A Grand Finale to Cabinet Campaign

At her striking new house in Hancock Park designed by architect Randy Washington, Music Center president Esther Wachtell announced at the Music Center Cabinet Campaign ’90 finale party that the goal of $15.3 million had been reached.

“You have raised by five times more money for the arts than anyone else in the United States . . . ,” she said. “It could not have happened without the group in our yard . . . it does not happen without leadership . . . Maurey DeWald, you are the best. Next, year $17.76 (million).”

DeWald, who has assumed the campaign leadership for a second year, moved to the edge of the lap pool that divided the supper tables bedecked in pink cloths and gardenias, and argued: “I thought the goal was $17.5 (million).”

Said Wachtell: “I just raised it.”

DeWald admonished the audience, “Do it, till you get it right.” He had highest kudos for corporate and individual donors who had decided “to invest their hard-earned dollars” and particular praise for Robert Silverstein (in absentia) and Irving Feintech who headed the special gifts category, bringing in $3 million.

Added DeWald: “A lot of folks out there would like to find a way to come into the Music Center, and you here are the agents.”

Before dining, the crowd ambled through every nook and cranny of Tom and Esther Wachtell’s new contemporary abode. Among the city’s leadership there: Robin and Susan Mettler, Gerry and Robin Parsky, Douglas and Lynn Brengel, Clifford Miller, Walter and Pat Mirisch, Leon and Diane Morton, Alan and Georgina Rothenberg, Eugene and Maxine Rosenfeld, Joe and Alice Coulombe, Franklin and Anne Johnson, Tom and Margaret Larkin, Stuart and Carrie Ketchum, Henry and Ginny Mancini, and Franklin Ulf.

KICKOFF: Richard J. Stegemeier, chairman, president and CEO of Unocal Corp., has been elected chairman of the 1990-91 United Way Campaign. On Sept. 4 at Dodger Stadium he plans to launch the West’s most ambitious human-services fund-raising effort. Last year, the United Way campaign, under the leadership of James Miscoll, raised a record $95 million.

ASCOT DAY: The infield of the Del Mar Race Track becomes a royal enclosure for the inaugural Royal Ascot Day at the Races and Concours d’Elegance next Sunday benefiting the San Diego Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of America.

The event follows the opening Wednesday of the 51st Del Mar season of thoroughbred racing when a fashionable group, including Alyce and Spud Williamson of Pasadena, will be in the crowd to see their stakes horses run. John and Phyllis Parrish of La Jolla chair the Ascot party. British Counsul General Reg Holloway is official host.

Eleanor Rippo of Mission Hills heads the San Diego Social Service Auxiliary charity day Thursday at Del Mar, and Dian Peet the 30th anniversary race day for Country Friends July 30 in the Turf Club.

POLO PIZAZZ: U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica Glen Holden, who says he hasn’t played polo, or even ridden a horse since he became a diplomat last fall, flew in from Jamaica to make the first goal in the Golden Mallet Invitational Polo Tournament at the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club. His Gehache team won 8-7 over the Bagatelle team of William Meeker of Santa Barbara. Meeker was out of town.

The ambassador’s wife, Gloria, established the silk frocks/garden chapeaux fund-raiser in 1984 as a fete for the Day Nursery Auxiliary of the Assistance League of Southern California, and, in family tradition, daughter Geannie Holden Sheller co-chaired the event. Prominent were Larry and Beverly Thrall (she’s assumed presidency of the Assistance League of Southern California for a second year); Lady Dodge, just back from President Bush’s economic conference in Houston, and Leslie and Paul Ridley-Tree of Montecito, who won the Golden Jamaican Holiday top prize in the silent auction. They’ll be guests of the Holdens at the embassy in Kingston.

THE BACHELORS: The handsome Casey Francis Griffin is the new president of The Bachelors. James Donald Stuart Jr. has returned to the position of vice president and ball chairman. More on the board will be Hugh Durst Bateman, William Bessolo, John Alphson, John Corby, Charles Donnelly, Grant Ivey, Craig Lewis, Sean McCarthy, Arthur Rasmussen Jr. and David Sargeant.

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS: To Robert H. Carpenter and Robert Wycoff, who (because their birthdays are but one day apart) celebrated together with their wives, Janice Carpenter and Anne Wycoff. . . .

To Thaddeus L. Up de Graff, surprised by daughters Lisa Up de Graff and Teresa Power and her husband, Tripp, at the Powers’ Pacific Palisades home. . . .

To Arianna Huffington, honored at a black-tie fete by husband Michael in Santa Barbara.

SOCIAL MAGIC: Ellen and Bernie Byrens layered Jimmy’s with Mylar and top hats for their “Make Magic” party for 100. . . .

Hutten and Ruth Wilkinson loved their portrait and paintings of the interiors of the rooms in their home by artist Julian La Trobe so much they hosted a huge party for him. Penne and Adam Bianchi, Gep Durenberger, Tony and Beegle Duquette (who want paintings of the room interiors in their San Francisco, Malibu and Beverly Hills houses), Tom Beeton, Heidi and Wilson Tait, Shannon and Pamela Clyne, Curtis Harrington, Gustave Tassell, Toby and Bigi Wilcox, and Harry and Mary Eversole were admirers too. . . .

The English-Speaking Union (Los Angeles Branch) sipped champagne in Ed Ridgway’s Paul Williams-designed home. In the group: president-designate Walter Coombs, William Bird, Marshall Rutter, Lorna Gentile, Sidney Adair and Jane Hemmings.