HELEN ANN THOMAS

Tis the season for nonprofit walks in Waller Park. The American Heart Association held its yearly walk and fundraiser, blessed by perfect weather, on Saturday morning, Sept. 12.   About 300 Heart Association supporters, many of them survivors of triple and quadruple bypass surgery, took part. I suspect there were a number of pacemakers and […]

The organization that wants you to remember everything had an informal and fun gathering from 2 to 7 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6, at Addamo’s tasting room in Old Orcutt.   Santa Maria’s Central Coast Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association is gearing up for its annual Waller Park walk, set for Sept. 26. To get […]

Combine a beautiful courtyard with a bountiful buffet, an enchanting PCPA musical, and enticing silent auction items and—voila!—you have a winner.   Solvang’s lovely Theaterfest grounds were the site of the Santa Maria Youth and Family Center’s annual fundraising party on Aug. 9.   The center has perfected the formula for success. They combine good […]

Success isn’t going to their heads. Even though they’ve raised about 93 percent of the $15 million they’ve targeted for their Cornerstone Campaign, the Marian Medical Center Foundation isn’t slacking off.   The foundation held its big annual fundraiser, Waiters’ Night, on Aug. 1, at Tres Hermanas Vineyard and Winery on Foxen Canyon Road.   […]

The hills were alive with the sound of music. I refer to the hills around the Addamo Estate Vineyards on Clark Road and the music of Chef Anthony LoRusso, known as the “singing chef.”   Chef LoRusso entertained about 130 guests, who paid $100 a ticket for a fundraiser, on July 19, from 4 to […]

The melodious Coastal Voices, a choral group of about 20, sang during dinner at an Italian-themed event on Saturday evening, June 27, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the handsome St. Andrew Church hall on Bradley Way. The fundraiser featured a meal—bruschetta, spaghetti, salad, biscotti, and tiramisu—and nonstop music. Food and entertainment, plus a silent […]

The Women’s Fund of Northern Santa Barbara County, a collaborative female philanthropy group, held its second annual Presentation Reception from 3 to 5 p.m. on June 25 at the Santa Maria Inn. This was North County Movers and Shakers Central. About 70 community leaders and dynamos filled the Garden Room and enjoyed a lovely spread […]

The Humane Society’s annual “big” fundraiser, “A Night Amongst the Vines,” could not have been better. Set in a dazzling, bucolic venue (the Addamo Vineyards), the “Night” featured great food, great wine, a great band, and great auction items, all at a great price: Tickets cost $100 per person and $80 for members of the […]

Addamo Vineyard Texas Hold ’em Hold ’em or fold ’em? That was the big question at a Texas Hold ’em Poker Tournament held on May 23 at the Addamo Estates Vineyards Grand Ballroom.
 With its marble floors, sweeping staircases, and crystal chandelier, the Grand Ballroom is the most elegant of settings for any event, let […]

Breakfast Rotary Club Luau “Fun” was the key word at the Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary Club’s annual Hawaiian Luau, also billed as a Barn Party and Auction. This five-star event was held on May 9, at where else but the big barn-like building at the west end of the Fairpark. When I arrived at 5:30 p.m., […]

Kiwanis Gypsy Carnival When I learned that the noontime Kiwanis were having belly dancers and tarot readers at their Gypsy Carnival, I knew I had to go. Held on April 24 at the Veteran’s Memorial Building on Tunnel Street in Santa Maria, the carnival offered a buffet, entertainment, games of chance, and a no-host bar […]

Are they or are they not they closing their doors? That’s the question on everyone’s lips. After the recent media blitz proclaiming dire financial circumstances at PCPA, the locals aren’t sure whether—despite 45 years in this community—PCPA is on the verge of going under. The Sun’s readers want to know, I told PCPA Artistic Director […]