Anaheim Says No to Gigante; KOCE Ready for Bidders
OC INSIDER by Rick Reiff
Grupo Gigante’s U.S. expansion plans have hit another snag, with the Anaheim Planning Commission rejecting the Mexican supermarket giant’s application for a liquor permit for a store it wants to put in the former Osh site at Anaheim Plaza. “It’s the first step, we’re working on it to get a resolution,” said Gigante USA prez Justo Frias. The company, whose U.S. headquarters is already based in Santa Ana, has opened three Southland stores and has been trying for a year to open two stores in OC
Intercollegiate contest: July 16 is the Coast Community College District’s deadline for bids from suitors of public television station KOCE. The Insider hears there have been more than 40 inquiries, including from Chapman U, USC, UCI, Cal State Fullerton and the University of Phoenix
The hip new Robinsons-May is set to open Oct. 4 at Irvine Spectrum. It’s the first of several R-M test stores nationwide
Just arrived from Iowa State: Tom Mitchell, UCI’s new vice chancellor for advancement
Don’t tell Steven Forry it’s a man’s world. He’s director of development for the Orange County Child Abuse Prevention Center,and the only male on a 55-person staff. “He gets a lot of nurturing,” says his boss, executive director Kathy McCarrell (recent winner of an OCBJ Women in Business Award). Forry joined the center a few months ago, bringing a background in marketing and fundraising and a PhD in English from Columbia U. “It’s bliss, honestly. It’s a wonderful environment,” says Forry, a bachelor with a girlfriend who is “very supportive” of his job situation. Forry’s biggest office gripe? Too many baby showers
Enjoying the private sector: A call to Scott Baugh’s cell phone was answered by an aide at Manatt & Phelps. “It’s not a regular occurrence,” assured the former GOP Assembly leader
They’re 50: Frank H. Zagar, CEO of Pro-Dex in Santa Ana (reported by Kathy Johnson) and Pat Callahan of the Diabetes Association (reported by Bill Furlow)
Wingnuts restaurant in Costa Mesa says it pays its employees to perform two hours of community service each month at the Westside Boys & Girls Club
As a Secret Service agent, Ron Williams (head of Talon Executive Services in Fountain Valley and a Fox News guest expert) protected President Clinton, Queen Elizabeth and Pope John Paul II. Which detail was the most fun? “No contest. It was the Pope
The man radiated a contagious warmth.”
