The Crowd: Tree lighting and giving - it’s holiday time
One million lights, 800 guests and a 20-foot Christmas tree adorned with sparkling balls welcomed the holiday season at the Balboa Bay Resort on Dec. 1.
The eighth annual tree-lighting ceremony was a gathering spot for the Newport-Mesa community, as three and four generations of local families converged on the porte-cochere of the bayfront property and the 70-piece Laguna Concert Band performed seasonal classics.
The hourlong holiday production was created by the Balboa Bay Club’s general manager, Malcolm Smith, and its director of events, Aaron Trent, working with associate Melanie Hertrick. The trio created a dazzling festival that began with Dicken’s Christmas carolers followed by operatic soloist Kim Salyer performing “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Finally, 10-year-old pop singing sensation Sydney Haik offered her rendition of “Let It Go,” from the Disney movie “Frozen.”
As Sydney hit her high notes dressed in silver sparkles, the stage began to elevate, taking the young singer more than 30 feet up. Snow machines positioned on both sides of the audience spewed white soap snow, and lighting designers projected flowing snowflakes on the walls of the club and hotel buildings.
Smith joined Chairman of the Board of Governors John Wortmann in emceeing the event, which ended with a countdown to the lighting of the tree and all of the adjacent buildings surrounding the property. At the perfect moment, Santa Claus appeared on the roof of the clubhouse and then magically reappeared in front of the crowd, passing out candy to the children. Dinner in the resort’s Bayview Room followed the ceremony.
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A Season For Giving
It is one of the year’s largest philanthropic luncheons, attended by nearly 1,000 patrons and honoring a multitude of philanthropic organizations.
National Philanthropy Day unfolded Nov. 19 at Hotel Irvine. The Orange County awards luncheon marked the 30th annual gathering of the Assn. of Fundraising Professionals, led by Newport Beach resident and founder Doug Freeman. Today the Orange County chapter is one of 241 organizations across the nation that celebrates a special day of philanthropy.
Freeman’s concept was brought to life in 1986. On the occasion of its 30th anniversary, Freeman was presented with a special Founders Award at the Orange County luncheon.
The undertaking was co-chaired by Mitchell Spann and Catherine Spear. The two were joined by Sheri Nazaroff, president of the Orange County Chapter of the fundraising association. Pat Poss, a dedicated Orange County philanthropist supporting many causes, served as honorary chair of the luncheon, which was led by mistress and master of ceremonies Maria Hall Brown and Rick Reiff, both from PBS SoCal.
Orange County leaders in attendance included Laguna Beach resident Donny Crevier, who received the organization’s Outstanding Philanthropist award. Crevier gifted each attendee a copy of the book “The Ultimate Gift,” which he said had inspired him to give back to the community.
The organization’s Legacy Award was presented to Sandy Segerstrom Daniels of the Newport Coast. Segerstrom Daniels was recognized in particular for her dedicated work with Festival of Children, which she founded. Other people recognized included S. Paul Musco, James Amato, Rusty Kennedy and Anika Ortiz. Corporate donors included FedEx, HKA Inc. Marketing Communications, KIA Motors America, and The Word & Brown Cos.
The highlight of National Philanthropy Day was an address by honoree Anika, a 12-year-old from Orange who launched a charity called Anika’s Pink Closet at the Mariposa Women & Family Center when she was only 11. Funds raised from Anika’s Pink Closet benefit Mariposa’s domestic-violence program.
“Four years ago, I suffered with the murder of my sister Alejandra, and I learned the hard way about domestic violence,” said Anika, addressing the audience. “I’ve learned that bad things can happen, and out of the bad we can rise up and discover new avenues and new paths that God has for us.”
Anika went on to say that she has learned the significant importance of teaching young girls about domestic violence, including putting a stop to bullying and building self-esteem in teens.
“Bad situations will happen, but if we help and support each other we can work it out,” she said.
The young lady finished her address by telling the crowd that what defines us is how well we rise after falling.
“And when in doubt, just add glitter.”
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An Evening With Paul Gauguin
Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the Pacific Art Foundation, in association with Newport’s tony Pacific Club, sponsored a classy reception on Nov. 18, paying tribute to the importance of art in contributing to the vibrancy of the Orange County community.
Specifically, the Pacific Art Foundation is dedicated to collecting a diverse permanent collection of American artwork from the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. Further, the foundation sets as a goal the promotion of art education and the funding of scholarships for future artists.
Arts patron Geoff LePlastrier, president of Pacific Art Foundation, welcomed the crowd of some 200 guests, who enjoyed a cocktail reception and hors d’oeuvres before dinner. Guest speakers Jean Stern, executive director of the Irvine Museum, and Caroline Boyle-Turner, art history professor and executive director emeritus of the Pont-Aven School of Contemporary Art in France, shared insights into the work and life of Gauguin.
They also focused on contemporary artists whose works are part of the collection of the Pacific Art Foundation. On display were Frederick Wight’s “Afternoon Sun;” “American Pie,” by Rebeccah Lynn Young; “City Slicker,” by Carlos Almaraz; and “Downtown LA,” by Victor Hugo Zayas.
Boyle-Turner told the audience that she is working on publishing a book on Gauguin, whose life story is certainly the stuff of great human interest.
Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin began his professional life as a stockbroker. He painted as a hobby while forming friendships with the likes of Camille Pissarro. In 1881 and 1882, Gauguin displayed his work in Impressionist exhibitions in Paris, receiving less than stellar reviews.
In 1882, the stock market crashed and Gauguin decided to follow a career as a full-time painter. Unfortunately, the artist was never fully appreciated during his life, and only after his death in 1903, in part because of the efforts of art dealer Ambroise Vollard, did Gauguin’s work begin to garner respect and appreciation.
Today Gauguin is considered a central figure in the Symbolist Movement of modern art. He is regarded as one of the most significant artists of the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist eras, and his paintings grace the walls of museums and private collections world-wide.
The Pacific Art Foundation event was chaired by Pamela Selber with support from Patricia Houston, Laura Lee Motis, Sherry Pollack Walker, Diane Uehlinger and Terese Smith. VIPs in the crowd included Bruce and Elyse Miller, Tom and Steph Walley, Bob and Brett Meyer, Rod and Liz Maxson, Dr. S. Gayle Widyolar, Bob and Nadine Hall, Brenda and Bob Currie, Bob and Ellen Small, Rush and Linda Hill, and Joann Leatherby.
