THE CROWD:

An early morning breakfast meeting at the Westin Hotel in Costa Mesa welcomed O.C. civic leaders to examine a “Portrait of the Costa Mesa Theater and Arts District.” It was the 2007 Planning Officials Forum, which they called “Riding The Wave Of Change.” Distinguished local participants included Donald Lamm, chairman of the forum committee representing Costa Mesa; joining officials including Charlie View, Genia Garcia, Chuck Wilson, Alice Angus, Kurt Christinsen, and Joel Rosen.

The civic leaders came for a day of seminars revolving around the ambitious proposed development of high-rise structures that will be added to the Costa Mesa skyline in short order. They also came to pay tribute to Orange County visionary Henry Segerstrom.

Delivering an address without notes, Segerstrom shared: “I remember my father and my uncles telling me when I was a young boy to someday buy land and to buy the best available.” He added, “They also said that if you grow a crop, then grow the best crop you can grow.” For the Segerstroms, it was lima beans.

“Always strive to be the best in anything you endeavor,” continued Segerstrom, adding, “My father used to say someday they will be selling land in Orange County by the square foot.” Actually, land in this region is now valued by the square inch.

Segerstrom’s grandparents arrived in Orange County 109 years ago with 10 children in tow. He grew up in a region with no freeways and no cultural infrastructure of any kind. Life revolved around the business of agriculture. “In 1950 the Santa Ana Freeway opened, and in 1953 Costa Mesa incorporated. This was the beginning of rapid change and growth,” continued Segerstrom. Soon the 405 Freeway would be built, and by 1961 the first multistoried steel office building would rise with Segerstrom involvement.

The audience listened attentively as Segerstrom shared the obstacles of opening South Coast Plaza in 1967. Further voices of doom believed that the 1975 construction of the Westin South Coast Plaza Hotel, a 17-story edifice in the middle of a lima bean field, would not attract clientele that would justify its creation.

Today, South Coast Plaza is considered the No. 1 retail center in America, if not the entire world, and the Town Center around the shopping complex has become a vibrant center of culture and commerce.

Segerstrom said, “Did you know that Orange County was once part of Los Angeles County? Orange County seceded in 1889.” Attending the breakfast with his wife, Elizabeth, his son Anton as well as members of the South Coast Plaza management team, Segerstrom concluded his address by restating his business philosophy. “I believe in keeping standards high; this will make the community grow. Always be the best. Excellence is our standard. We strive for nothing less.”

The winter season in the California desert has begun, and the Newport-Mesa crowd headed to the desert for the ClubCorp Charity Classic, a golf and tennis event celebrating 50 years of community service. Golfers played Mission Hills Country Club, Indian Hills Country Club, and Desert Falls Country Club and attended a massive dinner labeled as “A Taste of the Valley.”

More than $116,000 was raised benefiting the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure, the PGA Foundation, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and ClubCorp’s own PartnersCare Foundation.

On hand for the event were Newport’s Madeline and Len Zuckerman; Debbie Faulkner, V.P. ClubCorp; Brandy Offutt; Joshua and Valerie Tanner; Dan Block; Garret Kriske;Patty and Larry Spicer; Chuck Feddersen; and Katie Parker with the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

The 22nd season of Opera Pacific debuted this week in Costa Mesa with “La Boheme” in the Segerstrom Hall Opera House, followed by a gala-opening cast party at the Center Club. The overflow house attired in everything from blue jeans to ball gowns cheered the performance with a standing ovation as the 67-piece orchestra and chorus of 41 voices joined the cast and crew for a series of bows.

Conducted by Edoardo Muller and directed by Michael Scarola, the classic opera by Giacomo Puccini plays through Nov. 3rd at the Orange County Performing Artscenter.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.