Contact: Laura Stegman
Public Relations for the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association
310/470-6321 (office), 310/991-2835 (mobile)

Honored Laura Z. Wasserman for her Commitment to Animals
and Raised $1,226,000 for Los Angeles Zoo

Evening's Fare Served by Top LA Restaurants

Among One-Of-A-Kind Auction Items was
Private Tour of Zoo with Rock Icon Slash and Zoo's Reptile Curator

More than 900 guests were on hand for the Greater Los Angeles Zoo
Association's (GLAZA) Beastly Ball, called "one of L.A.'s biggest and most
popular fund-raisers" by FOX News, on Saturday, June 20, 2009, under the
stars at the Zoo.  The 39th annual event, which raised $1,226,000,
celebrated the theme "For the Love of Animals" and honored philanthropist
and GLAZA Trustee Laura Z. Wasserman.  Long-time GLAZA Trustee Betty White
and GLAZA President Connie Morgan presented Wasserman with a crystal
mother-elephant-and-calf sculpture in recognition of her commitment to
animals.  Former President Bill Clinton "appeared" in a video tribute to
Wasserman, and she was also lauded from the stage by Mayor Antonio
Villaraigosa; Zoo Director John Lewis; GLAZA Chairman Tom Mankiewicz, City
Council President Eric Garcetti and City Councilmembers Tom LaBonge, Grieg
Smith and Wendy Gruel; and Congressman Adam B. Schiff.

Among those celebrating with Wasserman were her husband, Casey Wasserman,
and their two children, Emmet and Stella, leading entertainment attorney
Kenneth Ziffren (Laura Wasserman's father and event co-chair), GLAZA Trustee
Nancy Dennis (event co-chair), GLAZA Trustee Kathy Nelson (president, Film
Music, Universal Pictures, and event co-chair), GLAZA Trustee Dana Walden
(president, Twentieth Century Fox Television and event co-chair), celebrity
auctioneer Fritz Coleman (KNBC TV weathercaster), director Anne Fletcher (of
Betty White's new film, The Proposal), film composers David Newman and Hans
Zimmer, former Dodgers pitcher Jim Gott, former Lakers star Elgin Baylor,
FOX TV entertainment reporter Lauren Sanchez and FOX TV reporter Phil
Shuman, among many, many others.

The fund-raiser marks more than 45 years of GLAZA's success in supporting
the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Garden's work as an educational resource
for the citizens of Los Angeles, and as an international center for the
conservation of endangered wildlife.

Known as "one of the best parties in Los Angeles" (KCAL TV News), the
Beastly Ball was a festive evening for guests, who came dressed in casual
and safari attire, as they strolled through the grounds after hours to view
Zoo inhabitants.  The evening's route allowed viewings of black bears,
hippos, a rhino, Sumatran tigers, mountain tapirs, and many other Zoo
inhabitants, including Billy, one of its most famous.  There were animal
feedings and "animal walkabouts," which included chats with keepers and the
chance to observe small animals up close.  Bountiful, delicious fare was
provided by some of L.A.'s most popular restaurants, all donating their
services, including Bar Celona, Celestino Ristorante, El Cholo, Fabiolus
Café, Green Street Restaurant, Il Fornaio Cucina Italiana, La Poubelle,
Maison Akira, Malo, Pink's Famous Hot Dogs, Parkway Grill, Arroyo Chop
House, Cafe 140 South, Smitty's Grill, Spitfire Saloon, Smoke House
Restaurant, Typhoon, Villa Sorriso and Yamashiro.   Entertainment by world
music groups and dancing to a live band were also part of the fun.

The Beastly Ball's Silent and Live Auctions included hundreds of remarkable
items and one-of-a-kind opportunities.  Among the lots sure to incite
bidding wars are the "Ultimate Sports Package" (AON Construction Services'
private Luxury Suite at the STAPLES Center for a 2009-10 season Clippers
game, Kings game, and Lakers game, as well as a baseball game in the firm's
suite at Dodger Stadium); a personal tour of the Zoo with rock icon Slash
and Ian Recchio, the Zoo's Curator of Reptiles (plus a signed signature top
hat and Guitar Hero guitar set from Slash); courtside seats for a Lakers
game; an LAPD helicopter ride-along; and a private cocktail party at the Zoo
with Betty White.  Celebrity Auctioneer Fritz Coleman, the popular KNBC TV
weathercaster, devotes much of his free time to charitable activities and
has won a number of awards and honors for his dedication to community
service.

GLAZA provides support for Los Angeles Zoo exhibits, conservation, capital
projects, education programs, community outreach, research, and more through
fund-raising and an endowment, membership, special events and more.  GLAZA
currently has 65,000 member households, the second largest membership base
of a cultural organization in Los Angeles.  Many of its nearly 300,000
individual members have sustained their GLAZA support for more than 20
years.  The Los Angeles Zoo is an international leader in the conservation
of endangered species and one of the city's major cultural and entertainment
resources.

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The Los Angeles Zoo is located at 5333 Zoo Drive in Los Angeles' Griffith Park at
the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways.  For tickets and information, call 323/644-4708.