The summer evening was perfect for GLAZA's 40th Annual Beastly Ball held Saturday June 19th at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens to honor entertainment icon Betty White, a longtime GLAZA supporter and Trustee. The event raised $1,191,461 for the Zoo.

White was named Ambassador to the Animals of the City of Los Angeles by Mayor Villaraigosa in 2006 for her dedication to the care of, and loving concern for, all animals. She readily admits, ”I love this zoo with all my heart...I've been a zoo lover all my life.”

In a March 2010 interview she discussed “her 46 year partnership with the Los Angeles Zoo, calling it one of her two loves in life, alongside show business.”

According to Glaza president Connie Morgan of La Canada, “Betty White is synonymous with the Los Angeles Zoo…and honoring her is our great joy.”

Zoo director John Lewis agreed,”Betty is truly one of the greatest fans of the LA Zoo… she knows our animals and staff on a first name basis and when she's not on television or in a movie you can usually find her here at the zoo.”

NC/S star Pauley Perrette served as emcee for the evening's program which included video tributes to White by Jay Leno, Alex Trebek, Jane Goodall, Craig Ferguson as well as in- person honors from City of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; US Congressman Brad Sherman and City of Los Angeles Councilmember Tom LaBonge. White's Award was presented to her by GLAZA president Morgan, GLAZA chairman Tom Mankiewicz and Lewis.

Attired in casual or safari garb, over 1,000 guests strolled through the zoo, viewing its inhabitants in the Australia, Great Ape, and Aquatic areas. Animal feedings and ”animal walk-abouts” were featured including chats with keepers strolling among the crowd handling, among others, a boa constrictor, a turtle, a slithery brown snake and owls, a beautiful turquoise and yellow macaw. A marimba band kept things lively and a colorful giant “butterfly “ on stilts kept young people amused. While feasting on tasty fare, provided by some of L A and Pasadena's most popular restaurants, attendees were able to view and bid on conveniently located silent auction items.

At the appointed time, following the close of the silent auction, guests were summoned to the plaza area where they were given the red carpet treatment as they entered. Attendees were encouraged to continue their feasting before being seated for the program.

Following the presentations and tributes to Betty White a live auction was held, conducted by popular weatherman Fritz Coleman and Jimmy Pardo, Among the most popular items were a pre-opening tour of the Zoo's new Pachyderm Forest with Betty White; a visit with Zenyatta one of horseracing's all time greats at Hollywood Park race track with her owners and racing manager; and the LA Zoo's Vets package -a behind-the-scenes experience at the zoo's Gottlieb Animal Health and Conservation Center. Dancing and desserts concluded the evening's activities.

Participating restaurants included Bar Celonoa, Cafe 140 South, Celestino Ristorante, Clancy's Crab Broiler, El Cholo restaurant-LA, Fabiolus Café, Green Street Restaurant, Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana, La Poubelle Bistro and Bar, Ixtapa Cantina, Maison Akira, Malo Cantina, Pink's Famous Hot Dogs, Villa Sorriso, and Yamashiro.

Other dignitaries in attendance were Los Angeles PD Chief Beck, Councilwoman Janice Hahn and James Hahn.

Attending from our area were Tom and Lisa Evans, Colleen and Ty Evans, Kimberly and Robert Shepherd, Jane and Kris Popovich, Jeanne and John Matthiesen, Mary and Bill Urquhart.