A N O T H E R B I RT H D AY ! ?
Marty Geimer
Walter Samson
Shair Ali
Danny DeVito
Carol Conners
BEVERLY HILLS COURIER | NOVEMBER 11, 2016 Page 22
BIRTHDAYS—Calista Flockhart, Leonardo DiCaprio (Nov. 11); Demi Moore, Anne Hathaway, Ryan Gosling, David Schwimmer, Al Michaels and Neil Young (Nov. 12); Carol Connors, Joe Mantagna, Jimmy Kimmel, and Whoopi Goldberg (Nov. 13); Marty Geimer and Robert Ginty (Nov. 14); Kevin Eubanks and Sam Waterston (Nov. 15); Walter Samson and David Leisure (Nov. 16); Danny DeVito, Gordon Lightfoot, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, William Moses, Shair Ali and Martin Scorsese (Nov. 17).
Joan Mangum
GREAT FUTURES–At the “Great Futures Gala” for the Boys & Girls Club of America in The Beverly Wilshire, from left are keynote speaker Jason Lin; National Youths of the Year Joselyn W. and Whitney S.; and Jim Clark, BGCA president/CEO; gala co-chair Eric Shanks and his wife Brenda.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America held its annual “Great Futures Gala” in The Beverly Wilshire with Steve Mosko and Eric Shanks co-chairing the 26-year old event with comedian Jay Mohr doing the emcee chores for the 400 attendees, who were treated to a moving performance by classsical pianist Chloe Flower. The 2015 “National Youth of the Year” Whitney S. Whitney took the SHARE–September Sarno (right), creator of the Ladies of audience on a personal journey of what happens inside a Boys & Girls SHARE’s VIB’s (Very Important Bachelors) fundraising Club. “Each day nearly half a million kids walk through the doors,” said auction at the Four Seasons, greets Joanie and Jack Whitney. “Youth connect with caring mentors and development professionals who are life-changers for club members, enabling them to achieve Black upon their arrival at the event. The Four Seasons on Doheny Drive was the a great future.” The 2016 “National Youth of the Year” Jocelyn W. gave a moving, firstlocale of one of the most fun events of the year as the Ladies of SHARE hosted 15 VIB’s (Very Important hand account of how her Boys & Girls Club inspired and motivated her Bachelors) dressed in black tie, where the men were to become the successful college freshman she is today. Keynote speaker and club alumnus was award-winning director and auctioned off to high bidding ladies for a special date while their “Theme Song” was playing. The highest producer Justin Lin. whose films (The Fast And The Furious 3-6, Star Trek bid went to achelor Ryan O’Neal of Love Story fame Beyond and Better Luck Tomorrow) have grossed more than $2 billion who brought it lots of $$$$$$. worldwide. His TV credits include Community and True Detective. This was SHARE’s third SRO event with this For more than 150 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (greatfutheme, created by of September Sarno, who opined: tures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures “The ratio is what I am most proud of. Unlike at every other event, at ours the entertainment pays us as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Among the many guests were instead of the other way around. The bachelors Martin Katz, Steve and Barbara Layton, Byron and Susan Roth, Al Multari, donated from $2,500 to $10,000 for the honor of Larry Baer (San Francisco Giants CEO), Greg Penske, Kristine Leahy and being auctioned off while 100-percent of the ladies’ Jackie James. bids went to SHARE.” ****** A big thank you to SHARE’s President Ellen The ASPCA held a fundraiser in Bel Air, where guests enjoyed specialFeder, Co-Chair Gia Bay, Bachelor Walk Producer ty cocktails featuring Casamigos Tequila and Tito’s Handmade Vodka, a Nancy Gregory, Sami Faulkner, Mandie Rush, Dana silent auction supporting the ASPCA’s Los Angeles Mobile Spay/Neuter Grilikhes and Diane Forester, as well Beverly Cohen Clinic, and music by DJ Saint Clair. who made the ballroom stunning. Beth Behrs (2 Broke Girls) received the 2016 “ASPCA Compassion Spotted were... Jo Hilton, Carrie Brillstein, Corinna Fields, Beverly Sassoon, Suzanne Award” for the extraordinary commitment of time and effort she has dedSaperstein, Abigail Slotkin, Rochelle Maize, Suzee icated to directly impact the lives of vulnerable and victimized animals from presenter Jennifer