$50 Raffle ticket for $20,000 Cruise to Benefit the PV Art Center

Win an Exotic 15 night Cruise for Two

Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam

Cruise includes all wines, spirits and gratutities

Luxurious suite accommodations

This cruise retails for $20,000!!!

Exclusive, Luxurious and Exotic

$50 per ticket - only 500 tickets will be sold.

Drawing held on Aug 1,2009

Winner need not be present to win

Raffle will benefit the Palos Verdes Art Center

Send checks made payable to "The Associates" in care of

"Celebrate Chef's V Raffle Prize" and mail to:

Palos Verdes Art Center

5504 W. Crestridge Rd.Rancho

Palos Verdes, CA 90275

Telephone: 310.541.2479

Fax: 310.541.9520
http://www.pvartcenter.org/

The Great Gatsby Chef's Dinner

I blogged last year about the PV Art Associates knowing how to throw a party. Well, the Spanish themed dinner was a real show-stopper. The event was held on a private estate in Palos Verdes with incredible views and vistas. The Andalucian horse show had the crowd of 200 oohing and ahhing and Christine's Restaurant did a fabulous job with catering. Who throws these kind of events? " I wondered, "I'd like to join them!"

Well, a year later and I am part of the planning committe for the themed Great Gatsby dinner which will take place July 18th. Our group is fabulous with great ideas, enthusiasm and a knack for planning stellar parties.

Today I headed to the library to research July 18th, 1925. For those of you who might need to brush up on The Great Gatsby - the book takes place in the roaring 20's and was actually published in 1925. Since the date of our soiree is July 18th - well, you get the idea.

Weekly Updates

A few things...
Whales - yesterday I volunteered for a couple of hours in the Gray Whale Census Project - their were 2 spotting before 8:30 amd and then another 8 after 1 pm. Again, I delighted in spotting the dolphins cavorting and sea lions flipping around the kelp.

PV Art Center
The PV Art Associates co-hosted the art reception last night and gave $60,000 to the PV Art Center as a result of their chef's dinner fundraising event(s) last summer. The reception was very well attended and I thoroughly enjoyed the Japanese drum performance which added another interesting dimension to opening which focused on Japanese internment during WWII.

Off the Wall

The Palos Verdes Art Center is presenting "Off the Wall" - an art exhibit in the Beckstrand Gallery. The opening reception is the Friday from 5-8 pm. This is my first art show and I have two photographs of Neptune's Fountain that will be on display. I also have photographs on display at Skin Haven Spa in Los Angeles. (skinhaven.com)

P.V. Art Center Associates Know How to Throw a Party!

Saturday evening, the P.V. Art Center Associated put on there 3rd and last chef event for the year. It was - incredible. I had so much fun and every one was so nice and gracious and interesting - it made for a great evening. There were Flamenco dancers and a Andalucian horse show and beautiful estate grounds complete with stellar pararomic views of Los Angeles, a boxwood garden, exotic birds, a well-appointed barn, pool and beautifully decorated tables. Restaurant Christine's catered the event. Yum. Fried olives and empanades with sangria (or wine if you preferred) to enjoy before dinner. My favorite part of the meal was the last entree - beautiful jumbo shrimp, clams and mussels in a tomato-based sauce. Dessert, I couldn't help ask if there were more churros with that decadent chocolate sauce.