R.J. Brandes has put equestrian showcase Blenheim Farms up for sale. Mark Mueller informs that the 17-acre San Juan Capistrano estate is listed for $40 million by Newport Beach super broker John McMonigle. Blenheim Farms hosted the 2000 Olympic equestrian trials. It features a 26-stall solid mahogany barn and covered arena, in addition to the main residence, two guest homes, formal gardens, a lap pool and spa. The complex, built in 1999, has been a retreat for Brandes and his family, who live in Newport Beach. It is next door to another equestrian center, the 80-acre Oaks Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park, operated by Brandes’ Blenheim EquiSports of California LLC. The company and farm are named after Blenheim Palace in England …
Now that she’s sold Orange Coast magazine to Los Angeles Magazine owner Emmis Communications, Ruth Ko will devote more time to a new passion, sculpting. She’ll also be spending more time helping hubbie/developer Michael Roston finish their Temecula home. But Ko, who also has a house in Turtle Rock, assures the Insider that she will continue to grace the local scene …
Speaking of retiring: Larry Thomas, The Irvine Company’s group SVP for corporate communications and a confidante of Don Bren, plans to step down in mid-September after 20 years with the company. San Diego native Thomas says he’s trading in the company uniform,suits, ties and pocket squares,for board shorts, T-shirts and Rainbow sandals. He plans to “join the old guys on beach cruisers who seem to be living a relaxed, rich life in retirement” …
Thirty years ago brothers Bruce and Steve Furniss of Tustin’s Foothill High were swimming against each other and setting world records in the process. They’ve subsequently made their marks as OC businessmen. Incidentally, the competitive brothers pronounce their last name differently,Steve goes by “fur-NISS,” Bruce prefers “furnace” …
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Separated at birth: Forbes editor Steve Forbes, Emulex chairman Paul Folino |
OCers and other friends of Sir Eldon Griffiths will gather in Bury St. Edmunds, England, on Sept. 15, when the world citizen is made a Freeman of the Borough with pomp and circumstance. Griffiths notes, “Bury St. Edmunds is where marauding Norsemen chopped the head of the first Christian king in roughly 817 AD and where four centuries later, a score of good men held their dress rehearsal for the signature of Magna Carta.” It’s also a town that Griffiths represented in the House of Commons …
Happy 50th to Drew Giese of Giese International, Irvine.
