RP Foundation Will Confer Awards

Robert G. Dettmer, president of Pepsi-Cola Bottling Group, receives the Humanitarian Award from Retinitis Pigmentosa International on June 29 at a black-tie party in the Grand Ballroom of the Beverly Wilshire.

Helen Harris, founder-president of RP International, says Pepsi has been “valiant” as a partner in spearheading the fight to stop the hereditary eye disease that often leads to blindness.

The same evening, Richard N. Solley will receive the Jules Stein RP Living Tribute Award and Allan N. Fried and Edwin B. Mehr awards “for excellence in low vision.”

Rochelle and Stuart Namm are dinner chairmen. Sandi and Vin Scully host the evening. Lydia and Charlton Heston are honorary chairmen.

If you haven’t seen Angels Attic in Santa Monica, you’re in for a treat.

The Attic, painted in “Blue Fox,” white and cranberry colors, is a delight (at 516 Colorado Ave.) of doll houses, miniatures, toys and trains. And it’s surrounded by red, white and blue flowers, a garden cultivated by Mrs. Frank Mitchell of the Hancock Park Garden Club, and is staffed by volunteers.

It’s been a longtime labor of love for both Jackie McMahan and Eleanor LaVove and all the Angels for Autistic Children headed by Mrs. Philip C. Gaspar.

This week, in full blossom, the Attic celebrated its first birthday with a garden luncheon, and the occasion was very special: The Attic now, at the front door, will be adorned with a brass plaque that reads “inspired by Carlee McLaughlin” and “in memory of Lauren McLaughlin.”

Both are the granddaughters of Jackie McMahan and the daughters of her daughter, Chris (Mrs. Raymond) McLaughlin. Carlee attends the Brentwood Center for Educational Therapy--Autistic Children and Young Adults, which benefits from the Attic’s sales. Lauren was the lovely University of Arizona student killed in an auto tragedy this spring.

“Armenian Costumes Through the Centuries” (46 costumes representing kings, queens, nobility and peasants) were the attraction Saturday evening at the Sheraton Grande dinner-dance hosted by the Armenian Relief Society of Western U.S.A. (Armenian Red Cross), Sophia Chapter in Fresno.

The ARS Collection made its debut in Fresno in 1984 at the Fresno Hilton. Then Sophia members prepared more costumes for the Los Angeles premiere and also published an illustrated volume.

Old Armenia, Mrs. Vahan Chamlian informs, was on the crossroads of travel and trade routes from East to West. Caravans traded in silks, brocades, satins, velvets and laces, all hand-spun or woven. Then fabrics and costumes were created by skilled artisans of Armenia, detailed with rare laces and gold- and silver-threaded embroideries.

The costumes are scheduled to be displayed at the Metropolitan Museum in Fresno, then go on tour to benefit other Armenian relief societies.

At the Pasadena Public Library Foundation’s annual meeting, Betty Keatinge received kudos for her contributions in creating the foundation and in obtaining a $300,000 grant from the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation to restore the Central Library’s auditorium in honor of the late California Chief Justice Donald R. Wright.

Now George C. Bond takes over as new president. He’s just retired as vice president and general counsel of Unocal. Edward Szynaka, the library’s director, continues as secretary.

And at another spring gathering at the home of Hanna Kully, the Pasadena Art Alliance gave away $52,000 to eight agencies, keeping a hefty amount in reserve for a new project next year (we’ll let you know about it) headed by chairman Susan Caldwell, vice chairman Ann Barrett, recording secretary Ann Burke, corresponding secretary Nancy Farrand and treasurer Marcy Fowler.

Celebrating their 30th anniversary of supporting Southern California art projects, the ladies put on their best hats, gloves and pearls and came in both black and white.

It was also a fun time to salute their handful of gentleman supporters: Fred Runyon, Fitch Behr, Harold Jurgensen, Anson Moore, Robert Rowan and Philip Taylor.

Proceeds from the William Devane Celebrity Golf and Tennis Tournament and Monte Carlo gala Monday evening at the Mountaingate Country Club in Bel-Air will benefit the Save a Heart Foundation. Lots of entertainment and sports celebrities are expected.

A historic and, might we add, nostalgic collection of memorabilia belonging to comedian Jack Benny will be shown publicly for the first time by Westwood Savings & Loan Assn. Tapes, photographs, awards and artifacts of the late star will be unveiled Wednesday and shown through July 2 in the Westwood office, before moving to other offices and branches through Aug. 14. Joan Benny, Dennis Day, Sheldon Leonard, Mel Blanc and Phil Harris are expected to attend. It all benefits SHARE (Share Happily and Reap Endlessly).

Madeline Moore took over the presidency of the Children’s Service League at the installation luncheon at the home of Jean Anderson.