Who made this year's DP 103?

Orange County environmentalist Terry Welsh has been the No. 1 advocate of Banning Ranch's open space since 2000. Although the groups he spearheads have changed names over the years, the message is always about preservation and conservation. For the last two years, under the Banning Ranch Conservancy, Welsh has waged a battle against city plans to construct a 850-foot access road stretching north from West Coast Highway.

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No. 82

Benito Acosta

Costa Mesa sank nearly $500,000 into defending itself after Benito Acosta claimed the City Council and then-Mayor Allan Mansoor stripped him of his right to free speech at a Jan. 3, 2006, meeting in which he urged his supporters to stand to protest the city's enforcement on illegal immigration. The council stopped them by abruptly calling for a recess. The ACLU recently announced it would take up his appeal.

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No. 83

Alexis Bellino

There was a good amount of internal debate about whether to include any of the "Real Housewives of Orange County" on the DP 103. In the end, we decided the Web hits were worth the heat. But Alexis Bellino indeed brought a good deal of attention to Newport Beach when a stroller carrying her toddlers rolled into the pool at the Balboa Bay Club. The tots were fine.

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No. 84

Tawny Kitaen

Although actress Tawny Kitaen used to be synonymous with 911 calls in Newport Beach, the 1980s icon now says she is on the straight and narrow and doing well. In August, the 49-year-old talked about her sobriety and new commitment to the community. Instead of rolling around in White Snake videos, Kitaen spends her time volunteering with abused women and raising her two daughters.

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No. 85

Seth Siegel

Health food store owner Seth Siegel is leading the effort to rehabilitate the Balboa Theater. Siegel hopes to have a fresh run at the fundraising. He needs it, as his group estimates the project will take an additional $4.5 million to complete. The theater near the Balboa Pier has been closed since 1992, and its foundation has struggled to finish renovations. The board members picture a multi-use space.

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No. 86

Mike Gillespie

Entering his fourth season as UC Irvine's baseball coach, Mike Gillespie continues to add to a Hall of Fame legacy. The 70-year-old has guided the Anteaters to NCAA Regional appearances in each of the last three years, and the 2008 squad played in a Super Regional. Included in that run was a 2009 Big West Conference championship and a No. 1 national ranking, both Division I firsts for the Anteaters.

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No. 87