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Desert RoundupBy: Frances AllenA crescent moon above the towering palms, the forecourt filled with pre-World War II automobiles, and above the doorway, just beyond the fountain in the courtyard, the words “Rick’s Café Americain” glowed softly in neon. Entering through the rough-hewn wood doors, guests were greeted by a white-jacketed Humphrey Bogart lookalike, unlit cigarette in one hand, black hat in the other. At the piano, Bill Marx, also in a white dinner jacket, played the tunes the world listened to in an effort to mask the sounds of approaching war. No, it wasn’t 1940 Morocco, but for one evening last week, the Thunderbird Heights Estate of Bill and Tani Austin was converted into a bit of Casablanca as guests kicked off the second annual Desert Extravaganza weekend in support of The Thalians Mental Health Clinic at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in West Los Angeles and the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage. Fez-capped waiters served cocktails and hors d’oeuvres to guests—many of whom dressed as if they were on a night out 60 years ago—while Bill Marx and his trio provided the pre-dinner entertainment. The Richard DeSantis’ lighting carried the motion picture-themed event outside, where tables with a bowl of white Casablanca lilies in the center were placed around a pool featuring the word “Casablanca” shimmering through the pale blue water. The dinner, however, was anything but café fare. Elizabeth Holt, event manager at the Rancho Las Palmas Marriott Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage, and her remarkable staff catered a gourmet dinner nearly as memorable as the movie’s signature tune. And then it was time for entertainment—but not before the event’s major underwriters, Jackie Lee & Jim Houston and Bill & Tani Austin, were presented with the aptly titled “Spirit of Wisdom,” a specially created sculpture by internationally acclaimed sculptor John Kennedy. If Rick’s Café had put on a floorshow like the one at the Austin’s house, no one would have wanted to leave Casablanca. Philanthropy’s favorite comedian Norm Crosby—whose heart is even bigger than his hilarious repertoire—opened, followed by Frankie Randall, a man who’s performed in more nightclubs than Bogart ever entered. Rick’s Café Americain also had a surprise in store for guests last week; Keelly Smith, one of the best torch and jazz singers ever to step up to a microphone, held everyone enthralled as she reprised “That Old Black Magic” and other hits. Had Rick’s been open all night, the guests would have stayed, but the Desert Weekend Extravaganza was not nearly over. The following day the people who know how to put the fun back into fundraising gathered in the Sculpture Gardens of the Palm Springs Desert Museum for cocktails and “heavy” hors d’oeuvres before being transported to that evening’s performance of the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies. Barbara Sinatra, Children’s Center founder, attended all the weekend’s events, as did Ruta Lee, the Thalians’ president; Thalians Presidents Club founder, Dr. Irwin Lehrhoff; Lee Appel & Richard Victor; Shari Appelbaum; Byron & Ellie Vallee Clark; Mr. Blackwell & Spencer; Ron & Mara New; Beverly & Bob Cohen; Madelyn & Marvin Gussman; Marilyn & Jerry Blue; Buddy & Chase Burke; Dr. Ed Domanskis & Kiesha; Margaret & Don Kott; Gary & Diane Silvers; Stephanie Hibler & Gary Maloof; and, the guest who traveled from Florida to attend, Bill Mathay. The weekend’s spirit of fun and camaraderie was so strong that Larry Rosenblum hosted a post-event brunch at Canyon Country Club for long-time friends Jackie Rosenberg; Harold & Marg Victor; Bob & Nikki Bernard; Sandy Krause; Bill Fitzgerald; Robert and Toni Kramer; Nancy Conrad; and Larry’s brother, Bert Rosenblum with Adelle Heller. Unquestionably, the Desert Extravaganza was a triple-A event. The ambiance, activities and attendees made it memorable but it was the underwriters who made it possible. They don’t ask for recognition but Bill & Tani Austin, Bob & Sandra Borns, Jim & Jackie Lee Houston, Kirk Kerkorian, Harold Matzner and Beverly Rogers deserve all the esteem and admiration in which they’re held. They were our angels, and the weekend shone in the glow of their halos. I’m not sure about Santa Claus, but I know there is a Tooth Fairy. In fact, I know of two. Late Saturday afternoon, one of the Desert Extravaganza guests had a cap from a front tooth come off its post. What to do? The guest was from Los Angeles, knew no one locally, and while the Thalians and Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center number an array of healthcare professionals among their members, there is a definite lack of dentists. Enter Tooth Fairy No. 1, in the guise of beautiful Academy Award nominee, Carol Connors. Carol, who co-wrote the Rocky theme and whose “To Know Him is To Love Him” still ranks among rock-n-roll’s top 100 songs of all times, had performed at Rick’s Café the night before. Trouper that she is, the girl who penned “gotta fly now” did just that. Although a resident of Beverly Hills, Carol has friends worldwide, and in less time than it took to flap her gossamer wings she came up with the phone number of Palm Springs dentist Jay Jorgensen, DDS, the second Tooth Fairy. Carol told the dentist about the toothless woman’s plight. Not only did he leave his home and open his office late on a Saturday afternoon, he reattached the tooth and then, for good measure, polished Carol’s teeth…all at no charge, and all in time for them to make the Follies’ opening curtain. Now, when someone asks me for the name of a dentist, guess whom I’m going to recommend? Contact Frances Allen at her Beverly Hills Courier Email address: fallen@thebeverlyhillscourier.com. |
