Two Impromptu $250,000 Donations

Peggy Goldwater Clay and Ardelle St. George, KOCE-TV Foundation board member and general counsel, respectively, returned this buy tiffany necklace year to chair the 250-guest gala, themed “That’s Entertainment.” Held at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach, the dressy crowd walked the orange carpet to attend the elegant blue and orange Art Deco affair, in a nod to the golden era of entertainment in the ’20s and ’30s. Thanks to talented event designer/producer Michael Mora, who designed the beautiful Art Deco floor-to-ceiling band backdrop and band stand covers, and White Lilac’s Sunny Ravanbach, who designed the table décor, the ballroom was stunning. The rectangular tables were covered in Tiffany blue silk table covers with matching napkins accented with peacock feather napkin holders, louis vuitton handbags and Tiffany blue-cushioned silver Chavari chairs and white phalaenopsis orchid centerpieces with peacock feather accents completed the exquisite design.

John Tu, left, and S. Paul Musco, right, enjoy KOCE-TV’s annual 250-guest gala, this year themed “That’s Entertainment,” at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach. The generous KOCE supporters each contributed $250,000 to boost net proceeds to an impressive $675,000 to support programming for one of the most watched PBS stations in America, and, in particular, for KOCE Classroom, which serves more than 450,000 K-12 Orange County students annually.

KOCE-TV’s “Real Orange” co-hosts Ann Pulice and Ed Arnold warmly welcomed everyone as gala masters of ceremony. Pulice explained that the entertainment theme was selected in keeping with KOCE’s mission of education, entertainment and enlightenment (gala theme ‘09 was education). The duo introduced gala honorees, philanthropists Bette and Wylie Aitken and the Orange County High School of the Arts, represented by its Founder/President Ralph Opacic. KOCE President & CEO Mel Rogers said of the honorees, “With Wylie recently named to the California Arts Council and he and Bette doing so much to support the arts in the community, and the Orange County High School of the Arts’ award-winning programs, it is an honor to recognize them for what they’ve done for uplifting entertainment in Orange County.” KOCE-TV’s “Bookmark” producer/host Maria Hall Brown produced two very clever videos introducing each of the honorees. Wylie’s comment following the presentation, “I’m a trial lawyer, and I’m speechless!” brought smiles all-round.

The gala entertainment included some true religion jeans surprise artists. When Rogers stepped to the microphone to sing the duet, “Jackson,” with Sarah Corrigan, jaws dropped. Johnny Cash and June Carter never sounded so good! Next up, Opacic impressed singing the jazz standard, “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” followed by KOCE board member Heidi Cortese Sherman, who danced a sexy fox trot with professional dance partner Eddie Alba. Her turquoise/sequin feathered gown was a stunner!

The live auction, led by auctioneer Chuck Dreyer, saw items sell multiple times to some pleased winners. The Kennedy Space Center four-day experience for two, including American Airlines airfare, encompassed a tour of NASA, lunch with an astronaut and an exciting combination of hands-on training and preparation for space flight. It sold for $3,000 five times to John Miller, Analisa Albert, Keri Hammons, Paul Goldenburg, and KOCE’s “Inside OC” host/producer Rick Reiff. The Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with a three-night stay and airfare for two, sold for $4,000 three times to Sandra Steed-Martinez, Stefani and Allen Simon and Olga Niebla, and the Le Cordon Bleu Paris culinary demonstration five-night package with airfare sold for $5,000 three times to Sylvie Tetzakian, Bob Ehrlich and Yolanda De La Paz.

Another happy winner was Diane Schindler, who won the opportunity prize, a pair of Tiffany platinum and diamond Legacy earrings, valued at more than $21,000, generously donated by South Coast Plaza’s Tiffany & Co., tiffany jewelry thanks to Michael Botsko, Group Director and GM at Tiffany’s.

The JT & California Dreamin’ 28-member band, underwritten by John and Mary Tu (John is the drummer), packed the dance floor with classic rock ‘n’ roll fare and star turns by look-and-sound-a-likes Rod Stewart, Ray Charles and The Jersey Boys.

It was a celebratory night, thanks especially to Mr. Tu and Mr. Musco! Guests departed with a beautiful Tiffany & Co. crystal vase per couple, thanks to the generosity of Heidi Cortese Sherman and RCC, Inc., developer of Leisure World.