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from OCBJ.com - Orange County Business Journal
January 7, 2008


DeVore’s Travels with Charlie; RE Woes For Real Housewives

“Charlie Wilson’s War” gets only two stars from Irvine Assemblyman and former Wilson traveling companion Chuck DeVore, who faults the hit movie for liberal bias. He says the film, starring Tom Hanks as Wilson, aptly portrays the Texas Democrat as congressional champion of the Afghan rebels (as well as a boozing womanizer), but snubs the real architect of their victory over the Soviets, Ronald Reagan: “The History Channel’s version is better.” As a Pentagon specialist from 1986 to 1988 Devore monitored anti-Communist insurgencies in Nicaragua (think Ollie North), Afghanistan and other hotspots. He spent 11 days in 1987 with Wilson, OC’s Bob Dornan and six other Congressmen on a fact-finding tour that included visits to refugee camps in Peshawar and dinner with Pakistani strongman Zia ul-Haq, events dramatized in the movie. A year later DeVore gave his bulletproof vest and other protective gear to Dana Rohrabacher—the incoming OC congressman was preparing for his own mission into Afghanistan, where he battled with a Mujahedin unit against Soviet forces ...

It’s not in the televised story line, but the mortgage meltdown has hit the stars of “The Real Housewives of Orange County.” Vicki Gunvalson and Lauri (Waring) Peterson have pulled second homes off the market for lack of interest and former title insurance rep Slade Smiley (not back this season) is losing his over-leveraged Coto de Caza home. “With the market changing all of us in the real estate business were just killed,” says Housewife/broker Jeana Keough, who is negotiating a “short sale” for Smiley. But Keough says after a six-month lull she just sold three homes in three days: “This is the best time to buy real estate.” If not the best time to have to unload it ...

Meantime, here come the spinoffs: Bravo said it has begun filming “Manhattan Moms” in the Hamptons and ordered a one-hour pilot for Smiley’s ex-girlfriend Jo De La Rosa. And “Housewives” creator Scott Dunlop said he is working with KDOC’s Bert Ellis on “a national show emanating from the OC” ...

City National Bank CEO and OC “wealthy weekender” Russell Goldsmith has been appointed to the Federal Reserve Board’s 12-member Advisory Council ...

Retired Pacific Life vice chairman Glenn Schafer has been elected a director of Denver-based Janus Capital Group. Schafer will be one of the honorees at the Forum for Corporate Directors annual dinner on Feb. 27 ...

Democrat state Sen. Lou Correa, OCBJ Politician to Watch for 2008, spent 10 days in China as part of a delegation (three lawmakers, a few Northern California tech execs) hosted by the Chinese government. Correa said he looked into unfair trade practices, but he sounded more impressed by the opportunities for California exporters, “especially in terms of environmental cleanup.” He marveled at the contrasts: “There are donkeys pulling carts, and a couple of miles away there’s a Lamborghini dealer.”

