Barbara’s Column
A tasteful night in Laguna
By BARBARA DIAMOND
Photos by Doug Miller
The Laguna Board of REALTORS® and its Charitable Assistance Fund hosted a tasty party Wednesday night at Seven7Seven.
“A Taste for Charity” is one of the Realtors’ two biggest and most enjoyable fundraisers,
“It was a fantastic event,” said Realtor Marcus Skenderian, whose company COMPASS was a sponsor. “There was a great cross section of people, not just Realtors. And it raised a lot of money.”
Founded in 2004, the Laguna Board of REALTORS® and Affiliates Charitable Assistance Fund is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization which exists to the benefit the local community, Realtors and Affiliates.
The founding Board of Directors envisioned a nonprofit organization that would raise funds to donate to the local nonprofit organizations in need.
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Tracy Brown, Anne Belyea, and Dr. Korey Jorgensen
In keeping with that goal, local organizations, which do not have other consistent means of support, are prioritized.
This year’s event raised funds to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Laguna Beach, Laguna Food Pantry, Laguna Beach Seniors, Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, No Square Theatre, First Thursdays Art Walk, Sally’s Fund, the Laguna Beach High School Scholarship Fund and the Charitable Assistance Fund, used for the needs of REALTORS® and Affiliate members in times of medical, financial and local disaster hardship.
Anne Belyea was on hand to represent the Laguna Food Pantry, Celeste Gillis represented LPAPA and Angela Shipp attended on behalf of LBHSSF. Past Laguna Seniors President Chris Quilter and John Fay, who Quilter said is leading the charge on behalf of Lifelong Laguna, were in the crowd.
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Zack Krone, auctioneer, and his spotters
The event has increased in popularity since it began when mostly only Realtors attended.
Skenderian opined that the crowd on Wednesday may have been the biggest ever.
Proceeds had not been counted by the deadline for this column, but Community Events Chair Brendy Michael projected $70,000 would go to charities. Michael was assisted by Chairs Robin Thomas and Andrew Graff, in charge of the donated art; Dianna Redman, silent auction; Rick Graves, video production; Candice Henderson, restaurants; Ron Pickett, sponsors; and Denise Campanelli and Tracy Brown, theme decor and entertainment.
Their combined efforts was rewarded in the money raised for these designated charities, but also because everyone at the event was having a good time.
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(L-R) Heather and Rick Graves, Pam McCurry, and guest
“We have only lived in Laguna for three years and we don’t go to many events,” said Sandy Jauregui, who attended with her husband, Rick. “But we will come back to this.”
“This” featured booths offering tastes of signature foods, ranging from barbecued ribs to gelato – hence the name. Participants included Skyloft and Tommy Bahama, both located in the Heisler Building on South Coast Highway, the oceanfront Cliff, K’ya Bistro in the Casa del Camino, and downtown eateries – Carmelita’s Kitchen de Mexico, Thai Brothers, Gelato Paradiso and Nirvana Grille, which also has dancing on Friday and Saturday nights.
As usual, there was a silent auction. Among the donors: Victoria Skimboard, Fawn Memories, Areo, Lisa Vanderbeck, C’est La Vie, Hennessey’s Tavern, Spa Josephine, the Coffee Bean, Gina’s, Sock Harbor, the Laguna Playhouse and the Pageant of the Masters.
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Bidders battle for items
Temporary walls were covered with donated art. Donors included Tom Swimm, Dennis Zervos, San Caglayum, Michael Hallinan, Charles Pabst, Rick J. Delanty, William Crawley, Tom Lamb, Laura Cunningham, Anthony Salva and Lindsey Duffer. Marc Chagall and Lu Hung seriographs were also donated.
And since the event was billed as a celebration of Laguna’s past, it should be noted that the Laguna Board of REALTORS® is an integral part of Laguna’s past. It was chartered by the National Association of REALTORS® as a local Board in 1924, even before Laguna Beach became a city. It has grown from a handful of real estate agents sharing information to a full service Board of REALTORS® providing all of the services and products its members require.
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(L-R) Kurt Kress, Kristen Mullen-Kress, Loraine Mullen-Kress, Reuben Gulledge, Courtney Shepard and Rick Trevers
Also a blast from the past: KX 93.5’s early morning DJ Ed Steinfeld provided a feast of music from the Swing Era – Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, etc. For those who rise early, Steinfeld features in-studio performances, audience-inclusive games, the latest local news and community information.
Among the throng enjoying the evening: Stephany Skenderian, Tammy Skenderian, Dr. Korey Jorgensen, Brad Arnold and Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Paula Hornbuckle-Arnold, Wendy Potter and longtime friend Susan Arrendondo. The children of each of them went all through Laguna Beach schools together, then on to UCLA together and now are interning together at the Ronald Reagan Medical Center.
But wait – there’s more. You will find advance notice of all the fun and interesting stuff for visitors or residents to do in Laguna by reading StuNewsLaguna.com. Contributions are welcomed.
