Magic Johnson says he’s bought a place in Laguna …
When one gets away from Jim Doti, he handles it graciously. The super-fundraising Chapman U prez learned like everyone else,from news stories,that Santa Ana developer and Chapman alum Dale Fowler and his wife Sarah Ann made a record $60 million gift to tiny Gordon College in Massachusetts, where the couple spend most of their time. The gift triples the tiny Christian college’s endowment. Chapman, a former tiny Christian college itself, has a $260 million endowment. “Life’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon, and the marathon isn’t over,” says Doti, referring to fundraising, not his impressive running regime. Doti says the Fowlers are “wonderful people” and past givers to Chapman: “For someone to be so incredibly generous to higher education is a testament to our university and commitment to producing graduates committed to serving humanity” …
It wasn’t long ago, says City National Bank real estate chief Mark Forbes, that stock market analysts complained about the bank’s conservative lending practices. Not now. At a time when many other lenders are reeling, he says CNB counts one delinquent account in its $3 billion residential mortgage portfolio. Forbes sees no need for a government bailout of the mortgage industry,it should experience a “fairly quick” shakeout and recovery on its own: “The world is awash in liquidity.” But home prices will remain soft for several years, he predicts …
Donald Bren let loose, kidding Larry Thomas about his penchant for sabbaticals and joking that his longtime friend and spokesman would eventually relent and return to the office. The Shady Canyon celebration,second and ostensibly final stop on the LT Farewell Tour,drew 160 luminaries from The Irvine Company and local business, political, academic and media circles. A sometimes tearful, sometimes funny LT got a surfboard to go with the new Vespa and said his biggest fear is the common affliction of retirees: “Drinking in the morning” …
In case you were missing the Stanley Cup, it’s been off to Sweden, Finland and Russia. But it has returned to OC with a surprise visit to the Sugar Shack caf & #233; in Huntington Beach before returning to Anaheim Tuesday for an appearance with some of the champion Ducks at City Hall and then finishing the evening at the Catch restaurant …
Catch owner Joe Manzella will be opening his second TAPS Fish House & Brewery next month in Corona. Manzella’s Brea location was visited by Food Network star Guy Fieri, in OC for the Simon Super Chefs Live promos at Brea Mall and The Shops at Mission Viejo …
Project Access honors CT Realty’s Bob Campbell at its Saturday gala at The Island Hotel. Call (949) 253-6200 …
Breakfast will be served Tuesday at the Atrium Hotel in Irvine, but the topic is unappetizing,the nation’s growing debt load. The OC Forum and Town Hall Los Angeles are co-hosting the discussion featuring Comptroller General David Walker, Congress’ fiscal watchdog.
