Olympic skater draws TV crew to O.C.

U.S. Olympic skater Sasha Cohen was in Newport this week taping an interview for the “Today Show” set to be aired sometime during the upcoming Winter Olympics. NBC “Today Show” national correspondent Jamie Gangel jetted in from New York to sit down with Sasha to discuss her life and her career on ice.

Cohen has captured worldwide attention for her exceptional skating skills and her personal grace. NBC producer Kerry Byrnes also came out of New York with a major crew to record the up-closeand-personal session with Cohen.

Newport’s first couple, John and Donna Crean, will once again host Super Bowl XL at their Back Bay estate, known as the Village Crean. Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 5, with John and Donna is better than sitting on the 50 yard line at the stadium. It is a day of good friends gathering around for the big game, which will be catered by In-N-Out along with a barbecued hot dog station, a pasta and salad bar, and a major dessert station.

Big screens will be set up around the Crean estate in various locations for comfortable football viewing. It’s all for an organization known as the Children’s Bureau, which is one of Donna Crean’s most cherished charitable endeavors.

For ticket information and reservations for the game, call (714) 517-1900, ext. 213.

Newport hostess Marsha Orlin is joining forces with friend Bette Bloom to create a local business that will be called Orlinbloom Events. The dynamic duo plan to bring plenty of style and lots of energy to O.C. parties for charity, business, social and personal pursuits. This item is ripped from the television script of a recent episode of “The O.C.,” but I think Marsha and Bette thought of it first. Check out their website.

The Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club has been in the news this week, named the 2005 yacht club of the year by the Southern California Yachting Assn. Bahia Corinthian scored the most competitive wins in 2005 in races from Santa Barbara to San Diego.

Pat Dwight announced that the club will host the 17th annual Women’s Sailing Convention on Feb. 4.

“The convention will draw sailors from a wide spectrum of generations and backgrounds sharing their knowledge and skills in the lifestyle of yachting,” Dwight said.

Organizers at Bahia Corinthian are planning a busy day of workshops.

“We will offer some new areas of inspiration and instruction along with excellent networking opportunities,” added Gail Hine, event producer and director.

For more information on the Women’s Sailing Convention, call Hine at (951) 677-8121 or e-mail her at [email protected].

* THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.

20060121gzf7uqke(LA)20060121itf5ionc(LA)Jamie Gangel, NBC “Today Show” correspondent, interviews Sasha Cohen, left, this week in Newport Beach.