A week when irrelevance matters

“It was born and raised in Newport Beach at the Balboa Bay Club,”

Paul Salata said, referring to his internationally recognized

football post-draft event known as “Irrelevant Week.”

The 28th annual event, led by Salata and his team, which includes

dedicated daughter Melanie Fitch, providing producing and organizing

support, and a host of close friends, have created a weeklong

extravaganza in Newport Beach, recognizing the football player chosen

in the last draft spot each year by the National Football League.

Salata, a former USC and pro football player, is recognized for

his wit, and “Irrelevant Week” is surely the height of sports

sarcasm.

“I’m the champion of the underdog,” Salata said.

Underdog or not, the final NFL draft choice is treated like a king

by Salata for a week of festivities that will begin Thursday, June

26, with a reception and dinner set this year for the Anaheim

Marriott Hotel. Salata is calling the event “Heisman Meets Lowsman.”

“The spirit of this event is simple,” he said. “It’s about doing

something nice for someone for no reason.”

Over many years of creating this special week, Salata has joined

forces with some of the legends of the American sports scene. The

national advisory board of Irrelevant Week includes Bobby Beathard,

Art Donovan, Jack Faulkner, Daryl Gates, John Hall, Sammy Lee, Jack

Lindquist, Merlin Olsen, Leigh Steinberg, Emily Tagliabue, Jim

Tunney, Peter Ueberroth, Bill Walsh, Ron Yary and Jack Youngblood.

Local support in Orange County comes from community leaders Jim

Dale, Kirk Dawson, Paula Doxakis, Daily Pilot Publisher Tom Johnson,

Bill Pierpoint, Ken Purcell, Tim Quinn, Roy Reaves, Tim Riley and Dan

Rogers, to name only a few.

Tickets to the Irrelevant Week banquet are $150 per person with

tables of 10 available for $1,500. Please call (949) 263-0727 to

reserve your spot.

CULINARY FUND-RAISER

Roy’s Restaurant at Fashion Island is hosting a fund-raiser for a

very special department at Newport Harbor High School. It’s called

the Culinary Program, which introduces students to the art of the

kitchen. It’s led by Janet Dukes.

On May 6, Roy’s will host a reception at 6 p.m., with dinner to

follow. The whole event, including a three course menu with wine, tax

and tip, costs $50 per person. Funds raised will be turned over to

Newport Harbor High’s Culinary Program to be used for scholarships,

field trips, equipment and supplies used in the vocational training

program.

Some big names in the food world gathered in Newport Beach to

promote next week’s dinner. Master chef and restaurateur Roy

Yamaguchi graced the restaurant that bares his name, joining KABC

radio personality chef Jamie Gwen. Gwen has moved to Newport Coast

from Los Angeles, and is thrilled to be a part of the Newport scene.

“I feel so privileged to live here,” she said.

Yamaguchi is also busy promoting his new cookbook, “Hawaii Cooks.”

Also spotted at Roy’s were team members of the Dallas Stars, in

town to battle the Mighty Ducks at the Anaheim Pond for the Stanley

Cup playoffs.

The Stars made the Four Seasons Hotel their residence of choice,

and held their arrival night dinner at Roy’s, delighting the local

crowd. Last Monday’s post-game supper surprised the local crowd at

Fleming’s restaurant, also at Fashion Island.

To support the Newport Harbor High School dinner next week, you

may make your reservation by contacting Hennie Sondel at (949)

548-4044.

ONE MORE THING

A dedicated Newport contingent joined forces with Los Angeles

society to support the Doheny Eye Institute at a benefit at the

Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

The spring luncheon and fashion show, with clothing by St. John,

was produced by the Luminaries, a women’s support group of the Doheny

Eye Institute.

The afternoon was chaired by Sonia Hathaway and Barbara Nielsen of

Newport Beach. Other Newport women spotted in the crowd were Louise

Brigham, Gaile Patrick and Marion Webb. Bea Stathatos, president of

the Luminaries, welcomed the crowd to the annual event.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.