Movie Madness

The event: The Silver Screen, a salute to Hollywood--starring a stuffed King Kong climbing a mini-Empire State Building--at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. The event marked the 19th annual dinner-dance and auction benefiting the Casa Youth Shelter in Los Alamitos.

Stars in their eyes: About 550 guests sporting Oscar-night evening wear mingled with champagne flutes in hand while bidding on everything from an inflatable Godzilla to a ride on a Goodyear blimp during the live and silent auctions. Party planners decorated the auction room with a huge Hollywood sign and scenes from favorite flicks.

“We just wanted to do something fun and different from the usual stuffy event. There’s something here everyone can relate to,” said event chairwoman and movie buff Debbie Tavlin, who put together a tape of soundtracks to be played during the reception. After a sit-down dinner in the grand ballroom, guests danced to Captain Cardiac and the Coronaries.

On the run: Casa Youth Shelter provides temporary housing to runaway youths throughout Orange County. The youths stay an average of two weeks in the 12-bed shelter.

“These are kids in crisis, kids who were maybe picked up by the police who are usually at odds with their parents,” said Robert Kingsbury, advisory board chairman. The agency counsels both the youths and their families; about 80% of runaways are reunified with families.

Quote: “Every child who stays with us one night is a success. It means we’ve kept them out of harm’s way,” said Luciann Maulhardt, executive director of Casa.

Bottom line: The Silver Screen was expected to net more than $150,000 for Casa. Proceeds will be used for the shelter’s operating expenses.

Faces: Myldred Jones, who founded Casa 19 years ago; Richard Beaver, board president, and his wife, Maxine; Max Fraley, auctioneer; Kenny Brandyberry; John and Alice Heuer; Murl and Mickey Fast; John and Patti Fosmire; and Florence Olsen.

What’s ahead: A golf tournament to benefit the Casa Youth Shelter at the Bixby Village Golf Course in Long Beach Nov. 7. Call (562) 594-6825.