Viva la Santa Maria Valley Humane Society!
The group held its annual magnifique fundraising dinner, “April in Paris,” on April 9 at the Country Club. It was so c’est si bon.
As well as being too much fun, the evening was a musical and visual delight, a montage of glamour and glitz.
Jimmy Enos and Liz Douglas played piano and guitar, respectively, in the foyer, immersing guests in party fever the minute they walked in the door.
Was this a French café scene or what? The bar area featured accordion and violin players and music you would hear while strolling along the Seine.
Former county supervisor Joe Centeno was there. “Joe,” cried moi, “it’s your lucky night! I’m not going to take your picture.” (Yes, he laughed.)
Among the many French beret-wearers in the crowd were Mary Garcia (with husband Judge Art Garcia) and former board member Wanda McDonald (with husband Jim Hopkins). Sporting kitten’s ears (a la Brigitte Bardot?) was Suzanne Vierling, accompanied by husband Jon Anton.
Prudi Noon, who came with mom Jeanne Woods, sported a vintage chapeau.
It was bon appetit for diners enjoying French onion soup, filet mignon (it was the best) with red bell pepper mashed potatoes, and, for dessert, crème Anglaise with berries. Thank goodness these Francophiles didn’t insist on escargots.
Adding to the French feel at the dinner tables were the lovely centerpieces designed by Camfeldt’s Joe Guggia. Spring flowers surrounded glittering Eiffel towers.
Nipomo’s Larry Thomas and Jody Venema were determined bidding (and winning!) partners vying for the live auction’s dinner for six (with limo service) at the Hitching Post. Venema’s huge home-built bird house was one of the silent auction items.
Another bidding crossfire erupted over Trattoria Uliveto’s dinner for 10, an item so popular that not one, but two fabulous feasts were sold by the charming auctioneer, Bob Morrison.
There was champagne before dinner, dancing after dinner, and photography by Robert and Heidi Gruetzemacher.
The powerhouse committee for the evening included Bo Cudd, Jill Tucker, Bobbi Gilman, Pam Goble, Lauren Johnston, Geri Murphy, Vonnie Stewart, and Ruthie Wasylewski.
Merci, ladies, for a fabulous evening.
Rotary South’s ‘Santa Maria Has Talent’
It was show time, big time, at the Veterans Memorial Hall. More than 60 singers, dancers, guitar players, and keyboarders competed for $1,000 and $500 prizes on April 7, 8, and 9.
I dropped by on Friday evening and checked out the Rotary’s 2011 talent show. I was among about 220 talent fans.
Dave Cross, who sat with Jim and Minnie Andersen, commented, “There is a lot of talent in this town.”
This was evident in the between-act skits presented by Rotarians David Bixby, Jane Kokkinakis, and Georgia Shore (the Sun’s general manager) as they reminded audience members to vote for their favorite acts by depositing money in the voting buckets.
Talent also abounded in the kitchen, where Rotarian Lynn Melville stirred two pots of hot chocolate at the same time. “We ran out last night,” she cheerfully explained. “We went through 5 gallons in a heartbeat.”
The intrepid Diane Balay was director of the show and in charge of auditions. “We had lots more hopefuls try out this year,” she said.
Whoops! Almost forgot: Nice legs, Bixby!
Want to hobnob with Helen? Contact her at helenthom232@yahoo.com.
This article appears in Apr 21-28, 2011.