Junior Philharmonic Goes for High Note

The pressure is on. Pasadena Junior Philharmonic Committee--as always--is out to make more on the 1990 Pasadena Showcase House of Design than it did last year when it netted $430,000 for the orchestra. Benefit chairwoman Shirley Goldsmith is seeing to it.

For the premiere night party, chairwoman Georgia Coye had antique painted wooden carousel horses by the bandstand as 680 guests toured this year’s Showcase House (a 1916 minor French Manor on the east bank of the Arroyo Seco), dined on Rococo’s sit-down feast and danced until 1 a.m.

The Showcase House will be open to the public through May 20 (Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Reservations are necessary, through Ticketmaster (213) 480-3232 or (714) 740-2000.

At premiere night, Junior Philharmonic Committee president Susi McConaghy was cool and smiling, as always. Why not, with a gala committee including Betty Tutwiller, Norma Hanlin, Nancy Fuller, Julie Condon, Sharon Pelton, Janet Jett, Carole O’Toole, Jo Lynn Bolton and Martha Brumfield.

Among those partying: Hugh and Paddy Grant, Becky and William Garnett, Collette and Frank Schweitzer, Chicago Sun-Times editor Dennis and Tere Britton, Nicholas and Joan Khoury, and Susan and Richard Clayton.

UNDER THE SUN: With the weather intermittently glorious, the Southland was bustling in the outdoors. At Sherwood Country Club, Katrina Cord and Barbara McMahon produced “An Afternoon in the Country,” bringing out a stellar crowd including their own husbands, race car driver Chris Cord and producer John McMahon, and also Will and Libby Doheny, Carla Kirkeby, Robert and Jo Kroger, Gary Collins and Mary Ann Mobley, Bill and Tally Mingst, Brooke Pattengill, Tom and Elayne Techentin, and Sharrell Blakely, the new executive director of Crittenton Center for Young Women and Infants.

Crittenton’s chairman Scott Smigel and master of ceremonies Ed McMahon were there to salute Crittenton’s honorees: Marcus Allen, Richard Riordan, Chris and Pat Riley, and Katie and Andy Lipkis.

In Pasadena, the sun played peek-a-boo for the Huntington’s Spring Luncheon and Garden Party. Nevertheless, chairman of the Board of Overseers Marion Jorgensen and her husband, Earle, tiptoed about the tulips with gardens curator James P. Folsom, who spoke on “Earthly Matters Related to Gardens, Plants and People.”

Guitarist Riner Scivally provided lilt for the aperitifs on the loggia of the Virginia Steele Scott Gallery before luncheon. Strolling were Stanton and Ernestine Avery, Lawrence and Mary Tollenaere, Ed and Betty Martin, Robert and Gwen Cheesewright, June Banta, Frances Clayton, Brad and Kelsey Hall, Richard and Betty Keatinge, Debra Folsom, and Huntington director Robert Skotheim and his wife, Nadine.

A GRAY LOOK: At the Beverly Regency Hotel, ARCS’ (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists) took on a “gray” look for its Southern Plantation setting party to fete the 1990 Man of Science, Dr. Harry Gray, the popular Caltech professor and director of the Beckman Institute.

But, color him lively, as emcee Art Linkletter did. Maggie Russell, on the arm of husband Earl, hopes to best last year’s net of $446,300 for science scholarships (for 69 Southland scholars).

The sales of gold boxes, priced at $100 but filled with $200 in gifts, will help, plus the good work of volunteers including Janet Wagenseller, Amalia Ramser, Gay Goerz, Arletta Tronstein, Olive Varga, Bridgit Marten, Sharon Black, Nadine Carson and others.

OVERLAP: While Crittenton was fund-raising at Sherwood, the Music Center was saying “thank you” to its United Fund leadership. More than 250 played golf and croquet, toured Sherwood Valley Homes, watched the Arabian horse show at Ventura Farms, then shed sporty togs for black-tie elegance.

The thank-you was for work so far on the Unified Fund, about three-fourths of the way to the goal of $15.3 million and headed by Maurice DeWald. Also present were Ron Arnault, new chairman of the Music Center Board of Governors beginning July 1, and Nancy Davis; Robert and Connie Abell, and Peter and Robin Barker (all golfing); Harry and Jan Hufford (playing croquet);, Ron and Jane Olson and Frank Sherwood (watching the horse show).

KUDOS: To Edgardo and Francesca Acosta, honored by Provost Raymond and Eva Orbach for their gift of $5 million to UCLA. . . .

To Dr. James and Marilyn Zumberge, hosting the USC Cancer Research Associates reception at their Mudd Estate today. . . .

To Dr. Vartkes Najarian, founder of Medical Outreach for Armenians Inc., receiving the Nelle Reagan Award from Olive View Medical Center Foundation on Saturday at Universal City Studios. . . .

To developer Jerome H. Snyder, honored by UCLA’s Graduate School of Architecture and Urban Planning. . . .

To the Valley League for Hathaway and their Western party at Paramount Ranch. . . .

To Darla Longo, receiving the Hope for MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Award at the Beverly Hilton. . . .

To Beverly Sassoon and Patrick Terrail, hosting the Great Entertainers Council Luncheon with Champagne Perrier-Jouet at Ma Maison Sofitel. . . .

To Hugh O’Brian, who braved the wind with 220 golfers to raise fundsin the Imperial Bank/Hugh O’Brian Youth Foundation Invitational Golf tourney at Mountaingate Country Club. . . .

To the Screen Smart Set Auxiliary previewing the New Ann Taylor store at the Sherman Oaks Fashion Square on Monday. . . .

To Santa Monica Museum of Art director Thomas W. Rhoads and Marie-Claude Beaud, director, Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art, launching the show Gerard Garouste: “Les Indiennes” at the Santa Monica Museum of Art . . . .

To Dr. William Burke, president, City of Los Angeles Marathon, hosting a reception at City Hall Rotunda to thank supporters.