MORE SUFFERING? The number of children being...

MORE SUFFERING? The number of children being abused in Orange County appears to be higher than ever. The Child Abuse Social Registry shows the county took reports--meaning a complaint had enough merit for a follow-up--involving 36,721 children in 1993, up more than 700 from the previous year. . . . “Unfortunately, no matter what we do, the numbers keep going up,” says Bob Theemling, deputy director of children’s services for the county. “Sometimes it’s a one-time thing, sometimes it’s chronic.” But he urges anyone suspecting abuse to call the county hotline: (714) 938-8505.

Hurting Children Physical mistreatment was the most common form of child-abuse complaint in Orange County in 1993. Physical: 39% Neglect: 29% Sexual: 25% Emotional: 3% Caretaker absence: 4% Source: Orange County Child Abuse Registry SHAKIN’ IN HER BOOTIES: It could be that Nikki Nelsen is making a run for baby of the year. After her remarkable birth during Monday’s quake, her mother, Monica Scheerer, spent much of Tuesday fielding calls from news organizations like CBS and NBC and receiving visitors from strangers. They wanted to know more about how the six-pound, six-ounce “quake baby” was born at Anaheim General Hospital under the illumination of spare flashlights. Says Scheerer, 28: “It’s amazing. She’s famous.”

PIANO ROLL: Monday’s quake turned South Coast Repertory’s Mainstage into a billiard table. The Costa Mesa theater sustained no damage, but the 100-year-old grand piano used in “Hedda Gabler” did. The 550-pound antique crashed into a sofa, then rolled off the stage. SCR’s technical crew made cosmetic repairs in time for Tuesday night’s show. . . . “The piano has works in it, which are messed up,” SCR spokesman Cristofer Gross says. Luckily, the piano isn’t really played on stage: SCR uses taped music.

BALLOON PUNCTURE: If you want to open a car dealership in the Santa Ana Auto Mall, be advised: There’s now a mandatory style guide. No mission-style arches or exposed wood trim--only “high-tech” industrial design, according to an ordinance adopted by the Santa Ana City Council this week. . . . And if you want to advertise, beware: No flags, pennants, streamers or balloons are allowed.

TONIGHT: Dee Dee McNeil sings jazz and blues at 7:30, Spaghettini, 3005 Old Ranch Parkway, Seal Beach. (310) 596-2199.

WEATHER: Sunny and slightly cooler. Highs near 80. Lows in the upper 40s. (B8)