Celebrities Give Up the Goods

Elizabeth Taylor, Neil Diamond, Whoopi Goldberg--even President-elect Bill Clinton--are providing you with the opportunity to buy their personal knickknacks as an enticement to attend Saturday’s AIDS Care benefit.

The Red Ribbon Celebrity Auction--a major fund-raiser for AIDS Care, a nonprofit Ventura County corporation--will be held at the North Ranch Community Center in Westlake Village. Auction-goers will have the chance to place the winning bid for such memorabilia as autographed movie posters, scripts and other personal items from many entertainment and sports celebrities.

How about a blue sequined cocktail dress from Wheel of Fortune’s Vanna White? Or an autographed cigar from James Coburn?

“I guarantee a fun evening,” said auction chairman Ron Halleran. “Besides the celebrity items, there are some great event tickets, hotel weekends and dinners at prestigious restaurants. My favorite items are a Davis Cup team shirt autographed by Andre Agassi and John McEnroe and an autographed David Hockney poster.”

AIDS Care--a United Way agency--provides free, confidential education and practical support services to all Ventura County residents affected by HIV and AIDS. Services include a daily food bank program, transportation, peer counseling, legal services, education workshops and residential care services.

Saturday’s event begins at 7:30 p.m. with a reception and preview look at the items up for auction. Bidding will commence at 8:30. Actresses Eileen Brennan and Linda Kelsey will mingle with guests and help auction the many items donated by the entertainment industry. Complimentary wine, beverages and desserts will be served. Former Disney animator “King” Saul will draw caricatures of guests.

Tickets are $30. The North Ranch Community Center is at 1400 N. Westlake Blvd. at Valley Springs Road, Westlake Village. For more information, call 643-0446 or (800) 540-2437.