The Crowd: ExploOcean takes to the water
The boat christened ExplorOcean set out on its maiden voyage on the main channel of the Newport Harbor on Sept. 16, launched from the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach.
This 45-foot-long, 12,900-pound vessel, powered by two Yamaha engines providing speeds up to 24 knots, is surely a one-of-a-kind sight on Southern California water. Finished in bright school-bus yellow, the new ExplorOcean yacht, more appropriately described as a barge, is a floating classroom.
Following an extensive campaign of fundraising led by ExplorOcean’s Chief Executive Tom Pollack, chief executive of ExplorOcean, the Newport Beach nonprofit dedicated to ocean literacy — with support from Dr. Wendy Marshall, director of education at ExplorOcean, and Dr. Donald Wise, chairman of volunteer fundraising — about $140,000 has been raised to date in addition to a $30,000 gift from the Winslow Maxwell Trust granted by trustee Scott Pollard. The Maxwell Trust gift comes as a matching donation that will double to $60,000 as other generous donors come forward to support the floating classroom.
The launch was an upbeat affair attracting a crowd that included many of Newport-Mesa’s prominent residents in the political arena. Newport Mayor Ed Selich greeted Councilman Keith Curry, Carol and Dennis Campbell, Julie and Andy Smith, Margaret and Larry Perry, Craig Johnson, Ken Owen, Doug Pasquale and Roseanne Levan. Special guest of honor was Marian Bergeson, who has served as Orange County Supervisor, state senator and California secretary of education.
Bergeson officiated over the christening of the yellow vessel, joining hosts John Wortmann, chairman of the Balboa Bay Club’s board of governors. Wortmann attended with his wife, Anne Wortmann, and daughter Devon Wortmann, a recent graduate of the University of Arizona, and her college roommate, Mia VanBerg.
Balboa Bay Resort owners Todd Pickup and Kevin Martin were front and center with Sam El-Rabaa, general manager of the resort, helping to underwrite the Champagne reception. Also in the crowd were VIPs Joe Moody, Michael Lawler and Linda and David Farnell.
Pollack said the ExplorOcean vessel will help an estimated 70,000 Orange County students from kindergarten through high school learn about the ocean environment in the coming year. Many of the youths will come from underprivileged neighborhoods.
“Just think of it as a school bus, safe and easy,” Pollack said. “It will be possible to skin dive from the boat, so students will be able to see kelp forests. Microscopes can be brought on board, and the boat has a radar system enabling pupils to learn about navigation as well as study weather.
“A sonar system will allow kids to see fish in the water. It is hard to care about something you cannot see, so this experience will make a discernable difference.”
To learn more about ExplorOcean, visit explorocean.org.
CHILI ON THE COAST
A Newport Beach tradition going back 50 years played out at Newport’s Balboa Bay Club — the annual Chili Cook Off and Salsa Competition.
Multiple cook-off team entrants set up their portable kitchens under red and white tents erected on the Balboa Bay Club lawn fronting the Newport Harbor. Temperatures approaching 90 degrees on a Sunday afternoon did not deter the crowds from sampling the chili and salsa and voting for their favorite chefs among seven competing teams.
Live music by the Danny Maika Trio set the tone for the afternoon soiree. Each tent was outfitted with one double burner and propane. Part of the fun was the decorating of the booths, adding to the competitive spirit.
The teams brought with them their own special ingredients as well as cookware, utensils, toppings and serving pieces.
Event organizers including Malcolm Smith, Aaron Trent and Melanie Hertrick instructed team captions to prepare 3 gallons of their chili recipe in four hours.
A panel of judges included the Balboa Bay Club’s reigning Salsa Champion Steve Van Valkenburgh; the 2013 Chili Champion Rick Lund; 2014 chili team winners Bill Blain and Darren Lang; John Wortmann, chairman of the the Balboa Bay Club’s board of governors; and Devon Martin, recent past vice president of the Balboa Bay Club’s ladies auxiliary, The 1221 Club.
Proceeds from the afternoon event will benefit The 1221 Club’s scholarship fund, which annually helps Newport-Mesa graduating seniors destined for college. The Balboa Bay Club has given more than $150,000 in scholarship awards. The money comes from multiple fundraisers, including the annual cook-off.
Miki Barmacel took home the Judges Choice Award for her recipe. Kathy Hamilton and team garnered the Team Award for her Best Little Chili in the House of Texas and also won for Best Salsa. Members Choice Award went to Pat Foley for a recipe titled Sports Chili.
The Balboa Bay Club’s executive chef, David Fune, whipped up a white bean chili infused with duck that was also a big hit among chili voters. VIPs in the crowd included Wells Fargo Bank’s Noel Hamilton, Orange County businessman Jeff Rowerdink and the president of International Bay Clubs, Kevin Martin.
PROVIDING WINGS FOR YOUTHS
The third annual WINGS (Women Investing In Graduate’s Successes) soiree will unfold Oct. 16 in the HD Buttercup salon at the SOCO Collection, Costa Mesa. The party is being created around a collection of paintings by celebrated Southern California artists with an emphasis on the plein air style.
Among the guest artist participants will be Anthony Salvo, who began studying art at age 12 and has devoted his career to the pursuit of refining and redefining California Impressionist landscape painting over a 43-year career.
Tickets to the WINGS evening are $75. Included will be a light supper, fine wine and beer. Executive chef Laurent Brazier of the Bistro Papillote will prepare and cater the meal.
Funds raised at this third annual gathering will benefit Santa Ana-based KidWorks, a tutoring program for children facing crime, poverty and violence in their neighborhoods. To purchase tickets, email wings@kidworksonline.org or call (714) 834-8400, Ext 180.
