Annual Nosh-Athon

From the fresh oysters to the hot-fudge sundaes, last Sunday’s wine tasting and auction to benefit L.A. Shanti was no place for fainthearted foodies. The 11th annual nosh-athon, featuring the specialties of 23 restaurants and markets and 52 wine and beverage purveyors, drew 1,300 guests to the Museum of Flying in Santa Monica.

Shanti--which means “inner peace” in Sanskrit--was the first provider of direct-care services to people with HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles. Charles Garfield, a clinical psychologist, founded Shanti in San Francisco in 1974 to train volunteers to help cancer patients. The program was redirected in 1981 to serve those affected by HIV/AIDS and established in Los Angeles in 1983.

“We get to the heart of the matter,” said L.A. Shanti executive director Marc Haupert. “Our services touch people in their hearts and in their souls; and now a whole raft of new programs is making sure that more people are not affected by HIV.”

Proceeds from an auction that included premium wines, a golden retriever pup and an African safari raised $65,000, bringing the event’s total to $145,000.

Andrea Meyerson chaired the event committee, which included Dominic Middono, Werner Schroeder, Peter Rubissow and Nancy Hathaway. Among celebs in the crowd: Christopher Lowell, Danny Strong, Amy Rutberg, Traci Bingham, Jim Turner and Ed Ross.

-- Patt Diroll

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‘April in Paris’

More than 1,000 guests filled the Beverly Hilton ballroom April 6 for the John Wayne Cancer Institute Auxiliary’s annual Odyssey Ball, “April in Paris,” honoring Dr. Armando E. Giuliano, chief of the institute’s surgical oncology department and director of its Joyce Eisenberg Keefer Breast Center.

Auxiliary president Ina Lewis said the event drew the largest crowd in its 17-year history and raised $1 million, thanks to the ticket sales, ad journal, auction and an additional donation from Keefer, whose initial support established the center in 1993.

“It’s all because of ‘Dr. G,’” said Wayne’s daughter-in-law, Gretchen Wayne, who co-chaired the event’s souvenir program. “Everyone wanted to be part of it.”

Giuliano was recognized with the “Duke” award for his contributions to cancer research and treatment, which include the development of the sentinel lymph-node mapping technique, now standard protocol for the detection and treatment of breast cancer.

In accepting the award, a weighty crystal sculpture presented by John Wayne’s eldest son Michael, chairman of the institute, Giuliano said he was “overwhelmed, but if I cry, Michael might take it back. You can’t give a ‘Duke’ award to someone who cries and can’t even lift it!”

In the ballroom, co-chairwomen Andrea Katz and Sue Bender re-created a Montmartre sidewalk cafe scene with spring flowers, kiosks, Moulin Rouge posters and a troupe of rambunctious cancan dancers from Malibu Ballet.

This event is always a Wayne family affair. In the mix were the legendary actor’s other sons, Patrick and Ethan, one of his daughters, Marisa, and a passel of Wayne grandchildren, including Alicia Wayne McFarlane and her husband Jim, who were high bidders on a tea party with Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York. Monty Hall emceed the doings, and durable ‘50s teen idol Frankie Avalon rocked the room with a medley of his hits. Attendees included Lorraine and Don Morton, Nancy O’Connor, Carol and Steven O’Day, Sherry and Charlie Dargan, Sandy and Irv Cohen, Donna and Harvey Rosen, Jackie and Howard Banchik, Diane and Danny Feldman, Donna Arnold, Sue and Larry Hochberg and Sherry and Dan Striepeke.

--P.D.

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Hope and Thanks

Geraldine A. Ferraro had never heard of multiple myeloma cancer of the bone marrow plasma cells when she was diagnosed with the disease in 1998. And she hadn’t experienced physical symptoms, the former vice-presidential candidate told the sold-out crowd attending the Circle 1000 brunch Tuesday at the Four Seasons Hotel. The event raised $460,000 for the Hoag Cancer Center in Newport Beach.

“How did I get it?” she wondered. “Was it my environment? Stress? Some hidden genetic predisposition? There are currently no answers to those questions,” she said. “Hopefully, research will be able to resolve them in the near future.”

Since her diagnosis, Ferraro has undergone thalidomide drug therapy that has put the disease in remission. “When you have an incurable disease, you live on extensions and hope, so, thank you, doctors,” she said. “Thank you, Circle 1000, for the dedication you have in fighting this cancer battle for us.”

