Trattoria Uliveto’s back room is full of twinkling lights and—if the Orcutt Aquacenter board is meeting there—warm fuzzy feelings.
At their Nov. 5 meeting, the board elected Paul Lee president. He is director of recreational sports at the UCSB Recreation Center and succeeds Tammy Rabska, who had fond parting words for the group.
This project, Tammy told me, “is going to happen.” She and Aquacenter mother hen Laurie Tamura (who has shepherded the group through permit processes) were vocal about one particular aspect of the project: “We need community support,” each said separately.
This particular board meeting was followed by a winemaker dinner attended by Aquacenter supporters. Executive Director Terri Lee Coleman orchestrated the event, aided and abetted by husband Doug.
Tickets cost $75 for hors d’oeuvres, baked chicken on a bed of mashed potatoes and vegetables, an excellent and generous portion of salad, and the best tiramisu I’ve had in ages. The wait staff was most helpful and pleasant.
Dave and Becky Corey supplied the wine, a different blend with each course. Their Core wine is available at their tasting room at 145 South Gray St. in Old Orcutt.
The Trattoria’s amiable chef, Alphonso Corti, mingled with the guests and accepted compliments for the wonderful food.
I shared a table with Bo Cudd, board president of the Humane Society. Bo is branching out from her nonprofit leadership role. This former professional songbird (in her native Denmark) is now part of a group called Beaujolais (along with Jimmy Enos and Liz Douglas). They entertain in the back room of—where else—Trattoria Uliveto!
Also at our table were Shere Nations and five members of the San Luis Obispo physical therapy group. Dave Svetich, director of physical therapy at San Luis Sports Therapy (which has an office on Bradley Road in Orcutt) was inducted onto the Aquacenter Board on this evening.
Judy and Hardy Hearn came with Ferrari guru Richard Cole. Tom Elderding brought granddaughter Samantha Rice, an Allan Hancock College student.
Gordon and Ann Gill, whose daughter Marci is married to the project architect, Wayne Lippold, were there with Wayne.
Friends of Waller Park do it again
With great pride and gusto, Don Ward presided over the official opening of the newest Waller Park playground area on a gorgeous Saturday morning (Nov. 7).
This newest play area is located at the west end of the park, across from Woof Park and within walking distance of the YMCA.
About 30 came for coffee, cake, and the ribbon cutting. County supervisor Joni Gray was there along with one of her predecessors, former supervisor Tom Urbanske.
The YMCA staff is ecstatic about this additional playground, because their day care staff brings their charges to this play area every day. The Y’s executive director, Shannon Seifert, was on hand.
Ward mentioned that a generous grant from the Santa Barbara Foundation supplemented funds garnered from other sources to pay for the upgrade in amenities. He is especially appreciative of the corklike, resilient material on which the playground rests. This surface makes the area safer and less harmful for youngsters who might experience a fall or stumble.
Tree expert Bailey Hudson, Nancy Johnson, Barbara Urbanske, and Carolyn McCall were among those enjoying the brief ceremony in the sun.
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at helenthom232@yahoo.com.
This article appears in Nov 19-26, 2009.