The city’s big Fiesta celebration is all set to roll this weekend. I’m looking forward to all the various events. I’m sure I will be seeing many of you about town.
It was a tropical theme last Saturday evening when the Foothill Family Service held its annual benefit, “Tropical Fling” held at a private downtown L.A. Club.
When guests arrived at the main entrance they were adorned with decorative flower leis before they made their way up the grand staircase.
Colorful orchids of many varieties were placed in lovely arrangements throughout the rooms of the club. The signature cocktail for the evening was a refreshing mai tai embellished with a slice of pineapple and a small umbrella — there was no doubt after the first sip that you wanted to find a beach chair to relax in.
It was formal dress for the guests and a few men were truly getting into the tropic ambience by wearing white dinner jackets. Many of the women were wearing beautiful gowns, many of them with colorful flowers.
Sue Baribault, a longtime LCF resident, was having quite a lot of fun with the island theme as she brought along a yellow and green plush parrot puppet tucked away in her purse. Her husband, Bill, was a busy guy minding the silent auction tables hoping that his bids came up a winner.
The Friends of Foothill Family, a volunteer guild of over 100 women led by Leslie Clayton, president, created the evening that raised approximately $145,000 for the nonprofit organization that provides mental health and social services throughout the San Gabriel and Pomona Valleys to children and families.
Allison Dietrick and Michele Esbenshade were benefit chairs while Jennifer Allen and Debbie Mitchell were auction chairs. The executive director of Foothill Family Service is Helen Morran-Wolf.
The auction room was a busy place as guests sipped their mai tais and shopped for an array of items up for bid. A steel drum band provided music perfect for the island theme while guests had their photos taken against a sunset backdrop by Nick Boswell Photography.
To fortify themselves for active auction bidding guests tasted the passed hors d’oeuvres that included coconut shrimp, tuna tartare and bruschetta with goat cheese and Caribbean fruit.
