A Bigger and Better Conference

It’s come a long way, baby. That’s right, state Sen. William Campbell’s Conference on Women makes its triumphant return, the third annual (and certain to be filled to the rafters) Anaheim event set for April 4 through 6.

The Orange County Republican had no idea what a success he was starting, but he certainly knew how to respond when thousands of women attempted to attend the first conference: make it bigger and better. Last year, more than 14,000 people were there and 3,000 were turned away.

This year, with 250 seminars set on all aspects of women’s lives and an extraordinary list of speakers and participants, the rush will no doubt be even larger. Kudos, Sen. Campbell.

YOUR HONOR--Yes, honoring attorneys is getting as popular as honoring CEOs. Public Counsel, the public interest law office of the Los Angeles County and Beverly Hills Bar associations, hosts a fund-raiser March 24 at the Beverly Wilshire. Honoree this year will be James J. Brosnahan, civil rights advocate and trial lawyer. Hosting, in a return engagement, is Richard Dysart, identified as “senior partner Leland McKenzie of ‘L.A. Law.’ ” Attorney Stephen English is chairing the dinner--and the sponsor list is just about every hotshot law firm in town.

LET’S MAKE THIS CLEAR--Just in case a prospective contributor didn’t know how important Democratic Assemblyman Richard Katz really is, the invitation to his $350-a-head Thursday dinner at the Sheraton-Universal makes it perfectly clear. “Please join us . . . for a dinner honoring Richard Katz, chairman of the Assembly Transportation Committee” the invite points out. And there are even little pictures of cars, trucks and buses making their way along the bottom, and a map of California showing both Sacramento and Los Angeles.

AND MORE HONORS--These to Women of Honor, named by the League of Women Voters and to be cited at their April 27 luncheon at the Beverly Wilshire. The women this year: businesswoman Caroline Leonetti Ahmanson and women’s rights activist Dorothy Jonas. The awards will be presented by last year’s honorees, Julie Harris and Patty Duke. . . .

Tony Randall does the hosting, and the L.A. Chapter of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation does the awarding, to Bob Hope, giving him its annual humanitarian award, March 19, at the Beverly Hilton.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY--It’s the 20th birthday for the Concern Foundation for Cancer Research. And the time to get ready for its 14th annual Rodeo Drive Block Party. Members are going to outdo themselves this year, having lined up five of L.A.’s major caterers--Along Came Mary, Rococo, Parties Plus, Someone’s in the Kitchen and Randy Fuhrman. There will be celebrity bartenders, wines by Monsieur Henri, flowers by Arboretum and desserts by Miss Grace Lemon Cake.

Concern was started by 14 couples brought together by a desire to do something meaningful: What they created is an organization of about 5,000 volunteers who have raised more than $10 million. The date for the big party is May 15--mark your calendars.

CHILI FOR CHARITY--The Auxiliary of the Casa Colina Centers for Rehabilitation in Pomona hosts its annual spring dinner dance and chili cookoff March 19 at the Red Hill Country Club in Rancho Cucamonga. Western style is the dress; all the proceeds go to Work It Out, the community-based fitness center for the disabled.