Town Hall Salutes Armand Hammer

What you give away comes back to you. Town Hall, Southern California’s prestigious forum for social discussion for more than 50 years, saluted Dr. Armand Hammer “for his humanity in his first 90 years” the other evening before an impressive crowd at the Century Plaza.

Town Hall chairman James P. Miscoll, executive vice president at Bank of America, announced dinner proceeds would establish the Armand Hammer American Heritage Series Endowment. Then, a pleased Hammer surprised the audience by announcing he was adding $100,000 to the endowment, which will afford high school and college students the opportunity to attend Town Hall meetings and hear prominent speakers.

Everyone from A. W. (Tom) Clausen, Bank of America chairman and Hammer’s banker, to Michael Milken of Drexel Burnham Lambert crowded the reception for the man Gregory Peck introduced as “an entrepreneurial genius.” (Hammer made his first million before college graduation.)

Former Town Hall chairmen Stender Sweeney and Frank Johnson; Town Hall governor James Bennett, and Town Hall’s new president, Adrienne Medawar, were in the limelight with the night’s honorary dinner chairman, Frank G. Wells, president and chief operating officer of the Walt Disney Co., and Hammer’s wife, Frances; Wells’ wife, Luanne; Miscoll’s wife, Inge, and Peck’s wife, Veronique. The women carried nosegays of African violets; Luanne said she intended to plant hers.

Then, it seemed everyone was in the jet stream: The Hammers were leaving the next morning for London to attend Prince Charles’ 40th birthday party hosted by Queen Elizabeth. (Hammer recalled that he first met Prince Charles at a London opening of Churchill paintings and that the prince invited him back to Buckingham Palace for tea.) Clausen was joining his wife, Peggy, in Washington to see his first grandson, born this week.

For the party, Hammer wore his French Legion of Honor on his left lapel, and a boutonniere of three white roses on the right. But, he definitely had bigger things on his mind: His first dream is peace, and in the documentary, “This Is Armand Hammer,” shown to the audience, he was photographed with presidents galore in pursuit of peace and prosperity. More recently, toward his second dream--to find a cure for cancer--he has given $5 million to the Salk Institute and raised $12.5 million in one night in New York for the kickoff of the March of Dollars for cancer.

Among the many in the audience applauding were Russell and Jeanne Smith, Anne and Bud Kenny, Charles and Marilyn Curland (she’s the actress Marilyn Erskine), Sandy McNutt and Keith Comrie (who will be married Jan. 8), Dr. Clayton LaForce, Shel and Sandy Ausman (she’s the county chief of protocol) and Supervisor Deane and Doris Dana.

SINCERE EFFORTS: The entertainment industry is joining forces with the Family Assistance Program of Hollywood for a gala Friday evening at the Four Seasons. Funds will go to the program’s services to homeless children and families.

Joan Van Ark is chairman of the $500-per-person event and each donor will receive a limited edition silk Christmas stocking from Neiman Marcus designed by Michele Blanche. Celebs who have bought tickets include James Woods, Sylvester Stallone, Skip Lowe, Judd Hirsch, Rob Stone, Barbara Eden, Esther Rolle and Cornell Wilde. Linda B. Ford is chairman of the Spare Change Project Committee involved with the benefit.

COMEDY AND HONORS: Jayni and Chevy Chase will be honored for their support for Big Sisters of Los Angeles by the Big Sisters Guild on Saturday evening at the Hollywood Palladium. Lauren Twente, president, is calling the night “Still Alive on Saturday Night.” The lineup for the comedy fund-raiser includes Chevy as auctioneer (a Jeep Cherokee LTD will be on the block), Goldie Hawn, Martin Short, Tom Scott and his band and comedian Etta Mae. Sally Field and Alan Greisman are honorary chairmen, and Sarah Purcell, Judy Pastore (she’s producing the event) and Lois Sarkisian give the night pizazz.

THAT RIVALRY: Parties galore surround the UCLA/USC football game Saturday. Robin and Gerald Parsky entertain post-game with chili. The Carriage Club, headed by Elizabeth Laverty, starts the day with 9 a.m. festivities at the Beach Club, then a tailgate barbecue and a supper.

WEDDING BELLS: They pealed last weekend for the marriage of Charlotte Jensen and Terry Inch, who met six months ago in Santa Fe, N. M. Mary Jensen and Joni and Clark Smith honored the couple Sunday at a black-tie dinner-dance at Hotel Bel-Air.

SAVE THE DATE: The 12th annual Heart Ball, for heart research at UCLA and USC, is Jan. 20 at the Beverly Hilton. Linda Posner heads the gala.

PLAUDITS: Stephen D. Moses receives the Jewish National Fund’s Tree of Life Award at a dinner tonight at the Beverly Hilton. . . .