Local scholars get their rewards

B.W. COOK

It is one of the most distinguished organizations in Orange County,

dedicated to providing opportunity for future generations.

Achievement Rewards for College Scientists recently inaugurated its

fall 2004 lecture series, which is named for the late scientist

Arnold O. Beckman.

The fall science lecture debuted with a very special dinner at the

Beckman Center at the UC Irvine, welcoming Nobel Laureate James D.

Watson who delivered the inaugural address.

The lecture series was launched in honor of Beckman, who passed

away in May. His daughter Patricia Beckman, founding president of the

Orange County chapter, made opening remarks in tribute to her

respected father. UC Irvine Chancellor Ralph Cicerone introduced

Watson, whose subject was “DNA ... 50 Years Ago And Now.” Watson is

credited with discovering the structure of DNA and many of Arnold

Beckman’s inventions were considered vital contributions to Watson’s

work with scientist Francis Crick.

Linda Elftmann chaired the dinner celebration with support from

chapter president Sue Alexopoulos and Diana Atkins, Mary Lou Furnas

and France Campbell. Also on hand for the event were Mary Davis (the

former national president of the organization), Terri Carr, James and

Janet Ray, Martha Unickel, Robert and Margaret Sprague, Jack and

Suzanne Peltason, Doug McCrea, Ralph Cygan, Bill Parker and Firoozeh

Dumas.

The Orange County chapter of Achievement Rewards for College

Scientists has raised and donated $490,500 toward 44 scholar years at

UC Irvine. The inaugural science lecture raised more than $46,000

toward scholarships in the 2005-06 academic year. The chapter will

hold its fifth annual scholar awards dinner on Jan. 28, 2005.

For more information on the organization, please contact public

relations chair Janis Carpenter at ejcarp@aol.com.

Broadway and television star Hal Linden graced the stage at the

Balboa Bay Club & Resort in Newport Beach, headlining the 10th

anniversary “Monte Carlo” benefit to support a men’s organization

known as the Roosters.

Seven Orange County children’s charities will share in the revenue

from the sold-out event, which attracted a black-tie crowd with local

TV anchor Ed Arnold serving as master of ceremonies.

“Our goal is to raise more than $300,000 to help disadvantaged

children in Orange County,” Roosters President Jim Rose said.

The charities included are: The Brain Injury Foundation, Concept

7, Friendly Center, Newport Beach Theatre Company, Southern

California Children’s Chorus, StandUp For Kids and the Roosters’ own

holiday food drive.

The Roosters are a 27-year-old volunteer organization comprised of

100 local businessmen dedicated to helping kids. Its major annual

“Monte Carlo” event, featuring top Hollywood entertainment, was

started by Rooster Gary Draper 10 years ago. Draper chaired the event

once again at the Bay Club with Reps. Chris Cox and Loretta Sanchez

serving as honorary chairpersons for the evening. To find out more

about the work of the Roosters, please contact Whit Kenerson at (949)

464-2034.

The Hyatt Newporter will be the setting for a new holiday event

founded and organized by local activist Julie David’s new

organization, A Charity for Charities. “Holidazzle” will unfold Dec.

10 to 11, benefiting Childhelp USA and Special Olympics Orange

County.

David’s idea was to bring together people of diverse religious

traditions and ethnic origin to share holiday traditions and culture.

She enlisted the services of show director John Vaughan, who has been

the man behind the Children’s Hospital of Orange County Follies for

the past decade working with Gloria Zigner, to create a show that

will feature everything from dancing snowmen to Hebrew bottle

dancers. For more information or to purchase tickets for

“Holidazzle,” please call (949) 361-6563, or log onto

https://www.acharityfor

charities.org.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.