The Funds Just Beginning for Museum

Red Letter Days ahead for the California Museum of Science and Industry.

Morgan H. Harris Jr., managing partner of Korn/Ferry International, has taken over the presidency of the California Museum Foundation, and has announced he is looking for a leadership gift (“It could be a combination gift . . .” ) of at least $5 million to initiate a foundation endowment. “Hopefully, we eventually will raise $50 million,” he says.

Second, John Abram, foundation vice chairman, heads the effort to eradicate the debt on the Hall of Economics and Finance and the Aerospace Museum. Third, Peter V. Haight, another vice president, heads the development committee and has a goal of $19 million to fund the 30th anniversary Phase II Fund Drive to complete all existing museum projects, many of them exhibits. They’ll be working closely with Don M. Muchmore, executive vice president of the foundation and director of the museum.

That means that museum devotees will be doing lots of financial chat at the numerous social events the next few months.

Thursday the Corporate Excellence Award Banquet is scheduled at the Century Plaza by the museum foundation advisory board. Lod Cook, Arco chairman, is dinner chairman.

At the black-tie affair, George Moody is expected to receive the annual award for Security Pacific National Bank.

March 4, former Secretary of the Air Force Verne Orr will be honored by the museum’s directors, the foundation trustees, the Aero Club of Southern California, the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and the Gen. Jimmy Doolittle chapter of the Air Force Assn. The 15th Air Force Band of the Golden West from March Air Force Base will entertain at the Museum’s Aerospace Building.

Then, March 10, a reception dubbed “Nightwatch” will be hosted for museum friends with a screening of “The Dream Is Alive,” and “Chronos,” two IMAX films at the Museum’s Mitsubishi IMAX Theater.

In April, a significant group of corporate leaders will cluster for the 29th annual Scientists and Industrialists Awards Banquet.

Los Angeles just loves a rainy day. At least three parties are memorable for the addition of a little water. At the Pasadena Art Alliance Centennial Celebration and Art Auction, the neon sign--Pasadena Art Alliance--glistened in the rain over the entry to the Tanner Car Barn and Stable.

When Lois Boardman and Kathy Gillespie discovered the benefit site leaked, they ordered the roof covered with huge plastic sheets. There were a few dribbles, particularly around the sweets table which Patty Burschinger had so lovingly planned with Two’s Company. But it didn’t spoil the rice pudding and caramel sauce, or the pecan tarts or lemon meringue pie. The desserts were moved to one side and a silver bowl on a crystal platter caught the rain drips. “Classy, don’t you think?” commented James Magee.

Besides, those who purchased the work of contemporary artists in the “My Heart Belongs to Pasadena” show were undampened in their happiness: Joan and John Hotchkis purchased five major pieces, including Bruce Richards’ “Take a Chance” and Astrid Preston’s “Huntington Heart.” “We went overboard,” said Joan. Russel and Hannah Kully bought, too--Ann Longyear’s neon, “ART,” and a Rich Stich and Jerry Byrd. They also bought a Guy Dill piece, but Carolyn and Bob Volk liked it also, so the Kullys amiably parted with it. (The two couples are good European traveling pals.) Gavin Miller purchased the Walter Askin as a gift. Olin Barrett bought the Jay Willis for his office. Jane Olson got Peter Reginato’s “Dancing Hearts” for her Valentine, Ron, “because his name has just been added to the law firm” (Munger, Tolles & Olson, now). Penni Bianchi was elated about Barry Campion’s “Love Nest,” which she and husband, Adam, pursued and won. Debby and Bill Appler flew out from Washington for the party and purchased Joe Fay’s “Heart,” which they would not let out of their hands. And Dr. Sidney Alexander, president of American Physicians for Social Responsibility, favored Helen Pashigan’s “She Stepped Into the Pool With a Sinking Heart.” The band played for dancing: “Chattanooga Choo Choo” and that sort of thing. It was very Pasadena.

Meanwhile, over at Loyola Marymount University Fine Arts Council’s “Come to the Cotton Club” gala, rain caused the party tent to be moved from the Burns Fine Arts Center, across the street.

Cab Calloway in concert was a sheer sensation, we’re told. Two hundred not only dined with a living legend, but heard him, to the tune of raindrops, in concert.

