Charley’s Angels : Awards Inspired by an O.C. Man’s Generosity Are Bestowed Upon CHOC Volunteers

You can have the Tonys, the Oscars and the Emmys, said emcee Jeff Morris on Monday night at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County recognition dinner at the Hyatt Regency Irvine.

“Now, the best of all is the Charley ,” Morris told the 300-strong crowd who came to honor Charles Hester of Corona del Mar, a CHOC supporter, who with his wife, Nora, has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars and countless hours to the Orange facility.

During the festivities, new “Charley” Awards were handed out to CHOC volunteers.

“The one thing that distinguishes the Charley from the rest of those awards,” Morris said, “is that it is given solely to individuals who help other people.

“CHOC has touched the lives of tens of thousands of children and their families since it was founded in 1964. Tonight, we have the opportunity to honor a few of those people who have given their time, talent and resources to make CHOC the humane place that it is.”

Receiving awards were volunteers Jean Hamann, Leroy Hamilton, Shirley and Howard Jones, Martin Lockney, William F. Taylor and, of course, Charley Hester, chairman of Children’s HealthCare of California.

Nobody was more proud of the new Charley Award than Nora Hester.

“He deserves it,” she said of her husband of more than 50 years. “He has worked hard for CHOC for a long time.”

Will there be a Nora Award in the near future?

“I doubt it,” she said, smiling. “In fact, no. I get to reflect all of the attention he gets, and that’s just fine with me.”

Event co-chairwomen were Martha Fluor and Sandy Sewell.

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CHOC and Bikes: Arnold Schwarzenegger made a quick stop at Planet Hollywood in Santa Ana on Sunday to attend a kickoff party for the “Planet Hollywood Ride for Children” on Feb. 11 that will benefit CHOC and the San Diego Center for Children, a facility for abused children.

The benefit motorcycle ride for about 100 people will begin at 10 a.m. in Santa Ana and finish around noon at a new Planet Hollywood site in San Diego. To participate, call (714) 668-1440.

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Venus, If You Will: An intimate launching party for Venus, the new marble-clad bistro that is housed at the Spa at the Center, was held on Monday night for members of the Platinum Circle, donors who give South Coast Repertory between $2,500 and $10,000 a year.

Chef Massimo Navarretta was on hand at the Costa Mesa eatery, whipping up papaya cheesecake and apple tarts for members who chose to attend the dessert-only portion of the affair, during which they enjoyed a discussion with “Wit” playwright Margaret Edson and actress Megan Cole. (“Wit” opens Friday at SCR.)

Other members--including “Wit” honorary producer Olivia Johnson--came early and dined on their choice of poached salmon, medallions of veal and shrimp Italian-style and then joined the others for dessert.

During dinner, guests sat at small tables topped with amethyst wine goblets and white marble statues of Venus.

“We brought them from Florence,” Navarretta said of the Carrara marble sculptures.

Though it has only a few tables, this little hideaway is bound to become a favorite for the theater crowd.

“We are the only restaurant around that has a view of both SCR and the Orange County Performing Arts Center, “ Navarretta said.

Oh, and Navarretta sings Italian opera, noted Platinum Circle member Richard Stahr, who attended the dinner with his wife, Elizabeth.

On request?

“On inspiration ,” Navarretta deadpanned.

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Architect of Peace Award: Walter Annenberg, founder of TV Guide and former ambassador to the Court of St. James’s, will receive the first Architect of Peace Award from the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace and the Nixon Center for Peace and Freedom at a $1,000-per-person tribute at the Century Plaza hotel in Los Angeles on April 27.

Each year the award will be given to a public figure who exemplifies “President Nixon’s principles of enlightened national interest in foreign policy and pragmatic idealism at home,” says Kevin Cartwright, the library’s assistant director.

On Feb. 2, Julie Nixon Eisenhower will attend a luncheon in Los Angeles to celebrate the upcoming tribute. Later that day, Eisenhower will attend a special reception for Orange County members of the tribute’s honorary committee at the Harbor Island home of Gavin and Ninetta Herbert. Herbert and George Argyros are vice chairmen of the event.