Rick Reiff

Copyright, Orange County Business Journal.
All rights reserved

Previous Columns, Stories:
Dec. 29, 2008 — No Charges in Scuffle at Home of Ritz Owner; Rogers Tries Retirement
Dec. 15, 2008 — UCI Law Prof Takes on Zell; Choco & Anteater
Dec. 8, 2008 — O Canada: OC Deals Head North; UCI Name Tags
Dec. 1, 2008 — Screening Obama Job Candidates; Bren Adds Another Hotel Star
Nov. 24, 2008 — Surviving the Fire; Lindstrom Joins Bren's Top Team
Nov. 17, 2008 — McKernan Go-To Guy on Driving, OCPAC, Prop 11
Nov. 10, 2008 — Before Making History, Obama Calls Barbaro; Herb Turns 100
Nov. 3, 2008 — Coping with the Meltdown, from Argyros to Yoost
Oct. 27, 2008 — Crimefighter Spitzer Aids Embattled Nick; OC's Star Lawyers
Oct. 20, 2008 — It's Agreed: No Bren Name on UCI Law School
Oct. 13, 2008 — UCI Launches Big Drive with $405M And a Long View
Oct. 6, 2008 — Moorlach Rips Bailout, Paulson; Boone Pickens Teams with Agran
Sep. 29, 2008 — Gross Stumps for Fed Bailout; Political All-Stars Visit OC
Sep. 22, 2008 — Financial Crisis Busies Campbell, Dogs Cox; Another Vegas Buyer
Sep. 15, 2008 — Register Bombshells; Irvine Co. Layoffs; Ga-Ga for Palin
Sep. 8, 2008 — Folino Hosts Palin; Moorlach Raps Brown; Register Speeds Up
Sep. 1, 2008 — Life after Donald: Hunt Stays Busy; Beijing, Then Denver
Aug. 25, 2008 — OC All Over Airwaves; Eddy’s Other Socal Job
Aug. 18, 2008 — Building Still Booms On Local Campuses; OCBJ Office Tower?
Aug. 11, 2008 — No Second Place At Irvine Co.; Gustavo Does OC
Aug. 4, 2008 — Cleveland No Joke For City National; Obama Trails Drake
Jul. 28, 2008 — Big 2008 StartFor Honda Center; Ritz Owner Arrested
Jul. 21, 2008 — Tough Market for UCI Apprentices—And Their Mentor
Jul. 14, 2008 — Baron Davis Joins Irvine Team, Too; Harley's Wild Ride
Jul. 7, 2008 — Obama Coming to OC, too; Campbell Defies Bush, GOP
Jun. 30, 2008 — Moreno, Pringle Smile—for Cameras; Chris Cox's Side
Jun. 23, 2008 — Julie's Gal Tops John's Guy; Here Comes Tom Campbell
Jun. 16, 2008 — Accounting Changes; WD Founder Phillips' Remaining 'Share'
Jun. 9, 2008 — Pondering IPO Dearth; Yard House Founder's $1.2 Million Backyard
Jun. 2, 2008 — 'Thomas II' a Wet Seal Hit; Greenhut Going
May. 26, 2008 — Publisher Moves to Other Coast; 'Mood Lighting' at Luncheon
May. 19, 2008 — UCI Thinks Big; DeVore Gets Power Boost from Brown
May. 12, 2008 — Handicapping OC Sheriff's Derby; Ask Mrs. Puri
May. 5, 2008 — Bruin Coach Coaxes Trojan to Donate; OC 50 Rundown
Apr. 28, 2008 — No Air-Fare Wars at JWA; Donald & Arnold
Apr. 21, 2008 — Parker Kennedy: Class Act, 'Last Emperor' Of First American
Apr. 14, 2008 — Aliso Viejo Golf Takes Private Route; Chris' New Gig
Apr. 7, 2008 — Pringle May Exit Politics; Augie to Meet Hawkings
Mar. 31, 2008 — McCain's Tale of Two OC Cities; Freedom on Hold
Mar. 24, 2008 — SEC Cox Mum on Veep Rumor; LiLo Drops by Chapman
Mar. 17, 2008 — Safi Meets Wang; Edwards to Manatt; Gwen's Big Auction
Mar. 10, 2008 — Edward Buys Prime Pebble Beach Lot; OC's Acting Sheriff
Mar. 3, 2008 — OC Makes Lender's 'Worst' List; Loretta Eyes Governor Race
