Plenty on philanthropy in this week’s Special Report, which starts on page 29. The Insider hears that the generosity will continue later this week with an official announcement of a $2.5 million gift from the Argyros Family Foundation for the new science center at Sage Hill School in Newport Coast. That caps the fundraising at $7.9 million for the project, which is in the works and expected to open for the 2014 academic year and be named the Lisa Argyros and Family Science Center. It’s certainly been a family effort for Lisa, who chose the public kickoff for the fundraising campaign as the spot to spend the evening of her birthday earlier this year—and brought parents George and Julia along …
Dale Fowler credits the donations of fellow Chapman grad George Argyros as a key in his recent decision to give $60 million to the school. The low-profile real estate entrepreneur gives other insights on why he and his wife, Sarah Ann, give big to education (see frontpage story). …
Another good cause is coming up with the Shea Center for Therapeutic Riding’s annual BBQ and Family Faire set for Sept. 28 in San Juan Capistrano. Sponsorships are sold out but some general admission tickets remain available. Anyone who can’t make it but would like to learn more about the center—where patients count on horses to help them with forms of autism, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and other conditions—is welcome to take a tour of everyday operations, says longtime volunteer PR guy John Caldwell. “That’s when you really experience the good work the Shea Center is doing and the reason so many volunteer their time, talent and treasure on its behalf,” says Caldwell, who can be reached at (949) 248-2400 …
The Shea Center is among the organizations that benefit from the proceeds of Tony Moiso’s annual Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo. The event drew more the 9,500 fans for its recent two-day run in San Juan Capistrano. The cowboys got some checks, too, with more than $220,000 in purse money overall …
Coincidence?: Someone spotted Ed Roski heading up to the luxury suites at Angel Stadium during the game on Sept. 2—the same night the Anaheim City Council extended the team’s opt-out on its lease to 2019. The move came as word floated around that the Angels might consider a move to Irvine, Irwindale, L.A. or City of Industry. Roski is working on plans for a football stadium in City of Industry …
A reader along the coast notes some local ties that have been overlooked in the mini-flap over letting L.A.-based developer Rick Caruso temporarily moor his new mega-yacht, Invictus, in Newport Harbor: Caruso has long owned a second home on the peninsula bayfront and is a director of Newport Beach-based Irvine Company …
Another Newport Beach connection, this one for Anne Hidalgo, who’s running as the Socialist candidate for mayor of Paris. Hidalgo recently told Women’s Wear Daily that she has a sister who lives and owns a business in Newport.
