Social Circuits

Legal Eagles

The legal watchdogs at the Center for Law in the Public Interest don’t get around to patting themselves on the back too often, but the roster of causes they’ve championed could fill a California history book.

The center celebrated its 30th anniversary Monday night at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel with a tribute to attorney-developer Nelson Rising, who was instrumental in rounding up the $25,000 seed money for a quartet of determined young lawyers who wanted to establish the legal center in 1971. Rising is only the third person to be honored by the center--the others were producer David E. Kelley (1997) and late attorney Frank Wheat (1987).

Former Secretary of State Warren Christopher, another of the center’s earliest supporters, introduced Rising. “As a business leader, Nelson has been a friend of conservation, recognizing the importance of balancing growth with preservation,” said Christopher, who presented Rising with two paintings--a watercolor depicting wildlife of the Ballona Wetlands and an oil of a Mojave Desert scene--that evoke his environmental work.

Attorneys Carlyle W. Hall Jr., John Phillips, Brent Rushforth and the late Ric Sutherland founded the center, which is credited with creating the idea of “environmental justice.” Its first case was representing the Sierra Club and the NAACP to stop construction of the Century Freeway through South-Central Los Angeles.

That case was followed by others that laid the groundwork for California’s environmental land-use law. Subsequent targets included job discrimination, identity theft, preservation of the historic Watts Towers and, in collaboration with Rising, preservation of the Ballona Wetlands. More recently, the center helped in the effort to preserve the Chinatown Cornfield, which will become an urban public park.

“We’ve come a long way from that basement office at Wilshire and Crenshaw,” said Hall, in lauding Rising. “And we couldn’t have done it without him.”

Warren Olney emceed the event, which raised more than $350,000. California State Librarian Kevin Starr was the featured speaker. “The roll call of the CLIPI cases fits into a legacy that represents a better idea by California of itself,” said Starr. “They’re the significant building blocks of a better California.”

Guests included John Tunney, Robert Garcia, Lydia Camarillo, Judge Matt Byrne, Gerald Chaleff, Ruth and Lew Hollman, Mickey Kantor and Heidi Schulman, Connie Rice, Ron Olson, Max Palevsky, Victor Palmieri, Nikolas Patsaouras, Ira Reiner, Alan Sieroty, Nancy Wheat, Andrea Ordin, Jack Weiss, Mel Levine, Mary Nichols and John Daum.

Patt Diroll

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L.A. Phil Overseers

Sometimes they must amaze even themselves. John Williams and Yo-Yo Ma, together last weekend for a whirlwind celebration to mark Williams’ 70th birthday, started their Saturday with a full rehearsal at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for Sunday’s sold-out celebratory concert with the L.A. Philharmonic. Then, in the afternoon, they headed out to a Costco in Culver City where more than a thousand fans were waiting.

It was close to sundown before the duo was rolling again--this time for a segue to black tie and a swank soiree at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

There, Curt Tamkin, chairman of the newly formed L.A. Philharmonic Board of Overseers, and his wife, Priscilla, and John Hotchkis, L.A. Philharmonic board president, and his wife, Joan, were waiting to greet guests at the inaugural event for the Overseers. The pre-dinner program included a chat session with Williams and Ma conducted by L.A. Phil’s executive director, Deborah Borda, and a mini-concert by Ma of Williams’ “Pickin’” and a gigue by Bach.

“What’s amazing about John,” said Ma, “is that his work is appreciated by the masses, yet he can transport us to another world. When Americans think of their country and the emotional experiences they’ve had, so often it’s connected to the music John has written.”

Following the program, Tamkin led the way to dinner, where members, who must commit $10,000 annually to join this cadre, dined on designer greens, rack of lamb, Chilean sea bass and a chocolate pyramid for dessert, and then two-stepped the night away to Fred Starr’s Louisiana Repertory Jazz Ensemble. Spotted in the crowd: Ernest Fleischmann, Pat Mitchell, Laurel and Eric Bernt, Felice and Richard Cutler, Laura and Bill Siart, Alyce and Spud Williamson, Margie and David Barry and Ceci and Dudley Rauch.

Tamkin reports that $600,000 has been raised since the group’s inception in January.

--P.D.

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Horse Play

Celebrating the Year of the Horse and a decade of showcasing the talent of young musicians, members of the Chinese-American League of the Pacific Symphony gathered for a benefit gala last weekend. About 250 guests enjoyed a dinner of filet mignon and tiger shrimp at the Westin South Coast Plaza Hotel in Costa Mesa.

Entertainment was provided by violinist Melody Chang, cellist Fang Fang Xu and pianist Ethan Yi Dong, past winners of Showcase for Young Musicians, an annual musical competition sponsored by the league at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. Winners receive honorariums and are invited to perform with the Pacific Symphony under the baton of music director Carl St. Clair.

Orchestra president John Forsyte praised league members and their guests for supporting aspiring musicians.

“You are great patrons who champion the careers of young people,” he said.

Since the league was founded in 1992, more than 500 musicians have competed in the showcase. “The competitions bring attention to the talent of these students, and the winners are grateful for the chance to perform with an orchestra,” said arts benefactor Arlene Cheng of Newport Beach.

The Feb. 23 gala raised $20,000. Guests included co-chairwomen Betty Tu and Elena Ross, Assemblywoman Judy Chu, Michael Eng, Ruby Au, Verna Chow, Ellen Ong, Charles Wu and Caleb Zia.

--Ann Conway

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USO Salute

Miss USO, Emma Lampert of Park Ridge, N.J., was the guest of honor at the Captain’s Ball celebrating the 60th anniversary of the United Services Organization. The event raised about $90,000 for South County Senior Services in Laguna Woods.

More than 400 guests--including noncommissioned military personnel in full uniform--attended the gala at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott in Dana Point. Decorations included a large American flag and a 20-foot replica of the Statue of Liberty. Recognized at the Feb. 16 event for their support of programs for seniors were Clarice and Richard Lehn, Mike and Kitty Kourie, Robert Feldman, Jack Sylvester and Mary Van Ness. Jacque DuPont and Linda Lewin were co-chairwomen.

A.C.

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Coming Up:

* Marion and John Anderson will be honored with the 2002 KCET Visionary Award on Tuesday at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Tickets: $1,000. Call (323) 953-5429.

* The American Friends of the Salzburg Festival are hosting a dinner and private chamber concert by members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra at a private home in San Marino on March 10. Proceeds will benefit the festival’s programs. Tickets: $1,000. Call (212) 371-0041.

* The Annual Friends of the Fulfillment Fund Spring Luncheon will honor Jan and Bob Goldman at the Beverly Hills Hotel on March 13. Tickets: $100. Call (310) 552-9007.

* Members of the Luminaires of Doheny Eye Institute will present their annual fashion luncheon at the California Club featuring the Escada collection on March 13. Tickets: $200. (323) 442-7111.

* A cocktail reception and fashion show that will benefit Childrens Hospital Los Angeles will be held at the new Nordstrom store at the Grove at Farmers Market on March 13. Tickets: $125. Call (323) 671-1701.

* The 16th annual Genesis Awards honoring members of the media who have highlighted animal issues will be held March 16 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Tickets: $200. Call (818) 501-2275.