An explosion of joie de vivre. That’s the best way to describe OCAF’s unusually festive 10th birthday celebration on Friday, Feb. 24, at the Radisson Hotel.
More than 160 people gathered to support OCAF, the Orcutt Children’s Arts Foundation.
The subtitle of the event could have been “Happy Talk”—there was tons of it. In fact, OCAF lovers were having such a good time chatting it up in the lobby that they dilly-dallied in getting into the dining room for dinner. Truly, in all my days of hobnobbing, I don’t think I have seen so many people so reluctant to give up chitchat for food!
All this joie de vivre was helped along considerably by a hosted bar from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., when complimentary Costa de Oro wine, donated by Gary and Terese Burk, was available. Fine wine and fine conversation make an unbeatable duo.
OCAF parties have a history of being special. Hobnobbing happily recalls the concerts with Jim Messina and the nights with first-rate musicians from the area.
This party honored the founding board members of an organization that promotes and supports education in the arts in the Orcutt School District.
Mark Biedinger, Jim Bray, Jan Brown, Pat Eggleton, Mike Gibson, Bob Hatch, Pat McDermott, Robin Portwood, Franziska Shepard, Alex Simas, Chris Slaughter, and Victor Tognazzini were in that group, as was the late Dr. Bill Tibbs.
Examples of children’s art was all over the place. Artwork was taped to virtually all visible wall space. I was especially taken with an exhibit of batik art on the wall of the entrance to the dining room.
Among the gala attendees present were OCAF board members Jan Zilli, Amy Curti, and Kathy Boysen with husband Jack. Suzanne and Ron Levy and Etta Waterfield were also there.
Ken Parker, president of the OCAF board, and Hannah Rubalcava, OCAF executive director, were obviously very busy monitoring the progress and logistics of the evening. Bob Bush, superintendent of the Orcutt School District, looked very pleased with the success of the event.
So very glad to bump into longtime OCAF supporter Jeff Barnes, former co-CEO of Café FX. Long time no see, Jeff. I asked him about having to give up the wonderful and exciting Café FX that he had been part of.
“We were bummed out about it,” he said. “But we had a good run. We’re very proud of what we did.”
The Santa Barbara Foundation’s CEO Ron Gallo, with wife Andrea, were early arrivals. The Foundation sponsored a table that included Judy and Eric Frost, Kathy and Alex Simas, and Lynette Muscio, who is now on the foundation staff.
It was nice to see former Washington, D.C., journalist Gini Adams out and about.
Joe Slaughter, painless dentist extraordinaire, I always enjoy a few laughs with you. Martin Testa, you were quite amusing as well. Radisson Hotel manager Jean-Luc Garon and Santa Maria Inn manager John Reinacher were among the cocktail crowd.
I was lucky enough to sit with some folks from the Philharmonic Society: George Majoue (executive director), Dr. Lynda Gannt (board member). and Lynne Garret (board member and violinist).
There were, of course, silent auction items, a live auction, and after-dinner dancing.
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at helenthom232@yahoo.com.
This article appears in Mar 8-15, 2012.