The Crowd: USC-UCLA football rivalry with a cause
College football in SoCal is a major element of local culture and entertainment. The big rivals are, of course, USC and UCLA. Last week in Newport Beach that rivalry was put to good use as the 2015-16 season literally kicked off.
Steve Craig, real estate developer and shopping center mogul, opened his handsome Newport Coast estate for a group called Kure It Cancer Research. The organization fundraises annually through the Rivals United for a Kure Gala, which this year will take place Nov. 22 at City Club, Los Angeles.
It’s all about supporting cancer research at both USC Norris and UCLA Jonsson cancer centers. In 2014, Kure It Cancer Research, in its fourth year, granted both centers a total of $500,000 and pledged an additional half million this year in support.
Funds are earmarked to support research specifically in underfunded cancer studies which do not receive the money or the attention of the larger issues.
The recent cocktail reception at the Craig mansion welcomed some 75 guests led by organization founder Barry Hoeven of Corona del Mar who joined forces with former USC and NFL football player Paul McDonald of Newport Beach and Ray Bustamante who will chair the upcoming November gala.
The crowd sampled hors d’ oeuvres catered by Jim and Julie Ann Ulcickas of Bluewater Grill with libations provided by Mintie Wines and Spirits and Blue Ice Vodka courtesy of John Agamalian.
A highlight of the event were speakers from both Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center and UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center. Representing USC was Jane Figueiredo, PhD, assistant professor of preventative medicine and David Shackleford, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at UCLA Jonsson.
Figueiredo addressed the crowd on colorectal, gall bladder, liver and bile duct cancers while Shackleford concentrated on therapies for lung cancer.
Many, if not all, guests in attendance have been affected by cancer. Clearly, there was no “rivalry” on the cancer front. Staunch USC and UCLA supporters were united, if only on one serious level, at the outset of the 2015-16 football season.
To learn more visit RivalsUnitedforaKure.org.
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‘No Kid Hungry’
National Cheeseburger Day is coming Sept. 19. For me, this is almost as exciting as New Year’s Day. I say set off fireworks for the perfect cheeseburger.
The Habit restaurants, in great all-American spirit, and recognizing the serious plight of childhood hunger in our prosperous nation, announces a partnership with the “No Kid Hungry” campaign, a nationwide program to combat childhood hunger.
“No Kid” reports that one in five kids in the USA cannot count on their next meal. An outrageous statistic in our BMW-driving world of excess.
Here’s how the campaign will work. Habit restaurants numbering 120 nationwide, including right here in the O.C., will encourage guests to make a $2 donation at the register and in turn receive a certificate for a complimentary charburger with cheese on a future visit through Oct. 14. The campaign runs through Sept. 30.
The Habit Burger Grill is an Irvine based company. Russ Bendel, CEO, offered, “Since 2010, The Habit has partnered with ‘No Kid Hungry’ donating 100% of the proceeds from numerous store opening events. We are humbled to take this effort to the next level and help keep our nation’s children healthy.”
The “No Kid Hungry” campaign is part of the larger “Share Our Strength” organization based in Washington D.C. To learn more, visit NoKidHungry.org.
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The Latest SPIN
Elizabeth An and Soogie Kang held yet another series of high-powered luncheon and dinner events last week in advance of the Oct. 3 SPIN (Serving People In Need) gala to be held at AnQi South Coast Plaza.
The duo is working 24-7 to create what will be the social event of the season with the objective of reaching out to greater OC to tell the community about the incredible work of a small nonprofit agency that has been changing lives one family at a time for more than 27 years.
“This is a step by step, person to person effort to bring influential OC citizens into the organization” offered An, the indefatigable local O.C. and L.A. restaurateur. An and Kang welcomed an impressive roster of local support helping to underwrite the gala in an effort to throw a party without the usual focus on money.
“We are deeply humbled and enormously grateful for your love and support. Together we will take SPIN to the next level,” she said.
Among the local VIPs joining the team were Adrienne Brandes, Vicki Booth, Victoria Cacciamatta, Grace Chen, Lili Daftarian, Ishani Dillon, Heather Dubrow, Lisa Heil, Betty Huang, Britt Meyer, Janet Nolet, Nina Phillips, Kik Tran and Elizabeth Segerstrom to name only a few.
Piaget, South Coast Plaza, has graciously stepped up as presenting sponsor of the gala offering a spectacular 3.85 karat diamond ring valued at more than $20,000 as an opportunity prize. SPIN committee members are selling only 200 tickets at $500 each with the goal of raising significant dollars for SPIN. To purchase a ticket go to SPINOC.org.
Meanwhile, invitations to the gala, which will feature incomparable food and wine, Hollywood celebrity entertainment headlined by Grammy winner Macy Gray and hosting in the hands of TV stars Alan Thicke, Terrance Howard from “Empire” and NBC 4 community reporter Randy Mac, will be in the mail this week.
Riviera Magazine, soon to be rebranded as Modern Luxury, with L.A. publisher Chris Gialanella will serve as media sponsor of the party which will honor “Pillars of SPIN” who have made the organization strong for three decades.
THE CROWD runs Fridays. B.W. Cook is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.
