PARTY LINES : SEXY STARS DO THEIR PART FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN.

Byline: Barbara De Witt 

About 900 of the city's sexiest people gathered at a Westwood penthouse Thursday night to sip champagne (it's been rated as the city's sexiest drink), bid on trips to exotic locales and dance till dawn (or at least until 10 p.m.).

The event was InStyle magazine's ``What's Sexy Now'' party to honor the celebs featured in its September issue and raise $100,000 for the Los Angeles Youth Network, an organization that provides food, clothing and shelter for homeless children. To get the money, ``ER'' star Anthony Edwards - who was featured as one of the ``Who's Sexy Now'' people - played auctioneer for a variety of big prizes, including a new VW Beetle (it sold for $16,000), a day on the set with the cast of ``ER'' (it went to two bidders for $4,500 each) and a trip to Bora Bora.

``NYPD Blue'' star Sharon Lawrence was in attendance, hoping to be the top bidder for the Bora Bora trip (she later got it for $6,000). But she said she really came to the party because of her respect for Edwards. ``He's one of the coolest guys in the world. He puts his money where his mouth is,'' said Lawrence.

Later in the evening, I cornered Edwards and asked what it was like to be called one of the sexiest guys around town. ``It feels good because LAYN is my favorite charity. I'd put on a clown suit if it would help them,'' he said.

Helen Hunt, the only actress to win an Emmy and an Oscar in the same year, was there, too. ``I always attend events to support LAYN,'' she said.

Also featured in InStyle as some of the year's sexiest stars were Jenna Elfman, Rupert Everett and Bai Ling, who all showed up for the party. Drew Carey was there, too. ``What, I wasn't on the list?'' he said with a wink and a smile.

To support the charity and Edwards, numerous members of the ``ER'' cast were in attendance, including the popular show's newest member, Kellie Martin, who has turned into a class act reminiscent of Grace Kelly.

The fashion scene was big on gray capri pants worn with tight sweaters and high-heeled sandals, anything trimmed with marabou feathers and the usual black cocktail dresses.

The eats? We dined on endless appetizers, ranging from goat cheese and tomato pizza to roast beef sandwiches to coconut and chicken on radicchio leaves prepared by La Cuisine of L.A.

Back in the Valley, about 300 folks put on their black-tie best for the Olive View-UCLA Medical Center Foundation's annual Nelle Reagan Award gala at the Warner Center Marriott. According to partygoer Marilyn Hankins, they dined on chicken Wellington and mousse with chocolate sauce and danced to the music of the Karla Ross Orchestra.

Foundation president Pat Ryan presented the big award to car dealer Terry York, who was surrounded by his family - wife Carole and children Todd, Natalie, Tim and Tiffany.

Among the guests were Supervisor Mike Antonovich and his new bride, Christine, who was stunning in a lush brown velvet gown. Party hostesses were Beverly Froelich and Nancy Baker-Lamb.

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7 Photos

Photo: (1) John Schulman, left, and Robert Jangstra, right, schmooze with German designers Johnny Talbot and Adrian Runhof at the ``All About Eve'' fashion show at Giorgio Beverly Hills.

(2) Michael Eisner, left, chats with Donna and Joe Roth at the 24th annual Dinner of Champions gala. The benefit for the local chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society honored Roth, chairman of the Walt Disney Co.

(3) Doing the party scene at the Phoenix House gala at the Bel-Air Hotel are Getty Center architect Richard Meier, left, California first lady Gayle Wilson, Phoenix House board member Grant Tinker and founder Mitchell Rosenthal. The event honored Meier with the Landmark Achievement of the Arts Award and raised $150,000 for the L.A.-based nonprofit substance-abuse service agency.

Berliner photo

(4) Wearing their black-tie best are Carole York and her husband, Terry, who was honored with the Nelle Reagan Award for distinguished coTmmunity service at the Warner Center Marriott Hotel in Woodland Hills.

Andy Holzman/Daily News

(5) ACLU Foundation of Southern California's Torch of Liberty honorees Margery Tabankin, left, and Mercury Records chief Danny Goldberg share a moment with ACLU director Ramona Ripston at the recent Torch of Liberty dinner. The event raised $650,000 for the group's civil rights legal program.

(6) Dubnoff Center director Gil Freitag, left, congratulates Joan and Albert Lizer, who received the humanitarian award at the center's 50th anniversary gala Thursday night.

(7) Jan and Mitch Fogelman of Northridge check out the artwork offered at the silent auction during the Dubnoff Center gala, held at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City.

John Lazar/Daily News