‘Instant’ Party Is a Lesson in Smooth Sailing

The role of protocol chief to any organization sounds reasonably terrifying--the title at least implies the necessity of a degree of mastery of French--while the truth is that an understanding of the mysteries of hors d’oeuvres smoothes the path considerably.

On Tuesday, Karon and Gordon Luce, co-chairs of the Protocol Committee of the America’s Cup Organizing Committee, found themselves in the roles of “instant” hosts to an at-home party for 60 major America’s Cup figures that had its genesis less than 48 hours earlier. Designated guests of honor were Goran Petersson of Goteborg, Sweden, chairman of the America’s Cup XXVIII International Jury, and Bertrand de Speville, jury member from Hong Kong.

“Spur-of-the-moment things are my specialty in life,” explained Karon Luce, who prepared sufficient chow for five dozen guests in just a few hours, after returning home from another committee meeting in mid-afternoon. Local Cup figures helped pass such Luce specialties as a canape of mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese and onion broiled on toast (described by the hostess as “one of those things everybody used to make,” and tasty). Among those carrying trays was Jane Fetter, chair of the America’s Cup Ball, which will be given under the sail-like roof of the San Diego Convention Center terrace on May 7, just two days before the first race in the best-of-seven series.

If anything, the attendance helped define the San Diego dress code for the next few months, at least for men: Blue blazers equipped with a pocket patch signifying allegiance to a sailing syndicate or yacht club should be sufficient to gain admittance anywhere, and wrinkled trousers and scuffed shoes will only reinforce the effect. This attire at least was the standard uniform of the majority of syndicate members present; out of deference to Petersson, the majority of the Sweden America’s Cup Challenge team attended. Not everyone on the guest list showed, and among those not present were Dennis and Judy Conner, New Zealand challenger Sir Michael Fay, America-3 syndicate chief Bill Koch and San Diego Mayor Maureen O’Connor.

Mixers for Cup participants presumably will become more prevalent through May. “We’re encouraging San Diegans to greet and meet visitors and make them feel welcome,” said Gordon Luce. “Sociability is an important part of our job. We’re asking ACOC members to make hospitality available, and it can be anything from welcoming telephone calls to hosting dinners for Cup participants. I think the city is warming up to the races, and all the international visitors are making life exciting; I think we’re going to miss them when they’re gone.”

The guest list included local Swedish consul John Norton; Port District Chairman Clifford Graves and his wife, Anasa; ACOC general manager Tom Ehman and his wife, Leslie; Dorothy Tyson; protocol committee members Yvonne and Dan Larsen and Virginia and Jack Monday; Tom Fetter; Tomas Wallin and Gunnar Krantz of Sweden’s Tre Kronor syndicate; Penny and San Diego Yacht Club Commodore Fred Delaney, and Bruno and Melanie Trouble of Louis Vuitton, sponsor of the Louis Vuitton Cup that will be awarded the triumphant challenger.

LA JOLLA--Martha Ranson, director of the Rachel’s Women’s Center for homeless and low-income women in downtown San Diego, announced that “Yippee!” was her informal but heart-felt response to the receipt of a check from the Las Patronas philanthropic group. The figure matched the amount she had requested for funds to purchase furnishings and fixtures for both Rachel’s new night shelter and the Women’s Day Care Center operated by Catholic Charities.

Las Patronas, the organization of 50 women that sponsors the annual Jewel Ball given in August at La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club, hosted a luncheon Jan. 15 for principal beneficiaries of the 1991 event. Unlike most annual charity galas, the Jewel Ball chooses beneficiaries each year based on carefully researched grant requests, and makes a point of meeting specific needs. For example, the Athenaeum Music and Arts Library of La Jolla, an institution founded in 1894, requested and received a sum sufficient to install an air conditioning system, which Athenaeum board President Leon Campbell assured the Las Patronas would move the library “well North of the Tropic of Cancer.” The Maritime Museum Assn. of San Diego, which owns and maintains the historic Star of India, received funding for restoration of the ship’s main deck.

The 40 members and beneficiaries present at the luncheon in the La Sala room at La Valencia hotel witnessed the distribution of about half of the $367,000 in net proceeds earned by “Circus,” the 1991 Jewel Ball; the balance of the proceeds have been given to 50 minor beneficiaries. “Today is the culmination, the day we give away our money,” said “Circus” chair Marge Palmer. “We’re really pleased about our charities and glad that this money is going to them.”

“Today makes it all worthwhile,” said Las Patronas President Melessec Traylor. “As we gear up for the next Jewel Ball, this luncheon reminds us of why we work, and gives us the energy to keep going, even in rough economic times.” Anne Coleman, former President of the group, added “Handing out the checks and seeing that they will help people is the real highlight of the ball.”

Among those presumably energized by the experience was Tricia Kellogg, wife of beach club boss William Kellogg and chair of “It’s Your Move,” a games-based ball that will be given Aug. 8. Among other details, artificial turf will be installed to allow black-tied participation in lawn croquet.

“The games will be an answer to people who have complained that there is nothing to do at a ball except eat and dance,” explained Kellogg.

All beneficiaries offered formal thanks for the gifts. Among the more amusing addresses was that offered by Dr. Richard Feinberg, director of dental programs at the Logan Heights Family Health Center, which received funding sufficient to equip two pedodontic examination rooms. “I can assure you that even if the children won’t be so happy about the exam rooms today, they will be grateful in the future. Maybe they’ll be inspired to give something back to the community when they become adults.”

Other beneficiary representatives in attendance were Stephanie Bergsma and Viviane Warren of KPBS-TV, which received funding for construction of a “green room” in its new building; Charles Benz and Diana Champion of Children’s Hospital and Health Center, which will purchase clinical and forensic equipment for the “child protection room” in the hospital’s pediatric trauma center, and Jeanne and James Flohr of the Rachel Grosvenor Family Center for Women and Children to be operated by San Diego Rescue Mission, which received funding for kitchen equipment.

The guest list also included Sally Bucko, Nell Waltz, Maggie Coleman, Sukey Beasley, Margy West, Betsy Anthony, Linda Strauss and Debbie Neils.