THE CROWD:

An 8:30 a.m. breakfast meeting in Newport Beach brought together some of the big Kahunas of the Orange County surf world. They came at the invitation of Nancy Christiano and Valarie Whiting, two women passionately involved with protecting the ocean environment worldwide.

Last month Whiting chaired a major fundraiser for an organization known as Oceana raising close to $1 million to help fund international programs relating to ocean conservation. On this particular mid-week morning Whiting came to breakfast with a check for $55,000 representing a portion of the proceeds raised at the major fundraiser, donating the money to the Surf Industry Manufacturers Assn. Environmental Fund.

The organization is a confederation of surf industry manufacturing associates who are acutely aware that their business can only thrive if the ocean and beach environments are clean, safe and healthy for the human population to enjoy.

Paul Naudé, president of the association’s environmental fund and chief executive of Billabong USA, accepted the donation from Whiting, expressing sincere appreciation and respect for the link between commerce and conservation.

“We not only have an obligation to ourselves but to future generations of our children to protect the ocean. Clearly, if we fail in this regard not only will our business interest fail but all of mankind will suffer,” offered the eloquent Naudé.

Joining him for breakfast were Sean Smith, executive director of the Surf Industry Manufacturers Assn.’s Environmental Fund, Jeff Booth, men’s national sales manager for Billabong USA, Dave Gilovich, executive vice president of Surfline, and Bob Mignogna, president of Mignogna Consulting Inc. Also present was Beto Bedolfe, representing Oceana and the Marisla Foundation, and Scott Daley, representing Body Glove.

The American Ballet Theatre came to Orange County last week led by Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie and Executive Director Rachael S. Moore. The evening of dance included the West Coast premiere of “Rabbit and Rouge” with choreography by Twyla Tharp and music by Danny Elfman.

The principal conductor was Charles Barker in association with David La Marche and Ormsby Wilkins. The talented cast, crew and production staff joined with patrons and guests of The Orange County Performing Arts Center for an after-theater supper following the opening night performance.

The reception took place in the Center Room, and as the crowd entered they were greeted with sparkling champagne and wine.

Major patrons of the evening included Jane and Jim Driscoll, Richard and Mary Cramer, Tim and Mary Harward, and Bruno and Sharon Lebon.

Also underwriting the performance and the event was the Segerstrom Endowment for Great Performances, Ameriprise Financial, The Los Angeles Times, and the Audrey Steele Burnand Endowed Fund for International Dance.

The Orange County Performing Arts Center has become internationally recognized for its dance program. Coming up Oct. 2 through Oct. 5, the center’s “Fall for Dance Festival” promises to kick off another incredible season of performances. “Fall for Dance” is a sister program to New York City’s similar event and tickets to the performances are just $10. For more information contact the center at www.ocpac.org.

Orangewood’s dedicated support group known as 44 Women for Children held its summer luncheon fundraiser event recently in Newport Beach welcoming guest of honor Carrie Fisher speaking candidly and personally about her serious struggle with alcohol abuse, depression and the darker side of the Hollywood celebrity upbringing.

The fourth annual event unfolded at The Balboa Bay Club & Resort with funds benefiting the Orangewood Children’s Foundation, and more specifically the Foster Youth College Scholarship Fund. Susan Samueli, founder of 44 Women for Children, welcomed the crowd and introduced co-chairs of the event Holly Fowler and Kelly Aguilar.

Also on hand to support the emancipated foster youth going to college were Roseanne Levan, Lupe Erwin, Jessica Aitken, Ann Kilgore, Karen Goldhirsh, and Balboa Island’s glamorous Shirley Pepys.

Bayshore’s residents Ludie and David Henley recently returned from China, where they experienced the devastating earthquake along with the excitement of the pre-Olympic frenzy. The Henleys also witnessed the erection of the Olympic torch atop Mt. Everest in addition to participating in the excitement of the buildup to the spectacular opening ceremony, which has the entire world focused on China and the ensuing two weeks of Olympic Games.

David Henley commented, “The Chinese people are hoping that the Olympic competition will elevate some of the sadness resulting from the deadly earthquake permeating the nation of 1.4 billion people.”

The couple was on a chairlift taking them to the top of the Great Wall when the earthquake struck. They did not feel the actual quake. “Our hotel as well as other tall buildings in Beijing were evacuated and chaos reigned throughout China immediately after the tragedy,” added Henley who waxed philosophic concerning human resiliency from tragedy to triumph in such a short period of time. Meanwhile thousands of O.C. residents are fixed upon the Olympic Games watching our own sons and daughters participate for the American teams in an effort to bring home the gold.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.