Kaplan Serves As Beastly Ball Chair
By Clarice Prittie
© La Cañada Flintridge Outlook. July 11, 2002.
Funds Raised Top $1 Million
It was a night when records fell.La CañadaFlintridge resident GaryKaplanalmost couldn't contain his exuberance at the success of the recent Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA)'s 32nd annual Beastly Ball.A zoo trustee, Kaplan is president of the Pasadena-based executive search firm Gary Kaplan & Associates and served a second term as chair of the ball's steering committee.
More than 1,130 people in animal-themed dress attended the festivities held in Zoo Meadow.Kaplan predicted funds raised this year would go over $1 million.
A portion of the proceeds will support the construction of the Zoo's PachydermForest, a new environment for elephants that will include a hippopotamus aquarium with underwater viewing.The two-year project will break ground in October.
Animals in their exhibits stayed up late to observe the fun.Among them were giraffes, chimpanzees, rare blue-eyed lemurs and hippos.Animal keepers were on hand to show off their charges, some up-close and personal such as a horned-owl and falcon, colorful macaws, a ferret, and a Netherlands rabbit with small rabbit ears.
Entertainment included MarilynMonroe and GrochoMarx look-alikes, live musical combos playing salsa, swing and calypso, and Lion King-inspired characters such as 11-foot-hight horses on stilts.Partygoers enjoyed dinner specialties from 25 popular Los Angeles and San GabrielValley restaurants.
A highlight of the evening featured the Asian elephant Gita painting pictures for the live auction.She would dip her trunk, then splash the brush against a canvas held by her keeper. This year, Gita collaborated with acclaimed artist CharlesBragg for a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork.Multi-talented, she also accompanied a saxophonist by playing the xylophone and cymbals, again using her versatile trunk.
At Zoo Meadow, Kaplan welcomed guests to the most successful Beastly Ball in GLAZA's history.He expressed his appreciation to the tireless partners and wonderful friends on the steering committee.
Kaplan and his wife Linda were joined at their table by sons Jeff, Marc and Marc's wife Nicole, as well as La CañadaFlintridge friends DianeBradford, husband with DennisMarchand, and Beth and WalterMcNichols.
The many silent auction items included Posh Pads for Pets showcasing the talents of Los Angeles interior designers and upholsterers; safari trip passes to Shambala Preserve in the Mojave Desert, family fun packages, Pasadena POPS tickets and vacation getaways.
The master of ceremonies for the evening was actor/comedian BobSaget.Los Angeles Zoo Commissioner KarenB.Winnick was honored for her work with the zoo and with other organizations committed to wildlife conservation and children's education.Last summer, the zoo dedicated the Winnick Family children's Zoo, a place to bring children and animals together.
Renowned elephantresearch Cynthia Moss received the Distinguished Conservation Fellow Award.She has dedicated her life to the long-term study of African elephants and their conservation and is founder of African Wildlife Foundation's Amboseli Elephant Research Project.
Following the live auction, Kaplan gave the concluding remarks and made good an earlier prediction.He announced record-breaking attendance, the full accreditation of the Los Angeles Zoo and an incredible record of $1,074,000 raised.
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