Another big gift for Chapman U’s film school: $2 million from Chuck and Twyla Martin to endow the Twyla Reed Martin Dean’s Chair in Film and Media Arts …
Supe Lou Correa’s call for an OCTA ban on Angels’ bus signs,retaliation for Arte Moreno’s renaming of the team “Los Angeles”,has run out of gas. The agency doesn’t want to spook advertisers by mixing politics with business. And despite his city’s lawsuit against the team, Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle doesn’t want to punish what is an Anaheim business by another name. Ironically, Angels Prez Dennis Kuhl used to broker ads on OCTA buses during his days as a billboard exec …
Yes, Dennis Rod-man has painted his boat “Sexual Chocolate” white. But the Insider is told it’s only a primer coat …
OC/DC: Three coastal OCers were among the 10 recipients of this year’s Horatio Alger Awards,cabinet maker Ron Simon, auto dealer Dave Wilson and astronaut Buzz Aldrin (now of L.A. but still a member of the Balboa Bay Club). Past OC winners George Argyros and Harry Rinker also attended the ceremonies in Washington, D.C. …
Huntington Beach publisher/editor Nidal Ibrahim and wife Ghada were in the nation’s capital for friend Samah Alrayes’ wedding to conservative firebrand Grover Norquist. Ibrahim reports Newt Gingrich displayed lively moves to Arab music while another friend of the groom, OC Congressman Ed Royce, sat out the dances …
All’s well that ends well: Franz Wisner got the star treatment from former colleagues at The Irvine Company. Even a couple of guys who once had a hand in demoting him waited in line as Wisner autographed copies of “Honeymoon with My Brother” at a Shady Canyon reception hosted by mentor Larry Thomas. Wisner brought along brother Kurt, of course; actress Tracy Middendorf, who after a whirlwind romance is Franz’s wife (and expecting); and Hollywood writer Kevin Bisch (“Hitch”), who’s adapting the book for Columbia Pictures. Five years ago Wisner was left at the altar and then demoted; the double shock prompted him to quit his job and use a $75,000 company bonus to travel around the world. It changed his life and his luck. “We’ve enjoyed watching this happen to you. In many ways, we feel responsible for your good fortune. Maybe you should return the bonus!” Thomas quipped in his toast. Those raising glasses included Mike McKee, Dan Young, Clarence Barker, Rob Elliott, Ray Watson, Tom Nielsen, Bill McFarland, Carol Hoffman, Mike Lutton and Gary “Perfectly Parted Gray Hair” Hunt. The Donald didn’t show, but then he’s not mentioned in the book. Next up for Wiz: “Oprah” …
Last call: Bidding for the OC Forum’s Tom Campbell clock ends Thursday at noon. High bid at press time was $382.45 from Dan Weil, a self-described “wanderer” and Chicago buddy of another bidder, Keith Butler. Proceeds go toward reducing California’s budget deficit. E-mail reiff@ocbj.com.
