Zoo supporters party down on the farm

B.W. COOK

It began with a sunset VIP champagne reception hosted by Volare

Trattoria at the Crean Family Farm.

Well-dressed patrons, showing off a little summer black tie,

mingled with the animals in the Crean petting zoo, part of a new

interactive exhibit at the Santa Ana Zoo. As the Grey Eagle Band

played on -- everything had to be animal themed -- ladies in summer

gowns bent over to pet the goats, tickle the chickens and even hug a

llama or two. Faux diamonds and real fur ... that’s how Zoofari 2004

came to life last Saturday night on the Orange Coast.

Publicity chair Debbie Newmeyer, a dedicated Newport gal who has

served the zoo for a number of years helping to raise significant

sums, brought out the local crowd to mix and mingle with plenty of

creatures and a host of celebs. The gorgeous movie star of Alfred

Hitchcock’s classic “The Birds,” Tippi Hedren, was front and center

for the sake of the “fur people,” otherwise known as animals. Hedren

has been a visible supporter of the zoo, lending her celeb status to

many humanitarian, environmental and conservation causes. Joined by

Margaret O’Brian, the star of “Little Women,” “The Secret Garden” and

“Meet Me In St. Louis,” and Rose Marie, best known as blond sidekick

Sally Rogers on “The Dick Van Dyke Show,” the crowd didn’t know

whether to people-watch or animal-watch.

The opening reception gave way to a massive dinner, served al

fresco on the zoo grounds and catered by a host of local restaurants.

The Sundried Tomato Cafe, Memphis Cafe, Jason’s Catered Events, the

Revere House, Volare Trattoria, Whole Foods Market, Country Garden

Caterers and Gallo Wines were among the primary donors.

Sazoo, the Santa Ana Zoo’s official “Monkey Mascot,” was on hand

to celebrate its first birthday at the zoo with his Newport-Mesa

friends. Sazoo first appeared at last year’s Zoofari and made quite

the impression. As guests dined and danced to Tom Thumb and the

Hitchhikers -- OK, not very animal-themed -- O.C. auctioneer Charles

Dryer worked a little magic to raise funds from the crowd of some 400

guests.

The summer evening at the zoo was chaired with style by Roseanne

Bye and Charles Rosson. John Floyd, the executive director of the

Friends of the Santa Ana Zoo, was on hand, as was Zoo Board President

Curtis Farrell. The super-dedicated committee included Deborah Cook,

Cathi Decker, Suzi Furjanic, Ron Glazier, Scot Hansen, Kevin Jackson,

Margie Martinez, Monica McDade, Elizabeth Olivo, Melissa Ramirez, Rip

Ribble, Anita Roach, Connie Sweet and Kent Yamaguchi.

Funds raised from the $150 tickets and auction proceeds will

benefit development of the Crean Family Farm at the Santa Ana Zoo.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.