Hoag Enlists Restaurants for Heart Month

Hoag Heart & Vascular Institute is partnering with the Newport Beach Restaurant Association to raise community awareness about lifestyle choices that can reduce the risk of heart disease.

During February, which is American Heart Month, participating restaurants will provide special menu items that are more heart healthy, including choices that are grilled instead of fried; incorporate whole grains rather than processed; more servings of fruits and vegetables; and are served without creamy sauces or condiments.

The goal of the partnership is to help instill nutritious eating habits, foster overall wellness and reduce the risk of heart disease in the community.

Heart disease is a serious issue in Orange County. According to a 2004 report by the California Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program, heart disease is responsible for more than 230 deaths countywide, including 164 heart disease-related deaths, 55 stroke-related deaths and 12 heart failure-related deaths for every 100,000 citizens.

 “Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 cause of death in the United States,” said Brian Chesnie, M.D., past chair of the department of cardiology at Hoag Hospital. “It is important for people to realize that by making simple choices, like incorporating heart healthy foods into their diet, they can reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease. A program such as this will educate consumers about heart healthy alternatives and encourage them to choose healthier options when dining out.”

For more information on Hoag’s Heart Month initiatives and a list of participating restaurants, please visit www.hoagheartmonth.org

Komen Gets $25K From Pacific Life Foundation

The Orange County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure received the Walter B. Gerken Community Service Award, along with a $25,000 grant, from the Pacific Life Foundation during a special presentation at the Foundation’s annual grants reception.

The annual award was established in 1995 to honor Walter B. Gerken, founding chairman of the Pacific Life Foundation.

“In its fight to end breast cancer forever, Komen Orange County has exemplified the dedication and commitment that embodies the true spirit of the Walter B. Gerken Award,” said Robert Haskell, president of the Pacific Life Foundation. “We salute the endeavors of Komen’s Orange County Affiliate over the past 20 years.”

The Komen Orange County Affiliate’s relationship with Pacific Life began in 1992, when the Foundation hosted the inaugural Race for the Cure on its premises in Newport Beach. For the last 20 years, the Foundation has been actively involved in helping Komen end breast cancer forever, providing grants and in-kind donations, hosting the Race each year and providing volunteers through the Pacific Life Good Guys program. The 2011 Race for the Cure is scheduled for Sunday, Sept.25.

“We are deeply honored to be recognized by one of our dedicated partners – particularly to receive an award in Walter Gerken’s name – for the work we do in the breast cancer community,” said Komen Orange County board president Chris Tannous, who accepted the award on behalf of the organization along with the board secretary, Nancy Enomoto. 

Shopping Event Helps Diabetes Research

The new OC Mart Mix in SoCo held a special shopping event last Wednesday sponsored by Greer’s OC to benefit Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Guests enjoyed complimentary wine and snacks and the first 100 to arrive received a bag of goodies to take home. A portion of the days sales were donated to JDRF. Pictured here are Scott Burnham, Andrea Young and Bryon Ward at the event.

UCI Event Benefits Branson’s Foundation

Jerry Murdock, Kelly Smith, Sir Richard Branson, and UCI Chancellor Michael Drake.Last Tuesday, the Center for Living Peace in conjunction with the University of California, Irvine, hosted the second of its “Living Peace Series,” this one highlighting Virgin Unite, the nonprofit foundation of the Virgin Group.

Sir Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Unite, addressed the audience, both live and via webcast, about his project.  Virgin Unite, he said, was created to help revolutionize the way businesses, governments and the social sector work together – driving business as a force for good. 

Immediately following the speaking engagement the Center for Living Peace hosted a fundraising gala for more than 200 attendees, raising $250,000 for Virgin Unite. 

The ongoing Living Peace Series seeks to create important dialogue about how to generate a more peaceful, just and sustainable world by inspiring series participants to take action. The next event will feature guest speaker The Dalai Lama at UCI on May 4. For more information about the Living Peace Series, visit www.livingpeace.uci.edu.  

Glittering ‘Reflections’ Events

Anatoly Iksanov, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov and Segerstrom Center CEO Terry Dwyer celebrate the "Reflections" dance performance, a joint venture of the Segerstrom Center and the Bolshoi Ballet, at the pre-event dinner at Mastro’s.

Christina Lyon and Mauro Bigonzetti at the dinner.George Schreyer, ballerina Yekaterina Shipulina and new Segerstrom Center Chairman Larry Higby at the dinner.

By Lynn Selich | Society Editor

Photos by Steve Dawson

The opening night of the Bolshoi Ballet’s “Reflections” performance was filled with anticipation as underwriters and other VIPs (which even included Alexander Zhukov, deputy prime minister of Russia) gathered the night before for an exclusive dinner at Mastro’s Steakhouse hosted by the Bolshoi Theatre Directors to thank donors.

Yekaterina Shipulina and Alexander Volchkov in “Remansos,” one of the “Reflections” piecesThe next evening, after the breathtaking world premiere, a celebratory post-performance cast party sponsored by South Coast Plaza was held at Crystal Court for the dancers, choreographers, donors and other dance supporters.

Dance lovers rejoiced when it was announced earlier this year that the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, in a new artistic partnership with the famed Bolshoi Ballet, would create “Reflections,” a major dance event made up of several new works by some of today’s leading choreographers and showcasing the extraordinary talent of select ballerinas and leading male dancers trained at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy.                                                                       

The troupe left Costa Mesa immediately after the show closed to go on to its European premier at the Bolshoi in Russia. 

Dee Higby with Betty Huang at the cast party after the performance.

 Deborah Bridges, Terry Schreyer and Gail Robinson at the cast party. Photo by Gail Robinson

Center Executive Vice President Judy Morr with Louis and Maura Rosso at the cast party.