RSVP / THE SOCIAL CITY : A Benefit Where the Majority Rules

Dictionaries have dozens of definitions for social . Most fit Los Angeles. We’re a very social city. And spring is lush with gregarious crowds.

A Singing Senator: Tuesday evening, U.S. Senate Majority leader George J. Mitchell (without his Canadian bride-to-be Heather MacLachlan, who was on a flight to London) got the Julius Award from USC’s School of Public Administration amid Broadway tunes and a Disney tilt to the evening (Mickey and Minnie Mouse in centerpieces, Disney party favors) orchestrated by trustee Stanley Gold with help from Michael Eisner.

An applauding audience of 575 (including Malcolm Currie, Forrest Shumway, John Bryson, Ilene Gold, Jane Eisner, Bill Keck with Ann Campbell, Jane Pisano, Yoshi Honkawa, Cliff and Judith Miller, and Irwin and Sue Russell) raised $425,000 and loved it when Mitchell was prodded into “leading the majority” in a sing-along of “Hello Dolly.” And they adored it when House Speaker Tom S. Foley (who had been having cocktails with Lew and Edie Wasserman) dropped in unexpectedly. Pisano introduced Mitchell as a role model.

Happening: Packed tighter than crystal from Tiffany were Founding Associates of the French Foundation for Alzheimer Research (Judy Bedrosian, president) at the gala headlined by Mel Torme that raised $160,000 at the Beverly Hilton.

Local Color: “Acapulco Formal” meant yellow jacket, red shirt, blue pants and purple socks for Tom Bergin, husband of Jody, who chaired a colorful mariachis-folklorico soiree for ARCS (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists) Foundation Inc., Los Angeles Chapter, adding to the $7 million the group has raised for college science students over 35 years.

Sisterly Emotions: At the Beverly Hilton, it was an emotional moment when the Professional Associates of Big Sisters of Los Angeles saluted founder Cindy Bengston. Angelo R. Mozilo received the corporate leadership award as brother Ralph served as honorary dinner chair of the evening, which netted $150,000.

Elsewhere on the Circuit

* Los Angeles Urban League reported a $540,000 net at the annual Whitney M. Young Jr. dinner honoring Police Chief Willie L. Williams at the Century Plaza. George Golleher was chairman.

* Ambassador from Austria Helmut Turk and wife Monika flew from Washington for the International Committee of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Assn. gala hosted by the Austrians at the Regent Beverly Wilshire. Rahab Ashley chaired the ball.

* The Wellness Community-Foothills bestowed Angel Awards on Joseph and Violet Jacobs . . . Braille Institute Auxiliary gave its Light Award to its 30-year executive director, Russell W. Kirbey, at the Hotel Bel-Air . . . Senior Health and Peer Counseling’s honors went to Sidney Poitier, Arthur Hiller and Richard Lawrence at the Regent Beverly Wilshire . . . The Young Musicians Foundation’s celebrity fashion show at the Beverly Hilton saluted Edye Rugolo . . . Donald P. Clark succeeds L. Sherman Telleen as chair of Hillsides Home for Children . . . Marcia Hayden received the Angel’s Flight Humanitarian Award at the Catholic Charities of Los Angeles gala.

* On other occasions for kudos, Beverly Hills philanthropist George Konheim was honored at a Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services dinner at the Century Plaza; he has raised more than $25 million in 27 years as president . . . Scripps College bestowed the Ellen Browning Scripps Associates Award on Katharine Howard Miller at a Valley Hunt Club affair . . . A who’s who of entertainment gathered at Century Plaza to pay tribute to Sandy Meisner, 89, acting teacher to several generations; Gordon Davidson, Gregory Peck and Sydney Pollack co-chaired.

* Bird tours highlighted the annual garden party spring celebration at the Huntington Library . . . The Baldwin Bonanza plant sale at the Arboretum in Arcadia will put dollars into the arboretum’s shrinking coffers . . . Irv Pomerantz headed the Esperanza Ball for Founders for Diabetic Research at the City of Hope . . . Bob and Jeanne Morrissey hosted California Wine Patrons at L’Orangerie . . . With their lavish floral production, Las Floristas dazzled an audience at the Floral Headdress Ball at the Beverly Hilton, chaired by Kathy Wills . . . And at the USC General Alumni Assn. awards celebration at the Beverly Wilshire, Herb Alpert received highest accolades, the Asa V. Call Achievement Award from USC President Steven B. Sample.

* On the luncheon circuit: Blue Ribbon of the Music Center launched “Between the Lines,” an authors forum with host Scott Berg and Judith Krantz at Los Angeles Central Library. Lunch followed at the California Club . . . At the YWCA 100th year celebration at the Bonaventure, chairman Constance Towers Gavin and YWCA President Connie LaFace-Olson were prominent as 20th-anniversary Leader Luncheon honorees were revealed: Joy Picus, Caroline Nahas, Gloria Ricci Lothrop, Nobuko Miyamoto, Lula Washington and U.S. District Judge Lourdes Baird.

* And in a bevy of other important luncheons, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Helping Hand feted Barbara Davis . . . Sportsmen’s Club/Diamond Circle City of Hope women feted Constance Towers on Wednesday and Lesley Ann Warren on Thursday at twin Travilla fashion luncheons at the Beverly Hilton chaired by Betty Gorelick . . . Dominick Dunne wowed members of Cedars-Sinai Women’s Guild with a talk on “Crime and No Punishment” at the guild’s spring affair at the Beverly Wilshire . . . Shirley Struble orchestrated Villa Esperanza’s fund-raiser for the developmentally disabled at the Huntington, Ritz-Carlton.