A United Way Party at Union Station

Saying thank you to 700 for raising $77 million calls for a party. And United Way’s general chairman James F. Dickason has chosen historic Union Station for festivities today. Party chairman Carmen Zapata and her pals Anne Kenney and Ann Shaw are promising a “Hollywood Canteen” look--celebrities, a Red Cross booth, USO station, Mexican food and mariachis, 1940s entertainment and dancing.

The theme is “Pulling the Community Together the United Way,” and some of the volunteers will be in ‘40s costumes. Brushing on finishing touches are Veronica Dysart, Marjorie Pings, Ginny Leeuwenburgh, Marilyn Anderson, Marilyn Hudson, Lois Erburu, Lucia Myers, Lucille Taylor, Wilma Campion, Carol Dillon, Betty Rodeno, Dorothy Foster, Virginia Holley, Beverly Mitchell and Philippa Houston.

Figure skater Jo Jo Starbuck, three-time U.S. National Pairs Skating Champion, will be mistress of ceremonies. Besides Dickason, chairman and president of Newhall Land & Farming Co., the hard-working campaign conductors at Union Station will be Louis W. Foster, Region I; H. Frederick Christie, Region II; Stuart D. Muchalter and Rudolph J. Munzer, Region III; Fred W. O’Green, Region IV, and John F. King, Region V.

Wonder what the new goal will be?

It’s always fun for a new organization to announce an inaugural event. Frank L. Ellsworth, president of Pitzer College, is taking pleasure in the new Pitzer College President’s Council. Naturally: Founding patrons pledge $5,000, and there are dozens of them.

On Feb. 24, they all get acquainted at the cocktail party and dinner that Richard and Maryanne Weiss, council co-chairmen, host at their Bel-Air home. Lots of prospective members are invited, too.

Quite a few (like 400) are saying “Be Mine” for the Art Center College of Design’s benefit screening of “My Best Girl” Thursday evening in Pasadena.

As a special treat, Buddy Rogers will be present to visit with the audience about the 1927 film and his life with Mary Pickford. Rogers’ first Hollywood break was in “Wings,” with Clara Bow, Richard Arlen and Gary Cooper. And “My Best Girl” is the only film in which he appeared with Mary Pickford, whom he married in 1937.

As another sweetener, all donations go to film scholarships at the Art Center.

Speaking of romance, those cute Los Angeles Spinsters have invited the town’s bachelors for their annual Crush Party next Wednesday at Casey’s Bar in downtown Los Angeles.

Then, says Leslie Holden, they get down to the business of co-hosting a black-tie party March 21 (fashion show, champagne and desserts) at the new South Bay Nordstrom. They’ve voted funds to reconstruct the Manhattan Beach pier, where some of them like to play.

Nice touch. The Westlake Patrons will host a Family Valentine Party Sunday with a screening of the movie”The River” to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Co-presidents Sherrie Eisleben and Mary Stone are urging families to “come share your love with us.”

Bourbon and Canal streets in New Orleans will be outdone with hitching posts, gas lamps and carts laden with food. It’s part of the marketplace atmosphere DeAnne Hayes is creating for the Mardi Gras benefit for the Volunteer League of the San Fernando Valley Tuesday.

She’s estimating 1,000 costumed guests will cavort on the lobby level of the new $78 million Sheraton Premiere in Universal City in a New Orleans street scene.

Jambalaya, creole specialties, oysters on the half shell. The crowning of a king and queen. Artists, fortune tellers, clowns, jazz bands, tap dancers. All for $100.

League-sponsored projects include clothing for needy children, alcohol and drug education, music programs for the elderly and puppet shows to educate children about disabilities.

The Mary and Joseph League also is thinking Mardi Gras. It hosts its 26th annual Mardi Gras Bal Magnifique Saturday evening in the Grand Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton, complete with a coronation pageant and a judging of masks and costumes.

It’s music by Joe Moshay and his Orchestra.

And more Mardi Gras. The Beaux Arts Masked Ball unfolds Saturday evening in the sculpture court of the new Afro-American Museum in Exposition Park.

Friends of the Exceptional Children’s Foundation Art Foundation are hosting the costume ball and parade to benefit developmentally disabled artists.

“Over the Hill Gang” will be there. And Jon St. Elwood of “The Young and the Restless” and Florence LaRue of the 5th Dimension will head the ceremonies.

Maxine Weldon, Linda Hopkins, Vanessa Williams, Madlyn Rhue and Dan Haggerty have accepted.

Because of government cutbacks, supporters must raise $100,000 annually.

And more. Delta Gamma chapter of Gamma Phi Delta sorority plans a scholarship fund-raising Mardi Gras Ball at Brookside Club House in Pasadena on Friday evening. Katherine Teer is chairman.

“Hats Off to Ralph Edwards.” The three-time Emmy winner with a four-decade career, will be honored Saturday evening at the Patriotic Ball at the Beverly Wilshire Grand Ballroom.

Ball chairman Mrs. Edwin Koll is thinking red,white, blue and tilting toward a Victorian theme for the Los Angeles County Chapter of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge 21st ball. Edwards will receive the George Washington Honor Medal.

Heading the ball committee as honorary patron chairmen are Fred and Peggy Hartley. And Mmes. Eugene Bishop, Ralph Ruud and John Botsfords are devoted to a high profit for scholarships for teacher and student seminars at Valley Forge.

Will there be Coors on the table? Most likely, today, when the Latin Business Assn. hosts its ninth annual Awards Banquet with Adolph Coors Co. president Peter H. Coors as the keynote speaker.

More than 800 involved in the Southland’s Latino business community will gather at the Biltmore Bowl. Pacific Bell is Coors’ co-sponsor. Corporate tables are $1,500 and $1,000 and individual tickets $100.

Yolanda Nava of KNBC is mistress of ceremonies. Mayor Tom Bradley will be guest of honor.

On the scene, too, will be LBA’s 1985 president Harold H. Martinez and Raymond I. Rodriguez Jr., past president.

The Valentine theme is “They Gave From the Heart.” Explains Coors: “The phrase symbolizes the Adolph Coors Co. commitment to support progress in education, public policy and business for Hispanics. It is an extension of the national agreement we signed with the Coalition of Hispanic Organizations in October.” Dinner proceeds go to a Coors/LBA scholarship. LBA also will honor corporations and individuals who support their goals and recognize LBA members and businesses who have assumed leadership in the Latino business community.

Coming: The Ladies Auxiliary of the Western Diocese, Armenian Church of North America, has asked motion picture producer Howard Kazanjian (“Raiders of the Lost Ark”) to be its master of ceremonies for the annual debutante ball Sunday at the Beverly Wilshire.

Mrs. Harry Chortanian is chairman.

Fourteen young ladies will be introduced. They are Misses Candice Aivazian, Gretel Arutunyan, Elena Dardarian, Christine Garabedian, Ani Hadjian, Evelina Haroutunian, Donna Horasanian, Roxane Hovsepian, Taleen Mandossian, Karen Ohanian, Armineh Paul, Wendy Sarian, Julie Shatafian and Jan Soukiassian.