Colleagues Aglitter for Jewelry Sale
No, nothing from the White House as far as we can tell.
But the Sotheby’s auction March 29 does bring together some of our favorite things--big, fat jewels--and some favorite people of ours and of the First Reagans--the Colleagues--for a flashy fund-raiser for the Children’s Institute International.
The Colleagues--Nancy Reagan and a heavy sprinkling of Kitchen Cabineteers are members--have donated pieces that would retail for a total of around $250,000, all to be previewed at a special reception March 28 at Sotheby’s.
Patti Skouras and Erlenne Sprague have done a terrific job of picking up pieces from their sister Colleagues, like Harriet Deutsch, Betsy Bloomingdale, Betty Adams, Jean Trousdale, Giney Milner, Carla Kirkeby, Ann Petroni, Colleagues’ President Dorothy Clark, Midge Clark and, a friend to the Colleagues, Virginia Oppenheimer. In return, givers got a campaign-style button proclaiming them as a “Colleagues Jewelry Auction Donor,” complete with little glass stones glued on by Skouras and Sprague, who never miss a trick when it comes to fun fund raising.
They can wear their buttons to Sotheby’s for the March 28 invitation-only preview of the auction, which will be held the next day at the Bel Age. They will see an 18-carat Rolex, watches from Audemars Piguet and Patek-Phillipe, a huge sapphire and diamond pin donated by Marvin Hime jewelers, 18-carat gold women’s watches donated by Bulgari and Tiffany and lots of family pieces. There are 60 lots of jewels from 43 donors. And, Skouras and Sprague promised, the prices will be great.
Ah, yes, and the Colleagues’ annual Glamour Sale is set for the Santa Monica Civic on May 14. When last seen, Sprague was taking in a new suit just donated from Chanel.
Believe me, panache in some circles can still be a bargain.
AT THE HOP--They bopped for good causes on Friday night, as several hundred Sandpipers’ supporters showed up at the Aviation High School gym in Redondo Beach and raised nearly $30,000 for two South Bay charities. A good bit of money, with $5,000 going to the Canine Companions for Independence and the rest to the Wellness Community, from the event organized by the Sandpipers’ Provisional Class.
The Sandpipers is a South Bay group started in 1931, with more than 500 active and associate members, all working toward providing immediate assistance to needy members of the community, via financial support and scholarship aid.
Impressive about the party was how the event was pulled together, using the talents of the group members--graphic artist Susie Smith Marchant did the invites, Robin Pollock the publicity, artist Diane Stapleton provided the neon art, while nursery owner Wendy Akiyama did the decorations and Mary Bradley organized a live auction with prizes rivaling almost anything on the Westside, including two round-trips to Europe, a Yamaha and box seats to the opening of “Les Miserables.”
Nancy Williams is the experienced Sandpiper who sparkplugged the event, and, indeed, despite the lure of the Juliano’s meal organized by Linda Strongin, the folks were on the dance floor with the Fairlanes playing until after 1 a.m. Now if some of this enthusiasm could drift a little northward. . . .
UPCOMING--Hot ticket, especially since Robert Redford is one of the invitees to the premiere of “The Great Milagro Beanfield War” March 15 at Cineplex Odeon Universal City. The evening benefits Centro de Ninos, and the invitation also gives a special thanks to Councilman Richard Alatorre “for making this evening possible. . . .”
State Sen. Herschel Rosenthal (D-L.A.) will be feted at a fund-raising dinner March 17 at the Century Plaza Hotel with hometown talent as Rep. Julian Dixon speaks and Assemblyman Terry Friedman emcees.
