FRONT LINE PRAYER: At Grace Church in...

FRONT LINE PRAYER: At Grace Church in Cypress today, they’ll give thanks not just to God, but to those with the sirens. The church has invited hundreds of local police officers and firefighters to a special service. “Our firefighters and policemen have been through a lot this past year,” says Pastor Dave Scott. “We’re just trying to show our appreciation.” . . . Speakers include Cypress Police Chief Daryl Wicker; he’ll talk about how his faith and his job are integrated.

BIRD WATCH: The Headlands above Dana Point Harbor is home to several threatened species--including the Pacific pocket mouse. But it was the California gnatcatcher that brought National Geographic magazine to the bluff-top for a recent photo shoot. . . . Unaware of the raging battle over a proposed luxury resort for the property, the magazine’s reporter asked Joanie Lahage of the Endangered Habitat League if south Orange County was interested in environmental issues. Says Lahage: “I let him know that the fight at our local level gets pretty hot.”

STARRY NIGHT: Comedian Red Skelton, 80, does a running gag: “I’m sticking around until I find out who gets Brooke Shields.” It’s Orange County that has her, at least this week. . . . The former child star, who now lives on the East Coast, will be special guest at the $200-per-person Black & White Ball on Friday night at Le Meridien Hotel in Newport Beach. It’s to benefit the Olive Crest, which operates group homes for abused children. Other stars scheduled: actors Perry King and Cindy Williams.

ADDING PRESSURE: When Gov. Pete Wilson said last week the state would add $50,000 to the reward for information in the killing of Garden Grove Police Officer Howard Dallies Jr., that put the reward total at $75,000. Now the Garden Grove City Council has boosted its original offer enough to put the total at an even $100,000. . . . “We hope it will jar memories and jar loose information,” says Police Chief Stanley L. Knee. “We want to catch the public eye.”