Feb. 25, 2008 — Party On: Tony Thompson Plans to Start Vulture Fund
Feb. 18, 2008 — Nick Adds Another Ex-Times Guy; Mears & Capaldi
Feb. 11, 2008 — Sources: Indictment Soon in Broadcom Case; McCain's Backers
Feb. 4, 2008 — Vegas Guys Double Down on OC; Long-Drive Sheriff
Jan. 28, 2008 — Slowdown Hitting SunCal, too; Steve Mihaylo Keeps Giving
Jan. 21, 2008 — Deficit, 241 Backers Persuaded Arnold; Remembering Carl
Jan. 14, 2008 — High School Inc.: Anaheim's Chamber May Copy Santa Ana
Jan. 7, 2008 — DeVore's Travels with Charlie; RE Woes For Real Housewives
Dec. 31, 2007 — Pimco, Merage, Sim Circle Over Mortgage Mess; Legal 'Brief'
Dec. 17, 2007 — Holiday Gift for Carona: Jones Day; Lobel Busy Again
Dec. 10, 2007 — Real Estate Woes Worsen; Nobelist Opts for Lease
Dec. 3, 2007 — Buck Johns, Victorville Plugging into Hybrid Power; China Critic
Nov. 26, 2007 — St. Regis Gets Fifth Diamond; Sheldon the Great
Nov. 19, 2007 — Power Pair: Joe Dunn, Frankenstein; Elieff Does Disney
Nov. 12, 2007 — Maestro Carl to Stay in OC; Will Swaim's Backer
Nov. 5, 2007 — Carona Drama Has Moxley Subplot; Return of Marty
Oct. 29, 2007 — Cox Planning to Leave Politics; Wave of VIPs
Oct. 22, 2007 — Luce Forward Lands Big Names; Cicerone Happy in D.C.
Oct. 15, 2007 — Dye, Fazio—Steve Knows the Difference; Ko's Sales Price
Oct. 8, 2007 — Record Baseball, Donald's Wealth, Mimi's New Do
Oct. 1, 2007 — Ueberroth's 'U.N.' Hosts Iranians, Too; JWA's Full Slate
Sept 24, 2007 — Lennar Going Slow, But Not Retreating; Chemerinsky, Cont'd
Sept 17, 2007 — Could Lawyers Solve UCI Law School Flap? Shady Canyon Haircut
Sept 10, 2007 — Doti Runs Dollar Marathons, Too; Mortgage Rebound?
Sept 3, 2007 — Is 'City Mag' On Way? From Watergate to Congo
Aug. 27, 2007 — Anderson's 'Adios' Ends Register Era; Wither OC Post?
Aug. 20, 2007 — Congressman Helps Broadcom; Register Gets TV Tenant
Aug. 13, 2007 — Lincoln Club Aims For Hillary; OC Tops Subprime List
Aug. 6, 2007 — Blenheim Farm Selling for $40M; Ko Retiring But Not From Scene
July 30, 2007 — Chapman's Million Dollar Econ Recruits; Moorlach's Operatives
July 23, 2007 — Big OCPAC Gift; Times Chief Wants To Reclaim County
July 16, 2007 — Broadcom Gets PR Aid in Patent War; Bloated Bus Numbers
July 9, 2007 — Lennar's Hush-Hush El Toro Laboratory; Dine with Ballplayers
July 2, 2007 — Out at Register, But Buscaglia May Still Join Freedom
June 25, 2007 — Baseball, Bren, Beall: UCI's Big Week; George Jr.'s Vows
June 18, 2007 — New Sheriff in Town: Carona Isn't Running; Surf City Cup Sighting
June 11, 2007 — Sanderson J. Ray's Big Desert Project; Candidate Jam-Up
June 4, 2007 — 'Chicks' Ooh For 'Hunk'; Fullerton's Rising Fashion Star
May 28, 2007 — Fat Lady Not Singing in OC; Dunlop's Buddy
May 21, 2007 — One More Reason For Subprime Mess; Pimco's Odd Couple
May 14, 2007 — E&Y's Anderson to Retire; Samueli on Chips, Ducks, NBA
May 7, 2007 — Anderson Gets Big Honor, Sour News; OCer for Obama
Apr. 30, 2007 — Grad Program for Soka U's Campus; Photo-Finish Lawyer
Apr. 23, 2007 — Big A Hopefuls Making Rounds; Folino for Rudy
