Having a ball

Regarding the “Where was the mayor?” item in your Between the Lines column of Jan. 20: Invitations to the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce’s 1997 Inaugural Ball were mailed to city, county and state officials including Los Angeles Mayor Richard J. Riordan nearly one month before the Jan. 10 event.

Gov. Pete Wilson, State Attorney General Dan Lungren, County Supervisor Yvonne Brathwaite Burke and Los Angeles City Councilman John Ferraro, in addition to Mayor Riordan, were among those elected officials kind enough to send their regrets to this year’s event.

The gift bag is an opportunity for companies in the five-county Los Angeles area to showcase their logos and add a little frivolity to the event.

We appreciate the “Only In L.A.” intent of “Between the Lines” and look forward to next week’s issue.

KIM ISBISTER

Vice President

Communications & Events

L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce