HELEN ANN THOMAS

What a marvelous party this was. It was Rizzoli’s Automotive’s turn to play host to a regular monthly networking event for Chamber of Commerce members. Kay Rizzoli, the firm’s CFO, does not do parties by halves. She went all out and put on a most engaging event (mixer and open house) at Rizzoli’s Automotive near […]

When artist Bob Burridge talks, people want to listen. More than 100 people—standing room only—crowded into Solvang’s Elverhoj Museum on Saturday, Jan. 5, to hear him talk—about his work and about his world before the desire to paint fulltime took him by the throat and held him happy hostage. The title of the exhibition, “I […]

January is the month of anticipation. With the whirlwind of holiday events behind us, we can now look forward to some special times in 2013. The Santa Maria Valley Women’s Network always kicks off the new year with verve and excitement. They have two hot events coming up in February and March. On Wed., Feb. […]

Let’s hear it for Cindy Ransick, new executive director of the Santa Maria Historical Society. Since she took the job, she’s been working with Jim Zemaitis, president of the Historical Society, and volunteers to organize the storage room, which is packed and overflowing with local memorabilia. She’s also rearranged some exhibits and thought up some […]

What is more fun than holiday hobnobbing? Particularly if said hobnobbing is at the third annual (and possibly final) Candlelight House Tour, held on Sunday evening, Dec. 9? If you weren’t the high bidder on one of three nonprofit Candlelight Tour auction items, eat your heart out. You missed a memorable evening. For three years, […]

It was an evening of pleasant surprises and not your ordinary philharmonic concert experience. First, the Pioneer Valley High School Band marched into the main space of Grace Baptist Church to play the “Star Spangled Banner” for attendees of the Philharmonic Society’s Nov. 17 concert. Betty Anthony, sitting next to me, said, “Isn’t this wonderful?” […]

Noontime Rotary scored a sizzling success with its annual fundraiser, “Some Like It Hot,” held Saturday night, Nov. 3, at the Park Plaza Building in the Santa Maria Fairpark. Some decorations and costumes were connected specifically to the above-mentioned movie with Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, and Marilyn Monroe, and some decorations tied to 1950s TV […]

The committee for the second annual Bippity Boppity Boo Ball, held on Saturday evening, Oct. 27, at the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum, cooked up a cauldron of creativity. The Decorating Dream Team of Courtney Arensdorf, Leigh Collier, and Tania Kim transformed the Discovery Museum into a cute, clever, and fun party site complete with […]

Yes, it’s true. I was one of the last 10 people to leave the Santa Maria Country Club on Saturday evening, Oct. 6., when the United Way held its annual Mayors Ball and major fundraiser. It’s tough to tear yourself away from the San Luis Jazz Band, which played for after-dinner and after-auction dancing. They […]

Quick! Run to your calendar and see if you’re free for any of the remaining performances of Dearly Beloved, now playing at the Santa Maria Civic Theater. “Wasn’t this a crack-up?” Vonnie Stewart said after a recent Thursday night’s show. The Humane Society bought out the house and held a fundraiser there. Humane Society supporters […]

This was not your run-of-the-mill golf tournament fundraiser. The annual Shoes for Students Golf Tournament prides itself on being offbeat. The 12th annual tournament, held Sunday, Sept. 9, at the Santa Maria Country Club, attracts participants mostly (but not exclusively) from the local community of Realtors and makes no bones about that fact that it’s […]

Talk about a fun evening—and if you were there, we know you will!A stupendously stylish, successful “Alice Patino for Mayor 2012” fundraiser was held on Aug. 22 at the old Café FX building on Airport Drive in Santa Maria. This party was a kick! The food, flowers, and ambience were all dazzling and noteworthy. Former […]