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 defibrillators in the crowd as well.
Teams of walkers and money raisers had catchy names like “And the Beat Goes On,” “Rock ‘n Rehab,” “Mended Hearts,” and “Heavenly Heart Walkers.” Each team member wore a T-shirt featuring the team name.
Early arrivals enjoyed coffee, bagels with cream cheese, juice, granola energy bars, and fruit. Sandwiches from Subway and salad were available to walkers at the end of their trek.
Jazz harmonica player Jay Meiselman and singer-guitarist Doña Deack entertained.
Local heart disease celebrities and heart attack survivors like Judge Rogelio Flores and Dave Bushey were on hand to share stories of recovery.
After the walk, the Heart Association presented its “Lifestyle Change Award” to Dave Apel, who walks the walk and talks the talk. Dave had heart surgery and, frightened that he might have a second heart attack (as did his father), immediately adopted a healthy diet and exercise regimen.
Eighty-six-year-old Ethel Uychara was the star of the show. She collected the most money of any one walker: about $2,800. KCOY co-anchors Katie Marzullo and Arturo Santiago, emcees for the event, escorted her across the finish line.
Quite a few dogs participated. I believe that a frisky Welsh corgi named Cody was the first pooch to pass under the balloon arch that marked the finish line. Way to go, Cody!
For more info about the Heart Association, call the San Luis Obispo office at 554-1505.
Overture at Ambrosia
Let’s have a drum roll for George Majoue and the Town Center mall’s new owner, Greg Kozak. These two got together to orchestrate free-and-open-to-the-public musical events in the mall’s center court. The freebies happen every other Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m.
Majoue is executive director of the Santa Maria Philharmonic, which has at least one orchestra member in each happening.
He gave me the skinny on this wonderful cultural opportunity for the locals while pouring wine at the Philharmonic’s fall season social opener, Overture at Ambrosia. About 70 all-dressed-up (some very fashionably) music lovers gathered on Ambrosia Restaurant’s outdoor patio on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 13, from 2 to 4 p.m. for wine, appetizers, and delightful chamber music.
Unfortunately, just as we were getting into the entertainment, sounds from a music festival down McClelland Street in front of the library drowned out the violins, viola, and bass. It’s impossible to compete with the noise of electronically enhanced drums and guitars.
This glitch did not, however, ruin the mood of the Ambrosians.
“This is delightful,” Sandy Carty told Majoue at the bar. “You should do this every week.”
Carty shared a table with Marian Long, Ginny Adams, and Janice Hoffman.
Tamara Gaussoin sold raffle tickets for a gorgeous floral arrangement from Camfeldt’s and a basket of wine and chocolate. Margaret Cooper and Mickey Whittier were at a table anchored by Nancy “I go everywhere” Johnson.
For more information on Philharmonic concerts and events, call 925-0412.
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at helenthom232@yahoo.com.
This article appears in Sep 24 – Oct 1, 2009.