The Special Touches at Encore Meetings

Marlene Billington, chairwoman of the Music Center’s prestigious Encore group of former presidents of Music Center volunteer groups, wins the prize for putting pizazz into meetings. Recently she asked Bill Conti (whose musical themes permeate “Cagney & Lacey” on television and “Rocky” films) to host Encore at his and his wife Shelby’s Fremont Place home and talk about music. Saturday, Billington shepherds Encore members to Oxnard for a special view of Bettina and Otis Chandler’s Vintage Museum and its automobiles. Upcoming events also feature Nancy and Zubin Mehta and Donna and Lalo Schifrin.

AN ORIGINAL: Premiere events are always fun. When The Muses 100 launched itself earlier this year to support the Bob Hope Cultural Center at Palm Desert, success bred an adjunct group--the Patroness Circle (of The Muses 100). The Circle was relishing its premiere fashion extravaganza to benefit the center and McCallum Theatre for the Performing Arts.

On a glorious sunny day, jeweled benefactors topped 740 for the Amen Wardy show at the Marriott Desert Springs Hotel and Resort, and Texas multimillionaires were denied seats because of the crush. Said Erna Schulhofer, president of The Muses 100: “This is a coup for us to persuade Amen Wardy to produce ‘Extravaganza’ at a location other than his Newport Beach Fashion Island location.” Amen was there, with plenty of glamour and glitter--Valentino, Ungaro, Escada, Judith Leiber, David Webb and more.

Co-chairmen Marilyn Tennity and Robin Ceriale were assured of an $80,000 net. Keleen Beal of Midland, Tex., winter resident at Eldorado Country Club, got kudos for coaxing Wardy to do the show: “I have known him since he was in El Paso; there’s nothing like him,” she said.

She had Alex Hagen, Sallie Bell, Eleanor Hall and Karlene and Dick Garber among her guests. Barbara Sinatra and Betty Ford were in the crowd. So were Emily Bagnall, Mary Jane Jenkins, Ethel Miller, Nelda Linsk (she chaired the polo classic last year), Lee Penkhus. Carol and William Mitsch hosted four tables of guests, including Susie Otto of Harbor Point, Mich. and Indian Wells, Sally Fabian and Deborah Moncrief, who had flown in that morning from Ft. Worth, Tex., for a stay at her Eldorado home, and Mildred Greenbaum. Gloria McLaughlin, Sallie Bell, Betts Simon--all on the committee--compared notes and called it a superb day.

HOLIDAY CHEER: Marlborough School hosts its Merry Mart on Thursday through Sunday, selling the freshest trees, wreaths, poinsettias and baked and boutique goods. A highlight will be the Wassail Party Saturday (reservations required). . . .

Now, after the invitation from Eileen and Peter Norton to a Christmas party Sunday, comes “User’s Guide to the 1988 Norton Family Christmas Party,” maybe a first of its kind. The guide notes: “Tours. You’re on your own, we’re tired of giving them. If you ask us for a tour of the art collection, we’ll ask you to leave.” And, “Explore. There are treats to discover throughout the house, so explore, upstairs and down. Just don’t enter any room that’s closed.” The party honors the California International Arts Foundation. . . .

Delta Delta Delta has responses from San Diego to Bakersfield for its Sleighbell Luncheon on Tuesday in the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton. President Jamie Rigney of Northridge heads the fund-raiser for Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles. . . .

The Emeritus Group of Five Acres (the Boys’ and Girls’ Aid Society of Los Angeles) plans Christmas open house next Thursday. . . .

Angels Attic celebrates its Victorian Christmas with a gala open house Wednesday at 516 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica. Tickets are $10. . . .

Joey Leslie opens the doors of her magnificent Wallace Neff Italianate villa for Les Dames de Champagne (International Hostesses) friendship luncheon Tuesday. I. Magnin’s Jack Miles has picked couturier sugarplums for preview. Les Dames plans a gift to Para Los Ninos, which serves inner city needy children. . . .

Friends of the Joffrey Ballet host holiday cheer at the home of Nancy Bennett on Tuesday evening. . . .

Mayfield Senior School stages a Christmas luncheon and boutique Tuesday on campus.

UNANIMOUS: Berry Gordy Jr. has unanimously been selected for the Brotherhood Crusade’s Pioneer of Black Achievement Award. The honor will be bestowed next Thursday in the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton. Chairman Clarence Avant and President Danny J. Bakewell Sr. and Pamela B. Brooks, executive director, have booked Smokey Robinson for entertainment.