The crowd:

Orange County super Republican Tom Fuentes invited the political power base to breakfast at the Balboa Bay Club & Resort this week to welcome the grandson of late President Richard M. Nixon.

In Newport Beach on business, Christopher Nixon Cox, 30, addressed the breakfast conference expressing his opinions on the state of the nation and the direction of the Obama administration. “Higher taxes hit the poorest people hardest,” said the young attorney who is in private practice in New York City and is also involved in raising equity for major capital investment. “We need projects that make sense for Americans,” he added, stating, “The best way to create jobs is to cut the capital gains tax.” Cox continued, “How about a 50% tax credit on payroll taxes for businesses? That would stimulate economic growth.” Cox told the crowd that his mother, Tricia Nixon Cox, is doing well and is working on a number of projects in association with Princeton University.

Cox recently returned from an international tour with his grandfather’s secretary of state, Henry Kissinger. Cox came away from the tour explaining to the crowd that the United States must endeavor to forge a strong relationship with China working together to solve international problems. He said the world’s biggest crisis at the moment is the threat of Taliban fighters taking control of Pakistan and its arsenal of nuclear weapons.

“This is far more serious than anything relating to the regime in North Korea,” he told the crowd.

Twenty-two celebrity chefs created “Wild and Crazy” tacos for some 650 Newport-Mesa citizens who came together for the 16th annual Share Our Selves Wild and Crazy Taco Night on May 7. By the end of the evening SOS raised $33,030 in support of its Orange Aid project which provides meals for Orange County residents at risk. Hal Rosoff was one of the original Newport restaurateurs who created the Orange Aid project in association with Michael Kang of Five Feet Restaurant, Laguna Beach, Marla Bird, local restaurant critic, writer and SOS volunteer, former Taco Bell executives John Martin and Jonathan Blum, as well as former SOS Executive Director Karen Mcglinn.

Twenty-two amazing taco stations were set up on SOS property including a spicy Sopressata taco made by Franco Barone from Antonello Ristorante. Dennis Brask of Five Crowns created Swedish tacos with seared Gravlax. Quail rolled tacos with black chili were made by Allen Greeley of Golden Truffle fame. And from Pascal Olhats, duck foie gras was the order of the hour.

Major sponsorship for the taco night came from an enormous number of volunteer and business donors as well an underwriters and committee members that included Jack and Mary Ellen Glaser, Barbara and Bob Boies, Minnie Ballard, Ashley Carlton, Emily Evans, Elizabeth Evans, Karen Harrington, and Patty Nesbit to name only a handful.

A major wine event at the Balboa Bay Club & Resort, Newport Beach, was the focus of Olive Crest donors raising a most impressive $300,000 at a recent event they called “Harvesting Hope for the Olive Crest Kids.” Chaired by Debbie Ferrée, with support from Mike Donnelly, Alan Hoops, Tom Paulsen, and Chris Wing, the evening attracted nearly 300 dedicated Orange County guests with funds raised earmarked for Olive Crest’s transitional age youth programs.

This effort helps to equip young adults age 16 to 24 with practical life skills so that they may face adulthood with hope and a solid plan for their future. This Olive Crest program is not government funded, so every penny counts. A major auction helped to raise the tally as guests enjoyed entertainment provided by jazz saxophonist Shannon Kennedy along with a performance by the Orange Lutheran High School jazz ensemble. Spotted in the crowd were Bonnie and Brion Jeannette, Cindi and Norm Morales, Olive Crest Chief Executive Donald Verleur and Olive Crest trustee Steve Bernardy. Major corporate support came from Ralphs Markets and the Marion Knott Foundation among a long list of dedicated local business support. In its 36th year, Olive Crest Homes and Services for Abused Children is dedicated to preventing child abuse and to training and educating at risk children with the goal of preserving the family. For more information on Olive Crest visit www.olivecrest.org.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.