Puttin’ on the ‘20s at the Ritz and Union Station
Twenties parties were raging last week. The Junior League of Pasadena roared like that decade at its annual Center Stage fashion extravaganza at the Ritz-Carlton, Huntington, netting nearly $150,000.
And, the same night at Los Angeles’ Union Station in downtown, the ARCS (Achievement Rewards for College Scientists) Foundation pulled out the feather boas, the slinky glitter--real and rhinestone--to hold court in the station’s magnificent mahogany ticketing room.
In Pasadena, waiters passed the champagne to celebrate “Charleston, Chaplin and Champagne” for the young Junior League crowd. Enthusiastic guests hooted and cheered as favorite husbands, friends and children modeled fashions (coifs and nails by Ravissant). In the spotlight: League President Phyllis Wilburn and Center Stage chairwoman Nancy Hornberger and her assistants--Rebecca Kubacki, Valerie Bauman, Kristin Blomstrom, Heather Schultz and Sandra Stern.
At the “Mystery on the ARCS Express,” a complicated menu (served to 700 by Rococo) was reminiscent of Budapest (such as the chilled caviar soup), London, Istanbul, Paris and Vienna. Waiters in ever-changing costumes (fezzes for Istanbul) balanced the trays.
The idea people--ball chairwomen Bonnie Baker, Evelyn Dees and Joyce Hameetman--spent nine months inventing logistics. Working with them were Suzanne Dillard, Edwina Broderick and Glory Holian.
Live-auction items such as a stay at Las Hadas in Mexico, a Pascal necklace, cosmetic surgery and cocktails in the sky inside a DC3 piloted by David Price helped boost the party gross to $300,000.
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Hope Eternal: Bob Hope has a strong enough ego. It took one to be roasted as he was the other evening at the House Ear Institute by comedians Sid Caesar, Norm Crosby, Phyllis Diller, Tom Poston, Dave Thomas, Betty White and entertainer Connie Stevens.
“We chose a roast because it’s the highest honor one can bestow,” quipped Ninon De Rosa, president of the House Ear Institute Associates. Hope, 92, accompanied by wife Dolores, came onstage to accept. The night was a collaboration between Associates and Sonance, another institute support group headed by Susi McConaghy. Cordella Owens for Associates and Pat Moller for Sonance were co-chairwomen of a committee that included Nina O’Hern and Mary Frann. Among those taking tables were Clement and Lynn Hirsch.
Corporate chairman Charles Howard Taylor presented the Humanitarian Award to David Hamilton Koch. The institute, founded by Dr. Howard House, is celebrating its golden anniversary.
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Elton’s Angels: Elton John collects Lalique, so socialites and film types crowded the Lalique Boutique in Beverly Hills to celebrate a special edition of “Elton’s Angels,” signed by Madame Marie-Claude Lalique and John. The limited edition of 150 is raising $150,000 for the Elton John AIDS Foundation. Jeff and Marilyn Katzenberg bought one of the angels and chatted with Lalique’s U.S. president, Yves Coleon. Without the signatures, the angels will sell for $375 in April.
Elsewhere on the Social Circuit
Mass: The Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., will host the seventh American Cardinals Mass on April 19 in the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills. The eight cardinals heading archdioceses in the United States are all expected to attend: Roger Mahony of Los Angeles, James A. Hickey of Washington, Bernard Law of Boston, Joseph Bernardin of Chicago, John O’Connor of New York, Anthony Bevilacqua of Philadelphia, William H. Keeler of Baltimore and Adams J. Maida of Detroit. They’ll be honored at a black-tie dinner that evening at the Regent Beverly Wilshire.
* Leah Rabin is the special guest tonight when the United Jewish Fund and Marilyn and Monty Hall honor 28 past fund chairs at a Century Plaza dinner.
* Circle in red on May 4 the Pasadena Art Alliance’s biennial art auction and dinner at Art Center College of Design . . . Where better than Neiman Marcus for the reception Tuesday to salute Judith Krantz and her new novel, “Spring Collection,” about the glamour world of high fashion . . . The National Arts Assn. presents a Neiman Marcus “trends” fashion show at a luncheon April 11 at the Beverly Hills Hotel . . . Sotheby’s “Magnificent Jewelry” sale (including rubies and diamonds given to Queen Maria Cristina of Spain by Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria) previews in Beverly Hills through today before the New York sale in April.
* Plaudits: Checks totaling $1 million from those SHARE (Share Happily and Reap Endlessly) ladies were issued to 38 charities recently by the group’s chairwoman, Sandra Scully, and president, Corinna Fields. That brings donations to $26 million since SHARE organized 43 years ago. Its annual “Boomtown Party” is May 4 on the CBS Television City sound stage . . . Supporters rallied last week at the grand reopening of the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center in Long Beach, celebrating completion of an $8-million renovation. . . The annual Caritas dinner honoring Angela Lansbury grossed $225,000 for St. John’s Hospital and Health Center.
* Past Perfect: The trustees of the California Historical Society’s gala preview of the inaugural exhibition at the society’s new headquarters on Mission Street in San Francisco . . . Pasadena Beautiful Foundation’s 35th Awards Dinner at the Ritz-Carlton, Huntington . . . The Pasadena Humane Society’s champagne dedication of a puppy kennel endowed by Wayne and Linda Jason.
* Kudos to Kraig A. Westra, given the Lifetime Achievement Award by Five Acres. He steps down after two years as board chairman . . . To Sophie Pappas Mastor, new president of Saint Sophia Philoptohos Society of Saint Sophia Cathedral . . . To Pasquale A. Vericella, named Humanitarian of the Year by Angel’s Flight, a Catholic Charities program for runaway youth.
* Mary Lou Loper’s column is published Sundays.
