Guess who upgraded their annual fundraising dinner!
Community Partners in Caring (CPC), that’s who.
Every year, this event has gotten a little bit better and become a little more interesting.
How and what did CPC do differently this year for its Tour of Tuscany?
Well, they pulled out the stops and invited the ebullient, enthusiastic and energetic Jay Turner, with his commanding voice, to emcee. CPC hired Todd Ventura, with his commanding baritone and high-octane team, to run the live auction.
This unexpected firepower injected excitement into the evening.
Before dinner, during silent auction perusal time, the zippy musical trio, Beaujolais, performed in the lobby, while guests enjoyed complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a hosted bar. There’s nothing like good music to make an evening special.
Beaujolais is a musical trio: keyboarder Jimmy Enos, guitarist/singer Liz Douglas, and singer and CPC board member Bo Cudd.
Photography by Richard took complimentary photos in the lobby.
At my dinner table were Scheryn Pratt, Anne Kuczkowski, and Rosemary Perry. Pratt was pleasantly surprised that Jimmy Enos played during the meal. “It’s so nice to hear live music while you’re eating, “she said.
It’s also so nice to have someone at your table win the bid on a pink champagne cake from the Madonna Inn and share it with the group. Thank you, Scheryn Pratt, for the lovely dessert treat.
Stolpman Vineyards’ La Coppa Sangiovese and Viognier (reportedly Ernest Hemingway’s favorite vino) were on the table to delight and accompany the generous portion of filet mignon, ravioli, vegetables, caprese salad, and tiramisu.
Active in the bidding for weekend and week-long getaways were Scottie and retired Santa Maria fire chief Frank Ortiz.
A classy selection of tempting trips to Hawaii, Coronado Island, Newport Beach, Disneyland, Morro Bay, Rooney’s, and the Kenneth Volk Vineyards were on the live auction block.
Active in the bidding for wonderful items from Fischer’s Fine Jewelry were Lompoc City Councilman Bob Lingl with wife Regina, and Santa Maria City Councilman Mike Cordero with wife Lynda.
Executive directory Ashley Payne and interim executive director Rachel Hill bustled about, taking care of business.
Dennis Prescott, Dr. Richard and Ruth Ann Ontell, Smooth executive director Jim Talbott, Neil and Kathryn Fischer, and Jane Kokkinakis were among the crowd.
Alzheimer’s activist and former CPC staffer Cece Cruz-Arroyo showed up to sell raffle tickets, as did Libby Kelly and CPC board member Karen O’Neil.
Also on hand were board president Jim Small and board members Dan Lopez and Bill Thompson (accompanied by his trusty companion, the very popular wonder dog Forest).
Community Partners in caring is celebrating its 14th year of service to the community. Their clientele are mostly older folks—some frail—who need help in getting to medical appointments and in staying independent and able to live in their own homes.
Thanks, Dick Weldon
Attorney Dick Weldon, who is astoundingly knowledgeable about
local history, was the most recent speaker at the The Valley Speaks series, held on the second Saturday of every month at the Santa Maria library’s Shepard Hall.
He brought charts, old photographs and maps. Weldon is a most engaging speaker. We in the audience were mesmerized.
Shirley Contreras (program coordinator), you bring that fella back real soon!
If you want to hobnob with Helen, contact her at helenthom232@yahoo.com.
This article appears in Jun 28 – Jul 5, 2012.