A Benefit Night of Seasonal Merriment

Ruth Cutten and Margo Hirsh have planned a night of merriment for the Les Amies seventh annual Christmas cocktail buffet Dec. 4 at the Bistro Garden. President Doris Heller says the Les Amies sister organizations--the Colleagues and the C.H.I.P.S. (Colleague Helpers in Philanthropic Service)--will join to support the Children’s Institute International, which aids abused children. Virginia Rogers said 5,000 children and family members have benefited from the program.

CHIC BLACK: Maybe it just seemed that way, but all the ladies were in black--velvets, wools, silks--when Jann McCord welcomed 200 to the Volunteer League of the San Fernando Valley “The Silver Mallet” benefit polo match in the Equidome with the Los Angeles Stars and the Chicago Colts.

Much to the happiness of Vikie Hariton, Maralyn Chin, Sally Green and Linda Prinn, none of the celebrities in the prematch festivities--such as William Shatner, radio’s Michael Jackson and Doug Sheehan--fell off their horses. All are superb horsemen and were riding their own ponies. The best: proceeds of nearly $40,000 to help the league’s causes, such as clothing needy school children. It was a very horsy night--Ralph Lauren Polo perfume (the Lauren fragrance for women) and chocolate polo ponies forfavors.

TIES THAT BIND: Gregory Peck co-starred with Audrey Hepburn in her Oscar-winning film debut “Roman Holiday,” and he’ll be in New York at the Waldorf Astoria on Wednesday to present her newest award at the Lighthouse’s Winternight ’88 black-tie gala. She’s being honored for her work with children worldwide.

Nancy Reagan is honorary chairman, and the committee glitters with names, including Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, Candice Bergen, Bill Blass, Pat Buckley, Dominick Dunne, Hubert de Givenchy, Mica and Ahmet Ertegun and Nan Kempner. At the reception preceding dinner and dancing, 60 miniature self-illuminating lighthouses created by such notable architects and designers as Robert A. M. Stern, Mario Buatta and Tiffany’s Gene Moore, will be auctioned. Steve Ross and Peter Duchin will serenade Audrey during dinner.

KUDOS: Suzanne Rheinstein and Kate Stamps were all aglow as well-wishers from Pasadena to Hancock Park attended a private champagne party and viewing of their new antique shop, Hollyhock, on North Larchmont. . . .

Clay Lacy, the pilot who raised $500,000 for charities from donor passengers on an around-the-world flight last January, received the Award of Hope from the Professions and Finance Associates for the City of Hope at the Beverly Hilton. The Home Furnishings Industry for City of Hope honored Robert A. Magnusson at the Century Plaza.

SPOTLIGHTS: This week Esther Williams became the 10th recipient of Sweden’s prestigious Medal of Honor at a gala in Stockholm to benefit Children’s International Summer Villages, a charity that brings 11-year-olds from 94 countries together each summer to work for world peace. Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Sylvia honored the actress for her work teaching blind nursery school children to swim. . . .

Charles Redmond, executive vice president of Times Mirror Co., has been named chairman of the AMAN Folk Ensemble. . . .

Carl Terzian receives the first public relations “Good Scout Award” from the Boy Scouts of America at a luncheon Dec. 6 in the Los Angeles Ballroom of the Century Plaza. His friend, Sen. Richard G. Lugar of Indiana, former Indianapolis mayor, will speak. . . .

More than $325,000 was raised for cancer research at the dinner by the Los Angeles Israel Cancer Research Fund feting Ruth L. Harvey . . .

Artist Peter Adams’ paintings of China, Tibet, Bhutan and Afghanistan opened with a reception hosted by David Kamansky at the Pacific Asia Museum and continue through Dec. 31 . . .

Singer Lainie Kazan received Beverly Hills Hadassah’s 50th anniversary award.

IN THE SPIRIT: Los Angeles Mission’s director, the Rev. Mark Holsinger, reports about 16,000 meals will be served this Thanksgiving season at 443 S. Los Angeles St., but he’s pointing to the need for long-term solutions to the homeless crisis. . . .

International Club Elite hosts its first Thanksgiving California Benefit Ball on Friday at the Hollywood Palladium, netting proceeds for Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles.

PAST PERFECT: Elizabeth Taylor, Jack Lemmon, Anne Archer, Zsa Zsa Gabor and Candice Bergen were among stars donating clothes and jewelry for the charity sale at Jean’s Stars’ Apparel, a benefit for the Rainbow Guild’s Amie Karen Cancer Center at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. . . .

Camp Good Times is reaping proceeds from the Alpha Delta Pi annual Ronald McDonald luncheon held Wednesday at the Wilshire Country Club.

ON THE AGENDA: Julie Nixon Eisenhower stars as luncheon speaker next Thursday at the sixth biennial convention of the Los Angeles County Federation of Republican Women at the Sheraton Long Beach. . . .

Charles Z. Wick, director of the U. S. Information Agency, discusses public diplomacy at the Town Hall luncheon Tuesday at the Century Plaza.

UPCOMING: The cocktail reception this week at Chasen’s saluted the Lou Rawls Parade of Stars Telethon. The huge variety show special is Dec. 17, with proceeds going to the United Negro College Fund and benefiting 42 schools.

CULINARY CLOUT: Lots of the owners and chefs of Los Angeles finest restaurants were on hand at Bel Age Hotel for Severyn Ashkenazy (owner of L’Ermitage Hotels and art collector) to address the crowd and unveil the Epicurean Rendezvous Award and Restaurant Guide (Southern California book). Brazilian music and Bel Age executive chef Gary Comella’s royal buffet were draws, too.

PLAUDITS: The Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America, Los Angeles chapter, was in the spotlight Sunday at a dinner auction at the Beverly Wilshire. . . .

Marcia Brandwynne and Chris Lemmon reaped honors as honorary chairmen of the Kodak & Permanent Charities Committee Charity Golf Tournament at Industry Hills’ Babe Zaharias Course. Lou Gallo and Bill Graf headed the tourney.