Palm Desert Draws Star-Studded Gala

It’s not all golf and tennis at Palm Desert. The first anniversary of the $22-million McCallum Theatre for the Performing Arts at the Bob Hope Cultural Center will be observed with the second annual America’s Hope Award extravaganza Feb. 23 honoring Elizabeth Taylor.

Hope, himself, will present the award. Stars--show business and political--will shine. Gregory H. Willenborg is producing the gala, and it will be an ABC-TV special, taped for national broadcast in the spring.

Southern California developer-philanthropist Elizabeth G. Williams is chairman. She is urging supporters to buy tickets now to take advantage of the 1988 tax deduction. Founders and Preferred Seating patrons will attend the Theatre Supper at the Vintage Club after the performance at a cost of $2,500 per ticket. Lesser seating will range from $1,000 to $500 each.

The honorary committee will include Walter and Lee Annenberg, Carol Burnett, Betty Ford, Malcolm Forbes, Paul Newman, Nancy Reagan and Sen. John Warner (R-Va.).

Already, pre-gala luncheons and teas are being planned in Los Angeles, Bel-Air, Beverly Hills, La Jolla, Coronado, Newport Beach and Santa Barbara. The committee includes Erna Schulhofer, Marilyn Tennity, Keleen Beal, Judy Gelfand, Marc Glassman and Betts Simon.

SANTA GALS: There was no doubt the mood was Christmasy for the Luminaires Juniors of the Estelle Doheny Eye Institute Christmas Luncheon at Jimmy’s in Beverly Hills. “We’ve just got to do this,” instructed Mary Milner, and she and Debbie Barry, president, and Judy Hewson plopped red-and-white Santa hats on their heads to greet guests.

It was the sort of lunch where everyone was racing--to Christmas shop, wrap gifts, make reservations for Christmas ski trips. Mary and Reese Milner, Lynn and Tim Harris, Corki and Tom Clark, Chris and Katrina Cord, and their families will be skiing--mostly at Sun Valley.

Corki had just come from the Art Museum Council’s art tour at the home of Nathan Smoot. Joan Traitel had just opened some early thank-yous after sending 15 Della Robbia wreaths to relatives and friends out of state. Susan Morgan and Linda Cole, once Marlborough classmates, were chatting. And Paty Koula and Justine Bloomingdale were catching up with Harriet Johnson, who is a Luminaire Junior, but now living in Montecito with her husband, Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys.

There were mother-daughter duos in the crowd including Candida Genzmar and Billie Dea Crowe, Debby Barry and her mother-in-law Marion Barry, chatting with Nancy Munger. Nancy Payne, who is president of the Luminaires, brought her daughter, Linda.

Leigh Davis and Barbara Aldrich were dashing off for the Voices of Christmas benefit. Gabriella Santaniela and Carolyn Fox were exuding the Christmas spirit.

NIGHT OF ROSES: What else could supporters of the 100th anniversary of the Tournament of Roses stage for New Year’s Eve? Naturally, “Night of 100 Roses” at the Pasadena Playhouse. Already co-chairs Micki Houk, Ann Loze and Judy McDowell have made plans to close El Molino Avenue in front of the Playhouse and cover it with red carpet that evening, and they have consulted Balloon Art by Treb about lining the street with balloons. Florist Jacob Maarse will place roses everywhere.

What Mrs. Houk is calling “an enormous, elegant block party” is going to honor John H. Biggar III, president of the Tournament. Rose Queen Charmaine Shryock and her court will reign. Award-winning chef Joe Rapport will stage the dinner in a tent across from the Pasadena Playhouse. Stephen Zinnato and his orchestra will play for dancing.

About 500 are expected, and Susan Dietz, Playhouse artistic director, says they’ll see a stage show written by Dale Gonyea and Eleanor Albano, featuring Michael Rupert, Pamela Myers, Betty Garrett and Brian Mitchell. Tickets are $250.

