ON THE TOWN:

From the steed wranglers, Stetson-adorned ranchers and cowpokes of the western frontier, to explorers of the final frontier of deep space, actor William Shatner William Shatner welcomed an eclectic array of guests to Burbank on Saturday as he staged his annual Hollywood Charity Horse Show at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center.

Best known for his role as television’s Captain Kirk, the commanding officer of the USS Enterprise in “Star Trek,” Shatner established this event 19 years ago to raise funds to benefit special-needs children. Among the numerous local and national charities that receive funding are Ahead With Horses, the Camp Max Straus Foundation, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, the Hollenbeck Police Athletic League, the Painted Turtle Camp, Starlight Children’s Foundation and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Throughout the late afternoon, guests donned in western wear perused a silent auction and were treated to numerous equestrian shows including the main event that was hosted by Shatner and his wife, Elizabeth.

Among the locals in attendance were Woodbury University President Ken Nielsen and his wife, Rose, and Burbank’s Behunin Construction President Tim Behunin and his wife, Glenda. Others included Jill and Nick Behunin, Caryn McDaris, Nicola McFarland, Mike Horn, Shelby and Theresa Moran, and Steve Senteney, who was accompanied by family members visiting from New Mexico including Jeff Jones, Maria Lefay and Leah Jones.

As the sun began to dip into the west, guests made their way from the show arena to The Equestrian Room for a gourmet dinner catered by celebrity Chef Fabio Viviani of Café Firenze and “Top Chef” fame. Following dinner, the assemblage was treated to a performance by country music legend Willie Nelson.

Among the special guests who came out to support Shatner’s charity were his “Star Trek” co-star Leonard Nimoy, who played the half-human half-Vulcan Spock, Nimoy’s wife, Susan; and the cast of the soon-to-be-released “Star Trek” prequel film including Chris Pine, who will play the role of the young James Kirk; Zachery Quinto, who will take on the pointy-eared role of Spock; Karl Urban, who will handle the role of Dr. McCoy; John Cho, who will portray Sulu; and Bruce Greenwood, who will appear as Captain Pike.

Other notables in attendance included Wildlife Waystation founder Martine Colette and international model, actress and over-the-top fashionista Phoebe Price.

Coordinated by Christopher Carley, the success of Saturday’s fundraiser was made possible by supporters and event personnel including Robert and Jessica Thackston, Edward and Sherry Slaugher, Larry Gimple, George Chatigny, B.C Cameron, Glen Carson, Mina Behboudi, Cherry Hepburn, Britta Peterson, Alex Field, Richard Arnold, Joan Erwin, Michael Regan, Caitlyn O’Hara, Randee Price, Teresa Crites, Arlene Nelson, Adam and Lori Malin, Sandy Moruzzi, Jane Singer, Leslie Walker, Ben Thomas, Rick Ehlers, John and Lynn Shane, Cate Crismani, Phil Englander, Guy Noffsinger, Jennifer Richards, Liz Helms, Tracey Kardash, Tom DeBone and Jan McElwee.

 DAVID LAURELL can be contacted at dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.