THE CROWD:

Oceana was founded in 2001. Its goal was simple and direct: Save the Earth’s ocean environment. Sound alarming? It is certainly a cause for concern. Advocates fear that the oceans, comprising 70% of the earth’s surface, are in need of protection from the abuse of a burgeoning world population. Their mission statement offers, “The earth’s largest ecosystem supports tens of millions of people who depend on the sea for a livelihood and a billion plus people who rely on it for sustenance.”

Last week in O.C., a group of Oceana activists from Newport-Mesa and Laguna Beach rallied some very significant national support along with an A-list of Hollywood’s biggest stars for what was one of the most glamorous as well as important social events of the summer season, called the SeaChange Summer Party.

Co-chaired by Julie Hill and Valarie Whiting, with actor Ted Danson serving as honorary chairman of the evening, more than 400 patrons — paying $1,000 a couple and, in some cases, a great deal more — helped to raise close to $1 million for Oceana, which is headquartered in Washington D.C., and operates specific global campaigns in strategic locales worldwide. Scientists are at work on behalf of Oceana programs in such international cities as Madrid, Brussels and Santiago. In the U.S., work is being done in Alaska, Oregon, Washington, California, Florida, Massachusetts and New York.

Nancy Christiano, one of the most ardent local volunteers, said, “There are a number of significant challenges that Oceana addresses. They include combating widespread destructive bottom-trawling, dealing with excessive pollution from land and illegal oil dumping in the sea, increased mercury pollution, enforcing existing laws against drift nets, and international cooperation concerning saving sea life including dolphins, sharks and sea turtles.” Christiano added, “This is just the tip of the iceberg. Perhaps most important, we are contaminating the world’s largest food source.”

While the “green” movement has come into the national psyche with considerable impact, in the large part due to the rise in the oil price, issues pertaining to conservation and protection of the oceans are not as forefront in the public’s radar. To help bring these matters into full focus, Hollywood has been enlisted. The response has been, well, stellar.

On this night in Laguna Beach at the majestic Cahill Estate, overlooking the Pacific Ocean that the crowd had come to protect, actors Harrison Ford, Sam Waterston and John Picard turned out in full glory to accept honors for their vocal support of Oceana and to mix with local citizens of like-minded purpose. The honorees were joined by more star power as Danson helped welcome notables Jeff Goldblum, William H. Macy, Felicity Huffman, Diane Lane, Diane Keaton, Lauren Hutton and Amber Valletta. VIP celeb committee members included CBS-TV boss Leslie Moonves, Robert Redford, Tom Cruise, Cheryl and Ron Howard, Keely and Pierce Brosnan, Elisabeth Shue and Davis Guggenheim and more. Danson’s support in particular is long-standing. In 1987, he founded an organization called the American Oceans Campaign (AOC), which merged in 2001 with the founding of Oceana.

The big event began at sunset as the local patrons mingled with the Hollywood guests in the handsome courtyard of the Cahills’ Mediterranean mansion. A platoon of paparazzi and press were cordoned off by velvet rope shouting madly as the contributors rubbed elbows with their screen idols. Interestingly, the stars could not have been more accessible and gracious to the crowd. All of them posed for photos with the throng of strangers as if they were all long-lost friends. That’s how much the Oceana cause means to them. They will do whatever it takes to raise both awareness and money to support the cause.

Big O.C. names in attendance included Paul and Lilly Merage of Newport Coast, Big Canyon’s Sue and Ralph Stern, Chuck and Twyla Martin of Smithcliffs, Laguna’s fabulous Suzanne and Jim Mellor, former chief executive of Pacific Life Tom Sutton and his wife, Marilyn, as well as Pacific Life Foundation executive Bob Haskell, Corona del Mar’s Stan Hanson and Eve Kornyei, Harriet and Sandy Sandhu of Pelican Point, and Newport-based home builder Jim Baldwin and his beautiful, wife Nancy. Also supporting Oceana were major local Newport philanthropists Larry and Kristina Dodge, Doug and Lynn Freeman, the gorgeous Gail Bronson Boyd, Bill and Pat Podlich, Teddie Ray, Tom Tierney, Marta Bhathal, Elaine Weinberg, Ninetta and Gavin Herbert, and from UCI, Chancellor Michael Drake and his charming wife, Brenda.

Following the welcome reception, the crowd was escorted through the massive residence to the terraced rear of the home that was a setting comparable to either a villa in the South of France or perhaps on Italy’s Amalfi Coast. “Spectacular” does not do the setting justice.

Multiple levels of terraces, gardens, lawns, fountains, pools, cabanas and observation points handled the more than 400 guests for cocktails and a silent auction before a seated dinner for all was served by the incomparable Pascal and his staff from “Traditions by Pascal.” The color theme was aquamarine blue and white carried out throughout the estate. Many of the guests chose coordinating attire. Very Great Gatsby indeed.

For more information on the work of Oceana call (202) 833-3900 in Washington D.C. or go to www.oceana.org.

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