Getting Set for a Jewel of a Gala
Frances Franklin, June Haver MacMurray and Roberta Herbison were comparing their Tiffany and Giorgio fragrances at Jimmy’s the other day at 12:30 p.m. They also had a bundle of good news.
They were chatting about their success already with Jewel Gala V, the party USC Friends of Fine Arts stages to raise scholarships. After Beverly Hilton owner Mervin Griffin’s official private party Oct. 7, reopening the revamped International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton, Northrop Corp. takes over the ballroom Oct. 8. Then, the Jewel Gala boasts, it will be the ballroom’s first charity gala open to the public (tickets $250; tables $5,000 and $10,000).
Frances is gala chairman; June co-chairman. They’ve invited Raymond and Joyce Watt to be honorary chairmen. Gala V calls for five jewelers to be honored: Tiffany, Laykin, Tallarico, Frances Klein and a fifth not yet confirmed. A chunky and impressive exhibition of tiaras and hairpieces, “Diamonds, the Crowning Glory,” will glitter, courtesy of the Diamond Information Center. The jewelers will underwrite the fashion-jewel show, which Michael H. Productions will produce. Five designers--Nolan Miller, Ruben Panis, Davis Hayes, Estevez and Giorgio (translate that entrepreneur Fred Hayman)--will present the latest in a show labeled “The Art Deco Touch.”
Honorees are Loretta Young and Gene Autry, who in November will open the $25-million Gene Autry Western Museum near the Los Angeles Zoo. How were the two chosen? Frances said, “I always choose honorees who are worthy, and prominent in the community.”
The ladies hope to net $250,000, and will tout their event at a kickoff “Elegant Cocktail Party” on Sept. 9 at Frances Klein’s Beverly Hills shop on Rodeo Drive with key committee members--Jackie Autry, Marilyn Atha, Ellen Byrens, Madeline Gussman, Marjorie Pings, Beverly Thrall, Putter Pence and Ann Martin involved.
BUBBLES/JACKSON: Klein-MacMurrary also were aglow about another prize. Their beloved Child help, which aids abused children, has the gift from songster Michael Jackson of 250 choice tickets for his concert Nov. 22 at the Sports Arena. The crowd will dine before the concert at the Clipper Club. Bubbles, singer Jackson’s mascot, is scheduled to be at Childhelp in Banning on Monday for a press conference to reveal the details. And they’re hoping for a Jackson appearance, too.
OYMPICS-BOUND: Los Angeles is the departure point for U.S. Olympic athletes en route to Korea. Between Aug. 29 and Sept. 5, there will be a week of festival parades at Disneyland for the public to see and honor the athletes. And, says Frank Simpson III, chairman of Southern California Special Events Committee for the U.S. Olympic Committee, a cornerstone event will be the Official Olympic Sendoff Dinner on Sept. 1 at Century Plaza. Mayor Bradley is host. Disney’s Michael Eisner is dinner chairman, promising outlandish Disney entertainment; John Argue and Harry Usher, co-chairmen; and John F. Grundhofer, vice chairman of Wells Fargo Bank and the Southern California Olympics chairman, and Judith Ann Biggs, USOC regional representative, are setting the pace. The invitations have Mickey Mouse and Goofy on the cover, exhorting: “Go for the Gold!”
ABOUT TOWN: Patty Disney (Mrs. Roy Jr.) was the hostess at a post-wedding reception at Vals restaurant in Toluca Lake honoring daughter, Susan, who is now Mrs. Martin Loughman. They’ll be living in the Denver suburb of Cherry Hills. Among the guests were Frank and Luanne Wells; Sidney, Elizabeth and Patty Dailey; Stormy and Barbara Palmer; and Cliff and Judy Miller. In early October, Patty will head for New York City for the wedding of her daughter Abigail, who will marry Pierre Houser of San Francisco.
MAJOR MOVERS: Last year, Danny and Rose Marie Thomas netted $785,525 on their benefit for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tenn. This year they present “The Artistry of Tony” (Bennett) on Aug. 20 at the Century Plaza, and they have their sights even higher. Joe Moshay and his Orchestra will play for dancing after the black-tie dinner.
PLAUDITS: A South Pasadenan, Maureen Diekmann, is new president of the Junior League of Los Angeles and will preside over 1,500 members dedicated to improving the community through effective volunteerism. As the assistant director of litigation research for the Los Angeles Unified School District, she becomes the league’s first president to hold a full-time working position. She also has two children, ages 3 and 1. As president, she says, she plans to practice “delegation” and “shared leadership.” YWCA of Los Angeles president Sandra Jones Anderson has announced that Maria Contreras-Sweet, vice president of public affairs for 7-Up/Royal Crown Bottling Cos. in Southern California, will chair the YWCA Leader Luncheon XV April 27 at the Westin Bonaventure. Last year, more than 1,500 set a record attendance at the annual event. “We expect more than 2,000 at Leader XV,” says Contreras-Sweet. . . . Encino volunteer Helen Berman has been named chairman of the American Heart Assn. (Greater Los Angeles Affiliate Inc.). Dr. Jan Tillisch, longtime heart volunteer, is the new president. . . . Marlene Billington continues a second term as chairman of Encore, the group of 170 past presidents of Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra support groups. Her high-powered executive board will include Jan Corey, Patricia Pillsbury and Velma McKelvey. . . . The Holy Cross Medical Center Guild in Mission Hills celebrated 900,000 volunteer hours and $900,000 raised with a dinner-dance Saturday. On Oct. 7, they will continue festivities and sip afternoon tea.
KUDOS: Victoria Bonde has been named general manager of the Beverly Hills Country Club, the private recreational and social club on Motor Avenue.
MIDAS TOUCH: The mission is simple--for three days bring together top business leaders and 100 dedicated high school women students with modest backgrounds to interact, build self-confidence, explore entrepreneurship. Specifically, Volunteers of America and the Rotary Club of Los Angeles join other leaders Aug. 12 at Dykstra Hall at UCLA for a one-hour workshop, “Kids in Business.” A reception to rub elbows with celebrity guests follows.
ESCALATION: Joan Caillouette, Pasadena Planned Parenthood Committee’s patron chair, has letters out raising funds for the annual benefit dinner dance Sept. 27. Rococo will cater. . . . Angels Attic hosts a repeat of last summer’s highly successful bridge luncheon Aug. 17 at the Bel-Air Bay Club. Well-known bridge instructor George Winter will share expertise. . . . USC’s Institute for the Study of Women and Men sponsors the opening night West Coast premiere of Harry Chapin’s “Lies and Legends” next Sunday at Pasadena Playhouse, says Lynne Tuite. . . . Michael Schwartz, owner of Galerie Michael on Rodeo Drive, will be both auctioneer and host for the Spare Change Art Auction on Tuesday at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Proceeds will be donated to the Family Assistance Program of Hollywood to aid the homeless. Linda Ford is chairman.
