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

Chaired by Donanne Kasikci, whose hotelier husband Ali opens the Montage next year, this 53rd annual gala was hosted by Ryan Seacrest. Santa MonicaÕs virtuoso violinist Stephanie Yu, all of 17 and now a YMF/Griffin scholarship awardee at Juilliard, played TchaikovskyÕs Waltz-Scherzo, Op. 34 on a vintage violin valued at $2 million, and Michael FeinsteinÕs ballads were applauded by the black-tie guests. Katharine McPhee and Cody Karey dueted, and family friend Clint Eastwood presented Tony Griffin with the Honorary Lifetime Chairman Award. Tony recalled funny anecdotes about growing up with Merv, often asking his school classmates, ÒWhat time does your dad go on TV?Ó YMF board member Louise Danelian, whose mom Sirpihe is 98 and going strong in Palm Desert, hosted a table with daughter Leslie, a successful caterer, and LeslieÕs beautiful 17-year-old daughter Emily, who spent a year living with a family in Rheims, France, and now speaks French as if it were her native language. Also joining Louise were Sandy Crosby, Robin Salter with daughter Amie, developer Gene Monkarsh with wife Fondra, a Philadelphia classmate of LouiseÕs, and tall, tanned and handsome Patrick Levrat of our Van Cleef & Arpels boutique in Beverly Hills. Patrick mentioned that the jewelerÕs Alhambra collection of necklaces, bracelets and rings with their clover shapes, introduced during the Õ60s, are todayÕs must-have symbols of elegance, as was BulgariÕs snake-coil wristwatch. Inspired by the Moorish quatrefoil, there are several designs. The Magic Alhambra that combines large and small clovers, and the Lucky Alhambra of heart, leaf and butterfly shapes with the clovers. Devotees of these charms include Manhattan socialistas of all ages, along with Reese Witherspoon, Sharon Stone, Demi Moore, Laura Linney, Mischa Barton. ÒAfter my marriage to Kirk Douglas more than 50 years ago, I became a citizen of the United States. I was astounded by the generosity of my new country. You believe that caring is sharing and try to make things better,Ó revealed Anne Douglas, upon accepting the Woman of the Year award presented by Jamie McCourt during the Friendly House luncheon at the Beverly Hilton. ÒI soon became active in the causes of womenÕs cancer research, renovating playgrounds and helping homeless women. ÒI have an additional interest now. Friendly House, whose doors were opened in 1951 on Normandie Avenue by Bea Jorgenson, the first treatment center for women that offered a compassionate alternative to destructive environments or incarceration. Recently the William Shatner family donated a second home in Castle Heights. Peggy Albrecht took over in 1983 Ð an amazing lady, who knows the problems of hopelessness, rejection and abuse. A great human being with 41 years of sobriety. Her success rate from the programs these women pass through is an astounding 78%, compared to the average 35% at the average hospital. Without any government or state funding, they rely completely on private donations, and itÕs up to us to enlist in this never ending campaign. ÒOur son Eric had this disease, we tried to help him overcome his battle with alcohol and drug abuse for 20 years. We did not succeed. He died from an overdose three years ago. Such a tragedy is difficult to deal with Ð they try to help you with the three CÕs, that you didnÕt Cause it, canÕt Control it, canÕt Cure it. But thatÕs not enough. Friendly House programs give us two more CÕs Ð Care and Compassion.Ó We salute Anne for founding the Anne Douglas Center for homeless women in downtown L.A., for founding the Anne and Kirk Douglas School Playground Restoration Program that has cleaned 400 dirty and dangerous playgrounds, and for her outstanding work with the Cedars-Sinai Research for WomenÕs Cancers. Anne was surrounded by husband Kirk, sons Michael, Joel with wife Jo Anne, and Peter with wife Lisa, the DouglasesÕ ace investment manager Anita May Rosenstein with realtor son Brian. Clancy Imislund, an advertising success with such campaigns as Elsie the Cow and Boss radio for KHJ, was honored with the Excellent Service Award for his 34 years as the managing director of the Midnight Mission. He explained that heÕs been sober for five decades, raises $1 million annually for the Midnight MissionÕs life-saving services and that his continual joy remains Òin seeing thousands of men and women return to society as responsible men and women.Ó Oh, to be a Brit like Roger Moore and speak spontaneously with such eloquence, as he did when he was crowned Mr. Wonderful at the Beverly Hilton during the Thalians 52nd Annual Ball benefiting mental health at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Those runaway vaudevillians, Debbie Reynolds, the Thalians president, and Ruta Lee, chairman of the board, hooted and hollered and cavorted while singing Bosom Buddies, and Howie Mandel was hilarious as the auctioneer. Neil SedakaÕs music stirred youthful memories with the loyal supporters, which included the evening chairs Dr. Nandi Chenik and wife Mara, with Eileen OÕNeill sponsoring the dinner and Margie McNally Petersen underwriting the show in loving memory of Nancy Reddin. In honor of Roger, a dozen glamour girls who appeared in his James Bond films were hither and yon, including Serena Scott Thomas (sister of Kristin) and Maud Adams, and a surprise guest was the attractive Jennifer Flowers. If you donÕt know who she is, thereÕs always Google. Online at www.bhcourier.com.?