Kawamura Crops Up; Jimmy P. at Shea; Max & Kate at SCP

Anyone else hear about a longshot push for Big Canyon resident A.G. Kawamura as Secretary of Agriculture in the pending Trump Administration? Kawamura is a third-generation local farmer who served in a similar role at the state level for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, and did advisory work for the Trump campaign, a connection that apparently came courtesy of some agricultural interests in the Midwest … This one is confirmed: The J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center’s 9th annual Leaders for Philanthropy Night plans to feature Microsemi boss Jimmy Peterson on the evening of April 6 in San Juan Capistrano. Don’t know if Peterson will still be with Microsemi by then—the chipmaker is said to be checking the market against the possibility of a takeover bid by Skyworks Solutions. Peterson is no stranger to acquisitions, though, so who knows? … The Shea equestrian facility is worth your attention sheerly for the good work it does—horses can help folks work through any number of disabilities and challenges in some fascinating ways … Then there’s the sheer fantasy induced by the horses and acrobats of Odysseo, which runs under the big top at the 405 and Laguna Canyon Road through Jan. 8. How fantastic? Enough to impress a sold-out Nov. 19 opening-day crowd that included Silvia Ichar, publisher of San Juan Capistrano-based Spanish-language lifestyle magazine Para Todos. Ichar isn’t some wide-eyed rookie, either. She was just in from her family’s ranch in Argentina, and she gave the gifted troupe from Montreal two thumbs up … Sullivan says: Expect the Max Mara Weekend store that opened last week at South Coast Plaza—the first U.S. location of the new retail nameplate—to find plenty of customers for a selection of merchandise with an updated Kate Hepburn feel that seems on target for OC … The new entry from the Milan-based fashion house is a typical example of how South Coast Plaza stays fresh—which makes this as good a time as any to mention the center will turn 50 next year … The late Henry Segerstrom might have been the only one back in 1967 who saw today’s luxe retail landscape coming—although this also is a good time to note that Fashion Island turns 50 next year, too … Our own Rick Reiff joined a crowd at the Newport Beach Central Library in getting a jump on the anniversary from a couple of one-time Irvine Company up-and-comers—planner Al Trevino and builder Bill Watt. The pair told a story of how Fashion Island happened—and almost didn’t. Trevino, who planned Laguna Niguel before joining Irvine Company in the mid-1960s, said Fashion Island was originally envisioned as just another enclosed mall before he prevailed on executives and lenders to try something new … Had enough turkey? Try a bowl of the clam chowder at Bluegold, the newest arrival at Pacific City in Huntington Beach. Chef Jorge Valines says he takes it easy on the flour and treats the dish more like a soup—a refreshing change of pace … Best wishes to Valerie Blackholly, who is taking a well-deserved break after 26 years as executive director of the British American Business Council of Orange County.