What is more blissful than sipping wine and eating chocolate, while listening to live music on a lovely summer afternoon in a beautiful garden?
Altrusa’s Central Coast chapter has a winning formula in its annual Afternoon Chocolate Delight. This year’s event was held on Sunday, July 31, at Josie Baldiviez’s historical home in the carriage district.
Scheduled hours were 1 to 3 p.m., but everyone had way too much fun and the 40 or so partygoers hung around for about an hour later than planned.
Candyce Estave (North County coordinator for the Autism Society of Santa Barbara) poured wine, as did Noe Mahelona of Santa Maria Community Bank.
The always fashionable Patti Elswick (a sales consultant at Saks in Santa Barbara) kept busy selling raffle tickets. The ladies (and gents) would buy a bunch, go to the raffle table and look at the items a second or third or fourth time, and run back for more tickets.
There were some irresistible temptations: a gift card and bottle of wine from Costa D’ Oro; a gift card for dinner at Trattoria Uliveto and a bottle of wine; and a huge box of chocolates. There was also a monstrous basket with a Mr. Coffee Espresso maker, espresso beans, and a set of espresso cups and spoons. Not to mention, an assortment of goodies, including Clinique cosmetics from Saks Fifth Avenue.
Patti, we do love your Saks connection!
Lorene Dyson, where did you find that gorgeous designer handbag you donated? A thoroughly delighted Dawn Kamiya took home the coveted item, which retails for $150 to $200.
Meanwhile, Central Coast Altrusa president Melinda Aguirre shared some news with me. Her club will host the Altrusa District 11 conference in 2015.
“This is a great honor for us,” Melinda said. “We are very excited.”
She expects about 300 to 400 Altrusans from the district, which encompasses Hawaii, Arizona, California, and Nevada.
Sharon Duncan, who fashions one-of-a-kind necklaces that are sought after in silent auctions, hosted a booth with her creations. Sharon also teaches classes in jewelry making.
Laura Dias shared with me the info that, “Central Coast Altrusa has given over $200,000 to the community since we started the club.”
A big chunk of these funds come from ticket sales at the annual Christmas Tree Festival.
“We are already starting to plan for this year’s festival,” Melinda told me.
Also, some lovely floral centerpieces were the work of Donna Viadella.
Former Altrusa president Bea Goyette beamed as she told me about how her husband brought hobnobbing to new heights on his 74th birthday. Paul had always wanted to skydive, so Bea arranged for him to jump in tandem out of an airplane in the Pismo Beach-Oceano area.
“It was exciting,” Paul said with a grin.
“Would you do it again?” I asked.
“No,” he replied, “once was enough.”
Santa Maria Historical Society fundraiser at PCPA
The Santa Maria Historical Society could use financial assistance. The city of Santa Maria unfortunately is no longer able to offer the society a stipend for operating expenses. So the organization is holding a series of fundraisers. On Aug. 20, it will host an event at PCPA. Tickets for the play My Fairy Tale include a pre-theater party with food and wine.
For more info and tickets, call Dee Martini at 714-9509.
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at helenthom232@yahoo.com.
This article appears in Aug 11-18, 2011.