Zoo Gala to Preview Adventure Island

Tom Tellefsen, chairman of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Assn., and his band of trustees brought in $500,000 this week toward their goal to raise $8.3 million for Adventure Island, the Los Angeles Zoo’s soon-to-debut attraction. That leaves $1 million before the public grand opening May 5.

With confidence, GLAZA is putting invitations into the mail to about 1,000 for the Preview Gala for both children and adults April 30. Betty White Ludden, Jim and Gloria Stewart and Mayor Tom Bradley are among those receiving them, along with corporate leaders and their kids and grandkids. Adventure Island, totally funded by individual and corporate/foundation donors, will showcase the wonders of Southwest animals.

For the party, Someone’s in the Kitchen Catering will pour out genuine Western cuisine and the Reinsmen will blast the rustic songs. Zoorific Theater will be there to tell tall tales about sea lions, sidewinders, scorpions, prairie dogs, cougars (the mascots of Adventure Island). The kids there on the first night will get the inaugural opportunities to use the interactive teaching devices as well as see the animal nursery and the theater for daily animal shows.

YOU’RE THE STARS: Oscars, Emmys, Tonys and Grammys aside, United Way calls givers their stars, and George F. Moody, general campaign chairman, and the United Way Campaign Cabinet say “You Are the Stars” when they host what is anticipated to be a victory celebration April 13 at the University Sheraton. Clarence Brown, director of media affairs, notes, “We expect to reach our $89-million goal this year, so we expect a big turnout--1,000.”

It’s expected to be the largest amount ever raised by United Way.

CELEBRATE: Doheny Mansion in Chester Place will be the place April 14 for a gala “Celebrate” for Sister Magdalen Coughlin, retiring president of Mount St. Mary’s College. Caroline W. Nahas and David L. McIntyre co-chair the black-tie affair. It’s intended to salute Sister Magdalen’s community contributions. She’ll continue her task of fund raising for the college, but relinquish the day-by-day running of the institution.

EASTER MONDAY: Easter Monday came and went without the traditional Presentation Ball presented by Social Service Auxiliary. That’s because the prominent affair, long held on Easter Monday, moves to June 5 this year when 31 young women from communities throughout Southern California will be presented to Archbishop Roger M. Mahony at the Beverly Hilton.

Jayne Sullivan is ball chairman, and with her husband, Roger Sullivan, will be presenting their fifth daughter. The ball committee meets April 12 to finalize plans, and among those involved will be June Ganey, Evelyn Vodhanel, Anne Porteous, Marge Hegener, Marjorie Pings, Nancy Gibbs, Mary Lou Workman, Helen Webster, Sally Conn, Lee Harnett, Marie Thorpe, Patty Weber, Patty Burschinger, Gretchen Wayne, Mary Loftus, Jeanne Jennett, Diane Downey, Camilly Lynch and Gerry Nigg, who is president of the auxiliary.

IN FLIGHT: A flock of Smithsonian Angels takes off from LAX this week for a Washington reception marking the formal opening of the new Ceremonial Court at the National Museum of American History. The Ceremonial Court, according to Smithsonian Pacific Coast representative Wanda Henderson, is designed to re-create the entrance hall of the White House and present visitors with the same sight that greets the President as he steps through his own front door.

Among the invited are some of those who came forward to establish the Friends of the First Ladies at the Silver Kite ball at the Beverly Wilshire last year--Harriet Luckman, Dr. Alex and Sue Villicana, Francine Maroney.

RED LETTER DATES: Jules Haimovitz, president and chief operating officer of Spelling Entertainment, will be honored by the National Center for Hyperactive Children at its eighth annual Gift of Love Dinner on Tuesday at the Regent Beverly Wilshire . . . .

Diana Jonsson has arranged for Performing Tree supporters to view part of the Armand Hammer Collections in the Occidental Petroleum Center, dine on Regency Club Chef Patrick Jamon’s artistic cuisine and create artistic dance arrangements on the dance floor Saturday at the Regency Club. The goal is to raise funds for the National Endowment for the Arts Challenge Grant, which Performing Tree holds . . . .

Producer David L. Wolper, actress Susan Dey and community leader Midge Costanza will be featured at the People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) second spring luncheon Wednesday at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Mrs. David Orgell is underwriting the luncheon for 450. . . .

Ma Maison Bistro at Ma Maison Sofitel Hotel is the setting Friday when Bullock’s honors designer Patrick Kelly.

AGENDA: The Fantasticks!, premier support group for the Los Angeles Theatre Center, launches the spring season with a preview of “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” Thursday at the Theatre Center. Earlier, members will be at the Biltmore Gold Room, supping over hors d’oeuvres and hearing blues songstress J’ai, then they’ll shuttle to the show. . . .

Dolores Hope, founding president of Holy Family Services, is honored for her 40 years of service to the welfare of children at the Adoption Guild of Los Angeles’ 40th year party Saturday at MGM Filmland Center in Culver City. . . .

Communications Bridge Institute (training underprivileged youth and women in video technology) benefits from a special black-tie preview of the Pulitzer Prize winning comedy “Driving Miss Daisy” starring Julie Harris and Brock Peters on Wednesday at the Henry Fonda Theatre. A champagne reception with the cast follows at the Hollywood Roosevelt.

ABOUT TOWN: Marie-Claude Lalique, designer and president of Cristal Lalique, France, and granddaughter of company founder Rene Lalique, comes for a rather rare personal appearance Monday at Geary’s Beverly Hills . . . .

Hotel designer Howard Hirsch receives the third annual Designers West/Ray Bradbury Creativity Award at a gala Monday at Ma Maison Sofitel. It happens to fall on his birthday and will be held in the Opus One Ballroom, which he designed.

PLAUDITS: To Ralph and Goldy Lewis, being honored at a dinner Tuesday at USC Town and Gown by university President James and Marilyn Zumberge. Their gift of $5 million will be used for the construction of the Ralph and Goldy Lewis Hall of Planning and Development at the USC School of Urban and Regional Planning.