The Santa Ynez Valley Summer Classic Benefit is set for 5:30-8:45 pm. Saturday, June 29, at St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church, 2901 Nojoqui Ave., Los Olivos.
The goal of the Summer Classic is advancing community and inspiring generosity to expand community services and projects throughout the Santa Ynez Valley.
The church’s courtyard and Stacy Hall will be the setting for the Summer Classic’s alfresco meal with Chef Jeff Olsson of New West Catering providing the feast.
Dinner wines sponsors are Foxen Vineyard & Winery, Spear Vineyards & Winery and Demetria Estate Winery & Vineyard. Fiddlehead Cellars is the Reception Wine Sponsor. Throughout the evening, DJ Marc Dillon of Gavin Roy Presents will provide music, concluding with tunes for dancing.
Co-chairs of the event are Linda Burrows and Peter Wright. Andrew Firestone will be master of ceremonies and auctioneer.
There will be a silent auction, 5:30-7 p.m. with lifestyle packages, wine experiences and gourmet meals on offer. Some highlights are:
Simon Miller Bonsai handbag; leather jackets from First Street Leather, a Women Winemakers collection, a whimsical metal Tug Boat cooler from J. Woeste filled with summer party beverages; a Starlit Nights family package created by the preschool families; and a case of French Bordeaux wine curated by Judge Royce Lewellen.
The live auction following dinner will offer packages including:
A Stagecoach Dinner at Mattei’s Tavern prepared by Jake Francis of Valley Piggery and featuring live music by Sean Wiggins & Lone Goat; a two-hour tour out of Santa Barbara Harbor for 20 on a private, staffed yacht; the Love is Love is Love dinner on Feb. 14, 2020, hosted by Steve and Cathy Pepe; cooking class and dinner with Chef Maili Halme hosted by Madeline and Don Heimark; a Wine Country weekend house including a balloon ride and luncheon event hosted by Frances Schultz and Tom Dittmer.
Proceeds from the Santa Ynez Valley Summer Classic support local community programs and services provided by St. Mark’s including hosting more than 100 area nonprofit and civic organizations, meetings, programs and special events throughout the year.
Among others, St. Mark’s welcomes the Santa Ynez Valley Jewish Community, Food Bank of Santa Barbara County, Arts Outreach, Buellton Senior Center, SYV Humane Society, Veggie Rescue, Solvang Festival Theater, First Five Santa Barbara, support networks, recovery groups and county-wide commission meetings.
St. Mark’s also offers a professional preschool and a venue for music concerts, arts and cultural events. St. Mark’s will soon launch the SYV Community Kitchen collaboration to work toward alleviating hunger in the community.
The Santa Ynez Valley Summer Classic is coordinated by volunteer leaders including Burrows, Wright, Kathryn Wrench, Bill Hurbaugh, Margie Larkin, Kate O’Neill, Cathy Pepe, Laurie Wright, Sue Doherty, Peter and Gabi Robbins, Puck Erickson Lohnas, Reneé Kelleher, Pat Fallin, and Bill Connell, with help from Laura DeJohn, Leslie Zuller, Silvia Lucatero, Father Randall Day and other community members.
Reservations for the 2019 Santa Ynez Valley Summer Classic and are available for $150 per person donation including wines, beverages, hors d’oeuvres, dinner and music.
Reservations are available securely online at www.SMITV.org/the-summer-classic.html or by sending a check and contact information with the notation 2019 Summer Classic to St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley, PO Box 39, Los Olivos, CA 93441.
— Laura Kath for St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church.