* The Habitat for Humanity dinner benefit...

* The Habitat for Humanity dinner benefit was held Oct. 31 at the Hotel del Coronado and was underwritten by the hotel’s chairman of the board M. Larry Lawrence. Speakers were former President Jimmy Carter, M. Larry Lawrence and Jeff Snider, director of project development of Habitat for Humanity. More than $600,000 was raised. Habitat is a nonprofit ecumenical housing ministry founded to renovate or build model homes affordable to low-income households. The dinner was held to gather support for Habitat’s home-building program in San Diego and Tijuana.

* The “Scents of Beverly Hills” first annual benefit was held Nov. 9 at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel with 400 guests attending. Avanti Automotive Corp. and Angeles Magazine co-sponsored the event with donations made by Beverly Hills retailers Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and area perfumers. The event netted about $10,000 for the Costume Council of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s Department of Costumes and Textiles. Anne Johnson is the chairman of the Costume Council.

* The Kira Foundation’s first annual “Unsung Heroes Award Dinner” was held Nov. 5 at Verdi’s Ristorante di Musica. Estimated net proceeds of $9,000 will be used to continue educational programs and seminars for health care professionals on the psycho-social needs of young adults with chronic and catastrophic illnesses. Honorees were nurse Patricia H. Cox, Drs. Melvin Avedon, William Davidson, Philomena F. McAndres, Guy J.F. Juillard and Larry R. Ryan. Jonathan Prince was honorary chair.