THE CROWD:

It was a blast from the past.

Truthfully, it was a past far beyond the birth of any in attendance as sweet 16- year-old Devon Wortmann, a student at Newport Harbor High School and a talented young sailor gathered at least 100 of her NBFs (that’s lingo for new best friends), for a wild-and-crazy birthday celebration.

The party at The Balboa Bay Club and Resort actually recalled the 1960s youth of her parents Anne and John Wortmann of Lido Isle.

Host father John, who also happens to be the board chairman of the Balboa Bay Club, threw the party for his daughter in a waterfront salon that was decorated with a bazillion balloons in every imaginable size, shape and color created by Renee Rosado of Short and Sweet Balloons. Wortmann commented, “This was definitely Austin Powers arriving in Newport Beach.”

The guest list included little brother John Wortmann Jr., Chris Whitelegge, Mary Yeager, Nicole Grice, Tim Tauber, Cory Fults, Tabitha Goff, Buzzy Yokoyama, Danielle Healy, and Brecht Van’t Hof.

Also dressed in their 1960s best were Tori Browne, Sasha Chebil, Jordan Murrel, Trevor Lawrence, Mark Sakioka, Max and Mia Van Berg, Riley Mathies, Andrew Duhoux, Fischer Robison, Brianna Truxton, Peter Russell, and Jessica Hensley.

As strobe lights flashed and the disco ball sent mirror flashes around the dining room celebrity DJ Thomas got the party up on its feet. Wortmann added, “This was a throwback to a younger, simpler time reminiscent of days lazing on the club’s beach, listening to rock ‘n’ roll and eating grilled cheese sandwiches with French fries and an old-fashioned ice cream bar with all the fixings.”

Anne and John bypassed any temptation to create an adult menu, honoring Devon’s request for chicken fingers, mini grilled-cheese sandwiches, French fries and watermelon.

For dessert the Wonderland Bakery created the fabulously rich red velvet cake, presented to the birthday girl and friends as the crowd preformed a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” with a hip-hop beat.

The kids danced into the night, celebrating a cherished time of adolescence in a rarefied and privileged cocoon, sheltered from the harsh reality of the world.

How lucky to grow up free to dream and able to explore the many options of youth.

A cream-colored Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet was the proverbial icing on the cake presented to the birthday girl by her loving parents mindful of the fact that not every 16-year-old in America is so fortunate.

The Claremont Institute will welcome Brian Kennedy and Larry Greenfield for an evening of “Scotch and Cigars” March 10 at The Balboa Bay Club and Resort, Newport Beach.

Senior fellow of the Claremont Institute Tom Fuentes is organizing the evening, which he labels as “a gathering of casual camaraderie and conservative conversation.” Kennedy is the president of the Claremont Institute and Greenfield will serve as the new vice president.

For more information e-mail Fuentes at [email protected].

A wonderful musical opens this weekend at the Laguna Playhouse based on the life of one of America’s legendary singers. “Ella,” written by Jeffrey Hatcher and directed by Rob Ruggiero, will open with a gala post performance champagne reception Saturday night at the much-loved Playhouse on Laguna Canyon Road.

Anticipation of an outstanding memoir of Ella Fitzgerald’s life and music is running high. For information please contact The Laguna Playhouse at (949) 497-2787.

The Orange County Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers has announced plans for their 2009 Design Tour, which the organization is calling “Urban Living @ The Astoria.”

The tour will be composed of six living spaces in the Astoria, which is a high-rise complex built by Lennar Urban and Intergulf Development Group.

The Orange County Performing Arts Center has been named as the beneficiary of this season’s tour proceeds.

Open to the public between April 21 and May 17, the show will be $30 in advance and $35 at the door and may be purchased beginning March 2 at asidocc.org or through the Orange County Performing Arts Center box office. For info, call (714) 556-2787.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.