8/26/01

By LORRAINE D. WILSON
NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

A memorable party has one essential element -- guests have a good time. A successful benefit also has one essential element -- it raises significant money for the cause. The Santa Barbara International Film Festival party was a fantastic success on both counts.

The relaxed, Fiesta-theme event raised $200,000 net (and still counting) to top all previous fund-raisers for the nonprofit. The formula was simple: Put together a committee with members who know how to have fun, and give guests the time to mingle (there was no seated dinner) in the splendid Montecito gardens of Diandra de Morrell Douglas. Provide good food, all donated by Bacara Resort & Spa, and good spirits, by Grey Goose Vodka, Don Julio Tequila, and wines by Laetitia and Barnwood. The auction was short and fun and called "The Magnificent Seven" because there were only seven outstanding items for the luscious Ann Gursey and funny man Kent Massey to auction.

Herb Simon was the "Numero Uno del Festival" sponsor, said the grateful co-chairwomen Jelinda DeVorzon, president of the Film Festival board, and Carolyn Allgeier, board member. But Mr. Simon turned the honor around saying, "These two women made the party," and husbands Barry DeVorzon and Michael Allgeier agreed.

"The number one rule for our committee was let's have fun doing this," said Mrs. DeVorzon. Reports were the committee meetings were a time for wit and laughter as the 35 women tried to link appropriate movie titles to each of the silent auction packages. They had solicited gifts from 97 patrons -- who could turn these powerful women down?

Gina Tolleson Thicke was on the committee along with Lana McIntyre, there with John, Julie Broida with David, Jan Fox, Carol Marsch, Mireille Noone, Carol Wagner with Bill who was wearing an authentic matador costume, Anne Gould with Billy, Roxanna Solakian, Pamela Massey and Nancy Walker Koppelman with Larry.

Many members of the event committee were also patrons including: Amanda Stonnington there with Nicholas, Anne Smith with Bob, Lisa Douglas with Peter, Julie Friedman, Kathy Jacobson with Jake, Marla McNally Phillips with Lee Phillips, Nora Hurley with Michael, Beverly Clark with Herk, KEYT-TV news reporter Martha Bull with Jon, and Arlene Montesano with Gene. She was featured in a mesmerizing dance performance with her dance partner David Alvarez.

More generous patrons serving on the event committee were: Kyle Brace, there with Rusty (she created the inspired invitation with Becky Berkus) Bernie Marquez with Tim, Stacy Pulice with Ron, Connie Smith-Nevins, and board members: Paula Ackerman with Tom, Daryl Stegall with John, Anne Luther with Julian Nott, Nancy Barry with Jeff and their houseguests Hildy and Paul Williams who was just inducted into the Songwriter Hall of Fame.

Patrons Annette and Harold Simmons flew in from Dallas just for the party and more patrons supporting the Film Festival included: Gary Lieberthal, former chairman of Columbia TriStar pictures, Angie and Stephen Redding, Leatrice and Eli Luria, Leslie and Paul Ridley-Tree, June Travolta, Andy and Dolly Granatelli, Rod and Faye Eson, Ed Snider, Kathy and Nick Zwick, Mary Ellen Tiffany representing Montecito Bank & Trust, and Film Festival board members: Dr. Joseph Pollock, board chairman, with Helene, Lucie Greer, Ivan Reitman with Genevieve, Bob Hatch with Linda, Arnold Kassoy and Stefan Lendi with Maryam.

Michael Bryant and Teresa Raymond were there and Maryann and Chris Edgecomb, Kerin and Eric Friden, Dr. George Walseth and Sue, actor Christopher Lloyd and Jane, comic Buddy Winston, actor Ray Liota, screenwriter Peter Seaman with Nini, Jill and Joe Nida, Frank and Sheila McGinity, Judy Foreman, Charles and Barbara de L'Arbre, David and Liz de L'Arbre, Sandi and Bill Nicholson, Nancy and J. D. Hornberger, Kari and Bruce Fraser, Steven Gilbar of Speaking of Stories, Irma and Morrie Jurkowitz with their newlywed daughter and son-in-law, Jill and Neal Levinson.