Cutting-Edge Car Buffs Are Driven to Help Los Angeles’ Homeless

Now what’s a little old lady from Pasadena doing at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show?

I asked myself that as I plodded through the phantasmagoria of pricey pig iron at the L.A. Convention Center. I know nothing about automobiles. Even the S-word (self-serve) can trigger an anxiety attack and, I confess, until now, I thought turbocharge was a credit card.

Confronted by hawkers representing 40 auto makers--including a brood of hip chicks in black leather britches that fit like Ace bandages--I knew I was out of my league. Why hadn’t I read those caveat articles on car-buying? At least I’d know some lingo.

So why was Social Circuits there? For the past five years, the show’s sponsors have staged a private preview night to aid Homeless Health Care Los Angeles, a nonprofit agency that provides comprehensive health services to the homeless. Executive director Mario Casanova said his staff has served 50,000 people since 1985 and trained more than 15,000 homeless-service providers in Southern California.

On Friday, more than 2,700 car buffs paid $75 each to graze on egg rolls, ribs and pasta, and ooh and aah over the hottest wheels for the new millennium, nearly two dozen of which were making their world or North American debuts.

William Shatner unveiled a sculpture of “Star Trek’s” Capt. Kirk and Mr. Spock, part of an outre carousel designed by New York’s School of Visual Arts with icons of the 20th century (Einstein, Gandhi, Liberace and Howard Stern) in place of ponies. After the show, the carousel will return to New York.

Lots of celebrities turned out: Dustin Hoffman and family, Jay Leno, James Avery, George Barris, Andy Garcia, Carol Alt, Kate Linder and Anston Peck. Actress Lisa Kaminir president of the Homeless Health Care board, reports the evening raised $240,000.

Wandering through the halls--bypassing the Bentleys and Rolls Royces--I discovered a tyro can wing it.

Just a few well-dropped buzzwords can make people think you know about cars. “Torque,” for instance, is good. (When I asked about torque, it sent the peddlers scurrying to their song sheets.)

What am I going to buy? Don’t know . . . liked the retro look of Chrysler’s PT Cruiser. Or maybe the final edition of the venerable Plymouth, which might become a collector’s item. Made me wish I still had my ’51 Pontiac Chieftain convertible.

Now that was a car.

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The Bachelors, a group of male social moths, has finally taken a baby step in the direction of charity. Although most of the groups you read about here are dedicated to raising money for the less fortunate, these single gents (confirmed or eligible) have, for more than nine decades, staged a lavish ball for no other reason than to repay their social obligations.

At a recent black-tie dinner at Chasen’s honoring 17 new members, guests were asked to bring donations for Chrysalis, a downtown Los Angeles agency that aids the homeless.

Bachelors President Christian Markey introduced the new crop: James Armistead, William Armistead III, Arthur Chapman, Gregory Gilman, Stephen Kezirian, Scott Lindus, Dana Messina, Richard Nessary, David Nickoll, W. Malcolm O’Donnell Jr., Douglas Patrick, David Preston, Alan Robertson, Leigh Savidge III, Charles Shelton II, Graham Sterling IV and John Storer. The 95th Bachelors Ball is set for Feb. 11 at the Beverly Hilton.

Will it be a benefit, we asked hopefully?

“Absolutely not,” said publicity Chairman John Seitz. . . .

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. . . Pat Knudsen, retiring after 11 years as executive director of the Pasadena Senior Center, was feted Sunday. She led the successful campaign for the center’s new building at 85 E. Holly St., which has a computer lab and fitness center. Remember, baby boomers, a “senior” is anyone over the Big Five-O.