By Heather Milo
Acorn Staff Writer
Chinese, Italian or gourmet American? A basket of picnic food and wine, a Kate Spade bag or a giant toy ball for the kids? Guests had their pick of this and more at Coldwell Banker’s third annual "A Taste of the Promenade," a recent fundraiser benefiting the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC), hosted in a private, roped-off section in front of the Coldwell Banker office in Westlake Promenade.
Coldwell Banker’s Promenade and Westlake Village offices hosted the event, which featured family entertainment with the theme "A Magical Evening." In tune with the evening’s motif was the up-close performance of 15-year-old magician Justin Lefkovitch, who volunteered to fill every shift that evening for the magician’s table.
The event offered a "taste" of food from many of the Promenade’s restaurants. "It’s very nice of Coldwell Banker to put this together," said Sheila Balter, JCCC Conejo Valley Guild president. The Conejo Valley Guild serves as a fundraising arm of the Jonsson Cancer Center. Promenade retailers donated items for raffles and a silent auction.
Teresa Friedman of Coldwell Banker said that this year’s event was in honor of the woman who started the event three years ago, Heather Simms, who died from cancer last May at the age of 54. "It was tough," Friedman said.
A Taste of the Promenade garners about $20,000 annually with an estimated 400 people attending each year. All proceeds went to JCCC, which develops new cancer therapies, combines experimental and traditional treatments, and guides and trains new medical researchers.
Friedman’s husband, Corey, put much of his talent and energy into the event, proving that Coldwell Banker’s efforts were indeed a family affair. Corey not only offered to serve as a backup magician to the apparently tireless Lefkovitch, but he also emceed the raffle drawings and introduced the performers.
All food, prizes and entertainment were donated. Coldwell Banker’s agents and management manned the booths and tables. Children’s entertainer Stacey Zee, owner and performer for Parties by Stacey, made angels’ halos and wings from balloons.
Of particular note was seventh-grade guitarist Devon Geyer, 12, of the Stephen Geyer Quartet, who stood in front of the crowd and played the blues as if born to the music.
For more information on Coldwell Banker’s program to support the JCCC, please call (818) 991-5170.
Leave a Reply