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The Crowd: Concert, dinner under the stars raises funds for High Hopes Head Injury Program

Eric Marienthal performs at the Hyatt Regency for High Hopes Head Injury Program.
(Sheri Determan)
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Stars shone brightly in the sky, under which luminaries of the American Jazz world captivated a crowd of 600 patrons attending the 23rd Eric Marienthal and Friends Concert July 17 in Newport Beach.

The performance and dinner on the expansive lawn of the Hyatt Regency raised an impressive $120,000 benefiting High Hopes Head Injury Program.

The charitable organization founded in 1975 focuses on rehabilitating and retraining individuals who have sustained brain injuries, explains Kelly Bennett, publicist and event co-emcee.

“The program at High Hopes is unique, as its physical programs include conditioning classes, therapeutic swimming, nautilus weight training, physical therapy and rehabilitation activities for cognitive and social challenges,” Bennett said.

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She added that vocational art classes, pre-vocational training, music classes, community activities, independent living classes, occupational and speech therapy are other services provided by the program.

“High Hopes’ goal is to provide the best possible program to those who have brain injuries and get results far above expectations,” she said.

Pat Boone's daughters, Laurey Browning, Lindy Michaelis, Debby Boone and Cherry O'Neill.
Pat Boone’s daughters, Laurey Browning, Lindy Michaelis, Debby Boone and Cherry O’Neill, attending the Eric Marienthal and Friends Concert in Newport Beach.
(Sheri Determan)

Joining Eric Marienthal on stage were saxophonist Euge Groove and trumpeter Rick Braun. Jazz pianist Ron Kobayashi and his trio, along with vocalist Mary Desmond, entertained during the preconcert dinner provided by the Tulsa Rib Co.

The supportive crowd, including donors/underwriters Jennifer Partyke, Nick and Tori Foles, Martin Lopez, Barry Dagestino, Bertha Lopez, Bill Cecile and Hal and Andrea Pappano, made the financial success possible.

Honored with the High Hopes Lifetime Achievement Award was the late Dr. Marshall Grossman, former president of the High Hopes board. He served for 20 years, and a scholarship has been created in his memory. Accepting the honor posthumously was Grossman’s wife Lori Grossman, joining High Hopes director/instructor Mark Desmond in thanking the enthusiastic crowd.

Dennis Van De Mortel, Gary Crabtree and Jerry Jaugarle attend the Eric Marienthal and Friends Concert in Newport Beach.
Dennis Van De Mortel, Gary Crabtree and Jerry Jaugarle attend the Eric Marienthal and Friends Concert in Newport Beach for High Hopes Head Injury Program.
(Sheri Determan)

Marienthal, who has a very personal family connection to the High Hopes cause, has dedicated his life to promoting the mission. At the 2022 concert, he literally gave the shirt off his back. During the auction, a member of the audience shouted out an unplanned bid for the artist’s wildly patterned shirt. The crowd went wild. When bidding ended, the shirt sold for $4,000 to Dawn Bennett of Mission Viejo.

To learn more about High Hopes go to HighHopesBrainInjury.org.

USC, UCLA join together fighting cancer

The fifth annual Kure It Cancer Research Rivals Cup Gold Tournament at Pelican Hill Golf Club welcomed a full field of 149 golfers this summer.

Paul McDonald, center, with his sons Andrew McDonald and Michael McDonald attend the Rivals Cup Golf Tournament.
Paul McDonald, center, with his sons Andrew McDonald and Michael McDonald attend the Rivals Cup Golf Tournament at Pelican Hill.
(Reggie Ige)

Co-chairs Burton Young, Todd Perry and Andy Chaffee proudly label the day on the Pelican Hill greens as Rivals Cup, “together we can eradicate cancer,” with USC and UCLA friends raising some $300,000 for cancer research. Since its founding in 2007 by the late Barry Hoeven, who succumbed to a rare form of kidney cancer, the Rivals have raised about $12.5 million for research.

Rival Cup co-chairs Burton Young, Todd Perry and Andy Chaffee raising money for Kure It Cancer Research.
(Reggie Ige)

The 2022 field of players boasted a number of sports celebrities including NFL greats Steve Hauschka, Steve Beuerlein and Evan Moore. Also in the lineup were baseball player and coach Tyler Edney, football standouts Paul McDonald, Michael Blair, Dorsey Levens and Emery Moorehead. Hockey star Scottie Upshall was front and center for the Rivals. In the spotlight was former L.A. Laker Byron Scott on the golf course and post-game greeting fans and signing a basketball that was sold during the silent auction.

Title sponsor of the event was Lugano Diamonds, represented by Bill Peters, joining Jeff West, representing major sponsor Aston Martin Newport Beach. Generous local corporate underwriters included the Nahir Group, US Storage Centers/Westport Properties, Sperry Equities, Main Electrical Supply and Julie Alai.

Joey Moccia supports Kure It Cancer Research at the Rivals Cup tournament.
(Reggie Ige)

Taking first prize in the tournament were golfers Joseph Barton, Joshua Barton and Brian Phillips, sponsored by L.A. Lakers co-owner Janie Buss.

Lovely August summer garden party set for Aug. 27

The place to be on the Orange Coast on Aug. 27, is Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona del Mar. The volunteer associates of Sherman Gardens will present their enchanting summer “Artists in the Garden” celebration and fundraiser supporting the year-round special programs presented at the garden for the community.

The afternoon by the coast will feature artists painting and selling original work in conjunction with an art show “Inspired by Nature” that showcases exhibits of flora and fauna interpreted in mosaics by artist Irina Charny.

Cocoons & Enormous Butterfly Wings by internationally renowned mosaicist Irina Charny.
Cocoons & Enormous Butterfly Wings by internationally renowned mosaicist Irina Charny during the “Inspired by Nature” exhibit at the Sherman Library & Gardens.
(Kevin Chang / Staff Photographer)

Dawn Moses will front a “bouquet bar,” assisting guests in creating their own selection of seasonal summer blooms.

Executive Chef Jessica Roy of 608 Dahlia will serve garden party treats as the crowd peruses the silent auction and gift selection.

To add a touch of British whimsy, ladies are invited to don their best summer fascinators. Men may join if desired with their chapeaus.

It all happens Saturday, Aug. 27 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Sherman Gardens. Tickets are $80 for nonmembers, $60 for members. Go to thesherman.org to RSVP or call (949) 673-2261, Ext. 300.

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