Since it was founded 15 years ago by cancer survivor Sandy Sewell, Circle 1000 has raised $4.5 million for the Hoag Cancer Center. Guests also included Ginny Ueberroth, Hyla Bertea, Susan Bartlett, Arden Flamson and Sheryl Anderson.

--Ann Conway

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Alzheimer’s Care

Cancan girls greeted more than 250 guests at the Alzheimer’s Assn. of Orange County’s “April in Paris Extravaganza,” which netted about $75,000 for patient services and research.

Guests attending the gala at the Four Seasons Hotel in Newport Beach on April 6 enjoyed a cocktail reception in a room decorated with flower carts and replicas of French storefronts. Dinner was served at tables crowned with miniature golden Eiffel towers.

The highest risk factor for Alzheimer’s is age, which means that unless a cure is found, the number of patients and need for services will continue to grow as the population ages, Linda Scheck, executive director of the association, told guests. The association serves Alzheimer’s patients and their families by providing education, financial assistance and counseling.

Julie David and Donald E. Power co-chaired the gala.

--A.C.

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Breathing Easy

Physician Paul A. Selecky of Newport Beach was recognized for his work with lung disease patients at the annual Big Breathe Easy, sponsored by the American Lung Assn. of Orange County. Selecky is medical director of the Pulmonary Department and Sleep Disorders Center at Hoag Memorial Hospital in Newport Beach. He is also a clinical professor of medicine at UCLA.

Proceeds of more than $60,000 from the April 6 event at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Garden Grove will be used for the association’s education, research and advocacy programs.

--A.C.

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Coming Up:

* The Wellness Community West Los Angeles hosts its Tribute to the Human Spirit Awards Dinner on Tuesday at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Tickets $250. Call (310) 553-9007.

* The American Ireland Fund Los Angeles Gala will be Wednesday at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Tickets $500. Call (310) 491-1401

* Associates of Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services hosts a performance of “The Full Monty” at the Ahmanson Theatre and dinner at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Wednesday. Tickets $200-$550. Call (310) 836-1223, Ext. 270.

* The Corporate/Business Volunteer Awards Banquet hosted by the Volunteer Center, South Bay-Harbor-Long Beach, will honor Marty and Jim Gamble Wednesday at the Torrance Marriott Hotel. Tickets $150. Call (310) 212-5009.

* Arts Orange County is the beneficiary of an awards dinner on Thursday at the Four Seasons in Newport Beach. Tickets: $125. Call (714) 556-5160.

* The California Chapter of Save Venice Inc. stages its Casanova in California Masked Ball at the California Club Thursday. Tickets $1,000. Call (212) 737-3141.

* L.A. business and civic leaders will take to the runway for “Walk the Talk,” a menswear fashion show and dinner to benefit the Los Angeles Women’s Foundation Thursday at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel. Tickets $250. Call (213) 388-0485, Ext. 17.

* USC professor emeritus Emery Stoops will be honored at a scholarship fund-raiser for the school of education Thursday at Town and Gown on the USC campus. Tickets $95. Call (310) 373-7600.

* Las Floristas hosts its 64th annual floral headdress ball, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” to benefit children’s charities Friday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Tickets $250. Call (310) 607-8495.

* Center Theatre Group Affiliates hosts a special performance of “The Full Monty” and post-performance reception Friday at the Ahmanson Theatre. Tickets $175-$350. Call (213) 972-3139.

* Partners in Care Foundation hosts its 2002 Vision and Excellence in Healthcare Leadership dinner Friday at the California Club. Tickets $150. Call (818) 526-1780, Ext. 110.

* Soprano Dale Kristien will perform at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts’ “Music of the Night” benefit dinner gala Saturday. Tickets are $125. Call (800) 300-4345.

* Wellness Community-Foothills holds its 10th annual Angel Gala on Saturday at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel. Tickets $180. Call (626) 796-1083.

* A gala to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Assn. will be Saturday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Tickets $250. Call (310) 450-9032.

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Information for Social Circuits can be directed to Patt Diroll in Los Angeles or Ann Conway in Orange County. Diroll is at pattdiroll@earthlink.net; Conway at ann.conway@latimes.com, or (714) 966-5952.