Donors Set Sights on Doheny Campaign

Mary D. Allen had a cataract removed in May, and five weeks later had laser treatment. She’s so happy, she’s given the Doheny Eye Institute $3 million for a fourth-floor tower for research. Of such gifts are $30-million Tower Campaigns erected.

Chatting amid black-tie elegance the other evening at the Four Seasons where Institute president Dr. Stephen J. Ryan and trustees were feting major donors, Allen noted, “My late husband was W. B. Allen and president of Beacon Oil Refinery and so, you might say, I inherited my money, but it (Beacon) wasn’t worth that kind of money until I built it up.”

Rowena Burgman, in a very quiet way, wants “to help people--I think the old people are the forgotten people of the world. I want them to see and hear.” She had a consultation, fell in love with Doheny, and has given $1 million.

Entrepreneur Kenneth Norris, a former football player at Stanford in 1948, injured his eye in a boxing match. Last year his left eye was removed: “It’s been tough.” He pledged $2.7 million. Then, the lucrative Carrie Estelle Doheny Eye Foundation pledged $10 million. Rob Smith, who heads the foundation, was told as he stepped up at the dinner to be recognized: “For $10 million you get the whole stage.”

It was a night when there were smiles everywhere: on the faces of Institute chairman Sid Webb, Gordon and Mary Crary, Lee Jackman, Tom and Carol Mullaney, Fred and Peggy Hartley, Onnalee Doheny, Will and Libby Doheny, Virginia and Si Ramo, Lois and Bob Erburu.

WHIRLWIND: Saint John’s Hospital and Health Center Foundation says “thank you” to its trustees and special friends today with an “Evening with Shirley Jones” in the Grand Ballroom of the Beverly Wilshire. . . .

The San Marino Area Auxiliary of Five Acres hosted the Centennial Celebration luncheon and co-chairs Charlotte Adams and Susan Rhodes persuaded designer Mr. Blackwell (of “worst dressed list” fame) to narrate the show at the Sheraton Grande. Jean Smith, Mary Ann Heidt, Andrea Van de Kamp and Vera Panosian attended. . . .

The first members of the California Horse Racing Hall of Fame will be inducted this evening at a dinner-dance in the infield at Santa Anita. It’s being established by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Foundation. . . .

Los Angeles County Sheriff Sherman Block receives the Distinguished Public Service Award of the Anti-Defamation League at a dinner-dance Tuesday at the Century Plaza. . . .

Gloria and Jimmy Stewart became first recipients of the Ted Malvic Memorial Victims Service Award Friday, benefiting the California Center for Family Survivors of Homicide. . . .

Lucille Ball and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Lowe (Carol Channing) feted Betty White at Hunter’s Bookstore to celebrate publication of her new book, “Betty White: In Person.”

PINE RIVER: Quite a few Southlanders flew to Bayfield, Colo., for the wedding of Cynthia Dulin, daughter of former San Marinans Robert and Sue Dulin, and Frances James Herr, son of John and Georgeann Herr of Davenport, Iowa. The bride is the granddaughter of Ruth von Platen of San Marino.

Among those watching the young couple speak their vows on the Dulins’ house deck overlooking the rustling Pine River were Martha Chandler, Norman and Victoria Williamson, and close friends and relatives who had also been in the Dulins’ wedding in San Marino--Warren and Alyce Williamson, Sally Wenzlau, Stuart O’Melveny, and Sallie Colmery. Among the young crowd were Lisa Williamson, a cousin and bridesmaid; Kristi Williamson; and Colleen Shea. The youngest guest was newborn Harrison Gray Fallet, son of John Lester and Sandra (daughter of the Warren Williamsons) Fallet of Fairfax.

PREVIEW DAZZLER: Count and Countess Frederic Chandon will be the stars at a black-tie dinner Wednesday to sneak preview the Los Angeles County Museum of Art Costume Council’s opening night party on Dec. 16 for the museum’s exhibition, “Hollywood and History of Costume Design in Film.” Honoring the glamorous days of the silver screen, Patron chairman Virginia Milner and Nelly Llanos, Anne Johnson and Maggie Pexton Murray will set tables with silver lace cloths. Designer Nolan Miller will add pizzazz with his period film costumes.

ESCALATION: John Patrick (Rick) Guerin married pretty Fabienne White at his Malibu home amid congratulations from some 80 chums and relatives. . . .

Harvard School’s new headmaster, Thomas Hudnut, and his wife, Deirdre, will be welcomed at an initial party Friday at the home of Dr. Norman F. Sprague III and Marianne in Pacific Palisades. In the investiture service Nov. 8 at St. James’ Episcopal Church, Hudnut will become Harvard’s sixth headmaster. . . .

Red Buttons--plus King Kong, Alien Queen and the terror dog from Ghostbusters--is on tap Tuesday for the opening night dinner of the Museum of Science and Industry’s new exhibit, “Special Effects: the Science of Movie and Television Magic,” in honor of the California Museum Foundation’s President’s Council.

UPSCALE: The 16th annual Peninsula Music Fair comes to the Palos Verdes Peninsula today. The affair at Chadwick School will benefit the Los Angeles Philharmonic. . . .

Yvonne Fedderson and Sara O’Meara Sigholtz, co-founders of Childhelp U.S.A., will be dual honorees Tuesday at Mary and Joseph League’s Mardi Gras Bal Magnifique Royal Luncheon in the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton. Regina Herrick is Mardi Gras Queen. Cecilia Waeschle and Patricia Tierney have booked Bill Travilla for the fashion show. . . .

Prego in Beverly Hills hosts its fourth annual “Sagra del Vino” grape harvest celebration today to benefit UCLA Medical Center’s Child Development Program. Tickets are $40. . . .

Msgr. Sylvester Ryan will celebrate Mass at 10:30 a.m. today for the dedication of the Library Learning Center by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary and faculty of Marymount High School.

KUDOS: Beverly Hills Hadassah plans its advance gifts dinner and honors Sen. Alan Cranston with the “Wall of Healing Award” Saturday at a dinner at Chasens. Estelle Getty is celebrity guest. The minimum pledge is $1,250. . . .

Las Floristas presented $250,000 to the Las Floristas Handicapped Children’s Clinics at Rancho Los Amigos and Los Angeles County/USC Medical Centers, the result of its headdress ball. . . .

The Westside Guild of Childrens Hospital, under president Clare Webb, hosted a boutique this week, and will host a Racquet Ralley Oct. 20 (last year they raised $130,000). . . .