Collidge. Markowitz and Barbara Aaron. SHARE, Inc. supports children affected by develSarah Hyland (Modern Family) received the ASPCA “Voice for opmental disabilities, violence and HIV. Animals Award” to recognize her efforts toward increasing awareness and inspiring action on behalf of animals in crisis, from Nina Dobrev. Kathy Taggares was the evening’s hostess. Among the many supporters on hand at the event were ASPCA President/CEO Matt Bershadker, Rudy Dobrev, Kayla Maisonet, Lizzy Greene, Sophie Simmons, and Brad Go. Still more were Michael Nardelli, Marine the Dog, Greer Grammer, Harely Quinn Smith, Michael Patrick King, Katie Stevens, Dean Geyer, Chandler Kinney, Hugh Sheridan, Michael Gladis, Matthew Moy, Keith Stanfield and Jillian Murray. www.nataleethai.com Proceeds from the 310.275.0579 • 434 N. CANON DRIVE event supported the launch 10101 Venice Blvd., Culver City of the organization’s new MON. - THURS. 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM (310) 202-7013 Los Angeles Mobile FRI. & SAT. 12:00 AM - 10:00 PM 998 S. Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills Spay/Neuter Clinic.
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Frances Allen’s Desert Roundup Many new residents of the Coachella Valley are content to put their feet up and watch their world go by from a pool-side lounge chair. Not Larry Luckinbill, the talented actor, writer and husband of Luci Arnaz. The Luckinbills made their permanent home in the Desert several years ago and in contrast with those residents who are content to sit-back and let others carry-the-can, they became active and involved citizens. Just how concerned Luckinbill became about what he calls the short-sighted Palm Springs land rush was evidenced recently by an op-ed piece written by him in the Desert Sun, the local newspaper. What’s special about the op-ed he wrote is that its points could be applied to other Southern California cities as well. The main focus of Luckinbill’s column is that recent decisions made at City Hall - as well as future ones have the potential to turn a fine, old town into an unsustainable, citizenunfriendly mess with no discernible thought, passed by a city counsel without an urban plan that would make Palm Springs the most beautiful, sustainable, culturally rich city in the entire West. The call for a development slowdown has been heard in the Valley for years by people who wanted no, or very little, growth. The other side argues that Palm Springs must build to grow a sustainable city and we cannot live in the past. But Luckinbill raises another concern: does Palm Springs have the infrastructure to support unbridled growth? As a result of years of drought our aquifer is dangerously depleted. Our electrical grid is old and unreliable. Something, says Luckinbill, some indefinable mix of feelings, is slipping through our collective grasps and, if not taken seriously, will see the demise of Palm Springs. ****** “Intimate” may not be the word that describes the thousands of attendees for Modernism Week (which is really a 10-day, not 7-day event) to be held Feb. 21 through Feb. 26 throughout Palm Springs. So for those who cannot get enough of things Mid-Century Modern there was a two-day, advanced look and purchase event October at the items that will be available for viewing and purchasing come next February. From Tiffany lamps to jewelry, and everything in between, if you cannot find it here, it probably wasn’t made. The event will also include neighborhood double-decked bus tours, lectures and a few surprises. The Hilton Hotel and Spa in Palm Springs is the host hotel for the entire event and offering special package room rates. Call 760-320-6868. ****** Tickets are now on sale for the 2017 Rancho Mirage sponsored Speaker Series. Heading the lineup on Jan. 17, is Rita Moreno, who apart from her award-winning career as an actress, writer and singer, is also a philanthropist and humanitarian. One month later, on Feb. 21, Dr. Robert Ballard takes the stage and talks about his work as an explorer, including his discovering of the Titanic. Linda Greenhouse, Supreme Court media expert and Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter, will close out the series on Mar. 14. Information is at 760-324-4511.