Braving the wilds of Santa Ana for Zoofari

Lions and tigers and bears -- they all came, along with about 400

guests, to do a little “Jammin’ in the Jungle” at Zoofari 2005.

The annual event at the Santa Ana Zoo -- chaired by Roseanne Bye

-- was an enormous success, raising more than $142,000 to benefit and

beautify the treasured zoo. As in years past, the Newport Mesa crowd

was front and center for the summer celebration, enjoying what was

certainly a lively evening under the stars with God’s creatures,

cared for by a bunch of human beings without fur coats.

As guests arrived at the Saturday night Zoofari, wearing black-tie

or jungle-boogie clothing or both, they were greeted by Feedback the

giant green Amazon parrot. If you ask why the parrot’s name is

Feedback, the answer should be obvious -- he speaks to you what you

speak to him.

Next, zoo handlers and docents approached with snakes wrapped

around their necks and arms and giant centipedes in hand to add a

touch of authentic jungle atmosphere.

After saying hello to Mr. Snake, it was time for a drink. The

signature drink of the night was the Voka Zootini, provided at an

open bar underwritten by 400-year-old Vox Vodka.

With Zootini in hand and snakes only a brief distant memory away,

the Zoofari crowd was ushered to the ultimate photo opportunity with

Thai the elephant. Couples posed with Thai, with more than one female

jumping into the arms of her husband or date because Thai’s trunk was

what you might call roving.

For some reason, Thai just couldn’t get enough of his female

friends visiting the zoo.

No harm done. The elephant goosing was just the beginning of the

fun. From the photo opportunity, the crowd entered a carnival

atmosphere where organizers had hired tattoo artists, tarot card

readers, palm predictors and every variety of soothsayer to tell all

the beautiful people that they will live forever, fall in hysterical

mad love, and win the lottery.

The lines went around the lion cages for instant wash-away tattoos

and palm readings that predicted the perfect life. All the while,

docents were conducting wonderful twilight tours of the zoo grounds

as the delightful array of animals watched the human parade go by.

The dedicated Zoofari committee -- including Peggy Butler, Devon

Dougherty, Debbie Newmeyer, Ron Glazier, Rip Ribble, Dave Wachtel,

Martha Lesak, Curtis Farrell and Ruth Ann, to name only a few -- put

together an impressive silent auction that tantalized the crowd. The

auction brought in approximately $23,000, thanks to a long list of

generous local vendors providing merchandise, dining and travel

opportunities.

Later, a live auction led by Charles Dryer, who also served as

master of ceremonies for the evening, attracted an additional $44,000

for the zoo.

This year, a catered sit-down dinner was served al fresco by

Parties by Panache. Partygoers were served a combination of roast

salmon and teriyaki tri-tip. An exotic jungle salad featured papaya

and hearts of palm. For dessert, a delicious creme brulee was served

beside a no-flour chocolate cake that was absolutely scrumptious.

After-dinner dancing under the stars lasted until the wee hours.

On the dance floor, Santa Ana Zoo mascot Sazoo -- a giant monkey --

was seen trying to cut in on many of the couples.

In the crowd was the evening’s special guest, actress and animal

activist Tippi Hedren. The evening’s special honorees and generous

donors included Cathy and Curtis Farrell -- the latter is president

of Friends of the Santa Ana Zoo. Also honored for her generosity and

dedication to animal welfare was Souri Amirani.

Additional generous sponsors and donors included Steve McGuigan,

Michelle Begen, Donna and Roger Swift, Paige and Jay Kunkle, Judy and

Dick Runels, Debbie Friedman, Daniel and Tina Glassman, Marjorie

Phillips, Wanda Baldwin, Peggy and Brian Butler, Karen Baldwin,

Dorothy and Donald Kennedy, and Dennis Doss.

Also spotted in the crowd were Newport’s Peggy Goldwater and Bob

Clay, Tom and Robin Umberg, Becky and Joe Fletcher, Carol and Dell

Stagg, Pat and Jill Mahony, Chris and Kathleen Edman, and Lucas and

Beth Saxe.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.