Pasadenans Rally ‘Round Their Beloved Library
Perhaps Pasadena, like Boston, is not just a place but a state of mind--a state of mind enhanced by the 60-year-old Pasadena Public Library that sits geographically and emotionally at the heart of the city.
“Be honest. Have you ever had such a nice time in a library before?” Ed Szynaka, the library’s director, asked the black-tie crowd partying Friday night in the Great Hall. (The orchestra was perched behind the check-out desk.)
Silly question. The party was great. Maybe not so silly, since everybody in Pasadena loves the library--more than 60% of Pasadenans have a library card and, in the 1920s, voters only approved funding for the Civic Center when the library was included in the plans.
So library devotees like Terry Stanfill, Ann Longyear and Roberta Grady got an overwhelming response when they put together the “Love Your Library Gala,” an evening to celebrate--and help pay for--the $2.4-million renovation campaign headed by Betty Keatinge. Among the crowd, everyone had a story about taking their kids to the library, like Georgie Van de Kamp (soon to move to her Pasa Robles ranch), who remembers taking the now-Atty. Gen. John Van de Kamp to the library when he was young.
People couldn’t do enough for the library they love. Florist Milo Bixby created an Arcimboldi-style feel with garlands and flowers and underwrote practically his entire expense (he’s got a library card). Patron chairs Joan Hotchkis, Ernestine Avery and Kay Pascall raised more than $80,000. Joe and Dee Wambaugh with Dennis and Terry Stanfill led the list of dozens of contributors.
Historian (and viscount) John Julius Norwich (a great pal of the Stanfills from their involvement with Save Venice) flew in from England and said, “I have really only one qualification for being here. I owe a debt to public libraries which I will never be able to repay.” With wit and grace, Norwich praised the very invention of the book, “an astoundingly beautiful piece of industrial design,” saying, “You can’t take a computer to bed with you, for heaven’s sake.”
Christie’s Christopher Hartop auctioned away mightily, but brought panic to the Stanfills when he kept insisting that one prize included their “Venice villa,” confusing it with their tiny gondolier’s flat, the use of which they had donated. “You are now going to have to buy me a villa so I don’t lose face,” Terry Stanfill told her husband, as their other Venice buddies, Kathy and Howard Freedland, laughed at the mistake. But Dick Keatinge knew exactly what the prize was--and bid $8,000 for the package that included a trip to Switzerland as well.
Kudos abounded to all those involved in the evening--like Betty Anne Keon (dancing the night away with her husband, Phil), Mareya Jones, Dina Oldknow, Gloria Renwich, Renee Hanson, Jean Van Tuyle and Anne Fleming.
Of course, with such a successful party, doesn’t there have to be a sequel?
MEMORIES AND MEMORIALS--Wednesday in New York, the United Nations honors the work and memory of the late comedian Danny Kaye, who carried the title ambassador at large to the children of the world. That same day, friends here will be honoring the memory of Olive Behrendt--the independent, no-nonsense patron of the arts who brought her presence to bear with elegance and style. It’s a special concert by Andre Previn and the Los Angeles Philharmonic that she loved so dearly, with speeches from Carol Burnett and talk-show host Michael Jackson, set for 6 p.m. at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. That’s a difficult time for many to fight traffic and get downtown. But then, those who knew and loved Olive remember that it wasn’t always easy, but it was always worth it.
DANCE CRAZY--They are supposed to love music to listen to, but the crowd at the Master Chorale’s “Nifty Fifties” party Saturday night at the Sheraton Grande were up dancing, the guys showing off their tux-and-tennis-shoe combinations. Bazooka bubble gum and bags of potato chips greeted those arriving (some in Fab Fifties convertibles). Benefit chair Michael Wilson with his wife, Robin, looked very pleased, as did the Master Chorale president, Price Waterhouse’s Abbott Brown, with his wife, Linda. (Also tuxedoed, and first on the dance floor, was 12-year-old Russell Brown with 11-year old Vanessa Frank.)
A dozen members of the Master Chorale performed show tunes from the Fifties--yes, you remember “Rock Around the Clock,” but that period was also “My Fair Lady” and “Most Happy Fella.” Joining the fun were Marshall and Ginna Rutter, Cathy and Bill Ruddy, Japanese Consul General Taizo Watanabe and his wife, Haruko, and “Falcon Crest’s” David Selby and his wife, Chip.
The spotlight was on the evening’s honoree, Alice Coulombe, who heads up the 6,000-person volunteer corps at the Music Center and certainly knows the ropes, since she is an 18-year volunteering veteran. (She shared a little of the spotlight with her hubby, “Trader Joe” Coulombe.) The Master Chorale’s John Currie showed up in his formal kilt, since he insisted that he had misunderstood the invites and had come dressed for the 1750s, which he claimed were the niftiest of all.
UPCOMING--Operation California hosts what activist Camilla Sparv promises will be “another star-studded benefit,” this one at Tramp, and it’s set for Nov. 9. . . .
Eddie Albert is emceeing the dinner on Saturday for Project Restore. Kathy Moret has organized a gala event, honoring Albert C. Martin, the chairman of the board of the new group, which is committed to the restoration of landmark buildings. And it will be held on the site of the best-known landmark--City Hall--with Caroline Ahmanson and Stuart Ketchum chairing. . . .
Assembly Speaker Willie Brown comes south with a flash Sunday, for his annual glitzy fall fund-raising dinner at the Century Plaza. . . .
The L.A. County Commission on Women holds its Third Annual Awards Luncheon next Monday at the Music Center with Judge Joan Dempsey Klein keynoting. . . .
Nebraska Gov. Kay Orr will be featured at a Saturday fund-raiser for the Republican Women’s Political Action Committee. It’s set for the William Langston home in Newport Beach and has a steering committee including State Sen. Marian Bergeson (R-Newport Beach) and political consultant Eileen Padberg. The RWPAC was set up last year. . . .
Cedars-Sinai United Hostesses hold a “Night Club Premiere” Nov. 7 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Involved in planning the elaborate event, which will feature singer Maureen McGovern, are Susan Savin, Jill Fink, Roni Heller and Marilyn Gilfenbain. . . .
Dudley Moore is the special guest of honor at the Nov. 2 Bethune Ballet Theatredanse benefit for Dance Outreach, at the Filmland Center. Sammy Davis Jr. and Jo Anne Meredith LeBouvier will also be getting awards, and Elliott Gould will emcee.
