Miracle Night for Cancer League Auction
It’s not by chance that the 16th annual Long Beach Cancer League auction at the home of Frani and Dan Ridder is the largest single-night fund-raising event in the nation for the American Cancer Society. Co-chair Jan Cree and Cancer League President Mary Klingensmith couldn’t begin to estimate the hours it took to collect auction items and prep audiences for bids.
The night was dubbed “Moonlight and Miracles.” “Tonight the moonlight, tomorrow the miracles,” enthused co-chair Frani Ridder, hoping for a cure for cancer. She has donated her estate for years for the fund-raiser and noted some proceeds go to a free summer camp for children with cancer.
The results of the evening were impressive, possibly $500,000 gross, thanks to heavy bidders. Dr. Arthur Gelb paid $40,000 for the BMW convertible, Michael and Mary Ainbinder $10,000 for a Mediterranean cruise, Robert and Rosemary Westmyer $9,000 for the Cunard Sagafiord cruise. David Thompson bought the standard poodle puppy, Francis and Grace Utecht ballooning in France, John and Susan Wavell the Marcia Weisman party and exclusive viewing of her contemporary art, Jim and Gail Gray the safari with Tippi Hedren, Steve and Linda Gordon the Steamboat Springs ski week, Bill and Margaret Wallace the week in Hong Kong at the Regent International.
Auctioneers Peter McCoy, Craig Dougherty and Russ Hill set the pace. Jane and John Campbell flew in from Pebble Beach with Jill and Fred Vogel. They joined Gail and Richard Barrett, Alison and Jim Luckman (who bought the Tahiti trip) and Casey and Peter McCoy to bus down from Los Angeles.
SPIRITED: At the Southwest Museum, the Mountain Spirit Gala was decidedly spirited. Former Ambassador to Mexico John Gavin showed a prowess for auctioning, while Connie Gavin and Anne and Bob Wycoff--all co-chairs--cheered the winning bids of James and Dorothy Hathaway for a stunning Navajo bracelet and an Acomoa fine-line olla.
In the silent bids, Erlenne and Norman Sprague purchased a contemporary figure for their ranch at Jackson Hole, and new trustee Don Wright and his wife Sharon, and Linda and James Dickason and Ed and Bev Fitzgerald wagered bids.
Dona and Dave Schultz, Joan and Dean Schneider and Chardee and Tuck Trainer were among the crowd dining on Southwestern cuisine on the patio, but others were in coveys in the Plains Room, including the Wycoffs with Bob and Janice Carpenter and Sherm and Marjorie Telleen.
DANCING FEET: Patricia Kennedy Sheinbaum deployed artistic fund raising and hooked the yellow domed “Native Sun” car to Amtrak for a trek to San Diego.
It was happy hoopla for the Joffrey Ballet amid raising funds and appointing board members and looking forward to “The Nutcracker” opening at the Music Center Dec. 1.
The Joffrey’s artistic director Gerald Arpino, much in view recently in Los Angeles, was aboard. Leaving Union Station, the hostess asked guests to “solve the Joffrey mystery.” It was all about a non-talented dancer trying to get into the Joffrey. We hear Arpino deserves an Oscar for his sleuthing.
Aboard: Uri Sheinbaum, Anne Moses, Nancy Somberg, Sue and Milton Katz, Carole Valleskey. Earlier this month Patricia Sheinbaum hosted 80 at a cocktail party at Jimmy’s for the Joffrey, including Joffrey acting executive director Charles (Chip) Raymond, Bob and Kathy Offenhauser, Dr. Hal and Roz Millstone and Herb and Felissa Restin.
Attorney Brad Brian also hosted a party for prospective donors; attorney Michael Tannenbaum plans one in Malibu. Two new members of the Joffrey executive committee are Peter Schweitzer and Avram Tucker.
AUTUMN COTILLION: Nine new members of the Autumn Cotillion were spotlighted at the traditional black-tie ball at the Regent Beverly Wilshire planned by advisory board chairman Kate Luppen and Rosalie McCartney. They’re Helen Maher, Joni Smith, Carrie Ketchum, Susie Barker, Jean Burnside, Joyce Dennis, Susie Barker, Linda Pennell and Nancy Kelsey.
VINTAGE: Vintage Cartier jewels, including an amazing art deco diamond tiara, caught the eye of the crowd at the champagne (Veuve Clicquot) reception at Cartier’s newest boutique at the new Two Rodeo Drive/Via Rodeo “Eurostyle” cobblestone complex. Cartier keeps its traditional store on Rodeo. Greeting were Cartier’s chairman Ralph Destino, manager Maryam Saghatelian and president and CEO Simon J. Critchell.
RITZY: More than 20 benefits are booked and there are 300 requests for wedding receptions at the magnificent rebuilt Ritz-Carlton Huntington hotel in Pasadena. It’s scheduled to open its 385 guest rooms (and a Ritz-Carlton Club with private butler service) in January.
Uwe Christiansen, general manager, led invited lookers in hard hats through the dusty construction to show off the new Ritz-Carlton Ballroom (1,000 seats), and the new Viennese Ballroom (400). The latter will feature its original leaded crystal chandeliers made for the hotel in the 1920s. The former Georgian Ballroom will be the premiere dining room.
The hotel, owned by the late Stephen W. Royce for 50 years, is now owned by James J. Galbraith, Lary J. Mielke, Thomas R. Tellefsen and William R. Zimmerman.
The crowd sashayed through meeting rooms and noted Japanese gardens being restored before driving to the Huntington Library for tea--a pastime symbolic of the hotel’s historic elegance and grace.