Suzanne Marx, chairman, was directing the affair, with help from Jack Lowrance, Ceil Moore, Alyce Williamson, Dale Snodgrass, Edwin Pauley, Samuel Arkoff and Lillian Fluor. Jesuit Scholastic Michael Tang created the decor. Rococco catered.

Their purpose was to transform the evening into a posh re-creation of New York’s famous nightclub and raise funds for the Loyola fine arts programs. Madge and Bob Burford, Marie and Louis Jones, Regina Johansing, Dr. Leon Banks, David and Judy Brown were in on the partying.

Among events planned for next year is the David Hockney exhibition.

And, in Brentwood, the water gushed down the canyon from the mountains in front of Laurie La-Shelle’s house. Mark Thoresen placed a wooden plank across the gutter, but it didn’t help much. Moreover, the roof leaked. The tent for dancing was there, but the floor was inundated.

Undaunted, Martha and Ed Schnieders arrived singing in the rain, side-stepping the flood better than Gene Kelly. Brian and Vickie Corbell arrived at the front door, minus socks, stockings and shoes, as did Sandy Kinnaird; the hostess was waiting with a stack of towels. George Hale, arriving with Joan Wilson, had his socks toasted in the dryer.

Inside, the laughter drowned the gloom. Having fun, Joann McGarty, Bill Williams, Bentley Kennedy, Joan Kaiser, Clarise Ellis (Ed had the flu), Phil Homme (back from Sun Valley’s 50th anniversary party), Maggie Edwards and Gene Croft, Jack and Joan Mackey, George Ellis, Nancy Schoettler and Don Cooper, and Jennifer Munroe, most of them old Marlborough and UC Berkeley pals.

Louise Brinsley, president of the Friends of the Junior Arts Center, is awash in wine labels for the 13th annual California Wine Seminar Friday evening in the Ballroom of the Sheraton Grande. The occasion will honor Peter Mondavi Sr. of Charles Krug Winery as FOJAC’s California Winemaker of the Year.

More than 250 will sip the best and bid in the Dusty Bottle Auction, which features a Jeroboam of Lafite Rothschild Mouton 1978.

Jan Walker is benefit chairman, assisted by Teri Aaron, Corinna Cotsen, Denia Hightower, Charo Goodan, Teresa Longyear, Lois McLane, Cindy Norian and Nanci Twerdahl--all raising funds for family arts workshops, art classes for the handicapped and the international child art collection.

Ann and Frank Boren will be among the patrons attending.

With a straight face, Georgie Van de Kamp announced, “John was born in the Year of the Rat.” It was the 50th birthday for Atty. Gen. John Van de Kamp, hosted by his mother at the Athenaeum at Caltech in Pasadena for her guest list of 200. She also added that his late father would have been proud of him.

Wife Andrea was tapped for emcee duties. The audience, including Matt Byrne and Gail Weingarten, were in stitches when Andrea played an old recording from John’s Dartmouth days, when he and Terry Drinkwater were big on the campus radio station.

The CHIPS (The Colleague Helpers in Philanthropic Service) have decided to host a “Scandal” for their 20th anniversary bash. They’ll rendezvous at the Hollywood Athletic Club. Knock twice.

Mrs. William M. Caldwell IV, president, is keeping it all legal. Mrs. Daniel P. Ryan is benefit chairman. Rococo will cater.

Guests can attend as “studio heads” at $500 per person, as “superstars” at $300, as members of the “supporting cast” at $165. Beyond that, they’re asked to bring “scratch to play games of chance and trivia.”

The committee includes Mmes. James Ashforth, Robert M. L. Baker Jr., Robert McKim Bell, Geoffrey and Robert Bloomingdale, James E. Cox, Wendy Stark Gorsuch, Craig Gosden, Phyllis Grafton, Marcia Wilson Hobbs, Cynthia Maduro Ryan, Jenny Jones Rutt, J. Terrence Lanni, Janice Finch Schumacher, William P. Richards Jr., Dixon Young, and Narcissa Cox Vanderlip, Mary-Robin Redd and Olivia Hefler.

Academy Award-winning songwriter Carole Bayer Sager will speak to the Inner Circle of the Los Angeles Children’s Museum on Tuesday at its luncheon at Jimmy’s in Beverly Hills. The guest list includes Jane Seymour, Jane Eisner, Joyce Bogart, Victoria Bolker and Rita Pynoos.

