SBNP Logo“Life is Good” Garden Court Endowment helps seniors in crisis

By LORRAINE D. WILSON, NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT

March 7, 2010 12:00 AMSBNP_20100307_ArticlePhotos

“Life is Good” was the theme of the Garden Court Endowment’s annual dinner, donated and hosted by the Canary Hotel. And indeed it was on this day, with Hawaiian food, surfer décor and island music by the band The Locals. It was a fun evening thanks to Cathy Aiello, the Canary Hotel banquet manager, committee members, and master of ceremonies Rick Longpre.

To top it all off, the real “Gidget,” Kathy Kohner Zuckerman, was the honorary chair. Her father, Frederick Kohner, wrote the novel “Gidget,” based on his daughter’s love of surfing. From there came the 1959 film starring Sandra Dee; Sally Field followed in the television version.

In the ’60s, SURFER magazine ranked “Gidget” as the seventh “most influential surfer of all time.” I was amazed at how many of her local surfer buddies of high school days came to the dinner. Among them were John Venable and his wife, Christy, Joanna Morgan and husband Stan Krome, and Kemp Aaberg.

The evening honored the Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara and raised funds for the Endowment, which provides assistance to low-income seniors in times of crisis. Last year, the endowment provided funds for eye surgery; on-site health and wellness programs; housekeeping and laundry help; one resident’s burial; and emergency medical treatment for the animals of five residents.

Garden Court is a residence for low-income seniors in Santa Barbara.

Annette Robson and her committee gathered more than 100 silent auction items, including a vacation in Mexico won by Neil Dipaola. Others helping the Endowment were: Randy Fox and Terry Bartlett; Catherine Woodford; Bob and Alyce Parsons; Lynda and Dr. Bud Stuart; Rosalind Gies Amorteguy; Richard and Linda Ring; Don and Marilyn Schafer; Blake and Maren Parsons; Cleo Fisher; Alex and Debbie Saucedo; Janet Garufis, president of Montecito Bank & Trust, one of the sponsors, and vice president Mary Ellen Tiffany; Gail Persoon; Sybil Rosen; Dr. William Santoro; Linda Hughes; Geoff Green and Seraphim Albrecht; Roger and Roxanne Dahlen; Kitty and David Peri; Roy Handelman and Carmen Danalevich; Rick Vaill; Rebecca Riskin and husband Ken Grand; Jon Glasoe; Silvio Di Loreto and Mary MacDonald; Carol MacElhenny; Chris Lancashire and Mary Beth Larkin; and Penny Sharrett.

Garden Court Endowment board members at the dinner included Detlev Peikert, president; Barbara Allen; Dennis Elledge and Suzanne; Rob Pearson and Shannon; Alyce Parsons and Bob Parsons.