PCPA Foundation’s Puttin’ on the Ritz annual gala
Despite the iffy economy, the PCPA Foundation raised a bunch of big bucks to help support the acting conservatory at its annual gala, Puttin’ on the Ritz. The Radisson Hotel was the scene of all the theatrical fun on the evening of Saturday, Oct. 11.
More than 200 guests gussied up in black tie and gowns for the party. Gala-goers wined and dined on salmon, filet mignon,
rice, mixed vegetables, salad, and chocolate mousse.
Bob and Jan Jurgensen and Judge Royce Lewellen and Ann Foxworthy Lewellen were among the many who jaunted over from Solvang and Los Olivos.
Locals on the scene were Mark and Dorothy Smith, Dr. Roger and Marci Ibsen, Dr. Dennis and Franziska Shepard, Jan and Stuart Bartleson, and Judy and Hardy Hearn.
As guests entered the hotel on a red carpet, they passed by a passel of PCPA student “paparazzi,” who clapped and snapped pictures. Before dinner, during the Champagne reception, guests in the lobby swooned to a medley of songs from PCPA students with wonderful voices.
During and after dinner, PCPA students entertained once more, displaying their superb voices. Dr. Gil Stork, retired vice-president of Cuesta College, did a masterful job as auctioneer.
Auction chairladies Catherine Luckett and Maryellen Simkins met the challenge of coming up with silent and live auction items that prodded checkbooks into action.
The Foundation had a lot of fun with a sale of raffle tickets for 100 bottles of wine. Tickets priced at $100 each, and 100 tickets were sold.
Foundation Executive Director Gillian Andrews can consider the 2008 gala a feather in her top hat!
Alzheimer’s Memory Walk in the rain
There was a fine mist, then a drizzle, followed by outright raindrops. It was definitely an “I need an umbrella” morning.
The weather did not, however, deter the resolute staff and more than 300 supporters of the local Alzheimer’s Association, who cheerfully turned up for the Waller Park Memory Walk fundraiser on the morning of Saturday, Oct. 4.
When I arrived, early bird volunteers Karen Cordary and John Sterling were arranging raffle items and food tables, protected from the rain by blue canopies.
I never saw coffee disappear so fast in my life. Joyce Ellen Lippman of the Area Agency on Aging picked up java from Starbucks and did not have one drop left when she returned the huge container. Supporters didn’t lack nourishment. We all enjoyed muffins, donuts, and orange juice before participating in Lisa Griffith’s pre-walk warm-up exercises.
Kids (and there were lots of them) donned plastic cover-ups, while adults scurried from blue canopy to blue canopy. Judy Fitzgerald registered walkers and handed out tickets for the barbecue, which included chicken, beans, salad, and garlic bread. Master barbecuer Eddie Galarza, from the Boys and Girls Club staff, delivered perfectly cooked poultry.
Surrounded by banks of purple and white balloons, Mayor Larry Lavagnino, 5th District County Supervisor Joe Centeno, his field rep. Gil Armijo, and City Councilman Leo Trujillo braved the rain to show support. Funnyman Bob Morrison emceed. The Santa Maria Police Department Color Guard presented the flag, and the mayor led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
This was Alzheimer’s area coordinator Roy Allen’s first walk. Based on the really good time had by all, I’m sure Roy looks forward to doing it again!
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at helenthom232@yahoo.com.
This article appears in Oct 23-30, 2008.