B.W. COOK -- The Crowd

Carrera y Carrera of Spain swept into the Orange County Museum of Art

in Newport Beach this week, hosting a reception for local art lovers

centered around the Spanish purveyor’s collection of jeweled sculptures

created by European artisans over the last half of the 20th century.

Carrera y Carrera, in the jewelry business since 1885, brought the

collection here for its first-ever West Coast showing, its second showing

in the United States.

A recent exhibition of the art in Russia created quite a public stir,

resulting in the donation of one piece to the permanent collection of the

Kremlin Museum, which includes the work of Karl Faberge.

* * *

Costa Mesa’s Tim Dunn, a member of the staff of the Orange County

Performing Arts Center, is once again leading the charge for National

Philanthropy Day.

Dunn asks, “Wouldn’t it be nice if we didn’t need worthy causes?”

He went on to share that our world just isn’t quite perfect, so it is

up to all of us to work to make it better.

“Better for everyone,” says Dunn, who will help to rally local support

for National Philanthropy Day, set for Nov. 13. A luncheon celebration

will unfold at The Hyatt Regency Hotel in Irvine, to encompass all the

local nonprofits -- from health care to education to cultural enrichment.

Awards will be given out, and thank-yous will be abundant.

“It’s about recognizing the good in society,” adds Dunn.

For more information, call Dunn at (714) 556-2122, Ext. 209.

* * *

And when it comes to good, one local organization is surely at the top

of the list. The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation recently hosted its

seventh annual holiday card party, chaired by Susan Bridgford.

The holiday card designs have become a local staple of goodwill and

well wishes created by children who suffer from cancer or have survived

the battle.

The card party began when Bridgford joined forces with friends Karen

Cahill, Kim Weiner and Julie Hart and started the project to make a

difference in the lives of these kids.

They have sold more than $100,000 in cards since. All proceeds from

the holiday greetings directly fund research at laboratories both here in

Orange County and around the nation, where work continues to help

children fighting cancer.

Check out the foundation’s Web site at https://www.PCRF-KIDS.com or

call (949) 854-5141 for more information on the cards.

* * *

Halloween may have welcomed the ghosts and goblins at your door, but

the door of CASA -- otherwise known as Court Appointed Special Advocates

-- welcomed local support to the ninth annual pumpkins and pancakes event

at South Coast Plaza. More than 1,500 local children and their families

poured into the Crate and Barrel wing of South Coast Plaza at 8:30 Sunday

morning to hear the music and laughter of Darren and D.J., and to do a

little face painting, witness a bit of magic, throw a few balls in the

carnival booths and enjoy the spread of food, including pumpkin pancakes,

that make the event such a success for both CASA and the attendees.

Founded in 1985, CASA of Orange County provides a voice for children

involved in the court system who have been abused or abandoned. CASA

needs support all year long.

Call (714) 780-8733 to make a difference for a child.

* * *

“Come to the Cabaret,” declares Diane Johnson, welcoming new members

to the support guild of The Orange County Performing Arts Center,

catering to single adults in the community.

“Don’t sit alone in your room,” continues Johnson, singing the lyrics

to the song from which the chapter takes its name.

Johnson tells us that monthly meetings take place on the fourth

Tuesday of each month at the Irvine Marriott Hotel and feature a variety

of speakers.

To get involved, call the Cabaret hotline at (949) 262-5881.

* * *

Our Lady Queen of Angels Church and School, Newport Beach, is

preparing for its annual fund-raising auction, “Building Dreams,” to be

held Nov. 18 at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel.

More than 500 locals are expected to support the event, ultimately

helping children. Our Lady has been educating young boys and girls for

more than 35 years, “emphasizing Catholic values, promoting

responsibility, independence and leadership,” organizer Carla Matthews

says.

The funds are used to support academic and enrichment programs at the

campus, which serves more than 4,000 local families, led by Msgr. Bill

McLaughlin.

The auction this year will be chaired by volunteers Catherine O’Hare

and Yvonne Schloemer.

For information, call Carla Matthews at (949) 720-0101.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.