Plenty in Play Around South Coast Metro; Don’t Forget the Vet

A trot around the South Coast Metro district that covers corners of Costa Mesa and Santa Ana reveals several sizeable chunks of property in a state of flux. Start with the old L.A. Times plant on Sunflower Avenue, which is on the block in the wake of a spinoff that made the daily newspaper part of newly formed Tribune Publishing and shifted its real estate to former parent Tribune Media. Networking gear maker Emulex is said to be peddling several acres adjacent to its Susan Street HQ, just a short walk from the erstwhile Times’ facility. And another chunk of land sits empty at Bear Street and MacArthur Boulevard, where the Diocese of Orange had planned to build a new seat before circumstances conspired to make the Crystal Cathedral available to fill the role as the recently rededicated Christ Cathedral … A lot of attention has been paid to the well-heeled shoppers from China and the Middle East who visit South Coast Metro regularly, drawn in large part by the luxury retail lineup at South Coast Plaza. Their counterparts from Mexico City fly below the radar but nevertheless provide hotels in the area a welcome boost. The lift first came when service started between JWA and the Mexican capital back in 2012—a route instituted by AirTran, which has since become part of Southwest Airlines. The Wyndham Avenue of the Arts is a favored hotel for the high net-worth, low-profile visitors from south of the border, according to folks in the know … They’re not in Kansas anymore: The honorees at Chapman University’s American Celebration gala both hail from Wichita —Annette Bening, who received honors for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts; and Wylie Aitken, who was feted, along with wife, Bette, as Citizen of the Year. More than 1,000 were on hand to congratulate the Kansas transplants, raising $2.2 million for scholarships … Business Journal Publisher Richard Reisman isn’t from Kansas, but his tie to the Sunflower State was made public when Bening singled him out, delivering a shout-out from the podium to her “brother-in-law.” Are Reisman and Warren Beatty a brothers act? … Thanks to all of our military veterans, and kudos to the nonprofits and businesses that stand ready to help men and women who might need a hand making a transition back to civilian life (see related stories, page 1). Some other local kudos for Veterans Day: Orange County Harley-Davidson in Irvine drew about 1,000 riders to its annual Injured Warrior Appreciation Run down to Camp Pendleton. The event, which kicked off as this column went to press, raised about $70,000 for Warrior Foundation-Freedom Station, which provides “quality-of-life items, support services and transitional housing” for vets in medical need … JWA will become home to OC’s first USO since WWII this week. Representatives of Bob Hope USO and county officials were set to hear from the 40th Infantry Division Band, with Petty Officer 2nd Class Rebecca Lopez on the national anthem at a Nov. 10 ceremony … The Infinite Hero Foundation in Lake Forest announced that eight organizations will receive grants of up to $100,000 each. Recipients range from the Carrick Brain Center to the Semper Fi Fund, a roster that represents some of the “most forward-thinking medical and recreational therapies that will truly improve the livelihood and positive outcomes of returning veterans,” said Oakley boss Colin Baden, who serves as president of the Infinite Hero Foundation board.