Anaheim’s Honda Center grossed $38 million in ticket sales in the first half of 2008, third in the world behind London’s The O2 arena and Madison Square Garden, according to industry pub Venues Today. If only the Anaheim venue had an NBA franchise, too …
Speaking of which, the felony guilty plea of Honda Center operator Henry Samueli in the Broadcom stock options case makes Anaheim’s uphill quest for an NBA team even steeper. A basketball deal heretofore could have included Samueli’s involvement as team owner (now highly unlikely) or as an investor (problematic). Samueli, owner of the Anaheim Ducks, has been suspended indefinitely by the NHL …
Samueli, who recently turned in his badge, isn’t the only former Mike Carona reserve sheriff deputy making news. Fred Glusman, owner of upscale The Ritz restaurant in Newport Center, is being investigated by Newport Beach police for allegedly assaulting a female acquaintance at his home. Glusman was arrested June 25 on a charge of battery with serious bodily injury, booked at the county jail and released on $25,000 bail. The woman, who says she was treated at Hoag Hospital for a broken tooth, bloody nose and other injuries, has obtained a temporary restraining order against him. “It was self-defense,” Glusman says …
UCI law dean Erwin Chemerinsky told the OC Biz Council that the controversy over his hiring is “ancient history.” The “silver lining” of the ordeal is that UCI has the “best publicized” new law school ever. Legal scholar Chemerinsky, first member of his South Side Chicago family to graduate from college, said his goal is to eventually grow the school from 60 students to 600, and to attain a Top 20 ranking within 10 years. His biggest task? “Fundraising.” Chemerinsky appears this week on “Inside OC” …
Sold out: “Annie” at Curtis Theater in Brea, starring 11-year-old Abigail Garcia, daughter of OCBJ controller Luis Garcia …
Despite a slow economy, OC’s big GOP support groups are holding their own. The New Majority ($10,000 annual dues) reports that membership is being maintained at the 160 level, while the Lincoln Club ($3,500 dues) says membership is at a 10-year high of 260. LC Executive Director Clare Venegas says the malaise in the Republican Party may actually be helping recruitment by prompting some concerned citizens to get more involved …
The High Hopes Luncheon raised $200,000 for the Merage Foundation’s Invest in Children Fund …
One of the county’s great resources and finest gentlemen, Tom Wilck, died last week from cancer. The long-time PR exec, distinctive for his full head of white hair, spent 12 years as VP of corporate relations for The Irvine Company. Wife Nadine Wilck is planning a memorial service for later this summer.
