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Hollywood Feels Their Pain BYGINA PICCALO

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TIMES STAFF WRITERS

Californians are known for their generous eccentricities and their reverence for celebrities, so why wouldn’t these traits surface in their philanthropic efforts?

Take, for example, the offer from a Tarzana day spa to donate proceeds from all Nov. 16 treatments, including $45 electrolysis and $95 mini micro-dermabrasion, to the Feminist Majority’s Campaign to Stop Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan. After viewing CNN’s documentary “Behind the Veil,” which featured Afghan women risking their lives to get make-overs, Norris Centre founder Dolly Norris said she wanted to help American women exercise their freedom “to be beautiful.”

For even more esoteric giving there’s the Nov. 11 “Concert Above the Clouds,” a day of poetry, dancing, guided meditation and world music held to “release our souls from the tyranny of fear and helplessness,” according to press materials. Scheduled on Native American burial grounds in Malibu that are owned by Mary Wright, the wife of Frank Lloyd Wright’s grandson, Eric. Proceeds will go to the Sept. 11 Fund.

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And finally, San Jose-based eBay’s “Auction for America” gives anyone a chance to bid $10,600 to be an extra on “That ‘70s Show,” $245 for Bo Derek’s leather bikini hand-made by late husband John Derek or $300 for the pillow that once supported the lower backs of Mariah Carey and Elton John during their “Ally McBeal” appearances. The company is still $95 million short of its goal to raise $100 million by Dec. 25 for four charities devoted to helping victims’ families and to helping to clean up and rebuild the Twin Towers. But eBay spokesman Kevin Pursglove assured us the best has been saved for last. Next up is President George W. Bush’s speech to the joint session of Congress days after the Sept. 11 attack.

Here’s Hoping for a Comeback

Poor Leif Garrett.

Only last year, the 1970s teen-dream was seen out and about, club-hopping in Los Angeles. But maybe the money ran out because these days, Garrett is spending time in bankruptcy court.

Garrett, whose posters once adorned teenage bedrooms, is in the midst of a personal bankruptcy proceeding in federal court in Los Angeles. Court papers state the 39-year-old’s only income is a $1,000 monthly gift from his mother. His only possessions are his clothes, some household goods and about $350 in cash.

The out-of-work actor, who couldn’t be reached for comment, ran up a $76,198 debt--including a $3,300 spending spree at a Sears--in unpaid credit card bills over a four-year period, according to court filing.

It wasn’t always so sad.

Once, Garrett, along with Scott Baio, David Cassidy and Donny Osmond, stood atop the disco pantheon.

During the 1970s and ‘80s, he starred in more than 30 movies, including “The Outsiders” and TV shows such as the “Walking Tall” miniseries. He also recorded several albums, featuring classic songs such as “I Was Made for Dancin”’ and “Runaround Sue.” His pouty lips, dreamy eyes and blond mop of hair was the stuff of teenage fantasies.

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Garrett was back in the limelight in 1999, when VH1 aired a “Behind the Music” episode on him, prompting a spike in sales of his album.

Judging from several fan sites and gushing reviews on Amazon.com, it’s time for a Leif Garrett comeback.

His creditors would probably appreciate it.

Size Matters

Much of the television industry was lured to the Alliance for Children’s Rights dinner at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Monday to honor NBC Entertainment President Jeff Zucker and Carol Oughton Biondi. The event raised $750,000 to help provide free legal services for impoverished children.

In a videotape tribute, the diminutive “Just Shoot Me” co-star David Spade joked that he first met the height-challenged Zucker along with NBC West Coast President Scott Sassa “shopping at the [fictional] Rich and Tiny Store on Ventura.”

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Times staff writers Brian Lowry and Caitlin Liu contributed to this column.

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