A trio of September events for good causes

The Divas of the Balboa Theater are planning an upcoming Balboa

Beach Blanket Barbeque set for Sept. 8. The fabulous Deborah Mars,

publicity chair for the event, reports that the second annual summer

bash will once again have the barbecue sponsored by Clayton Shurley’s

Real BBQ.

Mars adds that it will also be the second annual Surfin’ Duckie

Wave Race held in the Pacific Ocean at Balboa Peninsula Park adjacent

to the pier. The Surfin’ Duckie race ducks may be purchased for a

donation of $5 each, with funds benefiting the ongoing restoration

project of the old Balboa Theater. Organizers will drop all the ducks

into the surf, and the first 100 ducks to surf to shore will win

prizes for their owners.

Admission to the afternoon of fun in the sun is free and open to

the public. All funds raised from the sale of lunch and from the race

will help to promote saving a legend on the peninsula. If you wish to

buy one duck or an entire flock in advance, please call (949)

706-7249.

PARIS, TRES BIEN

They are calling it “The City of Light in Orange County.” The AIDS

Services Foundation of Orange County will present “World’s Fair:

Paris” on Sept. 14 at the Orange County Fairgrounds.

The World’s Fair theme follows the success of last year’s event

staged in New Orleans’ style, raising $375,000 for direct client

services at the AIDS Services Foundation. The major undertaking is

once again chaired by Judy Fluor-Runels, Ken Jillson and Jorge

Rodriguez.

Organizers are busy creating the romance of Paris, collecting

auction items and putting the final touches on an eclectic French

feast. They are even planning to re-create a version of the

Champs-Elysees, with a parade set for nightfall.

Jillson states: “The parade will be the theatrical centerpiece of

the evening. It is choreographed by Tod A. Kubo, featuring music from

‘Gigi,’ and over 50 dancers and costumed performers, including the

use of six classic convertible automobiles.”

Support for the World’s Fair comes from a cross-section of

community leaders, including Al Roberts, Karen Ellis, Richard

Johnson, Pearl Jemison-Smith, Roger Johnson, Marian Bergeson, Anita

May Rosenstein, Bob Haskell, Billur Wallerich and Rep. Chris Cox.

Tickets are $125 in advance and $145 at the door. Organizers are

still looking for underwriting support. For information, call (949)

805-5700.

CHALLENGE FOR CHILDREN

Challenge for Children, led by local Orange County resident Byron

Scott, coach of the New Jersey Nets, will unfold Sept. 13 in support

of Parkinson’s research. Newport Beach activist Jim Warsaw was

thrilled to report that Scott dedicated funds raised from this year’s

charity event to the Parkinson’s disease cause.

Organizers, including Brian McInerney, John Herklotz and Paul

Goldenberg, will join Warsaw in attracting community support for the

event, which is being created with a western theme. The evening will

feature legendary sports stars, along with Orange Coast families and

friends, turning out in support of Scott’s philanthropy. Final

details on the upcoming party are in the works.

For more information, call (949) 661-7117.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.