling out all the stops to present a spectacular evening in a
remarkable estate. Those involved include honorary chair Jeanne
Jackson and hard working co-chairs Cindi Cheaney and Bill Gross,
along with a committee of local arts patrons: Michelle Jefcoat,
Claudia Morehead, Annie Morgan, Roberta Cathi, Nancy Petterson, Eve
Foussard, Toni Tartamella, Cathy Michaels, Jan Dee and Lido’s lovely
Lyn Belasco .
The cocktail reception, home and grounds tour will be topped off
by entertainment from Jerry Mandel, president of The Orange County
Performing Arts Center. Spectacular amber jewelry will be on display
provided by Jewels by Joseph. Proceeds from the evening will benefit
The Newport Beach Arts Foundation, which is a funding arm of the
Newport Beach Arts Commission, a public body that presents free
events for all ages of Newport citizens throughout the year.
Tickets to the VIP opening night reception are available at $100
per person and may be reserved by calling Cindi Cheaney at (949)
472-1420. In addition, the residence will be open for a home and
grounds tour throughout the weekend.
DUCKY DERBY
The Children’s Bureau of Southern California, celebrating 95 years
of adoption services and preventing child abuse and neglect, invited
the Newport-Mesa community to what has become an annual family event
on the Orange Coast. More than 4,000 guests converged upon Wild
Rivers Water Park in Irvine to celebrate the Mighty Rubber Ducky
Derby.
The attire was swimsuits and flip-flops, the food was picnic
style, provided by generous local restaurants and vendors, from the
In N’ Out burger van to Newport’s Villa Nova Restaurant.
The day at the water park revolved around a rubber ducky race. An
impressive 12,500 faux-feathered friends, bought by patrons, were set
free in the park’s man-made river heading downstream to the finish
line.
The event was the brainchild of Donna Crean and her husband, John,
two of the region’s most philanthropic people. The Children’s Bureau
has been a pet project of Donna Crean for many years. She was active
in the organization when the family lived in Beverly Hills. Crean is
credited with founding the Orange County Bureau. She has made a great
difference to countless children and families in this region. Several
years ago, with the inauguration of The Rubber Ducky Derby, the
Creans donated a classic black and silver two-toned Rolls Royce
Silver Shadow as the grand prize for the winning duck. The prizes
since have been equally lavish.
This year’s organizers included Eve Kornyei, Kathleen Duffy, Temre
Vouga, David Thiel, Heidi Miller, Lana Chandler, Phil Beukema, Royal
Radtke and Lisa Fujimoto. By the end of the day, more than $118,000
was raised for The Children’s Bureau.
* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.
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