THE CROWD:Zoofari raises funds for giant anteaters exhibit

At most Newport-Mesa social events the arriving guests are greeted by very attractive women serving as hostesses prepared to present table assignments and other pertinent paraphernalia.

Last Saturday evening in Santa Ana the arriving crowd was greeted by a chicken, an iguana, a parrot and a snake.

It was Zoofari 2007, the super fun adult’s night at the Santa Ana Zoo helping to bring in the bucks to take care of God’s little creatures.

The annual Zoofari was labeled “Tango in the Tall Grass,” and was presented by an organization known as Friends of the Santa Ana Zoo.

The party attracted nearly 400 guests and it is estimated it will raise nearly $80,000 net with proceeds earmarked to benefit a new habitat for the giant anteater’s exhibit.

The annual end-of-summer party in Orange County returned for its 15th year under the stars. Joyce Glazier chaired the massive Zoofari, which paid tribute to dedicated zoo supporters Roseanne Bye and her husband Richard Bye.

Roseanne is the past board president of Friends of the Santa Ana Zoo.

As Tom Thumb and the Hitchhikers played the first tango dance of the evening in keeping with the theme, Roseanne and Richard tripped the light fantastic to the delight of the crowd.

The event was attended by countless local dignitaries and political movers and shakers.

State Assemblyman and former Santa Ana Councilman Jose Solario was also honored for his support of the zoo.

Special guests of honor were actress Tippi Hedren, owner of the Shambala Big Cat Animal Preserve, and seven-time Emmy winner Ed Asner, perhaps best known for his role on the former “Mary Tyler More Show.”

Also in the crowd were Gerardo Mouet, Claudia Alvarez, David Benavides, Carlos Bustamante, Michele Martinez, Sal Tinerjo, Dave Ream, and Joe Fletcher.

Cathi Decker, executive director of Friends of the Santa Ana Zoo, was front and center with major donors Barbara and David Dostal, Peggy Butler, Karen Baldwin and Wanda Baldwin of Villa Ford, honored as the most generous zoo sponsors in the history of the organization.

Over the past 14 years, the Zoofari fundraiser has contributed more than $1 million to the zoo.

The annual evening is a chance for donors to get together to celebrate a 55-year Orange County community treasure.

Founded in 1952, the Santa Ana Zoo has served generations of families in the county.

The facility has taken on an emphasis of South American species, housing multiple varieties of monkeys and other species native to the particular terrain.

In recent years a magnificent aviary was created as a habitat for rare birds.

Soon, a pair of giant anteaters will make their home at the Santa Ana Zoo in an exhibit to be called “Tierra de las Pampas” which roughly translated means “land of the grasses.”

The party began at sundown with cocktails being served to guests attired in everything from black tie to “great white hunter on safari” outfits — men dressed in tuxedo jackets, shorts and hiking boots. Ladies wore plenty of animal prints. A massive silent auction featuring merchandise galore donated by countless merchants attracted active bidding.

In between raising the ante, guests hopped onto the zoo train for a visit to the various habitats which are home to all of the zoo creatures.

Among the generous train travelers were Newport’s Debbie and Tom Newmeyer, Vanessa Anderson, Curtis Farrell, Debbie Friedman, Kelly Gonis, Peggy Goldwater and Bob Clay, Penny Fox, Patricia McClendon, Susan Becker, Pam Weston, and Donna Kemper.

Auctioneer Chuck Dryer hosted the affair and led the live auction, which included fabulous travel opportunities from a host of donors including Aloha Airlines, Holland American Cruise Lines, South Coast Plaza and more.