New Science Center Has ‘Em Jazzed

Patrons and benefactors had something to be jazzy about at the “Get Jazzed” party in the historic Rose Garden of Exposition Park. The California Museum of Science and Industry is reinventing itself into a new multimillion-dollar California Science Center, and guests became the first to dine on the site of this new center.

Completion of the renovation and expansion is expected by 1997. New interactive exhibits, a science and math-focused neighborhood school, a science educator resource center and a 3-D Imax theater are in the making.

Also, look for amenities such as a dining area with Rose Garden views, conference facilities and Exposition Park green spaces and soccer fields.

Pepped up about the changes were “Get Jazzed” co-chairs Gregory and Lois Good, John and Donna Sussman and Ezekiel Patten Jr., all trustees of the California Museum Foundation, the nonprofit affiliate of CMSI. Their “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” silent auction under the stars was a high note of the evening.

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Britannia Rules: Virginia Bottomley, Britain’s secretary of state for national heritage, had an important goal while she was here two days after her short visit to the Olympics in Atlanta. She made it perfectly clear, speaking at a dinner party at the Hancock Park home of British Consul Gen. Merrick Baker-Bates and his wife, Chrystal, that she hopes American filmmakers will come to Britain in droves. At cocktails, at dinner, and later while about 30 guests sat around the Baker-Bateses’ living room for discussion, she stressed how she hopes to revive England’s film industry.

The secretary’s duties also include responsibility for government policy on the arts and museums and tourism, as well as film and broadcasting. While here, she also opted for a tour of the Getty Museum.

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Romance: Marcia and Stan Hayden were clueless about the surprise celebration on their 30th anniversary. They dressed casually, thinking they were headed for the Hollywood Bowl as guests of Patty and Roger Burschinger. When the four stopped by Bistro 45 Restaurant--the ruse was picking up picnic fare for the Bowl--the Haydens discovered 75 friends toasting them with champagne.

Staging the caper were the anniversary couple’s offspring--Katie, Bill, Maggie and David Hayden.

A few days later, the Haydens entertained at a not-secret and happy engagement party to honor Katie and her fiance, Willy Marsh, who will be married in February. “Margaritas, mariachis and comida” were served at the Haydens’ estate after a 5:30 p.m. celebration of Mass at St. Phillips in Pasadena. Among guests were Marsh’s parents--Mikie and Murray Marsh of San Marino--and lots of friends such as Mitch and Margot Milias and two of their daughters, Anne and Katie Milias; Bruce and Susan Seidel with Amy and Kap Seidel, of San Francisco; Dorothy and John Shea with daughters Dottie and Alison Shea and Maura Flanagan and her husband, Joe, who have just moved back from New York to Laguna. Tom and Celeste Von der Ahe of Toluca Lake were invited with five of their offspring--Jenny, Tim, John, Jeff and Kim with her husband, Brian Ariel. And Crabtrees were in abundance--Eric as well as Dr. John Crabtree and his wife, Tess.

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The Bachelors: Steven William Leland of South Pasadena has been reelected president of the Bachelors, inaugurating the organization’s 92nd year in Southern California. Thomas Jay Blumenthal will be vice president and ball chairman; Patrick Hickey, secretary, and William Bessolo, treasurer. Elected to the Board of Governors were Derrick Coleman, Michael Flynn, William Garland III, Peter Kezirian Jr., Christian Markey III, Scott McKay, Travis Reed III and James P.S. Shotwell.

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Polo: A school-readiness curriculum for low-income children ages 2 to 6 benefited from the Golden Mallet Invitational Polo Tournament hosted by the Assistance League of Southern California Pre-School and Kindergarten Auxiliary and sponsored by Union Bank of Switzerland.

Former Ambassador to Jamaica Glen Holden and his son Glen “Jeep” Holden Jr. swung from their ponies for the Gehache team. Co-chairing the annual luncheon: Gloria Holden, Geannie Holden Sheller, Eva Elkins, Patricia Petro and Beverly Thrall.

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Ode to Oscar: The crowd always turns out when couturier Oscar de la Renta comes to town. They crammed into Spago’s back room, at the invitation of Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills, to meet him and see his new moderately priced collection called Oscar. Ellis and Lisa Jones were at the forefront of the event to benefit Phoenix House, and so was Dr. Mitchell S. Rosenthal, Phoenix House president. New Yorkers in the crowd were Ellen Graham and Nan Kempner, house guests of Jil Cartter. Susanne Marx was just back from the White House, where she attended First Lady Hillary Clinton’s reception honoring Iris Cantor and the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation, which has supported four sculpture exhibitions at the White House in the Jacqueline Kennedy garden.

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Correction: Apologies for the errors in last week’s “Art of the Palate ‘96” photo caption. Left to right: Armand Galvan-Espinola of Harry Winston Inc.; Graham W. J. Beal, Los Angeles County Museum of Art director and executive vice president; Adrienne Horwitch, benefit chairwoman; and Bernard Erpicum, owner of Eclipse restaurant.

Elsewhere on the Social Circuit

* It was Christmas in July for members of the Floriade Committee of Banning Museum. Tiffany & Co. Vice President Mary Swanby hosted “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” followed by a holiday flower presentation by Tommy Farmer and a preview of Escada’s fall/winter collection. Attending: Floriade chairwoman Lynn Brengel, Nancy McCullough, Sharon Arthofer and Carolyn Corradini.

* Mayfield Junior School has just accepted a capital campaign gift of $130,000.