Pacific Palisades Party Attests That Prices Are Right for Boys Town

Leave it to irrepressible socialite / fund-raiser Suzanne Marx to muster her troops from all over Los Angeles County to launch a worthy cause. More than 400 turned out to honor Dallas Price (of the American Golf Prices) and the Price Family Foundation for their generous gift to establish the Boys Town of Southern California Price Family Home.

The party scene Wednesday at Dennis Tito’s aerie in the Pacific Palisades was wall-to-wall Rolls-Royces, Bentleys and pashmina shawls. Every other woman was swathed in one of those snazzy serapes.

Singer Lorna Luft said she’d acquired her collection in London. Surveying the guests, Luft lamented, “I wish I’d bought the goats.” Who was there? Everyone from Buzz Aldrin to Zev Yaroslavsky.

But not everyone arrived in such pricey wheels. California Highway Patrol Chief Ed Gomez, who serves on the board, brought a flotilla of his uniformed officers in their black-and-white “limos,” and Boys Town staffers brought alumni who spoke movingly of their experiences.

Nettie and Michael Dart chaired the evening, and producer Steve Tisch and his wife, Jamie--she’s un peu enceinte with twins--were honorary chairs.

Mary Ann Mobley and Gary Collins (who call themselves “the Ken and Barbie of the Geritol set”) emceed the doings, which raised more than $100,000, said Vivian Buehler of the Boys Town Advisory Board.

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In 1996, Peter Beal, now 14, was hit by a car as he rode his bike in Granada Hills. He was wearing his helmet, which saved his life, but his injuries were severe. In those precious minutes that make the difference between life and death, he was helicoptered to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles and rushed to surgery.

“We call that first hour the ‘golden hour,’ ” said hospital trauma manager Pam Griffith. “After that, the likelihood of saving the patient decreases.”

Beal told his story Tuesday at the hospital’s Regents Fall Social, which feted the hospital’s trauma team.

Regent Gloria Holden and her husband, Glen, former U.S. ambassador to Jamaica, hosted the dinner dance at Westwood’s Regency Club.

Fully recovered and poised beyond his years, Peter often speaks to schools on bicycle safety. “The accident changed my life,” he said. “I’m giving back a lot after a terrifying experience.”

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The career of the late Noel Coward will be the subject of tributes around the world on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth on Dec. 16--a birthday he shared with Beethoven and Jane Austen. The Center Theatre Group will honor him Dec. 6 at its eighth annual Salon at the Taper. The salons benefit programs that provide low-cost tickets to seniors, students and the disabled.

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Cardinal Roger Mahony sends word that his 11th annual Awards and Recognition Dinner, set for Feb. 5, will honor five local men and women for their service. The honorees are Frank Dieter, Mary Dohn, Stafford Grady, and Edith and Isabel Piczek. Proceeds will aid the poorest schools in the archdiocese’s five counties.

E-mail Patt Diroll at pattdiroll@earthlink.net.