A Little Shop of Pawns for Beverly Hills Spending Stars

What’s wrong with this sentence: “Let’s go over to Rodeo Drive and visit the pawnshop.”

Nothing.

That’s right, economic reality has arrived on the street of the spending stars, with a shop on the second floor of the Frank Lloyd Wright Building. (Beverly Hills ordinances prohibit pawnshops at street level.)

Yale Neiman, a veteran of both the jewelry and the pawnshop businesses, says that he opened the “tiny little office” in December. It is geared for the privacy a top-drawer clientele needs.

“The law says I can only make the loan over the desk in the office,” Neiman explained, “but I go to the clients for appraisals.” His discreet approach goes so far as to have loan checks that carry only the initials R.D.J.L. Inc., standing for Rodeo Drive Jewelry Loan.

He’s in the process of redecorating, Neiman said, including a different shade over the window “so the customers can have complete privacy.” In a decorator fabric, naturally.

UPCOMING EXCITEMENT--It’s a very special time. That’s Saturday, when the Very Special Arts Festival happens on the Music Center Plaza. This year, Marlee Matlin, Henry Winkler, Jill Eikenberry and Michael Tucker are among the celebrities who will help to shine the spotlight on the talents and accomplishments of special-education children. Before the morning-long event, the Music Center Education Council and Pacific Theatres Corp. host a breakfast for legislators and celebs. . . .

Here’s a great, glamorous party. The Gems and the Jewels are honoring Marianne Rogers as their Woman of the Year on May 23 at the Beverly Hilton. All proceeds will go to benefit multiple sclerosis research at UCLA. Kathy Hilton and Marilyn Hilton are putting together the lavish event--and the pretty purple invitations specify attire: “Dressy Luncheon.” With a committee that includes Joanne Carson, Barbara Davis, Juli Hutner and has signed-up models like Candy Spelling and Corinna Fields, get ready for major glamour. . . .

Lorimar chair Merv Adelson on Thursday hosts a kickoff reception for a fund-raising effort to honor Louis Nizer with a wing named for him at the law library of Tel Aviv University. Motion Picture Assn. President Jack Valenti is president of the American Friends of Tel Aviv University, so he’ll be on hand, and expected are Elizabeth Taylor, Ted Mann, Occidental’s Ray Irani, agent Swifty Lazar, Orion’s Mike Medavoy and Sherry Lansing. . . .

Also set for Thursday, the Jeffrey Foundation’s 16th anniversary gala, “An Evening Under the Stars,” honoring Sybil Brand at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

And, her friends get to celebrate the spectacular Sybil again Tuesday, when they get together at Jimmy’s for a birthday luncheon. It’s her 85th. . . .

Concern Foundation for cancer research hosts its 20th annual Rodeo Drive Block Party on May 15. It’s always a fabulous day, and a great way to destroy diets, especially this year when five great caterers will be putting out their best. Look for food by Along Came Mary, Randy Fuhrman, Parties Plus, Rococo and Someone’s in the Kitchen. Also look for great entertainment produced by Pierre Cossette.

Since its founding, Concern has raised more than $11 million for cancer research.

And kudos to Concern II, the junior group whose fund-raising since its founding in 1981 makes it certainly a senior effort. At this year’s party last weekend at A&M; Records, the group netted $75,000, putting its total at more than $900,000.

PAST PERFECTION--Kudos to the folks who organized the L.A. Chamber Orchestra’s English Country Garden Ball. The party netted more than twice any year’s previous gains: $105,000.