Condolences to family, friends and associates of the late Paul Allen, a group that includes Marc Nathanson, who sold his Falcon Cable TV to the Microsoft co-founder in 1999 for $3.7 billion. Nathanson had occasion to recall Allen fondly just a few days before his passing, part of some casual conversation during the cocktail hour held by the downtown-based Pacific Council on International Policy as part of its PolicyWest conference on Oct. 12 at the Beverly Hilton (see related Commentary, page 48) … Patrick Soon-Shiong also did some talking at PolicyWest, taking the stage during the dinner hour for a Q&A with one-time CNN White House correspondent Jessica Yellin, who’s off-screen and in Los Angeles finishing up a novel these days. Yellin’s timing might be just right – Soon-Shiong said his Los Angeles Times is working on its own TV network and plans to start with one hour of programming daily from a studio it’s building at its new HQ in El Segundo. No more details from the stage or follow-up inquiries to the Times… Pacific Council is one of Los Angeles’ gems when it comes to nongovernmental engagement overseas and so is the Santa Monica-based International Medical Corps, a nonprofit dedicated to sending medical teams as first responders to disaster areas around the globe – and to leaving behind sustainable programs to serve communities long after the earthquakes or floods or tsunamis grab headlines. IMC has to sustain itself, too, a part of its mission it plans to address with its annual gala on Oct. 30 at the Beverly Wilshire, where Vista Equity Partners boss Robert Smith and his wife, Hope, will be in town from Austin to receive the group’s Humanitarian Award. Visit internationalmedicalcorps.org for more information … A recent private viewing arranged by Thomas Bompard, head of the Sotheby’s office in Century City, for a small group of clients revealed a genuine international feel at the Marciano Art Foundation with the current exhibit of works by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. Maurice and Paul Marciano, the co-founders of the museum in the old Masonic Temple on Wilshire, have global credentials, too, having made their way to Los Angeles from North Africa via France. Here’s betting the co-founders of the Guess apparel brand also have an appreciation for the piece goods and shrinkage involved in Ai’s surprisingly impressive field of ceramic sunflower seeds, which are piled about 8 inches deep and covering enough floor for a half-court basketball game. Seems visitors at prior exhibits helped themselves to some souvenirs, prompting the artist to weigh the ceramic seeds in and out, with chargebacks to the exhibiting institutions on any shortage … Word has it that Consul General Robert O’Driscoll, of Ireland, is checking Century City for a proper place to put a consulate the island nation plans to open here. Expect him to do some scouting during upcoming festivities his office is planning. Visit irelandweek.com for more information … Sullivan Says: Nothing says global like the Korean-Oaxacan fusion that’s so prevalent in the middle of our city.