It was Monday, July 2, at 4 p.m. There were tempting appetizers from Moxie Café, respectable wines for imbibing, and a group of groovy guests, not to mention an awesome venue–the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum.
Yet this was my saddest hobnobbing experience ever. About 100 folks gathered to bid farewell to one of the Central Coast’s treasures. This was the last official appearance of Chris Slaughter, the museum’s executive director and guiding light for the past several years.
Chris and her husband, oral surgeon Dr. Joe Slaughter, were on their way to Atlanta, Georgia, for a new life. Not that the old one was so bad, but a dental practice in the South made Joe an offer he couldn’t refuse.
Discovery Museum board member Diane Adam dubbed the event “New Beginnings.” Nancy Gastelum will assume the mantle of executive director, truly a new beginning for the museum and for the Slaughters.
The local nonprofit world was represented by Kim Colby, Terri Lee Coleman, Judy Frost, and from Allan Hancock College, president Kevin Walthers and Susan Houghton. The Sun‘s general manager Kim Rosa and her trusty sidekick Colleen Garcia made an appearance, as did Jeff Barnes, city librarian Mary Housel, and Ken Parker.
Discovery Museum Board president Michelle Tabisola was there along with board members Roy Reed, Bill Thompson, and Dave Wright.
Chris had been instrumental in getting the Orcutt Children’s Art Foundation off and running. She was also a Santa Barbara Foundation trustee, and for several years, had been the PR person for Café X.
There was more than one case of teary eyes as Chris, herself teared up, made her parting remarks.
Atlanta: our loss, your gain. Lucky, lucky you.
Fairpark fun
On a happier note, there were no tears at an annual event at the Santa Maria Fairpark. A pre-fair reception took place on Tuesday, July 10, at the Fairpark’s very pleasant and attractive Fountain Pavilion.
The first person I saw, after check-in, was night time Altrusa’s Anna Sorenson, who was one of several volunteers who helped the evening run smoothly.
Shortly after that, I met up with Megan, a talented 15-year-old macaw, who made her rounds of room on the arm of her handler, an employee of an animal show vendor from San Diego. Megan was accompanied by Gertrude, an African pygmy hedgehog. These girls, who did not stay for the whole party, were very well behaved.
This was an ag event, so it was expected that there would be cowboy hats and boots all over the place–sort of like the set of a John Wayne Western.
Mayor Alice Patino and Santa Maria City Councilmembers Etta Waterfield and Mike Cordero, along with City Manager Jason Stilwell were among the attendees.
I shared a table with Karen Cordary, Jim Byrne, and the Sun‘s woman for all seasons, General Manager Kim Rosa.
At this annual event, the Agricultural Award Program honors persons important to the local economy. This year’s honorees were Jim Glines, Frank Machado, Manny Silva, Jr., and Jim and Tracy Acquistapace.
John Glines accepted the award for his father, who was vacationing in Montana, and on his way to the cattle stampede in Calgary, Canada. I want to hear all about that!
I spotted Kathy Kromer, John Burke, and the effervescent Leigh Collier.
Clemmons Catering (from the Swiss restaurant) was responsible for the perfectly barbecued tri-tip, excellent mashed potatoes, pinto beans, and salad. There was a hosted bar (my favorite kind) and a dessert table set with cupcakes and cookies.
The planning crew for this event deserves mention for their always well-coordinated decorations.
Classical gas
Location, location, location.
Its importance in real estate is frequently touted. But it seems that location is also a big deal in the world of classical music. The right venue assures a full house.
The Santa Maria Philharmonic Society put on a fundraiser program on Saturday, July 14, at 7 p.m., at Trilogy’s classy Monarch Dunes clubhouse in Nipomo. About 140 filled the ballroom.
A number of Santa Marians traveled north for the musicale, open, of course, to Trilogy residents.
The Philharmonic’s general manager, Janet Hillson, had a smile that said it all–this evening was a success! Tickets were a very reasonable $20.
Michael Novak, the Philharmonic’s maestro, was among the musicians we enjoyed, as was local Lynne Garrett.
Bo and Dennis Prescott, Dr. Lynda Gantt, Jerry Stinn, and Hardy and Judy Hearn graced the group with their presence.
This was an exceptional evening. Hope they do it again.
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you can reach her at column151@gmail.com.
This article appears in Jul 26 – Aug 2, 2018.