They call him Pinocchio, and he conducts the choir with a
decorated toilet plunger.
It takes some effort to get the choir to stop drinking
margaritas long enough to organize into the 12 days of Christmas
but they eventually get their act together.
They call him Pinocchio, and he conducts the choir with a decorated toilet plunger.
It takes some effort to get the choir to stop drinking margaritas long enough to organize into the 12 days of Christmas but they eventually get their act together. For the past five years this ragtag choir has joined voices at the Duarte/Irwin residence in Morgan Hill for a raucous rendition of an old tune.
The singfest is followed by a “naughty or nice” gift exchange that leaves some with beautiful late-evening wear and some with popcorn poppers that recycle into next year’s exchange.
Scott and Jean Duarte share their gargantuan Christmas tree with their friends and warm hospitality to celebrate the season. Pinocchio is actually Larry Irwin, father of Jean.
He and his lovely Irish/American wife Joan (proud owner and breeder of the finest Connemara ponies in California) help host a favorite South County gathering. A partial list of the invitees included David and Christel Yehle, Mary Smathers and Dave Payne, Sal and Julie Lucido, Amy and Michael Tripoli, Shelley and Jim Garza, Brenda Dellamaggiore and her hubby, Julie and Chris Houle, and with his delightful tenor voice Mark Webb (he’s a jock and can sing! I see a solo at Pony baseball opening day) and his lovely wife Moe.
Speaking of Pony Baseball … my system is still reeling from switching from Friday’s margaritas to Saturday’s rum punch at the home of vice president of Morgan Hill Pony baseball Mike Rusch.
His wife Carolyn saved many of us from consuming too much of the sweet, killer juice by taking over the heavy hand of Mike and toning the punch down to a less toxic blend.
Bob Benevento stopped by for his second party of the evening enjoying a busy holiday social life.
Bob Martin skipped the bug juice for Bud light (always a class act that Bob!) while his wife Kelly won a coveted second place in my now established “appetizer of the season” award both for color and taste.
Pesto, cheese, and sundried tomatoes atop triangles of toasted pita made for a Christmas themed nosh. Spouseless (for the evening) Barbara Campbell won first place (because I tasted this first) for her bacon wrapped dates.
My son and I helped consume the platter growling at the rest of the pack of hungry wolves.
Los Gatos was devoid of many of its residents Sunday night as they gathered at the home of Bob and Lynne Meyer of Holiday Lake Estates.
Meyer’s showcase home was sparkling with the season and Lynne’s expertise at interior design (she’s the owner of Belle Maison Design) was a visual treat right down to the coordinated Christmas wrap.
During the grand tour of her home, Lynne introduced me to the wonderful art work of Mexican artist Fernando Cosio whom Lynne hosted for a week while he created the mural on the wall of the Meyer cellar and private tasting room.
Performing artist Alex Mena entertained the guests with her lovely soprano voice (a possible guest artist for the toilet plunger conductor) and rendition of “Oh Holy Night.”
Santa Clara County District Attorney George Kennedy and his wife Janet (dedicated Cornhusker and friendly Midwesterner) took in the serene views of Lake Anderson from the Meyer’s bay window while sharing a relaxed time with colleagues Judge Paul Cole and Assistant District Attorney Karen Sinnunu.
The tabooed subject of politics snuck in with the fresh scent of Washington, D.C. on the clothes of Carol and Robert Wallace and their daughter Cameo Wallace (would you call that a cameo appearance?). The Wallace family just returned to our coast from a Bush party at the White House.
They have the connection of their younger daughter maintaining the position of the First Lady’s Washington Advance.
Cameo works as an executive producer in New York and just finished working on Ivana Trump’s new show.
Cameo said she couldn’t stop staring at all the “Ivana hair.” Her newest work is with Paris Hilton’s parents and their upcoming reality show.
Cameo hopes to move from the money-making reality realm into her first love of documentary. Maybe a possible guest speaker at next year’s Poppy Jasper Film Festival? All the world eventually passes through South County.
Lucky for us we live here. Ciao for now and Bon Natale.
