Operation Smile & Young Musician’s Foundation

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Hollywood Beat

Operation Smile & Young Musician’s Foundation


Operation Smile & Young Musician’s Foundation

Deborah Borda, President of the L.A. Philharmonic, received the Magic Baton at the Young Musician’s Foundation at the Beverly Hilton.  Borda joined such luminaries as Henry Mancini, Carl Reiner, Richard Dreyfuss and Dudley Moore who have also received this honor, and legendary composer/conductor John Williams (Star Wars, Harry Potter films and Superman) was on hand to make the presentation.

Fourteen-year-old violin prodigy Simone Porter opened the show with themes from Carmen, and was backed by the YMF Debut Orchestra, composed of 55 musicians under the age of 25!  Other guest artists included Broadway star Lisa Vroman, who portrayed Christine in The Phantom of the Opera, and Jean-Yves Thibaudet, hailed as “one of the best pianists in the world”.  His treatment of Gershwin’s I Got Rhythm had everyone in the audience spellbound.

Kudos to Community Leader, Wells Fargo, and  Case Scaglione, who conducted the extremely talented young musicians.  As Co-Chairs Beverly Bergmann and Susan Chalek stated, “Music unifies a community.  The future depends not only on the gifted students, but also in development of new audiences among the young.

A special applause to Annie & Sheldon Lehrer who received the Spirit of Hope award from the Associates for Breast & Prostrate Studies at the same hotel, a few nights earlier.  Beautiful blonde Annie, originally from Puerto Rico, is passionate volunteer for a number of worthy causes, including Childhelp, Sheba Medical Center and City of Hope, and is a cancer survivor herself.  This strong and courageous woman is definitely our Lady of the Week.

And last, but not least, gorgeous Guilana Rancic (E Entertainment) hosted a star filled benefit to draw attention to Operation Smile at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.  Celebs were encouraged to design Glade scented oil candles to raise funds for children who require life-changing surgery. Some of the lovely ladies working the computer aided designer included Alyssa Milano (Charmed), Lauren Conrad (The Hills) and Beverly Hills 90210 charmer, Lori Laughlin. You can view their designs at www.designandshine.com and try your hand at the process through Oct. 31st.  Happy Halloween to my friends on the Hollywood Beat.

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Glade Girls – Lauren Conrad, Guilana Rancic & Lo Bosworth

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Alyssa Milano on computer, designing her Glade candle

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Honoree Deborah Borda, L.A. Philharmonic, with Board Members of YMF, Jonathan Weedman & Edye Rugolo

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14 year old Violinist, Simone Porter

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Annie & Sheldon Lehrer – Honored by ABC


As a television personality, guest speaker, newspaper reporter and columnist and one of the social arbiters of Los Angeles, Marci Weiner has touched every aspect of entertainment journalism. She has appeared as guest reporter on TV shows including Joan Rivers shows, Eye on LA, and the USA Network. In addition, she has hosted her own segments on Soap Talk, Hollywood Style and Hotline after Dark. You may contact Marci for info and invitations at [email protected]

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