The Crowd: A seaside benefit for the ocean
Some causes are unique to life on the Orange Coast. Protecting and preserving the beach and ocean would surely be at the top of this list.
One of the most dedicated and passionate of organizations is the Crystal Cove Alliance. Recently, the advocates gathered for an early fall gala, a 12th annual fundraiser billed as Back to the Bluffs. Presented by The Resort at Pelican Hill, the evening, under an enormous white tent perched atop the cliff overlooking Crystal Cove State Beach, was a mixture of California dreamin’ and a touch of East Coast Hampton chic.
Sunset cocktails and hors d’oeuvres awaited guests arriving on this warm Saturday night. The Montage Laguna Beach handled the pre-event treats as gents in white slacks and blazers toasted with champagne, surrounded by the coastal magnificence with their ladies in sheer summer frocks and open-toed heeled sandals. The crowd perused a silent auction before being seated for dinner in the tent.
Executive Chef Jean-Pierre Dubray from Pelican Hill and staff served a three-course dinner that began with smoked salmon and stuffed tomato filled with a veggie macedoine. Live tunes from a band whimsically billed as The Beach Toys set the tone.
Laura Davick, who has championed the restoration of Crystal Cove and its cottages from the beginning, welcomed the supportive crowd.
It’s a very special heartfelt purpose for Davick. She spent her childhood years with her family living in one of the 1920s-era beach cottages, which were saved from the bulldozer and now host people who want to enjoy nostalgic beach retreats.
Joining Davick in the preservation pursuit were Dianna Lu Evans, Paul Fenner, Kerry Herbert, Gianna and Dee Kerrison, Fred Salter, Pamela Schmider, Madeline Swinden, Susan Tate, Robin Wilson and Tammy Wong.
Dubray served an entrée course of braised beef cheeks with a creamy cheesy polenta. Crystal Cove VIPs, including board chairman Bill Baker, Dave Rahn, Gerald Scheck, Dan Gee, Harry Helling, Gavin Herbert Jr., Hilary Kaye and Jonathan Siegel, kept the energy level high.
Major support for the event, in addition to the title sponsorship from Pelican Hill, included a diverse cross-section of community involvement: McKenna Porshe, Omega, Turbillion South Coast Plaza, PassageWest 2, Bank of the West, IMPAC Mortgage and Pimco, among the long and generous list.
As dessert, billed as a “passion fruit baba” with white chocolate coconut whipped cream over vanilla pineapple Carpaccio, was served, and organizers presented a program detailing the work of the Crystal Cove Alliance.
Educational programs and services in conjunction with Orange County schools, along with scientific and environmental initiatives supported by the Crystal Cove Alliance, were outlined. In addition, the alliance works closely with the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts offering badge opportunities in such areas as soil and water conservation. Speeches were followed by a rousing live auction and then dancing until the Cinderella hour.
Spotted in the upbeat crowd were donors Kathleen and Gregory Abel, Wendy and Rick Aversano, Tricia and Michael Berns, Brenda and Michael Drake, Barbara and Greg MacGillivray and Sonia and Victor Nichols.
To learn more about the work of Crystal Cove Alliance, visit https://www.crystalcovealliance.org or call Davick at (949) 887-0062.
THE CROWD runs Fridays. B.W. Cook is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.
