"For the Love of Animals" Los Angeles Zoo Event Raises $1,226,000

By Laura Segal Stegman 

Los Angeles, CA - More than 900 guests were on hand for the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association's (GLAZA) Beastly Ball, called "one of L.A.'s biggest and most popular fund-raisers" by FOX News, on Saturday, June 20, 2009, under the stars at the Zoo. The 39th annual event, which raised $1,226,000, celebrated the theme "For the Love of Animals" and honored philanthropist and GLAZA Trustee Laura Z. Wasserman. Long-time GLAZA Trustee Betty White and GLAZA President Connie Morgan presented Wasserman with a crystal mother-elephant-and-calf sculpture in recognition of her commitment to animals. Former President Bill Clinton "appeared" in a video tribute to Wasserman, and she was also lauded from the stage by Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; Zoo Director John Lewis; GLAZA Chairman Tom Mankiewicz, City Council President Eric Garcetti and City Councilmembers Tom LaBonge, Grieg Smith and Wendy Greuel; and Congressman Adam B. Schiff.

Among those celebrating with Wasserman were her husband, Casey Wasserman, and their two children, Emmet and Stella, leading entertainment attorney Kenneth Ziffren (Laura Wasserman's father and event co-chair), GLAZA Trustee Nancy Dennis (event co-chair), GLAZA Trustee Kathy Nelson (president, Film Music, Universal Pictures, and event co-chair), GLAZA Trustee Dana Walden (president, Twentieth Century Fox Television and event co-chair), celebrity  auctioneer Fritz Coleman (KNBC TV weathercaster), director Anne Fletcher (of Betty White's new film, The Proposal), film composers David Newman and Hans Zimmer, former Dodgers pitcher Jim Gott, former Lakers star Elgin Baylor, FOX TV entertainment reporter Lauren Sanchez and FOX TV reporter Phil Shuman, among many, many others.

The fund-raiser marks more than 45 years of GLAZA's success in supporting the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Garden's work as an educational resource for the citizens of Los Angeles, and as an international center for the conservation of endangered wildlife.

Known as "one of the best parties in Los Angeles" (KCAL TV News), the Beastly Ball was a festive evening for guests, who came dressed in casual and safari attire, as they strolled through the grounds after hours to view Zoo inhabitants. The evening's route allowed viewings of black bears, hippos, a rhino, Sumatran tigers, mountain tapirs, and many other Zoo inhabitants, including Billy, one of its most famous. There were animal
feedings and "animal walkabouts," which included chats with keepers and the chance to observe small animals up close. Bountiful, delicious fare was provided by some of L.A.'s most popular restaurants, all donating their services, including Bar Celona, Celestino Ristorante, El Cholo, Fabiolus Café, Green Street Restaurant, Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana, La Poubelle, Maison Akira, Malo, Pink's Famous Hot Dogs, Parkway Grill, Arroyo Chop House, Cafe 140 South, Smitty's Grill, Spitfire Saloon, Smoke House Restaurant, Typhoon, Villa Sorriso and Yamashiro. Entertainment by world music groups and dancing to a live band were also part of the fun.

The Beastly Ball's Silent and Live Auctions included hundreds of remarkable items and one-of-a-kind opportunities. Among the lots sure to incite bidding wars are the "Ultimate Sports Package" (AON Construction Services' private Luxury Suite at the STAPLES Center for a 2009-10 season Clippers game, Kings game, and Lakers game, as well as a baseball game in the firm's suite at Dodger Stadium); a personal tour of the Zoo with rock icon Slash and Ian Recchio, the Zoo's Curator of Reptiles (plus a signed signature top hat and Guitar Hero guitar set from Slash); courtside seats for a Lakers game; an LAPD helicopter ride-along; and a private cocktail party at the Zoo with Betty White. Celebrity Auctioneer Fritz Coleman, the popular KNBC TV weathercaster, devotes much of his free time to charitable activities and has won a number of awards and honors for his dedication to community service.

GLAZA provides support for Los Angeles Zoo exhibits, conservation, capital projects, education programs, community outreach, research, and more through fund-raising and an endowment, membership, special events and more. GLAZA currently has 65,000 member households, the second largest membership base of a cultural organization in Los Angeles. Many of its nearly 300,000 individual members have sustained their GLAZA support for more than 20 years. The Los Angeles Zoo is an international leader in the conservation of endangered species and one of the city's major cultural and entertainment resources.

Photo: Enjoying the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) Beastly Ball are (l-r) LA Zoo Director John Lewis, long-time GLAZA Trustee Betty White (with Jacob the boa), honoree Laura Wasserman, and GLAZA President Connie Morgan.  Photo credit:  Jamie Pham

To view Los Angeles Zoo's web page on Zoo and Aquarium Visitor, go to: http://www.zandavisitor.com/forumtopicdetail-7-Los_Angeles_Zoo_&_Botanical_Gardens