Orchestra Supporters in Record Endeavor

Beginnings are always exciting. New ventures on the social scene include First Cut, a support group for the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra that is headed by Lynn Brengel and Robin Maloof.

Twenty-seven women from the Los Angeles area make up the group, and goals will be twofold: to raise funds for an annual recording by the orchestra and promote its presence by enlarging its circle of friends.

The group had its first “noteworthy” meeting in October at the California Club. In December, members gathered for cocktails (underwritten by Joseph Phelps Vineyards) and conversation with new Chamber Orchestra Conductor Christof Perick at the home of Suzanne and Fred Rheinstein in Hancock Park.

Now they envision an outdoor family concert in July and picnic dinners on the beach listening to the Chamber Orchestra’s music. In the fall, there will be a behind-the-scenes party at the recording session for the compact disc they finance.

Involved are Debbie Tellefsen, Carlotta Keely, Pat Rauth, Nancy McCullough and Debbie Lanni--to name a few of the ambitious young minds in town.

PIZZA PIZAZZ: New, too, is the U. S. Sports Council on Organ Donation. In December, Carl Lewis joined five other Olympic medalists and liver transplant recipient Wendy Marx to announce the formation of the council at a party for 200 at the California Pizza Kitchen in the Wells Fargo Center.

The result was a net of $18,000 to finance a video on organ donations for distribution in schools.

Lewis co-chairs the council with Marx’s brother, Jeffrey Marx, a Pulitzer Prize-winning sportswriter. Three years ago, when the writer told Lewis about his sister’s emergency need for a liver transplant, Lewis rushed to California to make a public appeal for a donation. The party was also a celebration of Marx’s successful transplant back then.

Plans are under way in Houston and Dallas to stage other benefits.

TWELFTH NIGHT: At the California Club last week, Warner and Carol Henry celebrated the 35th anniversary of the first Twelfth Night party hosted by his late parents for friends at their Hancock Park home.

As at traditional Twelfth Night festivals, a pea and a bean were baked in cakes. The finder of the bean was hailed king, and the receiver of the pea was crowned queen.

Ladies got the chocolate cake, and Mary Hawley received the pea and a tall red and gold crown. Gents received the white chocolate cake slices and Richard Hotaling found the bean. Hail Queen Mary and King Richard. And no more annus horribilus , please, to quote Queen Elizabeth II . . . .

In Le Grand Trianon of the Regent Beverly Wilshire the same evening, the 29th annual Twelfth Night Bal Masque of Les Dames de Champagne of Los Angeles, International Hostesses, was under way, chaired by Kathy Offenhauser.

A committee of Offenhauser, Bonnie Leaver, Rosalind Millstone and Cathy Wills decided to come resplendent in period dress, sequined and jeweled.

Among more than 100 enjoying the soiree of dinner and dancing were President Francine Maroney, Julian Siminski, Patricia Ketchum, Harriet and Charles Luckman, Carol and Richard King, Rosemary and John Raitt, Elizabeth and Ed Warde, Lois and Reg Howard.

THE 88TH: The Bachelors, founded in 1905 to provide prominent young unmarried men of the city with a way to repay social obligations, are known citywide for their traditional fancy dress ball each spring. This year’s is Feb. 5 in the International Ballroom of the Beverly Hilton.

But first, The Bachelors inducted new members into the ranks at their annual holiday stag dinner, headed by Geoffrey S. Clark and John Sandberg, at Jimmy’s. President Arthur H. Rasmussen Jr. joined in the welcome of John Andrews, James Borchard, Henri de la Chapelle, Mitchell Hale, Alfredo Jarrin, Christopher Moffat, Michael O’Callaghan, Nicholas Pappas, J.P. Shotwell, Christopher Welsh and Arnold Williams.

JANUARY SHINE: Shining light Liza Minnelli honors the friends of Sheba Medical Center with the acceptance of the Sheba Humanitarian Award Jan. 26 at the Beverly Hilton.

Some 1,000 will see her receive the award from Jehan Sadat. Proceeds will benefit the Elizabeth Taylor Institute for AIDS Research at the hospital in Tel Hashomer, Israel. It is the Middle East’s largest patient care and research facility . . . .

Marjorie Lord Volk chairs the fifth annual Scripter Award Selection Committee. Over tea in her Beverly Hills home Monday, she announced nominees for screenwriting honors at the black-tie gala in the Doheny Memorial Library on the USC campus Jan. 30. They include “A River Runs Through It,” “Howards End,” “Enchanted April,” “The Player” and “Malcolm X.” Alice Davis of Dana Point is chairwoman . . . .

The board of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra hosted luncheon at Shelby Goodman’s Beverly Hills home this week to launch “An Evening at Monticello” for the annual American Ball on Feb. 25 at the Regent Beverly Wilshire. Toni Thomas Luskin and Sharon McNalley co-chair.