USC Salute to Riordan Raises Funds for Scholarships

It’s spring madness with the flush of happy occasions.

Mayor Richard Riordan turned pink as he was lightly roasted before 550 at the USC School of Public Administration’s Ides of March benefit (actually held April 30) at the Biltmore. The affair raised $440,000 for scholarships as Riordan was saluted by USC President Steven Sample, dinner chairman William C. Rusnack of Arco, School of Public Administration dean Jane Pisano and community leaders such as Dan Garcia and Leonard Schaeffer. Pat Haden was emcee, and speakers lauded Riordan for his intelligence, common sense and effort to provide better communities and opportunities for youth.

Success, said the mayor, is “2.7% vision and 97.3% implementation of the goal.” And, “I should add humility.”

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Building Youth: Kent Kresa, chairman of Northrop Grumman Corp., received the Phoenix House Public Service Award at a lovely pink party for Phoenix House chaired by Mary Marshall. The residential drug rehabilitation facility is headed by Grant Tinker, chairman, and Mitchell S. Rosenthal, president. Ellis B. Jones (Marshall’s son) co-chaired with assistance from John Anderson. In touching moments, Mort Sahl discussed the drug-related death of his son, Mort Jr.

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Good Deeds: The 59th Las Floristas Floral Headdress Ball at the Beverly Hilton drew 700 and should net $300,000 for clinics at Rancho Los Amigos. Julie Lee was ball chairwoman, and Sandy Murphy, co-chairwoman . . . The Music Center Spotlight Awards raised $115,000 for the Music Center Unified Fund and provided $45,000 for performing scholarships, say Walter and Peggy Parker Grauman.

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Puppies: From a litter of 12, Ebony and Ivory were the pretty Labrador pups auctioned with fanfare at the Hillsides Home for Children at the “Black and White Ball” benefit at Union Station headed by Chris Atkinson. Hillsides aids abused children. It’s about to launch a $35-million campaign chaired by Don Clark. At the dinner/auction were Beth and Garee Thomas, Hillsides executive director John Hitchcock, Janet and Tim Walker, Peter and Rosemary Casey, Bill and Susie Lattin, Betsy and Harry Hathaway, John and Carol McGhee, Devon and Bob Ortiz, Brian and Kimberly Philo, Gary and Rhonda Brown, Robin and Joe Konicek and Sherman and Marge Telleen.

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Silver Linings: Chairwoman Pam Mullin and honorary chairwoman Anna Murdoch headed the 60-member steering committee for the YWCA Leader Luncheon. Receiving “Silver Achievement” awards were Sherry Lansing, corporate; Patty DeDominic, entrepreneur; Margaret Galland Kivelson, science; Pat Harvey, communications; Vanessa Chang, professions; Eleano Montano, community service; and Dr. Donna Barras, public service.

Elsewhere on the Social Circuit

Past Perfect: The CARES luncheon celebrating the 25th year of the child and family program at Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center . . . The Assistance League of Southern California’s move to a new home at 5620 De Longpre . . . Pacific Asia Museum’s 25th birthday party and its exhibition “Collectors’ Choice” honoring Grace Nicholson . . . The Peninsula Committee’s annual Nordstrom Seahorse Classic Golf Tournament . . . The Natural History Museum’s opening of “California Wetlands” paintings . . . The International Committee of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Assn. “Promenade en France” ball honoring the consular corps . . . The 30th anniversary gala for East West Players and presentation of Visionary Awards at the Japan America Theater . . . Dr. Lawrence M. Koplin sharing secrets on looking good for the United Hostesses’ Charities . . . Susan and William McMillan supporting Haven House with a garden party . . . The Silver Anniversary luncheon planned by Bea Shaw and Arline Densmore for the Irving Walker Auxiliary of Travelers Aid Society . . . “April in Paris” Dior fashions for the National Charity League, Los Angeles Founder Chapter luncheon . . Peter, Paul and Mary concertizing for the St. John’s Hospital Happy Heart Club . . . Villa Esperanza and its 25th benefit luncheon with Stan Chambers.

* Happy sunny moments have crowded the calendar: Linda Dickason headed the California Historical Society’s walking jaunt on Catalina . . . Benefit chairwoman Kathie Giordano and the Los Angeles Orphanage Guild dedicated a luncheon at the Four Seasons to the 140th anniversary of Maryvale orphanage . . . City of Hope Founders for Diabetic Research honored Jerry Dunphy at the Esperanza Ball . . . Methodist Hospital broke ground on its new patient tower . . . Art lovers and treasure hunters explored the galleries of the Los Angeles County Museum, solving puzzles at the Decorative Arts Council’s treasure hunt . . . Will Rogers Polo Club dedicated opening day to the memory of longtime polo player Faith “Vangie” Sheikh, giving proceeds to the Center for the Partially Sighted . . . Suzanne Marx and Edward Kushell and Michael and Arianna Huffington attended the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Kennedy Honors in Washington, and also the brunch planned by Alma Powell and Alma Gildenhorn.

* There were lots of laughs at the Founding Associates of the French Foundation for Alzheimer Research spring gala celebrating Art Linkletter’s 60 years in show biz. The stars: Carol Channing, Rhonda Fleming and John Raitt.

* Fashion overtook the Young Musicians Foundation Women’s Council’s celebrity family show and luncheon honoring Susan Chalek . . . Elita Balfour, Victoria Dean, Heather Halderman, Megan Hernandez and Wendy Warren hosted the spring luncheon and children’s fashion show for Childrens Hospital at the Beach Club . . . The Junior League of Los Angeles and Nordstrom celebrated Bill Burns’ fashions at the Westside Pavilion . . . And Villa Esperanza took over the Ritz-Carlton Huntington for a fashion luncheon.

* More springtime: Last week’s California Arboretum Foundation Baldwin Bonanza . . . The Society of Fellows, 350 strong, at the Huntington Library partying over flutes and guitars in the rose garden at their “Smell the Roses” cocktail soiree . . . Martha Stewart popping in to speak on “Entertaining in the Garden” at the luncheon for Mary Potter & Company, a major support group for the Little Company of Mary Hospital Foundation.

* Keeping up: Opening night of the L.A. Modernism show benefiting the Los Angeles Conservancy . . . The John Greenleaf Whittier Society gala for Whittier College with Virginia Gov. George Allen as speaker . . . Tripod Friends’ luncheon honoring Glenne Headly, Marcella Meyer and Joe Shapiro at the Beverly Hills Hotel . . . The Fulfillment Fund’s 10th annual Scholars Day luncheon at the Beverly Wilshire with Melvin Ramming speaker . . . Doris Kearns Goodwin keynoting the Constitutional Rights Foundation spring dinner honoring Jack Valenti and Alan V. Friedman . . . Supper alfresco planned by Helen Pashgian to highlight the Los Angeles Master Chorale’s plaza party at the Music Center . . . Ruth Handler, Barbie doll creator and co-founder of Mattel Inc., named “Mother of the Year” at the Helping Hand Cedars-Sinai luncheon.

* Mary Lou Loper’s column is published Sundays.