OC’s newest media bosses have quickly taken to the county. Manhattan transplant Scott Flanders, in his seventh month as CEO of Orange County Register parent Freedom Communications, is settling into Shady Canyon and popping up frequently at local events. He’s putting Freedom back on the expansion track, buying WCWN-TV in Albany from Tribune Co. for $17 million and looking for other deals. He says he also wants more online and print products focused on OC. Flanders marvels at the county’s economic and social diversity. He recalls with a smile his first Freedom board meeting five years ago,he was taken aside after remarking how much he liked being in Los Angeles. He’s long past that social gaffe. Meanwhile, TV vet Bert Ellis is splitting his time between SoCal and his Atlanta home. The FCC last week gave final approval to his $150 million buy of KDOC in Irvine, OC’s only commercial TV station. Ellis says he’ll maintain the focus on “classic reruns” and intends to add local sports, news and entertainment shows. He says he wants to assist OC’s embattled public TV station, KOCE, with which he shares a tower on Mount Wilson. There’s room for two stations in OC,but “no more!” he chuckles. Ellis recently hit the local charity circuit, joining KOCE chief Mel Rogers’ foursome for Russ Leatherby’s golf tournament at Arroyo Trabuco. (The event benefited Casa de Amma, an apartment community in San Juan Capistrano for young adults with disabilities.) Despite an impending sixth hip replacement, Ellis displayed 10-handicap form and walked off with the prize for hitting closest to the pin …
His office has sued to stop the 241 toll road extension through San Onofre State Beach, but California AG Bill Lockyer is personally staying out of the fight. That, Lockyer explained to Pat Maio, is because his wife, OC lawyer Nadia Davis-Lockyer, is part Juane & #324;o Indian. Project foes contend the roadway would encroach on sacred Juane & #324;o ground. Davis-Lockyer has advised the tribe on other matters, but said she has not been involved in the toll road litigation …
Wedding news: Travelocity marketing chief and Newport Beach native son Jeffrey Glueck has married the company’s editor-at-large, Amy Louise Ziff …
Engagement news: Curt Pringle’s fund-raising party at the posh Anaheim Hills estate of Krystal Enterprises limo maker Ed Grech raised $110,000. It also gave the Anaheim mayor and wife Lexi a chance to show off son Kyle, his fianc & #233; Sarah Norling (both attending Cal State Long Beach), and their future in-laws, Penhall Co. manager Bob and Karen Norling.
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Separated at birth: Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke and Chapman U EVP Gary Brahm |
