Sorry, Don, Your Party Wasn’t the Aspen Ticket

Poor Don Henley. The rock ‘n’ roll star must have thought his party would be the hot ticket during the holiday week in Aspen. After all, that’s where the once-and-again presidential contender Gary Hart met Donna Rice last year. But this year the competition to party proved too much. Henley first switched the time of his do--then canceled it altogether, he told an L.A. buddy. Big bashes that made it included a fabulous party hosted by Warner Communications’ Steve Ross, which drew the likes of Steven Spielberg, Barbra Streisand, Donald Trump and Sen. Ted Kennedy. . . . Other L.A. notables hanging around the slopes were Barry Diller, Calvin and Kelly Klein, manager Sandy Galin, Jack Nicholson, Willie Nelson, Alana Stewart, Kate Jackson and Dr. Arnold Klein.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS--Set down April 17, when the Angel City Chapter of the Links holds its annual Affair of Honor luncheon. During the last six years, the 37 professional black women who make up the chapter have raised more than $200,000 for scholarships for black and other minority male high school seniors in the L.A. area. The L.A. Links Achiever Program is the local chapter’s way of carrying out the 6000-member Link national organization commitment to educational and civil improvement. In addition to helping raise the scholarship money, the 35 students selected annually are given strong motivational and professional guidance. Kudos, Links.

BACK HOME--Today, for real, the California legislature resumes. That means that at least until Labor Day, elected officials get to spend a great deal of time in Sacramento. Think about it. That’s what the winners get. . . . Former USC President Dr. Norman Topping is back on campus with a blast Jan. 15, for his annual birthday dinner at Town and Gown. . . . And Dr. Armand Hammer is back giving away money, this time the $100,000 he donates to a cancer researcher. The winner will be with The Doctor at the Beverly Wilshire, Friday.

LAST WEEK’S ALLEGED POWER BREAKFAST--That would be last week’s duo caught at the Bev Hills Polo Lounge: Presidential candidate Alexander Haig and comedian Mort Sahl. Who was in charge here?

VALLEY VIEWS--For those who eschew heading over the mountains, here’s what you are missing . . . . The San Fernando Valley Design House opens March 20. A joint project of the American Cancer Society San Fernando Valley Unit and the International Society of Interior Designers, SFV Chapter, the Tarzana home has been named “Cranberry Knoll.” The preview is Jan. 12. . . . Thursday, Councilman Hal Bernson is honored at a reception at the Sportsmen’s Lodge. . . . Gil and Evelyn Dreyfuss host the second annual Roger Barkley Charity Golf Tournament at the La Canada Flintridge Country Club on March 28, along with such celebs as Pat Boone, Tim Conway, Sheriff Sherman Block and exec John Argue.

TURNING TABLES--ABC’s Gary Pudney usually gets busy helping other folks get honored. But Thursday he’s in the spotlight at the 7th annual Gift of Love Dinner benefiting the National Center for Hyperactive Children. It’s at the Beverly Hilton, and Steve Edwards and Cristina Ferrare act as auctioneers. Pia Zadora entertains.

MAKE THOSE RESERVATIONS--Any woman who is supposedly a political persona better not be seen on home court Jan. 23 and 24. That’s when 35 national women’s organizations host the Women’s Agenda Conference in Des Moines. Presidential candidates from both parties will be appearing.