Social City News by Marci Weiner - SPAGO GOES ROYAL, LITERARY LUNCH & THE A GALA

(This article originally appeared in the July 26, 2011 edition of the Century City News)

SPAGO GOES ROYAL, LITERARY LUNCH & THE A GALA
The Legendary Spago Restaurant prepared a Royal Luncheon in Honor of Prince Wiliam andKate’s arrival in Los Angeles. Along with prima ballerina, Dame Nayda Koscuik of the Masterpiece Dance Theatre, renowned realtor, Rachel Shabti, and TV Reporter, Tamara Henry, we were invited to sample the Royal Menu with co-owner Barbara Lazaroff and Chef Tetsu. Some of the tasty items included: Sweet English Pea Soup, “Toad in Hole” with summer truffle, and Devon Crab Cakes.
We were photographed and interviewed by news outlets, worldwide, including Channel 7, 11, 13 and Fox News, and are seen pictured here with Anchor Rick Lozano. A tasty intro to the whirlwind tour of the Royal Couple!
Master Chef Wolfgang Puck, the aforementioned Barbara Lazaroff and Sherry Lansing will gather LA’s top restaurateurs and vintners for California Spirit XXVII on August 7th at the Pacific Design Center to benefit American Cancer Society. Tickets are $350 and can be purchased at the event website www.calspirit.org. You are invited to partake in this gourmet food experience, with live entertainment and a humongous silent auction – and help fight this dread disease at the same time.
At another fundraiser, the “A Gala” benefiting the Aviva Family and Children’s Services, we were treated to a fabulous fashion show to preview
Monique Lhuiller’s Fall Ready to Wear Collection, and an exclusive viewing of prominent jewel Martin Katz’s private collection. This gala evening at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel was reminiscent of a chic supper club, complete with martini bars, fab hors d’ oeuvres, gourmet menu and dancing.
Among those honored for the support of the Aviva were Kelly Fisher Katz, whose philanthropic efforts include the Rape Treatment Center, and the United Friends of the Children; and Lhuiller, one of the most revered designers of our time, who is very active in a variety of philanthropic endeavors. Beautiful Susan Casden and Nancy Jane Goldstone chaired the elegant evening, which supports at-risk children. Also honored was retiring President, Andrew R. Diamond, who in his 23 years of service, helped Aviva become one of the most respected programs of its kind in the nation.

Michael Douglas Carlin is the director of the movies Luvicide and American Federale. Recently he completed a ten-year stint as the Publisher and Editor of the Century City News. Here his articles turned into three books: Rise a Knight, A Prescription for Peace, and Peaceful Protests.