They’ve Gone on Offensive for Education

With $53 million raised toward the $100-million endowment for the Archdiocesan Education Foundation, 700 guests were definitely upbeat at the Regent Beverly Wilshire black-tie party chaired by Sally Conn, Marcia Hayden and Kathleen McCarthy. The event celebrated establishment of the fund, which will provide money for inner-city schools and quality education for disadvantaged students.

Said Richard Riordan, “We see more Rolls-Royces, Mercedes and BMWs in five minutes in the Southland than anywhere in the world, yet we are failing our youngsters.”

Said Peter Mullin, “Waiting for the gangs to go away won’t work. Expecting welfare to make ends meet won’t work. We have 5,000 empty seats in inner-city Catholic classrooms; we are now going on the offensive to keep children in school and to attract quality teachers.”

Said Richard Ferry, “We plan to educate a child--save an adult.” He noted Catholic school students score higher on tests, drop out less and attend college more than peers in other schools.

Riordan, Mullin and Ferry serve under Archbishop Roger Mahony as co-chairmen of the fund-raising campaign. As he introduced Mahony, Riordan said: “He is a conservative liberal. We will see the fruits of what he has done for many years.”

To date, 17 have given $1 million or more. John and Dorothy Shea have given funds to establish kindergarten classrooms in 36 inner-city elementary schools. Among the other donors in the audience were Paul Griffin Jr., William Close, Fiorenza Courtright, Richard Eils, William Huston, Tom and Kathleen McCarthy, Robert Smith and Richard J. Stegemeier.

IN FAVOR: Last year, guests at the Childrens Chain for Childrens Hospital dinner dance dined under rain at their garden party (some huddled under tables). This year, chairwoman Clare Webb and president Jenny Schreiber got the perfect California evening for an alfresco party in the gardens and on the tennis court of Jim and Jackie McMahon’s Brentwood estate.

First Somerset Caterers grilled cheese sandwiches to go with cocktails, then the young crowd dived into the warm quail salad with spicy ginger. That is, when they weren’t bopping on the dance floor to Bob Gail’s band.

All year, the 70 Chain members host numerous benefits--fashion shows, cooking classes, Valentine dinners.

Partying were James and Clare Webb, Cheryl and Robert Baker, Cindy and Jo Connolly, Gary and Laurie Griff, Cuchi and Alan Clark, Daisy and William Spurgin, Martha Duque, Melinda Wells, Nancy and Jim Birdwell, Pat and Tom Rauth, Richard and Jenny Schreiber, and Bonnie and Art McClure.

GREENE & GREENE: Dorothy Collins Brown, wearing a flowered Adolfo, received accolades at the luncheon the Huntington Library trustees and director Dr. Robert Allen Skotheim hosted to open the new Dorothy Collins Brown Wing of the Virginia Steele Scott Gallery and the permanent exhibition “Greene & Greene and the American Arts and Crafts Movement.” She’s given $250,000.

Recognized too for his contributions was Randell Makinson, director of Gamble House. For Greene & Greene aficionados, the exhibit comes none too soon. “It illustrates . . . the happy synthesis of changing times and revered tradition,” Skotheim said.

Celebrating were Robert Wark; Stanton and Ernestine Avery (off to their Scottish castle again soon); new librarian William Moffett and his wife, Deborah; Blake Nevius; Charles Newton; Larry Tollenaere; Alice Avery; Norman Barker; Joan Caillouette; William Gould; George Jagels; Anne Wycoff and Nadine Skotheim.

PLAUDITS: Winston S. Churchill III, a member of the British Parliament for 20 years, is guest speaker at Beverly Hills Hadassah’s Advance Gifts Dinner Oct. 6. . . .

Agnes de Mille and D. Robert Schuller will be the recipients of accolades Wednesday night at the Parkinson Research Gala at the Beverly Hilton. . . .

Richard J. Stegemeier receives the Human Relations Award from the L. A. chapter of the American Jewish Committee Wednesday at the Beverly Wilshire. . . .

BEJEWELED: Socialites were in abundance in Beverly Hills last week viewing multicarat baubles from both Sotheby’s and Christie’s. They’ll be bidders when Christie’s auctions jewels in New York Oct. 23 and Sotheby’s auctions the magnificent jewels from the estate of Mrs. Jack L. Warner in New York Oct. 24-25.

STARLIGHT: Dionne Warwick will be feted by the Big Sisters Guild of Los Angeles and playwright Neil Simon will receive the guild’s first “Man of the Year Award” Nov. 17 at the Bonaventure. . . .

Hermes fetes patrons of the Phiharmonic Ball Thursday at the Rodeo Drive salon. Hermes is also in the limelight at the $30,000 Hermes Grandprix of Los Angeles today at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. . . .

Penelope von Kalinowski and Jacques P. Camus herald the upcoming season of the Los Angeles Master Chorale with “an enchanted evening” Thursday at the Westwood Marquis.

PAST PERFECT: French Consul-General Gerard Coste entertained members of the French Parliament at a reception. . . .

Harriet Weaver Vasque lunched with her Texas pal Sandy Sheehy, chatting over Sandy’s new book, “Texas Big Rich”. . . .

Pete and Gayle Wilson entertained at the piano for his Peking duck birthday party at Madame Wu’s Garden, hosted by Doris Coleman, Janet Wagenseller and others. . . .

Michael Novarese brought out his fall couture for Friends of Julia Ann Singer Singer at their fund-raiser. . . .

Roberta Haft’s new Beverly Hills home was the treat for Center Theatre Group Volunteers at their membership tea. Les Dames of Los Angeles, International Hostesses also borrowed it for their luncheon. . . .

With the $100,000 raised from its Casino Galactica benefit at Hollywood Park, Concern II president Tim Wilson will earmark funds for brain research at Childrens Hospital.