PARTY LINES : BLOOMINGDALE'S SOIREE CASTS FESTIVE GLOW.

Byline: Barbara De Witt 

Party, party, party. That little black dress is really getting a workout this month. But most of the events were fun, and the money raised went to worthy causes.

Bloomingdale's at Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks threw a benefit shopping soiree called Light Up the Night, showering guests with freshly made snow as they arrived and creating a festive party scene in the store aisles.

The event, a first for the relatively new-in-L.A. Bloomies, was a combined benefit for the Greater Los Angeles Council on Deafness, the June Ebensteiner Hospice Foundation and the Ventura County Medical Resource Foundation.

Honorary co-chairs Nanette Fabray, Marlee Matlin and Jackie Autry mingled with the crowd while ``Brady Bunch'' mom Florence Henderson sang with the strolling carolers. Other entertainment included KTLA's Jennifer York and her All Girl Band, Roy Johns and the Girls on Stilts, the Voices of Christmas, the Deaf Children's Choir and Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Guests and their children visited, nibbled on beef kebabs, shrimp and pastries, shopped and then watched as the lights on the giant tree on top of the store were plugged in.

Betty and Robert Kochsiek of Simi Valley were among the guests, and they explained that they have bought a light each year to represent a loved one who has passed away. ``We've participated for six years, but this is our first time at Bloomingdale's. We didn't know what to expect, but the party really puts you in a festive mood,'' said Betty.

Seven-year-old William Jenkin of Cyprus agreed. The entertainers on stilts and the trained monkey were fun, but what he really liked was the music-making machine just for children. And the treats.

More than 800 of the city's A-list paid $350 each to honor Wolfgang Puck and Barbara Lazaroff at the Stars of Tomorrow gala held Nov. 8 at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, and the bottom line was $200,000 for the Fulfillment Fund that helps disadvantaged students receive an education.

Actors Denzel Washington and Alfre Woodard hosted and emceed, and educator Reveta Bowers made the award presentation to the philanthropic restaurateurs. Gray Davis was seen working the room, spotted with such heavy-duty movie-biz players as Phil Gersh, Sandy Climan, Johnny Gilbert and John Davis.

Entertainment was provided by gifted young artists - the kind the Fulfillment Fund nurtures - including saxophonist Scheila Gonzales, violinist Rachel Kim, operatic vocalist Jessica Tivens, vocalist Jeremy Schrock, pianist Hye-Su Kim and singer Tori Owens. The L.A. teens performed with the Hamilton High School Gospel Choir and the USC Jazz Band.

Spago alumni chefs cooked their little hearts out, dishing out seared rare tuna prepared by Nancy Silverton and Mark Peel, Maine lobster soup by Lissa Doumani and Hiro Sone, rack of lamb by Makoto Tanaka and warm Valrhona chocolate cake by current Spago pastry chef Sherry Yard.

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7 Photos

Photo: (1) Stars of Tomorrow honorees Wolfgang Puck and Barbara Lazaroff, left, chat with Encino residents Cherna and Gary Gitnick, the founder of the Fulfillment Fund that sponsored the black-tie gala at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

(2) Nanette Fabray, left, Florence Henderson and Marlee Matlin spread some holiday cheer at the Light Up the Night benefit at Bloomingdale's in Sherman Oaks.

(3) June Ebensteiner of Calabasas, left, Marcella Meyer of Eagle Rock and Sharon Bick of Ventura represented the three agencies benefiting from the Light Up the Night shopping soiree.

(4) Jim O'Leary, design director for Waterford crystal, presented a crystal vase to the Los Angeles Philharmonic Affiliates for their outstanding civic work. The reception was held at Macy's in Sherman Oaks.

Evan Yee/Daily News

(5) Fernando Award finalists Kenneth Banks, left, Phillip ``Flip'' Smith, Walter Mosher Jr., Horace Heidt and Terry York schmoozed before the winner was announced at the black-tie gala held at the Warner Center Marriott Hotel in Woodland Hills. The event was sponsored by numerous Valley businesses, including the Daily News.

(6) Doing the party scene at the Fernando Awards were Kris Dieken, left, Christine Schreiner and Vicky Smith, wife of Fernando Award winner ``Flip'' Smith.

David Crane/Daily News

(7) Jessica Tivens, a 16-year-old Valley girl, performed with opera star Michael Crawford at the Champions of Children gala at the Beverly Hilton. The Children's Institute International gala honored Stewart Resnick and raised $1 million for at-risk youth.