THE CROWD:

Nearly 400 guests came in support of the Ocean Institute for the annual event known as “Jazz in January.”

The two-night party netted $130,000, which will go to support the many educational programs sponsored by the Ocean Institute in Dana Point. Chaired by Tim McMahon and Jens von Gierke the special musical presentation included performances by jazz artists Rick Braun, Jeff Golub and Jeff Lorber.

To the surprise of the crowd jazz saxophonist Eric Marienthal joined the other three artists on both nights adding to the excitement.

Part of the success of Jazz in January is owed to the auction, which featured rare wines, hotel and restaurant packages and educational jaunts including a private dinner package aboard the brig Pilgrim.

Auction donors included the St. Regis Resort & Spa, The Laguna Cliffs Resort and Spa, and the Monarch Bay Beach Club.

Young’s Market generously donated wines with gourmet appetizers supplied by Ristorante Il Fornaio.

Dinner was provided by a host of Orange County’s finest chefs from participating hotels and restaurants up and down the California Riviera.

A selection of the participating chefs came from Newport’s Island Hotel, The Fairmont, The Resort at Pelican Hill among others.

Co-chair von Gierke commented, “Jazz in January offers jazz fans two evenings of superb entertainment paired with the most elegant cuisine that Orange County has to offer, and it is all for an excellent cause.”

Chapman University in Orange hosted “Big For A Day” last Saturday on behalf of Big Brothers/ Big Sisters Orange County. The university welcomed some 30 young brothers and sisters to their Orange campus for a full afternoon of activities.

The young people ranged in age from 6 to 12 and they participated in a wide selection of outdoor games, enjoyed lunch and then a screening of the Disney film “Bolt” shown in the Paul and Daranne Folino Theatre, which is part of the new Marion Knott Studios on campus.

The event was sponsored by Chapman’s Alumni Assn. and was designed to introduce local children who are waiting to get matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister, with prospective volunteers to experience an afternoon of what it would be like to become a mentor to a young child in need.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters is the oldest and largest child-mentoring organization in the United States. The Orange County chapter has been serving kids for more than 50 years. For more information, go to www.bbbs.org.

Lula Halfacre opened the formidable doors of her Fashion Island Traditional Jewelers boutique for a little Valentine wine reception this week.

Halfacre and her staff called the Thursday night open house “An Evening of Wine and Gems” welcoming the Sierra Madre Vineyard providing their selections of world-class wines presented by vineyard owners Doug and Jan Circle and winemaker Steve Rasmussen. Guests were invited to make their last-minute Valentine gift selections with a portion of proceeds earmarked for The Free Wheelchair Mission.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.