Frozen Food Keeps Party Hot

Only in Orange County. And only at the mansion of zany John and Donna Crean are you going to find a Super Bowl halftime activity that makes party-goers yell: Fowl!”

That’s right, they hauled out a frozen turkey--a Butterball, no less--and did some turkey-bowling on Sunday at the bash that raised $30,000 for the Orange County Juvenile Connection Program.

You haven’t lived until you’ve seen the mammoth Rico, world-champion gladiator for 1990-91, toss a frozen bird at a bevy of two-liter cola bottles. They flew . Even Buddy Ebsen got into the act, nudging the bottles a little after he sailed the Butterball down a walkway covered with plastic.

Also joining the party-adoring Creans (Donna blinded the sporty crowd in sequins) were comedians Joey Bishop and Marcia Wallace, director Stanley Kramer and Orange County Supervisors Don Roth and Harriett Wieder.

Another head-turner: the Bank of America, Corona del Mar branch, set up a table at the event, allowing party-goers to cash checks and charge items such as NFL souvenirs, burgers, hot dogs, toasty pretzels, you name it.

Betting pools were also the name of the game for the blast that will help troubled juveniles receive assessment and treatment. Gary and Connie Colwell, winners of the $3,000 pool, generously returned $500 to the charity.

Also among guests were former race car driver Dan Gurney, Andy and Charlene Crean, Johnnie Crean, Peter Buffa, Tom Fuentes (event emcee), Marshall Klein, and Jack Martin, executive director for the connection program.

Another (super) opening, another show: The Orange County Philharmonic Society kicked off its “Mozart Celebration ‘91,” a yearlong tribute to the composer’s bicentennial, on Thursday night when the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra performed in Segerstrom Hall.

Afterward, “Celebration” underwriters Patricia Dolson, Bob and Marge Rawlins, and Jan and Linda Adams were feted at a chic supper at the private Center Club.

Philharmonic director Erich Vollmer calls the yearlong celebration a chance to “pay homage to the extraordinary legacy of Mozart.” Watch for the other concerts, recitals and lectures that will be held at the Orange County Performing Arts Center and the Irvine Barclay Theatre.

In the name of research: The UCI Medical Research and Education Society filled South Coast Plaza’s Crystal Court with food lovers on Saturday when members staged a fare-studded gala. Up for feasting: a groaning board of culinary samples from Bangkok Four, Garden Bistro, Gianni, Scott’s Seafood Grill and Bar and Seventh Heaven.

When guests weren’t filling up their plates or twirling to the Big Band sound of Tex Beneke, they were watching radio personality Roger Barkley hype auction items that included a new Jeep Cherokee, a Hawaiian vacation and two nights at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel. Event co-chairmen were Ben Harris and Jim Slemons. Underwriters included Zee Allred, Clifford Heinz, David Hook, Eric Nelson, Walter Schroeder and Nila Trider.

Another opening, another restaurant: The new restaurant Cafe on the Lakes in Costa Mesa was the site of the post-performance party held Wednesday after a performance by the Pacific Symphony orchestra in Segerstrom Hall. Special guests: mezzo-soprano Dolora Zajic and conductor Peter Maag. More than 100 party-goers sipped bubbly and cappuccino and dined on pastries as they mingled with the artists. And, no doubt, the arts set is grateful to have a new place to hang out before and after Center-going.