Hitting the cinema in support of Hoag

Michael Douglas and Albert Brooks did not make the screening of “The

In-Laws” last week in Newport Beach, but the rest of the town turned

out in support of Hoag Hospital.

It was the annual 552 Club Movie Screening. More than 1,000 locals

went to the movies, raising a record $140,000 for Hoag --

specifically earmarked for the Hoag Women’s Pavilion. The new

facility is scheduled to open in 2005 adjacent to Hoag Hospital.

“Once again, the community has helped make this event a huge

success,” event co-chair Jim Edwards said.

The Hoag 552 Screening began under the Edwards umbrella years ago,

before the sale of the theater chain to Regal Cinema.

Edwards’ wife, Patti, and former Costa Mesa Police Chief Dave

Snowden joined in the organizing duties, rallying underwriting

support from local citizens Jerry and Maralou Harrington, Wally

Schroeder, Janet Bemont, Bill Brown, Thomas and Arrabelle Brown,

Richard and Lynette Berg, Ruth and Arnold Feuerstein, and Rosemary

and Bill Brown, to name a few.

Corporate underwriting for the event came from KIA Motors America,

Greater Newport Physicians and McCarthy Construction.

The $140,000 raised this year brings the tally for the movie event

to more than $800,000 since its debut in 1988.

A great part of the success belongs to local restaurants that

donated their food, turning the Big Edwards Fashion Island parking

lot into a classy state fair atmosphere.

Before the movie screening of “The In-Laws,” a strolling culinary

extravaganza was presented to guests. Britta’s Cafe, Panini, Clayton

Shurley’s Real BBQ, Four Seasons, Muldoon’s Irish Pub, Newport Rib

Co., Royal Thai Cuisine, Roy’s, Sabatino’s Lido Sausage Co. and many

more put their best foot forward treating the moviegoers to sunset

supper.

As in other years, a live auction got the crowd warmed up for the

film, bringing in $13,000 for the Hoag Women’s Pavilion.

The midweek night at the movies brought out local families for an

event that could be enjoyed by all. The film opened nationwide two

days later.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.