::: George Christy ::: From the Beverly Hills Courier

ÒI was in denial, didnÕt want to believe what was happening,Ó says Anne Ford, the great granddaughter of automobile king Henry Ford, whoÕs co-written On Their Own with John-Richard Thompson about parenting a learning disabled child and guiding them into adulthood. She was talking about her daughter Allegra Uzielli, now 35, who Anne had difficulty finding a proper educational facility for until she visited Gateway School in New York. ÒHow lucky we were, they were wonderful,Ó she added. Anne was at Kimm and Al UzielliÕs garden reception in her honor at the UziellisÕ Beverly Hills hacienda, Al being her son who co-owns the historic La Dolce Vita restaurant in Beverly Hills that was favored by Frank Sinatra, George Raft and their Rat Pack roustabouts. He heads Global Brands locally, working with Brian Daly and product-placing Ford vehicles in films such as Casino Royale. On Their Own is a companion piece to AnneÕs previous book, Laughing Allegra, another resource for parents. ÒThe books take about two years to write,Ó she says. Anne has those classic natural East Coast looks -- soft blonde hair (mercifully no friz), and sheÕs trim and athletic and fashion-savvy in her Oscar de la Renta dress. She noted that Allegra lives on her own in Cambridge, Mass., and has entered the dating world through a protective Internet group that checks out every posting. ÒIÕm all for the ÔsafeÕ Internet,Ó Anne says, Òand we delve into this in the new book -- social skills and dating, along with job hunting, finding the right college or trade school, interaction with employers and co-workers, sibling relationships even estate planning.Ó She praised Al for his deep understanding of his sister AllegraÕs situation when they were growing up Ð their dad is the late successful Manhatan restaurateur Gianni Uzielli. Anne mentioned numerous industry leaders whoÕve had learning disabilities, notably Richard Branson of Virgin Airways, who she interviewed, with Richard admitting that he couldnÕt tell the difference between gross and net figures. She also spoke with JetBlueÕs Charles Neeleman, Charles Schwab and West VirginiaÕs two-term governor Gaston Caperton, who faced learning disabilities and succeeded. The UziellisÕ beautiful daughters, Eleanor, 6, and Olivia, 3, romped in the garden, while lining up with their credit cards to buy books from the Book Soup clerk and have them autographed were AFIÕs Jean Firstenberg, Dennis Bogorad, who produced the National Enquirer TV show with Al Uzielli, Gerard Bocaccio, who heads Joel SilverÕs production company, wife Ivy Bocaccio, photographer Mark Jacobson. Public relations wizard Howard Bragman reported that his Fifteen Minutes firm is hot, with clients such as Ricki Lake, Rikki Klieman (Mrs. Bill Bratton), the controversial Isaiah Washington (ÒhomorageaolicÓ is how DefamerÕs Mark Lisanti describes IsaiahÕs slurs against a fellow cast member) -- HowardÕs recently bought ranch property in Ojai. We asked Anne about her niece Elena Niarchos, the daughter of AnneÕs sister Charlotte Ford and the late Greek shipping tycoon Stavros Niarchos, with Anne proudly noting that sheÕs working with the Ford Company in Detroit Ð Òand doing a wonderful job.Ó Lulu Powers, whose wedding to photographer Steve Danelian we attended some years ago, catered the hors dÕoeuvres and revealed that her 75-page proposal on entertaining impressed the editors at HarperCollins that sheÕs now tackling that arduous task of writing the book. What better than to introduce young people in the inner city to the excitement and stimulation of theater, and this is what the biennial Angels Night, chaired this year by Barbara Fodor, is about. Scheduled at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza last week, proceeds favored the Center Theater GroupÕs arts education program thatÕs benefited thousands of families for several decades. The gala honored insurance leader and CTG Theatre board president Richard Kagan, a longtime supporter of Los Angeles theatre, having guided operations at the Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum and Kirk Douglas Theatre. Launched by Ava and Chuck Fries early on, Angels Night features silent auctions of valuable works by artists Charles Arnoldi, Laddie John Dill, Lita Albuquerque, Jim Morphesis, Judy Stabile and dozens more. Our table was hosted by Sue Tsao, and tablemates included retina specialist David Boyer with wife Susan, WestwoodÕs Help-U-Sell realtor Henry Ho and his beautiful wife Vera. The Hos lucked into a $4,000 bargain valued at $9,180 during the silent auction, with private jet travel to Las Vegas for four people, a two-night stay in the two-bedroom penthouse at the MGM Mirage, dinner and show tickets. The evening raised $500,000. The filet mignon menu (or salmon, if you requested) was fine, but the hotel kitchen disappointed those at my table, who asked for mustard with their steak, and were given tiny plastic packets of HeinzÕs ballpark mustard that are impossible to tear open. When the waiter was asked for a mini jar of Dijon mustard that other hotels offer, he shook his shoulder. ÒThis is all the kitchen serves!Ó was the reprimand. For a prestigious and expensive hotel, one expects better. We do. Every so often one meets a lovely and talented luminary in a town that has its fair measure of flipperty-jibberty, with little stability among colleagues. Years ago, I was introduced to Diahann Carroll by her public relations mentor Jeffrey Lane, and how great that theyÕve remained friendly and loyal in their relationship thatÕs been solid for several decades. Public relations gurus are often rudely dismissed with egomaniacal posturing from their star clients. So it was that Jeffrey organized a drinks party benefiting the Screen Actors Guild Foundation for hosts Hannele and Stan Bharti at their West HollywoodÕs mansionette in the high-in-the-hills ÒbirdlandÓ area. Trouper that she is, Diahann arrived, radiating beauty, and committing to join the FoundationÕs board. More than a superstar, a grand actress and my favorite Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd WebberÕs Sunset Boulevard, Diahann has impeccable manners, a coveted style of throwaway chic, and would that our young starlets look to her for inspiration. Born in India but raised in Toronto, financial entrepreneur Stan commutes on his private plane between Canada and Los Angeles, where he maintains business interests, and during the reception he contributed a $10,000 check for the SAG Foundation to its executive director Marcia Smith. This will go toward, informs the foundationÕs administrator Tina Spears, to the unionÕs Òsocial center,Ó which will offer computer accessibility to members, audio, video and editing equipment for resumes, a screening room, classes and workshops with industry professionals. Co-hosting with Stan were Elliot Gould, Eddie Izzard and Tom Selleck, and we caught up with JoBeth Williams and John Pasquin, Jon Voight, who maintains a positive hope about his relationship with daughter Angelina Jolie, whose film, A Mighty Heart, premiered in Cannes. Critics anticipate an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Mariane Pearl, whose journalist husband Daniel was kidnapped and brutally murdered in Pakistan. ÒI like to think Ð and pray -- that one day Angelina and the family may be together É and I can be grandpa.Ó Online at www.bhcourier.com.