Soiree Is Caltech’s Booster Rocket

Areproduction of the first picture of an outer space galaxy photographed from the Keck Telescope on Mauna Kea is framed in the impressive invitation for “100 Years of Achievement,” the major centennial celebration California Institute of Technology stages March 11 in the Regent Beverly Wilshire Ballroom.

Walter Cronkite is coming to emcee. With distinguished Caltech faculty sharing unique visions for the future, the night promises guests will experience a preview of “A Second Century of Discovery.”

Trustees Chairman Ruben F. Mettler, Caltech President Thomas E. Everhart and the board of trustees have extended the invitations. They’ve also named a dynamic trio of co-chairmen--Keith Ann Kieschnick, William Kieschnick and Frank G. Wells. Others on the dinner committee are Kay Onderdonk, Nancy Petersen, Sheila Weisman and Walter Weisman.

Since Caltech’s founding as Throop University in 1891, its faculty and alumni have been honored with 21 Nobel Prizes, 33 National Medals of Science and three National Medals of Technology.

A FIRST: In a historic educational merger, private Harvard School (for boys) in Studio City and Westlake School (for girls) in Bel-Air combined this year.

That calls for the new Harvard-Westlake Parent Assn. It’s holding its first big affair--A Spring Celebration--March 9 at Santa Monica Air Center. Event co-chairs are Christine Cohen, Connie Fishbach, Caryl Golden and Murphy Litvack.

‘TIS SPRING--ALMOST: Robin Parsky and Erlenne Sprague gathered up white dendrobrium orchids and tulips, placed them on pale apricot damask cloths and brought the Blue Ribbon of the Music Center together with Neiman Marcus executives for a joyous tribute this week to Signora Dontella Girombelli, the brains behind the classy Italian couture of Genny.

Sipping Pellegrino water and munching pumpernickel Parmesan toast with crudites, the fund-raising Ribboners alternately clapped and blushed as 30 Genny models pranced out with loose jackets revealing their breasts and skirts of short-shorts length puckered on Size 2 derrieres.

“The fashions arrive in the store much longer than that--skirts are always short on the fashion ramps,” said Neiman’s president Terry Lundgren, who flew in from Dallas. Neiman’s John Martens was called “our beloved John Martens” when introduced by Blue Ribbon president Joanne Kozberg. And Anne Johnson, who stages the Ribbon social affairs, got high praise.

Sitting in prime spots along the white ramp were Jane Gosden, Mary Milner, Deborah Tellefsen, Arletta Tronstein, Candy Spelling, Barbara Davis, Barbro Taper with Princess Bernadotte of Sweden, Princess Marina Pignatelli, Chantal Kilroy, Peggy Galbraith, Joni Smith, Marion Anderson, Mary Lou Boone, Frani Ridder, Marion Scharffenberger, Bettina Chandler, Andrea Van de Kamp, Nancy Zarif and Mary Tollenaere.

Before leaving, they got a preview of “Jelly’s Last Jam” with Obba Babatunde, Tonya Pinkins and pianist Jack Elton. The play begins previews Feb. 24 at the Mark Taper Forum.

The much-feted Girombelli was also honored at a dinner hosted by Nandu Tribull and at cocktails hosted by Steven Tomar. She returned the favors with a dinner for 60 at the Regency Club.

MRS. THATCHER: Those who dined and lunched with former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher last week were mesmerized by her intelligence and friendliness.

Keith and William Kieschnick, Tom Selleck, Merv Griffin and Eva Gabor and John and Julie Forsythe were conversing and enjoying Lod and Carole Cook’s hospitality for Thatcher in Santa Barbara at a dinner at the Arco Conference Center.

Frank and Ann Boren had the fun of escorting Thatcher and her husband, Sir Denis, to Santa Cruz Island. New on the Arco board, Boren formerly headed the Nature Conservancy.

PLAUDITS: Archbishop Roger Mahony returned from the Pontifical Council on Justice and Peace in Rome (where the conversations focused on the Persian Gulf War, ecology and the unequal consumption of the world’s resources, he said) to bestow three Archbishop’s Awards at a dinner at the Beverly Wilshire hotel.

Awards for leadership in improving the quality of life in Southern California went to pioneer Hollywood auto dealer Bob Smith, Pasadena industrialist and leader against alcoholism Tom Pike and Altadena’s good Samaritan Helen Walsh.

Said gala chairman Pam Mullin, “I can feel the love and energy in the room.” She asked the audience to join hands and bow heads for a few seconds of silence, “and then maybe some of the love will reach to them over there.” The audience then sang “God Bless America,” a happening at most social events these days.

Barry Connell headed the recognition committee with members including master of ceremonies Stanley Hayden, Maureen Wright and Betty Ann Koen. Proceeds will benefit the retired religious as well as Soledad Enrichment Action (SEA), a program in East Los Angeles headed by Brother Modesto Leon that involves parents in the fight against gang activity.

FLOWERY: Las Floristas hosted its premiere party to honor mannequins and florists who will compete in the Floral Headdress Ball April 26. Last year’s soiree raised $450,000 for handicapped children. Mary Richardson, Maggie Simms and Barbara Gershon planned the event, which also honored president Susanne Hall and ball chairman Jade Higgins.

VALENTINES: Since Gege Elder and Channel 5 reporter Stan Chambers tied the knot, friends have rushed in with parties. The popular Chambers themselves hosted friends for a buffet. Today Jean and Dick Archer, Ingela and Kenneth Keiller, Marilyn Mitchell and Pauline and Ted Naftzger honor the pair at a brunch at the Regency Club . . . .

Betty and Llewellyn Bixby will be named “Sweethearts of the Year” at the Long Beach Youth Home Boosters “Romantic Interlude” dinner/dance fund-raiser aboard the Queen Mary on Valentine’s Day. They’ll raise about $35,000, dancing to Les Brown and His Band of Renown.