Filling in as a substitute bunko maiden on Wednesday night was a
hoot when in the company of long time bunko friends at an
undisclosed neighbor’s house.
Filling in as a substitute bunko maiden on Wednesday night was a hoot when in the company of long time bunko friends at an undisclosed neighbor’s house. For close to 16 years, the core group of these women has been meeting to “have food, drinks and bash men.” The male-bashing is light, the food and drink are substantial.
Over the years the monthly game has rotated houses, and Christmas involves a gift exchange with attendees sharing their fun as well as their woes.
“We’ve been through breast reductions, augmentations, deaths, births, and soon, grandkids.” Their success happens because “we’re good listeners.”
Success in their case does not mean full-out bunko strategy leading to national competition (remember, this is a game that anyone can play in any kind of state of consciousness) but rather success in keeping a group of ladies liking each other and upholding the group, although they do admit to “weeding out some bad ones.”
According to Tam Bouslog, the group has changed it’s physiology over the years. “We were hot mamas, now we’re hot flash mamas.”
Quite the joker in the group and over the top honest is Sherwood Garcia. Debbie Robinson encouraged Garcia to reveal her special wardrobe for ironing; “In the buff watching the Spice Channel.” (I wonder why people run from me when I have my writing tablet?) Garcia is also known in the group as the gourmet chef and bunko at her house is not to be missed. I happily volunteered to fill in again when I heard Garcia would be serving chocolate martinis with vanilla vodka and crème brulée at the next game night.
Co-owner of California Doors Kathy Rossi maintains the trusted position of point counter at the end of the night and distributor of the night’s prizes. Christy Thompson walked away the big winner of the night. Diana Deens, Stacey Reichert, Debbie Hargadon, Merri Muir and Allison Magnuson were also in attendance but their quotes were not publishable (I’ve learned my lesson). Great fun ladies!
Happy sounds emanated from the barrel room of Guglielmo Winery on Thursday night as the Sister County Commission hosted the official delegation from Florence, Italy. With the sounds of a wonderful mariachi band playing amongst the barrels and leaning tower of Guglielmo cases (that was a great effect on the north wall, George) the event had the flavor of a Mexi-Italio celebration.
Always the congenial hosts, the Guglielmo family welcomed partygoers as long-time friends, and thanks to local Mama Mia Restaurant owner Majid Bahriny, the party went off without a hitch. Bahriny came to the rescue after the original restaurant that was hired to help with the food preparation had a medical emergency. Tuscan bean soup, tortellini, pork loin, roasted potatoes, rustic bread, salad, and for dessert, tiramisu and chocolate cake were prepared by Florentine chef Angelo Mazzi with help from a contingent of volunteers.
There were plenty of ini’s and oni’s as well as elli’s in the name list of attendees but one Irishman slipped past the Swiss guards. Bernie Mulligan filled me in on the details of a fictitious pub and casino on Lake Anderson serving Guinness on tap. I plan on making a fictitious outing to the establishment soon in memory of the late Winnie’s Pub that graced the shores of Anderson years ago.
Speaking of outings, this is the second outing to California for some of the Italian contingent. Pietro Rosselli, former mayor of San Casciano, Italy, and now president of the province of Florence was welcomed by Morgan Hill city mayor Dennis Kennedy as an old friend. Morgan Hill is also the sister city of San Casciano. The chief of protocol for the County of Santa Clara County, Kimberley Faraday, mingled with guests including Nina Boyd, Arlene Herrick, Michael Scarpelli, Shirley Schiro, Marilyn Dorsa (a very active member of the commission), Laura Bascigalupo (Gene Guglielmo’s girlfriend), and Olga and Dr. Anthony J. Nespole. Dinner pacing was typical of Italian pranzo – no rush, get to know your table mates. Makes me yearn for Firenze!
More eating, drinking and gabbing opportunities abounded at a reception of wine tasting and food sampling before the last performance of the season for San Jose Ballet at Paolo’s Restaurant in San Jose Friday night. Hosted by Fry’s Electronics,
Chef Charles Jordan choreographed a spectacular venue of the area’s finest culinary and winemaking talent. My favorite from the restaurant “O”, the escargot in white truffle sauce with chopped pistachios topped with grated chocolate served in an Asian soup spoon. From Jordan’s own hands was the creation of lamb coated with cinnamon and seasoned with salt and pepper. Outstanding fare, Charles! Hint: the parties for the ballet are awesome and season tickets for next year are on sale now.
It’s not fair for us lovers of food to go from gorging to watching shoppers such as size 2 to 4 Jane Howard of Gilroy try on beautiful, classic clothing. Howard had an appointment on Saturday with Doncaster sales consultant Carol Spence-Carr. Carr has represented the Doncaster line of clothing since 2001 and holds trunk shows in her hilltop home where shoppers are given personalized service. Jane, the interim director of the Gilroy Economic Development Corporation, finds her new position exciting with all the growth of commerce in Gilroy and plans to continue the work of former director Bill Lindsteadt. A decisive shopper, and I’m guessing, business woman, it took Howard only a few minutes to choose a lovely palm-colored brushed leather suit. As Howard explained, “I’m not a browser. I want to get in, shop and get it done.” Brava, a woman who knows how to complete a task with little hesitancy.
In case the idea of shopping with a personal consultant in South County appeals to you, Carol can be reached for an appointment at (408) 779-4189 for trunk times between May 15 and 28. Doncaster styles can be viewed at www.doncaster.com. You might even score an avocado from Carr’s massive hillside tree. The color coordinates with most of this spring’s colors.
Ciao for now.
