Sampling wine for charity

B.W. COOK

It was a wine lover’s nirvana, with more than 400 Newport-Mesa guests

pouring into the Sutton Place Hotel for a world-class wine tasting

experience put on by the Napa Valley Vintners Assn.

The evening sponsored by some 100 vintners supported the 50th

anniversary of the Boys & Girls Club. Some called it drinking for a

very good cause.

Funny how charity events often seem somewhat in conflict with the

occasion. You know what I mean lavish dinners in support of the

homeless, wine tasting for wholesome kids’ charities and so forth.

Yet the bottom line is what’s important. Frankly, when it’s good for

the community, or some segment of the community, the end often

justifies the means.

This was certainly the case of the vintner’s reception. What began

as a small and intimate reception turned into a tour de force event

for wine lovers, benefiting children via the Boys & Girls Club

programs. We know just how valuable these clubs are to community

neighborhoods affording children healthy outlets helping them to grow

into good young citizens.

In the crowd were Wahoo’s partner Wing Lam, restaurateur Paul

Fleming of Fleming’s and PF Chang fame, Newport Coast’s Chef Jamie

Given, Sarah Gillman and Daniel Amen. Celeb wine authority Anthony

Dias Blue conducted a private tasting that was the place to be and to

be seen. The big-ticket item at the wine auction was not one, but two

bottles of 1999 Screaming Eagle Cabernet valued at more than $1,000

per bottle. They call Screaming Eagle a “cult wine,” and it’s a prize

among wine connoisseurs. The next time you enroll your child in a

Boys & Girls Club activity, just remember that it is brought to you,

in part, by “Screaming Eagle.” It’s all good.

In other local society news, the Navigators, a parents group in

support of Newport Harbor High School, is putting the finishing

touches on its annual gala set for March 13 at the Balboa Bay Club

and Resort, Newport Beach. Organizers have set a goal of raising

$100,000 that will benefit the school providing much-needed new

textbooks. Newport Harbor is in need of books for Spanish, algebra,

physiology, trigonometry, pre-calculus, economics, literature,

English, anatomy and physical science.

It is a sad commentary that a local high school, recognized as a

Blue Ribbon School, does not have adequate textbooks. Diana Long,

executive director of the Newport Harbor Educational Foundation,

said, “We have established our financial goals for this fundraiser

higher than ever in order to provide for a variety of needs at

Newport Harbor.”

In addition to funding textbook purchases, Long shared that funds

raised by the Navigators also help to finance three academic

academies at the school as well as to provide teacher’s salaries and

funds for the AVID program, a college preparatory program benefiting

many students. These programs receive no funding from the state or

federal government.

Long also reports that funds from the California Lottery represent

only 1.8% of the district’s annual budget. Consequently, there is no

excess funding for special programs. Chairs of the upcoming gala are

still looking for sponsor donations as well as items for the silent

auction and community participation at the event. To support the

school, call Long at (949) 515-6365.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.