Santa Maria Sun / News

Hobnobbing with Helen

BY HELEN ANN THOMAS

Socializing before dinner left to right: Brenda Sullens (OCAF's v-p, fund raising), Terry Lawless (U2 keyboarder and OCAF honoree), Mindy Lawless, and Mike Gibson (former OCAF board president). PHOTO BY HELEN ANN THOMAS

The Orcutt Children’s Art Foundation (OCAF) Annual Gala (a $100-a-plate event) occurred Friday evening, Feb. 26, at the scene of all the fancy footwork.

While gala honoree Terry Lawless, who plays with the band U2, manned the keyboard, the likes of Mindy Lawless, Judge Jim and Ann Rigali, Joyce and John Dudley, Ron and Terry Thatcher, and Chef Rick and Cathy Manson crowded the dance floor.

A no-host cocktails reception preceded a dinner of filet mignon, risotto, asparagus, salad, mousse, and wine.

Chris Slaughter introduced the honoree and emceed the slide show presentation that included photos of Terry and a videotaped tribute from Bono.

The Radisson Ballroom was jammed with friends of OCAF: Bob and Jeanne Woods, Dr. Ken and Diane Parker, Sharon McHolland, Dr. David and Lisa Ikola, Rob and Sandy Buchanan, and, honestly, just about everyone, including the president of the Santa Barbara Foundation, Ron Gallo and wife Andrea.

Todd Ventura presided over the live auction and sold some hot deals. The mass meals—barbecues for 30, cocktails and entertainment for 40, and so on—are immensely popular and inspire spirited bidding.

The grandest prize of the evening was a package with tickets for four to a U2 concert, a backstage tour with tour guide Terry Lawless, and transportation to same provided by a private chartered jet. Now, how’s that for excitement?

Celebrating the big win l-r. recipients of Women of Excellence Awards: Norma DeBernardi, Katherine Guthrie, Lou Glenn (emcee of this year's award dinner and a 2009 recipient), Bo Cudd, and Donna Castenda. PHOTO COURTESY HEIDI GREUTZMACHER

It was the March of Champions, Santa Maria style. On Wednesday evening, March 3, nine remarkable, generous-of-spirit, community-minded ladies marched into the Santa Maria Room at the Santa Maria Inn, each escorted by the person who nominated her for the Women’s Network annual Women of Excellence Awards.

   The Women’s Network is on a roll. The dinner attracted twice as many guests (166) as last year. The inimitable Lou Glenn emceed this stellar event, and singer Carole McNeill entertained.

   Network president Christine Gerber presented winners Donna Castaneda, Bo Cudd, Norma DeBernardi, and Katherine Guthrie with awards signifying their outstanding achievements.

Rotary talent show

Congratulations to Rotary South for hatching a brand-new, wunderbar community event.

Flamenco dancers, an opera singer, country western singers, a Michael Jackson-type dancer, a violinist, a cellist, a comedian, and a pianist playing jazzed-up Beethoven were some of the 56 contestants in the first night of Rotary South’s brand new event ($5 a ticket), Santa Maria’s Got Talent.

Santa Maria's Got Talent Nipomo's Cali Singleton (pictured here with the show's hostess and emcee, Roxanne Ventriglia, to the right) performed in Thursday night’s Santa Maria’s Got Talent competition. PHOTO BY HELEN ANN THOMAS

And guess what? They’ve got talent! Nine-year-old singer Cedric Kwon wowed the audience with his stage presence.

Roxanne Ventriglia deftly handled her emcee duties. Lynn Melville was one of the club members selling $2 hot dogs at intermission.

The stakes were high: a $1,000 first prize donated by Coast Hills Federal Credit Union and a $500 “People’s Choice” type of award, donated by Billie Jo Cravello, that were awarded on March 6.

Marissa Urzua got first place with her flamenco act. Little Eli Trevino nabbed the award for the audience’s favorite.

If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at helenthom232@yahoo.com.