The Crowd: Jeb Bush meets with area supporters
His poll numbers don’t seem to be an indication of his popularity among mainstream Republicans. Jeb Bush came into Newport Beach last week for a fundraising reception among many who would select him as their candidate for the Republican ticket in 2016.
The Monday evening gathering was hosted by Andrew and Karen Littlefair, opening their Lido Isle bayfront estate to some 110 invited guests contributing the maximum federal allowable limit of $2,700.00 to the Bush campaign.
In spite of such lucrative campaign stops, the extreme costs of a presidential run brought the announcement post Littlefair gathering that the Bush campaign was cutting costs, laying off staffers, and tightening its belt for the long 12 months ahead to election day. Fundraising among the large field of Republican candidates dilutes the take necessary to fund the media blitz and extensive travel required to reach the mass public. Low poll numbers do not help.
Bush arrived with the obligatory entourage of staff and security spending a few private moments with long-time friends and supporters including former Ambassador to Spain under George W. Bush, George Argyros and his wife Julia and daughter Lisa Argyros. Pamela Pickens, daughter of energy billionaire T Boone Pickens, joined Ninetta and Gavin Herbert Sr., Sandy and Dale Dykenna, Willa Dean and William Lyon, Nick Sinatra, Jeffrey Frieden, Brenda and Chris St. Hilaire, Laurie and Glenn Welling, Rob Bonner and Dan Debicella greeting the candidate.
Andrew Littlefair, president and CEO of Clear Energy Fuels Corporation, a Newport Beach based concern, welcomed Bush introducing him to the crowd. His address was brief, emphasizing experience, fiscal responsibility, smaller government, and a modern and inclusive conservative approach to uplifting American society across the economic board.
“Do you want a president who uplifts citizens believing that America is still the greatest nation in the modern era, or do you want a president who believes our best days are behind us?” Bush asked his supporters. He went on to discuss America’s current policies in the Middle East, specifically in regard to the Syrian refugee crisis and the handling of the Isis threat and Russian involvement.
“America must lead the world based on values and morals that define our democracy. We cannot turn our backs on people suffering tyranny,” he said in reference to the refugee crisis in Syria. “Our word on the international arena must be our bond.”
Following his address, the candidate took time to greet many of his donors/supporters. Cathy and Jeffrey McIndoo, Bob O’Hill, Henry Walker, Gary Gray, Bob Tuttle, Brad Freeman, Stephanie and Jeff Harrelson and Mindy and Glenn Stearns were among the guests having the opportunity to get up close and personal with the candidate.
Host Littlefair commented, “When speaking on the economy, Bush was very strong that we need to get the economy growing through policies that will strengthen growth and get many millions more Americans in the game.”
Also in attendance were the Littlefair’s sons Drew, a recent college graduate and an insurance executive with Hub, and younger brother James, a senior at Georgetown University who has been actively involved in Republican politics, working summers for former Speaker John Boehner and other national figures.
Another young man from Lido Isle, also a Georgetown University student, Charles Giannini, son of Linda and Valerio Giannini of Newport Beach and New York City, is currently volunteering for the Bush campaign and working in Florida for the candidate before entering law school.
Both young men follow family tradition. Andrew Littlefair as a young man worked for the Reagan administration, and Valerio Giannini was involved with the Nixon presidency.
Following the candidate’s departure the Littlefair guests talked politics over supper catered by Annie Morgan of Newport Beach. Wines were provided by Christine and Dennis Overstreet, owners of The Beverly Hills Wine Merchant and The Dock Restaurant, Newport Beach.
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OC Angels At Work
They did it again, for the 14th time. The Angelitos de Oro, an auxiliary of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County held its annual shopping card fundraiser in conjunction with South Coast Plaza merchants and dining rooms from Oct. 7 to 13. The card concept has been a major winner for the charity and a draw as well for business at South Coast Plaza.
Some 115 stores and restaurants honor the Angelitos card during the October week offering shoppers a 20% discount off regularly priced merchandise and menus. The card sells for $60 in advance by dedicated Angelitos docents as well as plaza concierge stations and on-line sites.
All proceeds from the card benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters. To date, more than $5 million has been raised by Angelitos since its inception in 1961 with a significant portion coming from the sale of the card over the last 14 years.
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A Big Weekend For Beer
The first annual Craft Brew Fest held at A & O Kitchen + Bar, Balboa Bay Resort Friday evening Oct. 16 was a sellout. The five-course dinner created by Executive Chef Rachael Haggstrom has the beer loving crowd raving over the creativity, originality and taste.
From the white bass sashimi and geoduck to the braised lamb bastille served with “forbidden puffed rice,” the beer tasting featuring Ballast Point will be the first in a series of brew fest dinners to make their mark on the Orange Coast. The fest continued all weekend long with a Saturday garden festival luncheon followed by a Sunday morning “beer for breakfast” al la carte brunch.
THE CROWD runs Fridays. B.W. Cook is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.
