Election Day is over, but the memory lingers on.
Hobnobbing hit the campaign trail at the tail end of the process and went to check out the action at two election-night City Council election celebrations—one each for incumbent Jack Boysen and council newcomer Etta Waterfield.
The night was pitch black and dark as mud, but you couldn’t miss the venue for the Boysen bash. There was a steady stream of traffic in and out of the home of Jack and his wife Kathy.
Jack’s friends, neighbors, supporters, golf buddies, and co-workers from the Good Samaritan Shelter (where he’s CFO) mingled and munched from a buffet table that was Chef Rick’s doing.
My goodness, but that boy can cook. The spareribs were a big hit. Ditto the fried chicken, coconut shrimp, prime rib sliders on jalapeño muffins with a tiny American flag on top, gourmet pizza, and tiny, spicy empanadas. A nicely stocked bar complemented the feast.
When Janene Scully of Santa Barbara’s Noozhawk and a team from KCOY showed up, I thought for a moment I was at Meet the Press.
Sylvia Barnard (executive director of Good Sam), city CouncilmemberTeri Zuniga, and Dr. Mark Ziemba and son Alex were among the celebrants, as were the campaign treasurer Connie Quigley and her intrepid campaign volunteer husband, Fred.
The perky Pratts—Gale and David (he’s president of Santa Maria Energy)—stopped in on their way to yet another celebration. Making the election-night rounds, county supervisor Steve and Marian Lavagnino checked in at the Boysens after a stop at the Waterfield party.
Author Patti Dickinson and husband David were among the candidate’s well-wishers.
There was no time to linger and watch election results in the Boysens’ TV room or on a laptop screen in the foyer.
It was on to the Elks Club at the other end of town where Etta Waterfield, two-time candidate for City Council and a winner the second time ’round, held court for a crowd of around 100, give or take 20 (depending on the time of night).
When I walked into the party scene, the first thought that crossed my mind was “the gang’s all here!”
That included Mayor Alice and John Patino, City Councilman Bob and Mary Alice Orach, Campaign Manager Teresa Menchaca, Karen Cordary, Bob Morrison, Trent Benedetti, and Nancy Stewart with son Barry.
My sources told me that the Hitching Post catered the tri-tip, garlic bread, and linguiça, accompanied by fruit, crackers and cheese, and cupcakes and brownies. Drinks were a no-host affair at the very busy bar.
My sources also told me that KSBY, KCOY, and Noozhawk had been there and gone.
There was an ebb and flow of folks at both parties. The crowd surged big time in the beginning of the evening at the Boysens and then thinned out some. My sources reported that some of Etta’s supporters couldn’t bear to leave each other and stayed well past my bedtime.
Whatever. It’s a joy and a privilege to vote and a joy and a privilege to participate, in whatever capacity, in the election process. Hobnobbing looks forward to the next election!
Want to hobnob with Helen? Contact her at helenthom232@yahoo.com.
This article appears in Nov 13-20, 2014.