Celebrating the individual voice in the arts

On this Thanksgiving Day, kindly take a moment to contemplate the

significance of the individual voice in our society and the

potentially tremendous effect that voice can have for the common

good.

The importance of the individual is the true essence of the

American paradigm. And it is this view of life, almost above all

other American ideals, which separates us from many civilizations

past and present.

On this Thanksgiving Day, let us celebrate the bonds of family,

friendship, community and the voices of good that make us who we are,

and who we wish to be.

This week in Newport-Mesa, a number of such voices joined forces

near Fashion Island for the Orange County Business Committee for the

Arts Awards. The 21st annual event, which recognizes community

business leaders and their contribution to local culture, began with

a reception at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel, followed by the

presentation of honors and concluding with a jovial holiday meal at

the Ritz Restaurant.

As in years past, the celebration was fronted by N. Christian

Anderson III, chairman of the Orange County Business Committee for

the Arts, which is a chapter of a national body guided by Newport’s

distinguished merchant/community activist Henry Segerstrom.

Founding director of the Orange County organization Betty Moss, a

former network news anchor, wife, mother and community leader, said,

“We have a mission to promote and stimulate the arts vis a vis

support from the business community. We help to foster partnerships

and develop bonds, bridges, if you will, between two distinct and

very different aspects of our society. The result of this commitment

translates into the building of strong community ties.”

In a very special tribute to another community voice that has had

a tremendous effect, Moss presented a special recognition award to

committee founder David S. Tappan Jr.

Tappan is the former chairman and chief executive of the Fluor

Corporation, founder of the local arts committee chapter and also

board member of the national arts committee.

Moss said Tappan “envisioned that these same concepts of corporate

involvement and partnership with the arts would enhance Orange County

and nurture this rapidly growing area where the Fluor Corporation

chose to create its world headquarters.”

She reminded the assemblage that Tappan’s vision began more than

two decades ago, before the Orange County Performing Arts Center

existed, before the Newport Harbor Art Museum and other institutions

became significant local cultural landmarks. Tappan and his wife,

Jeanne, were noticeably moved by the recognition and the generous

applause of their peers.

From the past to the present, the torch of leadership has been

transferred to a new community leader, Paul Folino.

An Orange County business leader and native of Washington, Folino

began his career with Boeing, moved on to Xerox, Crown Zellerbach,

Thomas-Conrad Corp. and then Emulex Corp., coming to Orange County in

1993. In nine years, Emulex and Folino have risen astoundingly, with

Emulex being named the No. 1 performing public stock in Orange County

in the 1990s.

Today, Folino and his wife, Daranne, have made a visible

commitment to Orange County culture. The couple was honored at the

opening of the Folino Theatre Complex at South Coast Repertory. A

$10-million gift from the Folinos, the largest gift in SCR history,

helped to underwrite the expansion.

Additionally, Folino has taken the leadership reins of the Orange

County Performing Arts Center’s board, leading the organization into

2003.

Folino, Anderson, Tappan and Moss led the presentation of awards

to a host of leading community businesses.

Included in the 2002 awards were: Cartier Inc.; Haskell and White

LLP; Noelle Corporate Communications; Salvatore Ferragamo; Bank of

America; Mervyn’s; Target; Narratus Inc.; KPMG LLP.; Latham and

Watkins; the Los Angeles Times, Orange County Edition; McLarand

Vasquez Emsiek and Partners; Boeing; and Wells Fargo.

The traditional awards dinner at The Ritz was once again a special

time for honorees and guests to take a breath and enjoy the

camaraderie. The new owner of The Ritz, Fred Glusman of Piero’s and

Piero’s Trattoria in Las Vegas, hosted the evening with generosity

and style, in keeping with the legacy of his predecessor, Hans

Prager.

Prager was in the crowd with wife Charlene enjoying his guest

status, waxing nostalgic and accepting kind words from many friends.

Glusman and staff served the Ritz seafood martini, wild mushroom

cappuccino soup and a tournedo of filet mignon as an entree. The

crowd raved over the dinner and the dessert of warm pear cheesecake.

Among the distinguished guests were Bank of America’s Chris Frank,

Nancy Lurwig representing Boeing, Caroline Jones of Cartier, Jim and

Lynne Doti, Don and Dorothy Kennedy, Fluor Chief Financial Officer

Michael Steuert and guest Debbi Jablonski, Hanford Hotel’s Don and

Felicity Sodaro of Lido Isle, Steve and Lori Haskell, Debra Gunn and

Roger Downing, Dean and Terri Samsuick, Carol and Bob Bonner, Christi

Gorden with John Ray, Barbara Kenady of Northern Trust, Chris and

Julie Shulz, Bill and Pat Podlich, and Ralph Cicerone, chancellor of

UC Irvine.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.