2 Reasons for ARCS Foundation Smiles

ARCS Foundation(Achievement Rewards for College Scientists) not only gave away a record $560,000 Monday to science scholars but boasted a record attendance of 406 at its luncheon at the Regent Beverly Wilshire.

In a year when a recession has put a dent in many benefits, that accomplishment caused revelry for event chairwoman Linda Pennell and foundation president Nadine Acker.

Dashing on a crowded schedule, California First Lady Gayle Wilson dropped in to address the group, and Dr. Robert Collins, professor and chairman of the UCLA department of neurology, also spoke to the audience, which included nine college presidents and deans from the Southland.

PAST PERFECT: Two Irish wolfhounds at the entrance to the Regent Beverly Wilshire Ballroom set the tone for the tremendous party Gretchen and Michael Wayne planned for the American Ireland Fund.

Highlights were numerous: Constance Towers Gavin singing the Irish national anthem “ Amhran Na BhFiann, “ young singers heralding the evening’s honoree, Maureen O’Hara, with “I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen” and Jimmy Stewart escorting the actress (who wore vivid emeralds and diamonds) to the stage for remarks after the presentation of the Heritage Award to her.

Later, the Irish partied till the wee hours at Jimmy Murphy’s Restaurant.

CURTAIN CALLS: L.A.’s early theaters, 1860-1926, provided the “Curtain Call” theme for the annual First Century Families luncheon at the Regent Beverly Wilshire.

Rosemarie Stack, wife of actor Robert Stack, greeted guests and sparked reminiscences of the Stack family’s theater history. Robert Stack’s great-grandfather owned the Los Angeles Theatre at 227 S. Spring St., where the American premiere of Puccini’s “La Boheme” was staged 95 years ago. His aunt, Mona Wood Bonelli, wife of Richard Bonelli of the Metropolitan Opera, sang in the opera.

Santa Monica attorney David G. Cameron recounted histories of old theaters. And Sandi Walker, granddaughter of the late Florence Mark Hellman of the pioneer Los Angeles banking family, displayed rare photographs from her great-grandmother’s 19 personal notebooks and albums of theater-going impressions.

In the crowd: First Century Families chairwoman Gwen Lundy, Alice O’Neill Avery, Alyce Williamson, Barbara Galpin, Marie Jones and Missy Crahan.

STARS: Barbara and Frank Sinatra will chair the international social and entertainment communities participating in the 10th anniversary Princess Grace Foundation-USA festivities in Monaco Aug. 5 to 7.

Monaco’s Prince Rainier is honorary trustee. The goal is to continue Princess Grace’s mission to assist young artists in theater, dance and film achievements.

KUDOS: To Carlton and Keleen Beal and Bill and Marilyn Tennity, who receive The Muses 100 (of the McCallum Theater) Constellation Award from Gov. Pete Wilson at the desert Stouffer Esmeralda Resort Monday. . . .

To Bob and Dolores Hope, honorees Sunday at the dinner Rosemary Clooney chairs for the Betty Clooney Foundation for Persons With Brain Injury . . . .

To Mark and Esther Rydell, honored recently by the Los Angeles Child Development Center. . . .

To Jessica McClintock and the opening of her Beverly Hills boutique at Two Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. . . .

To Verna Harrah and Leonard Rabinowitz, who hosted supporters of the National Kidney Foundation of Southern California.

SELLOUT: Everyone wanted to see the architecture and the art. That’s why the Projects Council of The Museum of Contemporary Art had an early sellout for “MOCA on Tour.”

Some 200 were chauffeured via luxury bus to the collections of Elyse and Stanley Grinstein, Marlene and William S. Loucheim Jr. and to two other prize collections.

At the Beverly Hills Hotel, the group lunched and viewed Giorgio Armani’s fall/winter collection.

Judy Schlosberg is president of the council, which raised $2 million in five years for the museum. This benefit will net about $40,000.

ESCALATION: The Los Angeles Music Center Opera marks its performances of Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville” with an opening-night black-tie party for the cast and patrons Nov. 22. For the fourth year, Merrill Lynch will underwrite the party. It’s in the Pavilion restaurant . . . .

The Regency Club Penthouse is going to be lavish for the Holiday Inspirations Gala kickoff cocktail buffet Friday evening. Dayle I. Roath, president of the Westside Guild of Childrens Hospital, is gathering supporters including the decorators and speakers participating in the Guild’s benefit morning coffees today and Friday in the Penthouse. Benefit-goers at the three events will garner ideas for creative holiday entertaining. . . .

The new support group for Neighborhood Youth Assn., Friends of NYA, honors Judith Murphy at a dinner at the Maple Drive Restaurant Nov. 24. . . .

George Burns promises to join Julie Budd for a fund-raising concert Tuesday at the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Proceeds go to Children’s Hospital of Orange County.