PARTY LINES : FULFILLMENT FUND'S BOUTIQUE LUNCHEON GRAND.

Byline: Barbara De Witt 

Boutiques are becoming a big deal at benefits. You know, that new trend toward shopping during the cocktail hour before the gala officially begins.

Unlike a shopping expedition to Macy's or Robinsons-May, benefit boutiques actually encourage you to browse the merchandise with a glass of merlot or a martini in your hand.

Such was the case at the Friends of the Fulfillment Fund's annual spring luncheon Wednesday at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Strolling through the elegant hotel in the best pastel suits, guests oohed and ahhed over replicas of Victorian purses, jewelry, sweaters, autographed pictures of celebs like Gillian Anderson and Mike Piazza (still in his Dodger uniform), and handpainted cat food dishes and garden stones.

Among the best dressed was Sandy Rake of Tarzana, who was wearing a bright pink and green suit with a pink tulle-covered hat made to match by L.A. milliner Drea Kadilak. With her was her mother Rena Rake, who was celebrating her birthday, but she wouldn't say which one.

Also wearing a green suit was Fulfillment Fund president Marilyn Spencer of Encino, who was particularly excited because she was going to present the group's Friendship Award to her own mom, Esther Faber. ``Mom has always been so charitable, beginning with the Red Cross and Community Chest,'' said Spencer, who has been active with the 20-year-old organization dedicated to keeping underprivileged youth in the Los Angeles Unified School District in school.

Also honored were actors Shirley Jones and her smart-mouthed but lovable husband Marty Ingels, who told us it's not easy living with four Irish Catholics, especially when one (Jones) is such a goody two shoes.

``I try to make him David Niven, but it just doesn't work,'' lamented Jones with a laugh. After some banter, they challenged the Fund to keep up the good work so we won't need juvenile halls, prisons or rehab centers, reminding the audience that 80 percent of U.S. inmates are high school dropouts, while 93 percent of the kids mentored by volunteers, such as Mentor honoree attorney Steve Dem of Encino, go on to college.

The luncheon that included chicken breasts stuffed with ragout of wild mushrooms and wrapped in phyllo with champagne sauce was planned by event chairwoman Elaine Verchick. The festivities went on into the late afternoon, with a fashion show provided by Mondi stores and Alfred Dunhill of London, a live auction ... and more shopping.

At the Universal City Sheraton Hotel, a different group of guests gathered in tuxedos and cocktail attire to celebrate Israel's Golden Jubilee and the Tree of Life Award dinner sponsored by the Jewish National Fund of Greater Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. Although there weren't any big shopping opps, it was a blast with wild folk dancing, rock 'n' roll and some cheek-to-cheek numbers before we settled down to chicken and salmon dinners with fresh berries and whipped cream stuffed into folded cookies that looked like taco shells and were quickly devoured.

But the purpose of the gala was to honor Encino attorney Lee Kanon Alpert, who was roasted and toasted for his many good deeds in the community by fans who shared stories of friendship, free hair cuts, pro bono work ... and how, when asked by the Jewish League for donations, he gave his aunt and uncle. Among the speakers who talked about Alpert and his ties with organizations such as the Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center, California Sate University, Northridge, and the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles bar associations were Los Angeles Police Chief Bernard Parks, past Tree of Life recipient David Fleming and Jewish National Fund executive vice president Russell Robinson.

The bottom line? They all described him as an example of a committed citizen.

Waxing sentimental over all the hoopla and awards bestowed upon him, Alpert thanked and introduced his entire family, his secretary, law partners, and the Fund supporters who have made sure most of the money raised was spent on building schools and planting trees in Israel, which he calls an integral link to the world.

Others in attendance included politicians Laura Chick and Richard Alarcon, San Fernando Chief of Police Domenic Rivetti, CSUN president Blenda Wilson, Fernando Award winner Bud Brown, former Daily News publishers David Auger and Larry Beasley, and current Daily News publisher Ike Massey.

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5 Photos

PHOTO (1) Congratulating honoree John Wooden, center, are Olympic gold medalist Rafer Johnson, left, UCLA chancellor emeritus Charles Young; former UCLA basketball players Jimmy Spillane and Bill Walton. Wooden, who was UCLA's head basketball coach from 1948-1975, received the ICON Award from the UCLA Center on Aging at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel for a lifetime of contributions to society. More than $210,000 was raised for the center.

Phil McCarten/Daily News

(2) Carmen Vona, left, gives daughter Pamela Lynn Vona a kiss at the annual promenade of debutantes sponsored by the San Fernando Valley Chapter of the National Charity League. The gala was held May 16 at the Warner Center Marriott Hotel and included a fashion show with styles from Cache, Gap, Wet Seal, Magnolia, Laurie Weir, Jessica McClintock and Windsor Fashion shops.

David Sprague/Daily News

(3) Lee Kanon Alpert, with wife Arlene, was honored with the Tree of Life Award at the Jewish National Fund gala held Wednesday at the Universal Sheraton Hotel.

(4) Schmoozing at the Jewish National Fund party are Irwin and Anna Rosenberg of Northridge, left, Los Angeles City Councilman Richard Alarcon and San Fernando Chief of Police Domenic Rivetti.

Evan Yee/Daily News

(5) Oscar winner Shirley Jones, left, and husband Marty Ingels mug for the camera with Marilyn Spencer, president of the Friends of the Fulfillment Fund, at the group's annual luncheon held Wednesday at the Beverly Hills Hotel.