HOLIDAY RUN: The day after Christmas, Santa Anita Park is off and running for its 52nd season. Santa Anita president Robert P. Strub and his wife, Betty, are expecting 100 guests for their traditional luncheon in the Directors’ Room and an elevated view of the $100,000 Malibu Stakes race. Among the invited are Marion and Earle Jorgensen, Patricia and Charles Bakaly, Susan and Norman Barker and California Atty. Gen. John Van de Camp and his wife, Andrea.

YULETIDE: Patty Burschinger is known for her fabulous chocolate yule logs and wondrous culinary delights. And, so, Mrs. Burschinger’s tea Friday in San Marino honoring the 24 June Debutantes of the Pasadena Guild of Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles is anticipated. No socially knowledgeable tea-goer will be declining. Welcoming guests will be guild president Kelsey Hall, debutante chairman Doreen Forsch, tea chairman Ann Longyear and the hostess.

The honored debutantes, to be presented next June, are: Jennifer Allen, Jill Barry, Angelique Berger, Victoria Boas, Ingrid Box, Joanna Clark, Barbara Coberly, Lynn Crabtree, Caryn Cranston, Courtney Fitzgerald, Katherine Galbraith, Amy Gordinier, Carolyn Hotchkis, Dominque Lacerte, Jamie Dean Lunceford, Kathleen McAniff, Leath McCormick, Elizabeth Pelton, Ann Rahn, Julie Shannon, Anne Sturgeon, Hilary Werdel, Elizabeth Westfall and Lisa Wines.

FINALIZING: At a luncheon this month at the home of Pam Boswell in South Pasadena, chairman Julie Condon reviewed final plans, toasts and all, for the upcoming National Charity League, San Marino Area Chapter Debutante Ball on Thursday at the Beverly Wilshire.

CLASSIC: The Assistance League of Southern California is capitalizing on the romance of classic cars--past, present and future--to draw 6,000 Jan. 6 to the Los Angeles Convention Center for the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show Preview Night. For the league, it’s a journey down memory lane. The league put together its first Auto Show Preview in 1958.

For the affair, the league will join forces with the Infertility Research Foundation of Good Samaritan Hospital. About 650 cars from 58 manufacturers will be displayed. Winner of the National Automobile Model Design Contest will also be announced. Tickets are $10.

‘TIS THE SEASON: Consul General of France Bernard and Dominique Miyet celebrate the holidays with a reception Tuesday evening. . . .

The Laguna Art Museum trustees party Tuesday evening at the Linda Isle home of Dolores Milhous; revelers will view the spectacular Newport Harbor Annual Parade of Lights with warm mufflers and homemade chili at $50 per. . . .

UCLA College of Fine Arts Acting Dean Bernard Kester hosted holiday festivities. . . . Jeannie Blackburn, Mary Joy Petersen, Lill Causey and Gloria Byke staged a forest of Christmas trees for the San Marino League Christmas Party at Annandale Golf Club. . . .

The Westwood Marquis Hotel rings in the holidays with the caroling quartet Mastersingers Tuesday through Christmas, says Jacques P. Camus, vice president. . . .

St. Elizabeth Day Nursery hosted its annual Christmas Tea last week with president Cicely Gargaro, tea chairman Connie Reese, and Bette Lokrantz, Peggy Bartenetti, Joan Caldwell, Jennifer Chumbook, Marilyn King, Adelaide Smith, Pat Brennan, Marie Jones, Betty Trumbull, Betsy Mullin and Marie Workman, among supporters. . . .

Beginning the celebration of the 40th anniversary of Los Angeles Beautiful, Gail Watson, executive director, and the board hosted holiday luncheon at the Four Seasons with Vicki McClure serenading.

APPROPRIATE: Steve Allen, it’s said, has written more than 4,000 songs and 28 books, recorded more than 40 albums, starred in motion pictures and television.

Thus, he’s the choice to be master of ceremonies when the Society for the Preservation of Film Music presents its fifth annual Career Achievement Award to Elmer Bernstein Monday in the Crystal Ballroom of the Beverly Hills Hotel.