The Insider has learned the identities of a few more lot owners in Dana Point’s coastal Strand at Headlands—Clint Eastwood, golf’s Johnny Miller and retired ConocoPhillips Chairman Archie Dunham. Headlands developer Sanford Edward wouldn’t confirm the names, although he did say, “Traffic is picking up but there’s still no sense of urgency with buyers.” The last sale was in January, $12 million for a quarter-acre-plus lot. Thirty-three lots sold, 85 to go … Despite what most economists have been saying, a lot of businesspeople are telling the Insider that they think we’re headed for the dreaded “double dip” …
Power couple: Rich Lambros, CEO of the Building Industry Association of Southern California, and Colleen Lambros, promoted in the recent Irvine Company shakeup to senior veep in charge of corporate marketing …
Another note from the Irvine Company re-org: Former group prez and Pelican Hill build-out consultant Clarence Barker remains a key player. His new assignment is senior adviser overseeing the commercial property development department, which will focus on apartments (see story, page 1) …
The jockeying over Gov. Arnold’s plan to sell the OC Fair and Event Center to the city of Costa Mesa also has provided a glimpse into swap meet operator Tel-Phil Enterprises. Founded by Bob Teller and now run by his son Jeff, the company’s future at the fairgrounds is uncertain if the sale goes through. In April letters to the city, Jeff disclosed that his dad’s net worth is “over $28 million.” He said Tel-Phil has paid the state more than $100 million in rent in 40 years, including $2.5 million in the past year, or 25% of gross swap meet revenue. The letters, posted at Orange Juice blog, were part of an effort by a Teller-led team, American Fairs and Festivals, to partner with Costa Mesa. But negotiations broke down and the city instead struck the pending deal with the Fait family-led Facilities Management West. Teller’s ideas for increasing the fairgrounds’ profitability echoed those of FMW and others that have sized up the state-run operation: More than $3 million in annual payroll savings, for example, and $1.4 million from 28 more bookings at the Pacific Amphitheatre …
UCI ranks sixth on the Sierra Club’s list of “greenest” U.S. campuses. Reasons include its bike-sharing, car-sharing and car-pooling programs, green buildings, energy-saving lights, a zero-waste dining hall and curriculum with environmental themes …
Bruce Hallett, UCI grad and VCer (Miramar Venture Partners of Corona del Mar), is the new alumni rep on the UC Board of Regents. He also received TechAmerica’s annual Greg Ross Commun-ity Service Award …
Laguna legends: Farewell to Hotel Laguna restorer Claes Andersen, 63, and Pageant of the Masters innovator Don Williamson, 96 …
They’re engaged: GOP activist Dale Dykema and Sandi Medina. She’s president of his Santa Ana foreclosure services company, TD Service Financial … And happy 65th anniversary to the forever young Joe and Barbara DeFranco.
