Thanks by the Boatload

The event: A Holiday Boat Parade party to thank supporters of the Brain Imaging Center at the UC Irvine College of Medicine. The center’s steering committee staged the dinner Sunday at the Balboa Yacht Club in Corona del Mar.

Plugged in: More than 50 guests enjoyed a great view of the floats as they glided past the club bearing everything from elves to Elvis. “The volcano’s my favorite,” said guest Lana Chandler, referring to a crowd-pleasing float that blew actual fire and a flow of lava created from strands of colored mini-lights.

Party-goers, many clad in holiday sweaters and vests, also enjoyed a gourmet buffet that included duck, lamb and salmon en croute.

Unlocking the brain’s mysteries: Since its founding in 1984, the Brain Imaging Center has used state-of-the-art scanning equipment to study brain-related diseases, including depression, addiction and schizophrenia.

“We’ve had a very good year,” said Dr. Joseph Wu, the center’s clinical director. “We’ve received a number of grants to study nicotine addiction, and we just published an article in the American Journal of Psychiatry looking at the effects of sleep deprivation on the brain. The center enhances the reputation of UCI.”

Quote: “Many people think the center’s steering committee is the most significant fund-raising group associated with the university,” said Dr. William Bunney, distinguished professor and co-chairman of the UCI department of psychiatry. “These people are really involved and supportive. They provide us with money for pilot studies, and you need those to apply for grants.”

Bottom line: The 25-member steering committee oversees a network of more than 3,000 supporters, who raise about $90,000 annually for the center.

Faces: Peggy Goldwater Clay, president of the steering committee, and her husband, Bob Clay; Dr. Tom Cesario, dean of the UCI College of Medicine; Walter and Alpha Hahn; Jerry and Judy Tamkin; Ed and Carol Zalta; Dee Harvey; and Blynn Bunney.

The event: A Holiday Boat Parade party to thank supporters of the Brain Imaging Center at the UC Irvine College of Medicine. The center’s steering committee staged the dinner Sunday at the Balboa Yacht Club in Corona del Mar.