Apr. 16, 2007 — Flanders: Freedom Will Keep It All In the Family
Apr. 9, 2007 — QB Great Aims for OC End Zone; Real Estate Romance
Apr. 2, 2007 — One Less 'A' at Anaheim's Big A; Aitken for Edwards
Mar. 26, 2007 — Biz Council Sits Out Disney Rally; Coast Lot Hot
Mar. 19, 2007 — Meet the Man Who's Making The Mouse Roar
Mar. 12, 2007 — OC Morning Show in Works; Manley, Jesse in Ghana
Mar. 5, 2007 — German Exec Loves Mercedes, OC; It's Been 10 Years
Feb. 26, 2007 — OC Tech Guy Helps Matt Damon; Stem Cell Recap
Feb. 19, 2007 — OCer Behind L.A. Hoopla; Chapman's Mel Gibson Tie
Feb. 12, 2007 — OC's GOP-Prez Scorecard; Commie Girl Reality Show?
Feb. 5, 2007 — Rudy, Pataki in OC; UCI's Role In Climate Report
Jan. 29, 2007 — Bush, Sanchez Tango; Moorlach to Iraq? Birth Announcements
Jan. 22, 2007 — 'The O.C.' Producer Planning Restaurant In Newport Beach
Jan. 15, 2007 — OC Olympic Bid; Bren Likes Reading, Not Owning, Papers
Jan. 8, 2007 — Moorlach v. Umberg: Who's the Hack?; Bren on Borrowing
Jan. 1, 2007 — The Plan: Bren Says Company Will Exist in 'Perpetuity'
Dec. 18, 2006 — Bren Joins McCain 0Team; Gross Sheds, Campbell Adds Hair
Dec. 11, 2006 — Dunn Laments; Meet Jim Morris—Both of 'Em
Dec. 4, 2006 — International Row: Hotel Apologizes To UC Irvine Prof
Nov. 27, 2006 — Events Draw a Who's Who, But Who Goes Where?
Nov. 20, 2006 — Newport Getting Ready For Duke's Birthday; Lawrence's Lawrence
Nov. 13, 2006 — Measure M Déjà Vu; Flint Wins; Moorlach's Man
Nov. 6, 2006 — New Supes Board Shaping Up as a Cost-Cutter
Oct. 30, 2006 — Anaheim Eyes BrewTown, Sacramento; Tiger, Move Over
Oct. 23, 2006 — Nick's Donation, Impending Divorce; Jim Carrey's Gift
Oct. 16, 2006 — Safi's New DigitalPlay; Measure M In Irvine Feud
Oct. 9, 2006 — Bren Avoids Condo Crunch; Praise for UCI Word Wizard
Oct. 2, 2006 — Morton's GM Out; Wanted: Lutheran Biz School Leader
Sep. 25, 2006 — Donald No-Shows At Henry's Bash; Beach of Anaheim?
Sep. 18, 2006 — Garrett Anderson Does PR, Too; Henry's Media Mob
Sep. 11, 2006 — Lobbyists Swarm In KOCE Fight; Bye Bye deBoom
Sep. 4, 2006 — KDOC Canceling Gene Scott; Augie's Quest in Spotlight
Aug. 28, 2006 — Going Hawleywood: Pompadours, Beer; PAC Gets Close-Up
Aug. 21, 2006 — Cohen Resurfaces as Talbott Consultant; OC's Power Players
Aug. 14, 2006 — Arizona Emerging as Defect Battleground; Rosemary to Philly
Aug. 7, 2006 — Mideast Conflict Spills Into OC; Cisco Mind Grant
July 31, 2006 — Mideast Conflict Spills Into OC; Cisco Mind Grant
July 24, 2006 — Concrete Firm Draws Hard Line; UCI Provost in Demand
July 17, 2006 — Drake Sees His Way at UCI; Baugh Bummed
July 10, 2006 — 'Housewives' Gearing For Second Season; Beachfront Bonanza
July 3, 2006 — Media Execs Like OC; Lockyer Sits Out 241 Fight
June 26, 2006 — Mears Won't Run Unless ...; Allergan's 'Commander Crutch'
June 19, 2006 — Shady Hot but Forecast Cool; Dunn v. Umberg?
June 12, 2006 — Arnold-Doti Duo; Brother, Bruin Help Troubled Trojan
June 5, 2006 — Expect Supes Battle If Moorlach Wins; CC Packs Them In

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