AROUND TOWN: Sold-out art show raises spirits, money

At first glance, the cavernous City Auditorium can seem cold and aging, flaking off around the edges.

Leave it to the organizers of the 4th Annual Expressions of Hope Art Show to turn it all warm and cozy. And then they packed the auditorium with a sold-out crowd of 400 art lovers.

From the festive green lights setting off the marquee to the valet-parking firefighters and red carpet entrance, the mood was set. Top it off with subdued lighting and plants and flowers, live music by Mas Tequila, and bright art displays, and May 7 was an evening to enjoy.

Traditionally the ERA Shields show supporting the Muscular Dystrophy Association's fight against spinal muscular atrophy has been held at the real estate office on Tech Center Drive. Then it burst its seams and moved downtown this year.

A delighted Bill and Carol Hurt visited the displays of the invited artists and chatted with guests. Featured were art, jewelry and pottery by Marie Baehr, Mickey Baxter-Spade, Jean Pierre De Bernay, Mary Dempsey, Trevor Bridge, Jennifer Hanson, Robin Hardie, Deb Key, Julie Knudsen, John and Dorothy Mendoza, Phil Myers, Laura Reilly, Terri Sanchez, Linda Shelly and Mark Wong.

A percentage of the art sold went to MDA; $40,000 was raised. Several artists donated to the live auction as well.

Three special guests, young buddies from MDA camp, were Kennedy Caldwell, Vivianna Stewart and Zoe Grisez, accompanied by their mothers. Vivianna's father is serving his fourth tour in Iraq, and Zoe's dad just returned from Iraq.

Thanking their supporters were MDA program coordinators Laura Graham and Jesica Jerrold.

Chocoholic Frolic

Chocolate. CHOCOLATE. Just say the word and watch 450 people head for the Garden of the Gods Club.

The sold-out Kidpower Chocoholic Frolic on May 2 brought in $65,000 for programs that help empower young people to stop being victimized. At last count, 25,000 kids have been taught self-confidence and safety skills.

The popular annual chocolate event kicked off with something new this year, a February fashion show of chocolate-inspired designs at The Citadel mall. Top designer was Sharon Gilbert, and several of the chocolate/coconut/strawberry/fudge wearables were on display at the May 2 event.

Chocolatiers who had tables of goodies at the frolic were: Alpine Chef Catering, Creative Cakes by Carol, Edible Arrangements, First Impressions Catering, The Food Designers, Garden of the Gods Pastry Shop, Garden of the Gods Gourmet, Little London Cake Shoppe, Julie Pech - The Chocolate Therapist, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Sophia's Chocolates and Walter's Bistro/Plate World Cuisine.

Honored for their work with Kidpower and the Chocoholic Frolic were Linda Schafer, Linda Moyes and Chris Park.

Scholarships and shoes

It was a "Ladies Steppin' Out" scene when the Colorado Springs Alumnae Panhellenic Association went to brunch May 2 at the Garden of the Gods Club. The 12th annual scholarship fundraiser honored Janet Strouss as the winner of the Gene Dorsey and Ruby L'Herisson Memorial Alumnae Scholarship, for returning to school for a second master's degree and second career.

City Councilwoman Jan Martin was saluted with the Alumnae Achievement Award for serving the community, sitting on a number of boards, having 40 years of experience as a businesswoman and for being a woman "who is always humble" as well as one who could never be considered "lukewarm."

Serving on the brunch committee, with its "outrageous shoes" theme, were Ann Hall, who was accompanied by her daughter, Natalie Brown; Elizabeth Rocco; Vivian Patton; Rosemary Anderson; Yvonne Livengood; Peggy Carmack; Sally Creely; Amy Stovall; Nancy Ickes, Deb Grandia; Marsha Wayman and Jeanne Jannette.

The association's second American Girl Fashion Show and Brunch is Oct. 25.

Fine bottle of wine

A bottle of 1986 Chateau Lafite Rothschild wine will be raffled by Friends of the Manitou Springs Public Library for the library expansion. The donated bottle is conservatively valued at $1,000 to $1,700 and had a 100-point Robert Parker rating.

Tickets are $5 or five for $20. The drawing will be June 13 at Swirl Wine Emporium in Manitou Springs, followed by a wine tasting. For tickets call Jean Gabardi, 685-9100 or e-mail jgabardi@msn.com.

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Send information about nonprofit events and fundraisers to
 linda.navarro@gazette.com