YMCA, a luau, Rotary, honoring Mark Peel, galas to come
The Anderson Munger Family YMCA hosted its inaugural Summer Soiree dinner and fundraiser on its rooftop sports deck overlooking the expansive Los Angeles skyline on Aug. 18. The skies were pink, the air was warm, the guests were dressed in their best summer threads and the party was on!
LONGTIME FRIENDS Elsa Gillham, left, and June Bilgore join in the YMCA salute to Jane Gilman, center.
Guests including Elsa and Larry Gillham, Pam Rudy and Pierre Debbaudt, June Bilgore, Martha and John Welborne, Richard Battaglia, Debbie and Mark Alpers, Alysoun Higgins, Jeannine Balfour, Laura Foti Cohen, Maria and Abel De Luna, Jennifer Enani, John and Terrill Perfitt, Danielle Reyes, Jennifer Rissier and more, were ushered up to the rooftop welcome reception where they immediately were wowed by the Y’s new and brightly painted rooftop murals. Next, they were drawn to the silent auction area that included lots of tempting purchases for charity. Delicious appetizers, dinner and desserts came from Homeboy Industry’s Homegirl Café.
ON THE ROOF, YMCA supporters dine. Left to right: Danielle Reyes, Jennifer Rissier, Jeannine Balfour, Maria and Abel De Luna, John and Terrill Perfitt and Jennifer Enani.
During the dinner, four awards were presented to civic leaders. At the outset, the Social Impact Award went to Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, who told stories of her own son’s attendance at the YMCA’s Camp Whittle near Big Bear — a familiar site described fondly by three teens interviewed just before her award. The Community Impact award went to Michael Pak, who started the Koreatown Run Club. The Lifetime Achievement Award went to the Larchmont Chronicle’s co-founder Jane Gilman, who was recognized for her years of dedication and community service. Longtime YMCA volunteer Scot Clifford received the Visionary Leadership Award. “I have a long history with the Y,” laughed Clifford. “I started at the Wilshire YMCA, then the Hollywood Y, and now the Anderson Munger YMCA, and it was an honor and privilege to be a part of it, but they gave so much more to me than I gave to them.”
Anderson Munger Executive Director Rae Jin also recognized current board chair Chase Campen and Summer Soiree co-chairs Patti Carroll and John Winther for their service.
• • •
The next night — the Saturday before the not-so-big tropical storm on Aug. 20 — saw 800 members and guests of The Beach Club gathered on the sand for a Centennial Luau to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the venerable Santa Monica institution. Many present and former residents of our part of town were spotted in the throng, including Bill and Daisy Brookes Spurgin, Chip Stuart, Don Liebig, Jim and Ginny Shelton, Carlotta and Ann Keely, Martha and John Welborne, David and Elita Hotaling Balfour and Alyce de Roulet Williamson, whose father was a founding member of the Club in 1923.
• • •
Earlier in the month, at the Wilshire Rotary Club Aug. 2 meeting at the Ebell Club, Jane Gilman transitioned from her longtime status as an honorary member to become a regular member.
WILSHIRE ROTARY CLUB of Los Angeles (WRC) moved longtime honorary member Jane Gilman to official status Aug. 2 at the Ebell Club of Los Angeles. Left to right: Pam Rudy, WRC co-vocational director; Elsa Gillham, WRC treasurer; Jane Gilman; Makiko Nakasone, District 5280 district governor; WRC President Janice Prior; and Dan Hodgkiss, WRC membership director.
• • •
Our “On the Menu” columnist, Helene Seifer, shared this report about an earlier event at the Ebell Club on July 28: “The club was host to a grilled cheese night in honor of the late acclaimed Campanile chef Mark Peel. His widow, now of two years, Daphne Brogden, planned the dinner as an homage to her late husband and his popular grilled cheese nights at the restaurant. The event officially kicked off an effort to raise funds for the Mark Peel Culinary Scholarship Endowment Fund at his alma mater, the Collins College of Hospitality Management at California State Polytechnic University – Pomona.
“The sold-out casual dinner seated 120 people who enjoyed crispy, melty grilled cheese sandwiches prepared by Brogden with help from their children, Vivien Peel, 17, and Rex Peel, 14.
“For more information about the Endowment Fund, go to crowdfund.cpp.edu.”
• • •
Mark your calendar. Several gala fundraising events are on the fall horizon.
The Los Angeles Philharmonic marks the 20th anniversary of Walt Disney Concert Hall on Thurs., Oct. 5, with an homage to the architect of the iconic building, Frank Gehry.
The inaugural fundraising gala for the Paul R. Williams Scholarship and Education Fund will take place Wed., Oct. 11, at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
SUMMER SOIREE Co-Chair Patti Carroll, left, and YMCA Executive Director Rae Jin review the schedule for the evening’s program.
Architect Paul Revere Williams, who passed away in 1980, was known to many as the “architect to the stars.” His namesake foundation aims to inspire the creative youth of a new generation.
The dinner fundraising event, entitled, “Strollin’ on the Avenue,” will celebrate Williams’ legacy.
Learn more at thepaulrwilliamscollection.com.
COUNTY SUPERVISOR Holly J. Mitchell told attendees about her own son’s adventures at the YMCA’s Camp Whittle.
Meryl Streep, Michael B. Jordan, Oprah Winfrey and Sofia Coppola will be honored at the Academy Museum’s third annual gala on Sat., Oct. 14. Co-chairs include Ava Duvernay, Halle Berry and Ryan Murphy.
Mingle with artists and supporters of Craft Contemporary at its annual benefit and auction on Sat., Oct. 21. Museum Executive Director Suzanne Isken will be honored at the event.
This year’s Art+Film Gala at LACMA honors artist Judy Baca and filmmaker David Fincher on Sat., Nov. 4. Museum Trustee Eva Chow and actor Leonardo DiCaprio will co-chair the 12th annual event.
Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will be honored at the Holocaust Museum LA’s 15th annual gala, “We Educate to Stop Hate,” Mon., Nov. 6, at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Also honored will be philanthropist Gregory Annenberg Weingarten and Sandra Gerson Kanengiser, a daughter of Holocaust survivors. Melissa Rivers will host.
And now you’re in the Larchmont know!
Category: People