I’m a sucker for the sphinx of The Ten Commandments fame. We are talking about Cecil B. DeMille’s fabled movie, filmed on the dunes of Guadalupe and released in 1923.
As some of my readers know, plaster of Paris props from the movie set were left behind by Hollywood, where time, wind, and heaps of sand made them disappear. Parts of a sphinx have been uncovered, excavated, restored and put on display at the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center in Guadalupe.
Hundreds, and maybe thousands, flock to the Dunes Center exhibit to see a partial giant paw, a partial sphinx side, and a lot of a sphinx head, to experience a moment in film history.
So it was with glee and gusto that I went to the Dunes Center’s irresistible annual fundraiser, Gin and Jazz, on Saturday evening, July 30, on the center’s patio.
Two no-host and busy bars provided specialty drinks made with gin for the 200 or so guests from all around the Central Coast.
A quirky—and oh so much fun—band, The Crustacea, from SLO County provided the jazz. I loved the tuba. I loved the players of the deluxe washboards with their many bells and whistles, and the keyboardist and the sax player. They were a hoot and a half. I could not stop smiling.
Hors d’oeuvres were from The Far Western in Orcutt: melon wrapped in proscuitto; tiny cream puffs with sausage inserts instead of cream; and a tray of huge green olives, cheese, and such. Tantalizing cupcakes were from The Orcutt Bakery.
Sharon Kayser and Gillian Andrews were among the crowd, as were Franca Lockard and Viki and Jay Connor. Guadalupe City Councilmembers Jerry Beatty and Gina Rubalcava were enthusiastic attendees, as was former Guadalupe Mayor Frances Romero.
Before the auction, Doreen Farr, Santa Barbara County’s 3rd District Supervisor, said some very nice things about the Dunes Center. Ben Oakley also said some very nice things, and he did a very, very nice thing: On behalf of the ERG Operating Company, he presented the Dunes Center with a huge make-believe (but representing the real thing) check for $22,500.
One auction item was so popular that auctioneer Susan Devine was able to sell two of them. It was a tour of the restricted archeological site where the sphinx parts were uncovered.
The Dunes Center’s executive director Doug Jenzen and the Principal Historical Archeologist of Applied Earthworks (the firm in charge of the excavation) will accompany the winners and their guests to the site and then to lunch for a discussion about the importance of the site.
This year’s gala also celebrated the opening of some new exhibits that highlight the ecosystem of the Central Coast. The occasion called for a ribbon cutting, and there to do the honors were the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce CEO Glenn Morris and Gina Keough of the Convention and Tourist Bureau.
There isn’t enough room in this column to go through all the reasons why you should visit and support the Dunes Center. Thanks to the generosity of the Minetti family, which has roots in Guadalupe, the Dunes Center is planning an expansion and move into the old Far Western restaurant building. When that happens, there will be a gala that you will not want to miss!
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at helenthom232@yahoo.com.
This article appears in Aug 4-11, 2016.