Dozens of masked guests lent an air of mystery to the Grand Masquerade benefit at the Palos Verdes Golf Club, aka Bourbon Street. Ladies dressed in sequins donned hot pink, feathered masks while men in tuxes and black ties chose simpler black masks — or none at all.
But probably the grandest mask of all was worn by Albro Lundy, who managed to maneuver through the evening in a dramatic black bird mask with an enormous beak, like a feathered Cyrano de Bergerac.
“It’s not a mask,” offered a member of his party. “He just told a lie!”
Then there was Jerry Marcil donning a chilling Hannibal Lecter mask. And attorney Brad Baker, a member of H.E.L.P.’s board of directors, cracked up the crowd wearing a Mardi Gras ensemble that his friends dubbed, “the sugar plum fairy.”
While all this frivolity resulted in a delightfully fun evening, guests actually were on hand to raise funds for Healthcare and Elder Law Programs Corp. (H.E.L.P.) The Torrance-based nonprofit offers education and counseling to seniors and their families to help them navigate complicated issues related to aging and elder care.
During the evening, which included a silent auction, dinner and a live auction conducted by Steve Napolitano, field deputy for L. A. County Supervisor Don Knabe, three local individuals were honored for years of community service.
The Inspiration Award was given to Jean Adelsman, who served for 17 years as managing editor of the Daily Breeze. Since she retired, she has made a career of volunteering, serving on the board of H.E.L.P., president of the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation and she just finished a two-year term as president of the Volunteer Center South Bay/Harbor/Long Beach.
Adelsman was unable to accept the award in person due to the untimely death of her brother in the Midwest. Helen Dennis accepted the award for her, reading a brief statement by Adelsman, expressing her heartfelt thanks and appreciation.
The Vanguard Award was given to Mary Jane Schoenheider, publisher of Peninsula People magazine for the past 19 years. She not only has published stories about local nonprofits, but she has also served on many boards and in major offices for The Circle, Palos Verdes Art Center, PV Rotary Club and the Peninsula Committee for the LA Philharmonic. She also has been co-chair of the annual Palos Verdes Concours d’Elegance for five years.
The Legacy Award went to attorney Sibylle Grebe, managing partner in the Torrance law firm of Conover and Grebe. She also served as H.E.L.P.’s board chair, is past president of the California Council of Elder Law Attorneys, and has lent her professional services to many other community organizations.
For information on H.E.L.P., call 310-533-1996 or email bhuff@help4srs.org.
Palos Verdes Symphonic Band
The Three Tenors are coming to the South Coast Botanic Garden’s meadow at 6 p.m. Sunday. But they aren’t opera singers. They are tenor saxophonists — Steve Catalano, Pat Chartrand and Benny Golbin.
The trio, in concert with the 60-piece Palos Verdes Symphonic Band under direction of David Stanton, will present a program including the music of Glen Miller and Harold Arlen.
The public is invited to bring blankets or low-backed chairs and a picnic and enjoy the concert. Tickets are $8 at the door, just prior to the concert, with free admission for children 12 and under. For information, call 310-792-8286.
Los Cancioneros auditions
Now in its 65th consecutive season, Los Cancioneros Master Chorale, a mixed chorus of 70 voices, is holding its annual audition for new members Aug. 27. All voices — soprano, alto, tenor and bass — are invited to audition, but potential chorus members must be 18 and over and have the ability to sight-read music.
Singers accepted into the chorale will be required to attend Tuesday evening rehearsals from 7-10 p.m. September through June and participate in four concerts throughout the season. The chorale performs an eclectic mix of four-part music from classical to jazz, spirituals, opera choruses, popular standards and show tunes. It provides a professional conductor and accompanist, and it often sings with an orchestra.
For an audition appointment time on Aug. 27, call Lorraine at 310-377-4978.
Palos Verdes Concours d’Elegance
Age of Elegance is the theme of the 2013 Palos Verdes Concours d’Elegance coming to Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes on Sept. 15. This year there will be 20 competitive classes.
According to Chairman Peter Kunoth, the featured classes include Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Duesenberg and the coachwork of Raymond Dietrich. The Concours also will recognize the centennial of Aston Martin, the 60th anniversary of the Corvette and the 50th anniversary of the Loewy Avanti. Other classes will showcase post-war luxury cars and a full range of sports cars. Preservation cars — automobiles that are in original and well-maintained condition — will be displayed alongside the restored cars.
“With more than 200 outstanding competition and display vehicles, there will be something for everyone to enjoy,” says exhibit Chair Ray Johnson.
Proceeds will benefit the Palos Verdes Art Center’s educational and community outreach programs and Palos Verdes Rotary Foundation charities. For information, visit pvconcours.com or call 866-522-7746.
Meredith Grenier is a freelance writer based on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
