Liz Addamo likes to raise money for charity. When the chef, caterer, and bistro owner isn’t on duty at her Clark Avenue restaurant and when she isn’t masterminding wedding receptions and events, she is—sometimes literally—cooking up ways to help nonprofits.
For the past three years, she and husband David have hosted a Texas Hold ’Em Poker Tournament in the Grand Ballroom of Addamo Estates Vineyards on Clark Avenue, just east of Lake Marie. Each year, proceeds from the poker event go to a different organization.
This year, the Addamos’ fourth annual Texas Hold ’Em Tournament benefited VTC Enterprises and their current capital campaign. VTC is raising money to build an 18,600-square-foot structure that will replace a hodgepodge of small buildings and limited amenities at their “A” Street location.
On Saturday, May 22, the Addamo Estates Grand Ballroom—a place with marble floors, sweeping staircase, great views of foothills in the distance, and vineyards a few yards away from the patio—was the gathering place for local poker fans and VTC supporters.
The sold-out event started about 1:30 in the afternoon, when card players began arriving.
There were about 70 competitors, who paid an $80 entry fee that included an open bar (with Addamo wines) and a buffet of appetizers provided by VTC (which runs a thriving catering business).
Liz Addamo’s signature brie-in-puff-pastry sat amid the cheese and crackers, fresh fruit, cookies, brownies, and three containers of hot snacks with dipping sauces.
Beer, soft drinks, and water were available on the patio. Bowls of crackers, chips, and pretzels were all over the place. Bartender Jim Hopkins noted with amusement that the M&M peanut candies aced out the competition.
At 2, there were two tables of poker tutorials, where a dozen or so novices snagged some game essentials. The students at the tutorial tables were very focused!
KCOY TV newsperson and VTC board member Lydia Pantazes was everywhere. According to VTC’s pamphlet, Pantazes’ sister utilizes the services of VTC.
Candidate for Santa Barbara County district attorney Joyce Dudley stopped by for a few minutes to meet and greet North County friends. Steve Lavagnino, candidate for county supervisor, and Hilda Zacarias, candidate for state Assembly, participated in the tournament.
Jack Turner, Chelea Jennings, and Clyde George chatted up a storm. George is a poker consultant who has been a part of many local Texas Hold ’Em tournaments.
VTC people like Kirk Spry (executive director), Jim Bray (chairman of the capital campaign steering committee), Polly Huffer (former board member), and Don Brister (resource development person) looked super happy to see so many folks enjoying themselves on VTC’s behalf.
Bryn Smith, former pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals (among other teams) watched the proceedings with a careful eye; he’s sponsoring his own Texas Hold ’Em Tournament in June to benefit the Santa Maria Packers baseball team.
First prize was a donated $5,000 gold bracelet with “poker” spelled out in diamonds. Second prize was a limo ride, an overnight stay at the Chumash Casino, and dinner at the casino’s upscale restaurant, The Willows. The third-prize winner took home a professional poker table and playing set. There were lots of other prizes for various achievements: bottles of wine and wine baskets.
Last man standing went home nine-ish.
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at helen2342@yahoo.com.
This article appears in Jun 3-10, 2010.