Library Black-Tie Gala: A Christmas Party in October

It never rains, but it pours. Last December, the traditional Huntington Christmas party in San Marino was blown out in 100 m.p.h. winds. Marion Jorgensen and the trustees and overseers of the library, art collections and botanical gardens decided instead on a Huntington Autumn Gala: black-tie dining and dancing this Friday.

Marion had a lot to do with the planning, and the never-rain-but-it-pours part has to do with the fact that she is also co-chairwoman (with Virginia Milner and Elizabeth Wilson) of Thursday’s Magic Crystal Ball on behalf of St. John’s Hospital and Health Center. Former President Ronald and Nancy Reagan will attend; comedian Rich Little entertains. For all that work, Marion will deserve more than bonbons; balmy skies will do.

SUNDAY DASH: All today. The Los Angeles Junior Philharmonic Committee’s fete (an informal show of furs by Galanos, Scaasi and Fendi) at the home of the Richard D. Colburns, launching the second Philharmonic Ball Dec. 5 on stage at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and marking the eve of the 25th anniversary of the Philharmonic’s opening night on Dec. 6 at the Music Center. Joan Riach of Hancock Park will chair the ball. . . . The “Animal Crackers” party this evening at The Commons hosted by the Crocodile Cafe to celebrate the opening of “Groucho: A Life in Revue,” the Pasadena Playhouse’s 72nd season opening. . . . The Coronet Patronesses of the National Charity League candlelight dinner headed by Frances Remmer at the Doheny Mansion. . . . Alpha Delta Pi alumnae luau at the Ronald McDonald House.

CHARISMA: Anthony Mazzola, editor-in-chief of Harper’s Bazaar, invited some of the city’s most chic partygoers to meet world-famed photographer Matthew Rolston at the Upstairs Bistro. Mazzola ought to be a party impresario. He and Nancy Dinsmore juxtaposed a fun crowd: Lilly Tartikoff, Connie Sellecca, Mr. Chow, Sean Young, Katie Wagner, Donna Mills, Harry Hamlin, Jackie Collins, Jane Seymour. Downstairs, the crowd was a bit more sedate: Onnalee and Bill Doheny, the William French Smiths (Jean), Ross and Rita Barrett and Mollie Bergesch and Rodney and Betty Williams. Jean Smith walked upstairs to remind Tony Mazzola of his memorable days at Town and Country when she was president of the Association of Junior Leagues of America.

NEW TRACT: Radcliffe is “really poised to take off on a new tract.” With that phrase, the college’s amiable new president, Linda S. Wilson, made Los Angeles her first alumnae stop this past week at a luncheon at the Regency Club, hosted by a Suzanne act: Suzanne Labiner and Suzanne Marx. Newport Beach trustee Ellen Gordon, graduate Jennifer Diener, Harvard president Derek Bok’s mom--Margaret Kiskadden--and First Lady Barbara Bush’s chairwoman of her Literacy Foundation--Joan Abrahamson--were among those welcoming the former University of Michigan vice president and hearing her say she wants Radcliffe graduates to know how to be influential leaders.

PAST PERFECT: Audrey Hepburn being eloquent and Nancy Reagan accepting the BCUN (Business Council for the United Nations) Medal at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York, with former Ambassador Lester B. and Carolbeth Korn taking a table, with Richard M. Ferry, Suzanne Marx and Mary Jane and Charles Wick among their guests. . . .

A wonderful cast of supporters for the emotional 15th anniversary of the Rape Treatment Center in Holmby Hills, among them director Gail Abarbanel, Oprah Winfrey, Aileen Adams, Sandra Moss, Dorothy Jonas, Diane Cooke, Louise Brinsley, Jayne Meadows Allen and Norman Lear. Since its founding, the center has helped more than 10,000 victims. It is now focusing on campus rape. . . .

Sonnance leaders Sherry Lombardi and Helene Irvine kicked off their season this week for the House Ear Institute with a dinner party at the Regency Club and guest speaker Dr. Toni Grant.

PLAUDITS: To Jane and Robert Kramer, romancing over dinner and dancing to celebrate a glittery 25th wedding anniversary. . . . To Frani and Dan Ridder, donating their home for the Long Beach Cancer League Crystal Celebration 15th annual auction. . . . To Mrs. Herbert Rudley, a focus at the Neiman Marcus National Arts Assn. fashion luncheon at Jimmy’s. . . . To Helen and Jerry Stathatos, hosting the Cal Marching Band benefit party in their gardens in San Marino. . . . To Angie O’Brien, Dorothy Gantvoort, Joan Caillouette, Louise Eldred and all the others making “Caribbean Caper” so festive. . . . To Carol Bressler, who allowed Pasadena Philharmonic Committee supporters to frolic on her lawn at their “Sky’s the Limit” party. . . . To Gen. William and Willa Dean Lyon, honored by 300 at a USC dinner for their $6.5 million gift. . . . To Jane Boeckmann, receiving the Childlife Award at the gala opening of the California Showcase, three homes featuring child safety and injury prevention ideas.

KEEPING UP: Vivian Fountain and Margaret McEntee shared honors in raising funds to support cardiac surgery via the Bel-Air Guild of Childrens Hospital “September Serenade” at the Bel-Air Country Club.