Berman Replaces Shawn at Fund-Raiser

In the finest “the-show-must-go-on” tradition, comedian Shelley Berman will pay tribute to his friend, the late Dick Shawn, by serving as the headliner when the Southern California Counseling Center celebrates its 21st birthday on May 16.

Shawn, who collapsed on stage in San Diego and died of a heart attack April 17, had been scheduled to perform at the fund-raising event for the psychological counseling center at 5615 W. Pico Blvd. that serves individuals and families of limited income. So, Berman, who had recently completed the movie “Rented Lips” with Shawn, stepped in as Shawn’s replacement.

The dinner-dance, to be held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, also includes a silent auction of more than 100 items, featuring a 16-day Royal Viking cruise from San Francisco, through the Panama Canal to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., a weekend stay at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, a box for four at the Hollywood Bowl, lunch for two at Jimmy’s, dinner for two at the Bistro and two round-trip air fares to San Francisco. Those attending the evening event will be eligible for the grand-prize drawing, two round-trip tickets to Hawaii via United Airlines and four days at the Kona Village Resort.

Proceeds will benefit the SCCC, which does not rely on public funding. Tickets are $125 per person. Call (213) 937-1344 for reservations.

A Whale of an Idea

The month of May, in case you need a reminder, brings with it Mother’s Day. This year it’s Sunday, May 10, and if you’re looking for an unusual gift, have we got an idea for you.

How about giving Mom a baby killer whale? She doesn’t really get the whale, but she will get a picture of him or her, a gift card and certificate about the whale, and a solid silver charm in the shape of a whale’s fluke (that’s tail).

The whale package costs $30 and is tax deductible. Proceeds go to the Whale Museum, P.O. Box 945, Friday Harbor, Wash. 98250, which assists in protecting the orcas of Puget Sound and conducts whale research there. Orders received by Thursday, museum representatives say, should arrive by Mother’s Day. Phone orders may be placed by calling (206) 367-0460.

Art Students Honored

Seven Los Angeles high school students received awards Tuesday for their art work during a reception at USC’s Davidson Conference Center.

They were among contestants in “Expressing Feelings Through Art,” a project endowed by a $100,000 grant from the W. M. Keck Foundation to the Mental Health Assn. of Los Angeles, and a primary prevention program aimed at encouraging the healthy expression of emotions through art. Participating were students ages 15 through 18 from 20 Los Angeles high schools.

The winning painting, “Self Seclusion,” was done by Renee Pyle, a junior at Gardena High. In describing her work, a figure surrounded by walls of brick, Pyle explained: “This picture is how one of my friends felt. This is a problem he has gotten himself into. He doesn’t understand he did this to himself and until he realizes his situation, he will always feel this way.”

Second-place winner Anne Chu, a senior at University High, titled her work “A Broken Soul,” saying that the boy whose face she painted represented an Afghani child who has left his homeland to seek refuge in Pakistan. “Can the war ever be stopped? Can he be given back the sweet childhood that a child is supposed to have?” Chu wrote.

Third place went to Eric Haase from San Pedro High. Runners up were Mark Schackman of Calabasas High, David Kiefer, San Pedro High, Huan Do, James Monroe High, and Joe Shlichta of San Pedro.

The winners’ work, plus that of about 40 other students who participated in the program, will be on public display at the Davidson Conference Center until May 22. From June 26 to July 6 the show will be at the Broadway Plaza. The Tuesday event also served as the Los Angeles kickoff for National Mental Health Month, which begins today.