A Little Photo Op Before Big Event

“Say ‘Chee”

“Smile at the birdie.”

“You look beautiful.”

Just some of the smile-eliciting chitchat Monday evening at the photo session of the Committee of the Carousel of Hope at the Knoll, Barbara and Marvin Davis’ Beverly Hills home.

Having sent invites--”Please join us. . . . We would love to include you and your children in the lovely photos for this special tribute”--Barbara Davis proceeded to have 150 adults and 46 children photographed by Alan Berliner. The pictures will go into the Carousel of Hope Journal to be distributed at the gala fund-raiser the Davises plan Oct. 2 at the Beverly Hilton for the Children’s Diabetes Foundation, the American Diabetes Assn. and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International.

Royalty, captains of industry and titans of entertainment are involved. The committee boasts 504 names such as Streisand, Hope, Stallone, Jackson, Sinatra, Poitier, Stewart and Douglas.

At the benefit, Natalie Cole will perform “Unforgettable” in an electronic duet with her legendary father, the late Nat King Cole. She’ll also receive the Carousel’s High Hopes Award (previously given to Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra and Kenny Rogers) and share it with her father.

Whitney Houston will receive the Brass Ring Award for her “selfless personal efforts to help children with diabetes.” The only previous recipient is Stevie Wonder.

Barbara Davis may be losing a little sleep now, but she’ll sleep well after the benefit. It’s designed to raise a soothing $5 million. To date, the Carousel (started in Denver in 1978 and relocated to Los Angeles in 1985) has raised $18 million for diabetes causes.

DIVINE AND DELICIOUS: Hansel and Gretel found their gingerbread house delicious. And that’s inspiration for the gingerbread (although inedible) house centerpieces Dan Klemuk is concocting for the Los Angeles Music Center Opera Gala Committee’s end-of-the-season party June 20.

Georgie Erskine and Joan Thompson are collecting several hundred patrons for “An Evening of Enchantment on Stage at the Opera.” They’ll dine on Bavarian cuisine and dance under the witch of “Hansel and Gretel.”

Mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade will provide “musical surprises,” then team with Garrison Keillor for musical amusement. The opera’s witch, Ragner Ulfung, will play the spoons. Prominent committee members: Carol and Warner Henry, Alice and Joe Coulombe, Hannah and Edward Carter, Flora Thornton, and Linda and James Dickason.

SPECTACULAR: The Japanese Garden at the Huntington Library in San Marino, the renovated moon bridge and the sounds of Taiko drummers established ambience for the Society of Junior Fellows Arabella Ball this year.

At dusk, members of Zenshuji Zendeko, the Taiko drum troupe from the Zenshuji Soto Mission in Los Angeles, led guests to the library’s South Terrace, where the moon appeared for 380 guests to dance amidst tables bedecked in Japanese umbrellas and set with black and gold peony-patterned cloths and lacquered chopsticks.

Nancy Baxter and Victoria Rogers--along with Boyd Smith, Marita Walper, Eileen Read, Lynn Brengel, Carole Klove, Jeanine Meyers, Victoria Howe and John Watson--had worked on the party for weeks.

Since its inception in 1989, the Arabella Ball has become a significant tradition for the Fellows. Members are 45 and under. Proceeds go to the Huntington’s educational tours.

SUCCESSES: Campaign chair Waldo Burnside was giving and receiving accolades as more than 250 major donors (more than $25,000), trustees and supporters of St. John’s Hospital and Health Center Foundation celebrated completion of the five-year, $25-million “Commitment to Tomorrow” capital campaign. The total: $27.2 million. . . .

Hot pink, lime green and turquoise streamers blew off the branches of trees in Penny and Adam Bianchi’s Pasadena courtyard. Exotic tropical birds chirped. And some of Pasadena’s most popular restaurants--Bistro 45, Bristol Farms and Xiomara--set up tropical fare for “Cha Cha Cha.” Now, say supporters Marla Carter, Gary Lund, Melinda Winston, Judy and Fred Brandt, Roe and May Powell, and Bob and Esmeralda Gibson, the Pasadena Mental Health Assn. is $65,000 richer. . . .

Some 32,000 fifth-grade students were counted for the Blue Ribbon of the Music Center’s Childrens Holiday Festival. The five-day event is designed to introduce students to symphony, theater, opera and choral music. The Los Angeles Master Chorale, directed by Paul Salamunovich, dominated this year’s event. After a rousing concert, students recessed to the plaza to “Stomp Your Foot,” Aaron Copland’s song celebrating neighborly love.

PRESENTED: Cardinal Roger Mahony called on the 21 young ladies honored at the Social Service Auxiliary’s Presentation Ball at the Beverly Hilton to “take with you” the suffering of the community and serve its needs.

Charlene Vert, with the aid of florist Jacob Maarse, turned the ballroom into a Renaissance garden for the affair, planned by benefit chairman Sandi Walker, auxiliary president Denise Riley, and Annelle Guss, Marjorie Pings and Mary Lou Workman. The result is $100,0000 raised for the Sisters of Social Service to provide aid to families.

Presentees carrying red roses were Erin Brady, Kimberly Brewer, Amy Condon, Eileen Conn, Suzanne Conrad, Lisa Dwyer, Amy Fletcher, Melanie Fountain, Sara Hayes, Amanda Hennigan, Amanda Jiggins, Molly Lynch, Amy Masto, Cecily Masto, Cathleen Norcross, Kellie O’Leary, Eileen Peper, Marina Ramos, Jennifer Ursitti, Nicole Wilson and Jennifer Zapanta.