A Christmas Party Gets an Early Start in San Marino

“People are acting as though it’s Christmas,” commented Dr. James Caillouette at the Huntington’s Autumn Gala, referring to the black-tie dash about him, and to the fact that the party was a Christmas party until this year.

Everyone, including Overseers chairman Marion Jorgensen, who switched the traditional Christmas party to October, and Huntington trustee chairman Stanton Avery, were saying prayers of thanks for starry skies above. As art curator Bob Wark put it, “The elements are more benign tonight. Last year the tent blew over the night before the party and the year before that the tent blew over the day after the party.”

But would you believe Chasen’s chicken pot pie in October? UC Berkeley trustees chairman Preston Hotchkis spooned into his with relish. Round about, Society of Fellows leaders there included Marion and Earle Jorgensen, Betty and Bob Adams, Richard and Sue Barker, Nancy and Dick Call, Willard and Barbara De Groot, trustee Phil and Mary Hawley, Mary and Art Crowe, Richard and Maude Ferry, Beverly and Ed Fitzgerald, Patty and Jack Queen, Bob and Jo Kroger, Richard and Maria Grant, Beverly and Chase Morsey, Ed and Ruth Shannon, and Marion and George Scharffenberger.

They were among 550 dancing the night away to Ray Moshay’s band. Betty Wilson and florist Stanley Kersten dreamed up those daisy topiaries admired by Barry and Louise Taper, Huntington director Robert and Nadine Skotheim, and Mary and Henry Eversole over the fresh peaches and ice cream.

ANOTHER SWITCH: New day, new place, new time for the 54th annual Candlelight Ball for the Juniors of the Social Service Auxiliary. It was always on a Saturday at the Beverly Hilton. This year it’s a Sunday--Dec. 10--at the Biltmore, with cocktails beginning at an earlier 6:30 p.m.

Susan Baggott, ball chairwoman, as was her aunt Mary Barry 19 years ago, announced over lunch at Ma Maison that the changes have been made, and that proceeds will be greater for Regis House family centers. The theme is “Christmas in Los Angeles.” The auxiliary has named philanthropist Dorothy Leavey honorary angel.

A HIT: The Jewel Gala VI honoring Cesar Romero hit a high: a gross of $451,000 with a net of $325,000, and Frances Franklin and June Haver MacMurray are applauding.

It’s for the endowment fund headed by Frances’ hubby, Happy Franklin, for the USC Friends of Fine Arts chaired by J. Blair Pence II. Romero, “Butch” to friends, got an ovation from his sister Maria, Robert Wagner, chairman of the celebrity committee, and his date Sybil Brand; hosts Mattie and Eric T. Staniek; honorary chairwoman Alice Faye; dean Dr. Lynn R. Matteson.

It was a night for jewelers. Frances and Sid Klein, Michael and Virginia Kazanjian, Alice and Sol Laykin, Don and Judy Tallarico and Robert Herbison (Tiffany) starred with fashion elite--Estevez, David Hayes, Fred Hayman, Gail Simms and Grace and Merrill Lowell and Penny and Edd Jacobs. The late designer Ruben Panis, who was slain in his Wilshire District home in September, was also to have been honored.

RUNNING: The 21st season of Oak Tree is off and running after a beautiful send-off in the Directors’ Room at Santa Anita. Clement and Lynn Hirsch were at the forefront, along with racing’s social elite--Joseph Harper, general manager of Del Mar; Santa Anita’s Robert and Betty Strub; Karen and Clifford Goodrich, Georgia Ridder, Jack and Maggie Robbins, Ray and Dorothy Rogers, Leslie and Jackie Liscom, Sue Rowan, and pals including Alice and Oscar Lawler.

The charitable days of racing are ahead: Directors of Kidspace Museum host an invitational luncheon at Santa Anita at noon today.

WHIRL: Les Dames of Los Angeles have Teddy Orgell of David Orgell setting a bipartisan White House Inaugural Ball tableau--silver, china and crystal from four administrations--for the Silver Kite fete for the Smithsonian Institution to fund care of First Ladies’ inaugural gowns. Designers Galanos, Nolan Miller, Michael Novarese, Bob Mackie and Estevez share the limelight. . . .

Sandy Sheinberg and Joyce Robinson will chair Thursday night when friends of the Joffrey Ballet preview Giuliana Teso’s collection of furs at Somper Lowell’s new salon on Canon Drive. . . .

George F. Moody chairs United Way’s top leadership-giving group, the Alexis de Tocqueville Society, at its first anniversary dinner dance Oct. 31 at the Beverly Wilshire. . . .

Cheryll Wegge, Lynne Mitchell and Anne Blomstrom have ribbony glitz in the mail for San Marino League’s “Cinema and Supper in the Garden” next Sunday at the Art Center College of Design. . . .

Hasiah Begin and Jihan Sadat preview Gottex styles at a Fashions for Peace luncheon Monday at the Beverly Hilton. . . .

The California Arboretum Foundation with trustee and party chair Suzie Miller previews the upcoming Los Angeles Garden Show Thursday evening at the arboretum in Arcadia.

KUDOS: To Paul Boland, judge of the L.A. County Juvenile Court, honored by Friends of Child Advocates at the Los Angeles Hilton Monday. . . .

To new Junior League of Los Angeles president Robin Nenninger, a Security Pacific vice president. . . .

To Dorian Harewood and James F. Montgomery, awarded the Hunger Hero awards by Love Is Feeding Everyone at the Century Plaza. . . .

Floral fantasies turn to reality Wednesday when the Center for Applied Rehabilitation Technology is dedicated at Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center. Las Floristas gave $200,000 this year and expects to present another $320,000 from its 1989 Floral Headdress Ball.