The Valley Line: GLAZA celebrates 44th Beastly Ball

By Jane Napier Neely

June 25, 2014 12:53 PM PT

Last Saturday we ushered in summer officially — yes, the hot season is here. I’ll keep you posted about my home’s lame air conditioning system. Hope yours works better!

It was a balmy early summer eve when more than 800 people came to celebrate and talk to the animals at the 44th annual Greater Los Angeles Zoo Assn.’s Beastly Ball.

More than $1.1 million was raised at what has been known for years as the best summer party in Los Angeles.

Yes, the animals were the star attraction, but there were other celebs there to say hello too. The queen of this ball was actress and co-chair of the event Betty White. Other celebs included actresses Pauley Perrette and Valerie Bertinelli.

Karen Nichols, a La Cañada Flintridge resident, had a nice little chat with L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti. Although the mayor’s wife, Amy Wakeland, was there too, I didn’t see her. I did, however admire their beautiful daughter Maya. Maya was particularly enchanted with a gorgeous falcon named “Slider.” After I first met Maya and then continued my way down the path, I encountered her again minutes later, and this time with grandfather Gil Garcetti. I asked Maya if she remembered the name of the falcon and she immediately said, “Slider.” Her grandfather Gil commented that she was a very smart little girl. Isn’t that a perfect comment for a proud grandfather?

Welcoming guests to this great summer party were four people from our own neck of the woods. L.A. Zoo President John Lewis and his wife Debbie. Also saying hello to guests were locals Connie Morgan, president of GLAZA and her husband Matt Golombek, a celeb at JPL.

Beastly Ball guests wore casual and safari-themed attire as they strolled through the zoo observing its inhabitants, watching animal feedings, chatting with keepers, viewing small animals up close, and enjoying entertainment, dancing and cuisine from some of L.A.’s iconic restaurants.

Among the restaurants donating their services for dinner at stops along the route through the zoo were the La Cañada location of Jersey Mike’s Subs, El Cholo, L.A., Hard Rock Cafe, Pink’s Hot Dogs, Taix French Restaurant, El Coyote, Celestino Ristorante & Bar, the Federal Bar — North Hollywood, Garnish Café & Glorious Gourmet Catering, Canelé, South Pasadena, Maison Akira Restaurant, Sam’s By The Beach, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Sweets & Treats Inc., Georgetown Cupcake, and the Original Yummy Cupcakes.

Also featured were live and silent auctions comprised of hundreds of remarkable items and one-of-a-kind opportunities. Among the vast array were courtside Lakers tickets, an LAPD helicopter ride-along, a five-night African safari, a behind-the-scenes zoo evening with Betty White, a “Meet the Mycoskies” afternoon at TOMS headquarters, a vacation in France’s Provence countryside, a private luxury suite at Staples Center for one Lakers, Kings and Clippers game, and an exclusive nighttime tour of the zoo with actress/GLAZA supporter Sarah Michelle Gellar.

After eating their way through the facility, guests then were seated when the official award program began. Comedian Jimmy Paardo oversaw the program with his signature humor. He also guided the live auction that he did with great enthusiasm.

White, whose live auction donation featuring a backstage zoo tour led by the iconic star netted a record-breaking $55,000.

Morgan and Lewis bestowed awards on honoree Heather Mycoskie of TOMS Shoes, a passionate animal advocate, and Tom Mankiewicz Leadership Award recipient Ken Ziffren, the veteran entertainment attorney. Also celebrated was the 50th anniversary of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) was represented at the Beastly Ball by Russell Mittermeier, Lifetime Honorary IUCN member and president, Conservation International; Simon Stuart, chair, IUCN Species Survival Commission; and GLAZA Trustee Richard Sneider, IUCN global chair, Freshwater Fish Specialist Group.

Honoree Mycoskie developed the new “TOMS Animal Initiative,” which partners with nonprofit animal conservation organizations to drive awareness and funding for global animal protection.

Ziffren is the fourth recipient of the Tom Mankiewicz Leadership Award, which recognizes entertainment industry professionals for outstanding leadership in local or global wildlife and environmental conservation or for efforts to promote civic pride and harmony.

There are 65,000 member households in GLAZA representing more than 240,000 adults and children, the largest membership base of a cultural organization in Los Angeles. GLAZA also boasts a volunteer corps of more than 800 individuals. The zoo, set on 133 acres, houses 1,100 animals representing 250 different species, many of which are rare or endangered.

JANE NAPIER NEELY covers the La Cañada social scene. Email her at jnvalleysun@yahoo.com with news of your special event.