Glamorous events for City of Hope:

The Merchants Club for the City of Hope is sort of bringing Disneyland to the Regal Ball on Saturday at the Beverly Hilton. The club will celebrate its 53rd anniversary as the medical center’s fashion industry support group.

Helene and Stanley Eisenberg and Edith Flagg are chairmen. Mickey and Minnie Mouse and the Seven Dwarfs will be center stage.

And on March 7, the Last Great Hollywood Party--Part IX will live up to its name at that legendary landmark--the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

Robert Goldberg and Dale Olson are planning dancing, cocktails and dinner around and in the Blossom Room, restored to its original elegance at a cost of $40 million.

The party celebrates the Diamond Circle for the City of Hope fund-raising achievements for the Familian Children’s Center.

Joan and Dean Schneider turned their home into a speakeasy the other night for dancing, champagne and dessert. Gangsters were invited to bring their molls. Chuck and Lorna Reed were a pair along with Ed and Clarice Ellis, Bill and Diane Bedford, John and Ada Watson, Kennedy and Bobbie Galpin, Bill and Sally Hurt, Bob Ray and Katherine Offenhauser.

Christina and Neil Diver had a merry reception with chamber music in Pasadena to honor Ed Downing, director of the National Music Camp in Interlochen, Mich., and Joyce Downing. He’s in town to audition young students for the 59th season of the oldest music camp in the United States.

Tina Diver, now on the alumni board, attended Interlochen as a child. Her youngsters--Mia and Matt--will participate next summer.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society will present its MS “Gift of Laughter” Award to television’s “Golden Girls”--Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty--Saturday when it hosts “A Cruise at Anchor.” Sitmar Cruises is staging the luncheon aboard the Fairsky in the Port of Los Angeles.

Elizabeth Smith and Mimi Coombs tell us that cruise fashions from Elizabeth Arden Salon will be modeled. Daniel J. Travanti of “Hill Street Blues” will be master of ceremonies.

The four actresses are being honored “in recognition of the important role they have played in bringing laughter to millions . . . and the important part that laughter plays in the healing process.”

Joan Graham has been named president of the Reachout Committee of the Music Center. She inherited the gavel from Dr. Eva Grant at the annual celebration dinner. More new officers are Gloria Curtis, Sally Bague, Louise Thompson, Eiko Iwata, Coty Faulkner, Uta Martin, Eva Grant, Helen Ishikawa, Kelly Garrett, Priscilla Fisher and Ruth Bloch.

Reachout seeks to introduce minorities to the Music Center.

Les Dames de Champagne goes Mad Hatter on Tuesday morning with coffee and rolls at Marilyn Lewis’s Hamlet Gardens, her new Westwood arbor. It’s a glimpse of spring with Neiman-Marcus chapeaux. Madcap Wanda Henderson is taking reservations.

“Tracing Tradition: A Diasporan Experience” continues through April 6 at the Museum of African American Art, 4005 Crenshaw Blvd. The show explores the artistic heritage of African people, featuring sculpture, painting and textiles from Africa, South America, the Caribbean, as well as North America.

big crowd attended opening night of “The Iceman Cometh” at the James A. Doolittle Theater.

Among the group then moving over to the Blossom Room at the Hollywood Roosevelt for late-night partying were Parker Stevenson, Robert Egan, Granville van Dusen, William Schallert, UCLA Chancellor Charles E. Young and Sue Young, James Doolittle and Barbara Rush, Rene Enriquez, Gordon and Judi Davidson, Jason Robards, John James, Ray Stricklyn, James Noble, Nicholas and Beth Coster, Donald Moffat and Gwen Arner.

The Beverly Center and the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising go to breakfast together Tuesday morning at the Hard Rock Cafe. The occasion is Profiles ‘86, a fashion project designed to help students learn how to merchandise.

Special guests will include Seth Baker, Natalie Cole, Maude Chasen, Barbara Lazaroff, Lisa Specht, Karen Baynard Gould, and Rosemarie Stack.

The Gamble House in Pasadena hosts a reception today to honor speakers in the Smithsonian National Associates Lecture and Seminar Program. The affair begins at 5 p.m. and follows the first of the institution’s week-long program of lectures and seminars celebrating Pasadena’s Centennial Year.