Big hearts and busy hands attended last Friday’s awards luncheon
presented by Community Solutions at the Coyote Golf Clubhouse. The
lovely NBC 11 reporter Susan Siravo acted as emcee for the event,
taking a break from covering that other golf course south of
here.
Big hearts and busy hands attended last Friday’s awards luncheon presented by Community Solutions at the Coyote Golf Clubhouse. The lovely NBC 11 reporter Susan Siravo acted as emcee for the event, taking a break from covering that other golf course south of here.
Enjoying the champagne reception was eligible bachelor (the yentas are on the loose!) Frank Leál, of Leál Vineyards; tasting room manager Chris Walker; and Walker’s husband, Wes. They then headed to table seven or, as Santa Clara County Supervisor Don Gage described it, “the energetic table.”
Leál and Walker filled me in on Leál’s recent claim to fame: having the opportunity to meet well-known chef Emeril Lagasse during his visit to San Benito County. Lagasse is reported to have loved Leál’s chardonnay. Kick it up a notch!
In other Leál news, former Detroit Redwings hockey player Igor Larinov has contracted with Leal to make wine for him under the label “Hat Trick.”
Sprinkling the crowd with his political magic, Don Gage was honored with a Helping Hand Award and shared the podium with Melissa Mendoza, the recipient of the Healing Hearts Award. Mendoza’s son Daniel, seated between his mother and grandmother, was a perfect prince of a young man. The trip to Disneyland given to the family by Community Solutions made wearing the dress shoes worth it, I’m sure.
Movie buff Marybeth Anderson got the conversation rolling at our table with quick, insightful reviews of recent releases as well as recommendations of vintage films. High on Marybeth’s old release favorites is “Stepping into Liquid.” To find Marybeth around South County, just follow the trail of popcorn.
If you see Ramona Etchebarne racing around town on a new Specialized bike, you’ll know who won one of the most sought-after raffle items generously donated by Robert Margevicius. Brad Ledworth was the proud winner of a gorgeous little number donated by Michelina’s, and it no doubt found a home in his wife’s closet. The afternoon was filled with wonderful lunch and wonderful people – congratulations to the award recipients.
Awarded the artist of the centennial, Marie-Christine Briot-Connelly presented a warm and friendly show of her work and signed centennial posters last weekend at the Morgan Hill Bank of America. Friends, past clients, patrons walking by and those attracted to excitement came to meet Marie-Christine and view the richly framed poster presented by new shop owner, Leah De Lane, of Fast Frame.
Fellow artist and fluent French speaker Anne Rosenzweig stopped by to tell Marie-Christine “bon jour” and chat about art. Laura Brunton showed her unstoppable enthusiasm for the celebration, supporting Marie-Christine on the business side of the art show. The arts are on the move in South County.
Moving south Saturday night, the South Valley Symphony showcased two young musical artists. The amazing 12-year-old Eileen Chen playing on Gavilan’s new grand piano Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and 17-year-old Evan Jeng, playing Saint-Säens Violin Concerto No. 3. The symphony moves further south in April, playing for the first time in Mission San Juan Bautista. Can you imagine the sound of the symphony with the Mission’s historic acoustics? Make your plans for dinner now, and let’s pack the church for this one.
Ciao for now.
