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Food

Gentlemen Prefer Pink's, Gorillas Prefer Greens: LA Zoo Announces Annual Gala

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The Beastly Ball is on the books for 2010, and The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association's long-running fundraiser got a juicy preview yesterday morning in Griffith Park with a little help from Pink's hot dogs and the LA Zoo and Botanical Gardens' collection of gorgeous gorillas.

No, they were not feeding hot dogs to gorillas, calm down. Pink's was on-site to feed the humans only, offering veggie and original dogs with their signature chili and cheese to the press conference attendees. The LA Zoo gorillas instead enjoyed a beautiful feast of fruits and vegetables prepared by local Los Angeles restaurants participating in this year's 40th annual dinner gala (June 19).

Chefs and owners from Yamashiro, La Poubelle, El Cholo, Malo, Celestino Ristorante, Green Street, Clancy's Crab Broiler and Maison Akira showed up to promote the conservation and education efforts of the Los Angeles Zoo, as did City Councilmember Tom LaBonge, Zoo Director John Lewis and GLAZA President Connie Morgan.

Betty White -- animal advocate, oversexed television host, oversexed radio guest, and the last Golden Girl standing -- will be honored at this year's Beastly Ball by co-chairs Sir Elton John, Jane Goodall, Jay Leno, Sandra Bullock, Jamie Lee Curtis and others.

The 88-year old actress' love for animals has developed into a devoted partnership with the LA Zoo spanning more than four decades.

Tickets to the Beastly Ball are $1000 per person. More info at (323) 644-4753, www.lazoo.org.

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