MAKE-A-WISH RAISES FUNDS AT BEL-AIR BAY CLUB EVENT
Michael Aushenker

Palisadian-Post
August 20, 2009

Palisadians were part of the fun when Make-A-Wish Foundation of
Greater Los Angeles held its 16th annual food- and wine-tasting
event on Sunday, August 9 at the Bel-Air Bay Club above Pacific Coast
Highway. Some 650 attendees were treated to generous samples created
by California wineries and gourmet restaurants at ‘Uncork A Wish,’
with proceeds helping Make-A-Wish grant the wishes of children with
life-threatening medical conditions.

Laurie Kaman, a Palisadian and television advertising executive who
is on Make-A-Wish’s board of directors, has been participating in the
organization’s fundraising for two decades. ‘This is our first year
at the Bel-Air Bay Club and the first time we’ve held this event on
a Sunday,’ Kaman said. ‘This was an opportunity to change it up in a
changing economy.’ Organizers said the event raised close to $200,000.

Kaman’s friend and fellow Palisdian Kathy Barnes, founder of the
chocolate enterprise Coco Fix, has been taking part in ‘Uncork’ for
five years. The pair fondly recalled Yveline, an 8-year-old Haitian
girl dying from a brain tumor whom they afforded a week-long trip to
Disneyworld with a $5,000 donation.

Make-A-Wish raises $3.5 million annually in Southern California and
grants more than 300 wishes to kids in Los Angeles County, ranging
from trips to visit out-of-state relatives to shopping sprees and
Sweet 16 and quincea’era parties.

Auction items included artwork from Make-A-Wish children,
V.I.P. tickets to ‘Dancing With the Stars’ and ‘So You Think You
Can Dance,’ a walk-on role on the Steven Spielberg-produced Showtime
program ‘United States of Tara,’ vacation packages to Africa and Aruba,
and a one-on-one visit with superstar Laker Kobe Bryant (which went
for a seemingly cheap $2,000 to the highest bidder).

Strolling around the classy, venerable Bay Club (a Palisades fixture
since the late 1920s), one could enjoy an endless selection of gourmet
food and fine wine.

Yet arguably the most popular restaurateur represented was Pink’s,
the venerable West Hollywood stand known for such signature hot dogs as
the Guadalajara Dog and the Lord of the Rings. Lo and behold, wearing
her signature pink blazer and accessorizing with a pink Nokia, was
Gloria Pink, co-owner of the La Brea-and-Melrose landmark. Pink was
joined by husband (and Pink’s co-owner) Richard Pink, and Richard’s
sister, Beverly Pink Wolfe.

‘We call it ‘chili dogs for charity," Richard said of Pink’s donation
to the event.

The Pink family also expressed their excitement about November 7, when
comedian Bill Cosby, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and KCET personality
Huell Howser will celebrate Pink’s 70th anniversary. ‘He calls it the
‘Howser Bowser," Gloria Pink said of the latter’s nickname for the
Huell Dog, a tortilla-wrapped double dog at Pink’s.

Guest Ken Davitian, the heavy-set character actor best known for his
roles in the hit movies ‘Borat’ (including the infamous nude wrestling
scene) and ‘Get Smart,’ was in good spirits.

‘I have two children,’ Davitian told the Palisadian-Post, ‘one of
whom was diagnosed at birth with a disease but is now terrific. So I
have a soft space in my heart for kids.’ The Armenian-American actor
added that he is also involved in St. Jude Hospital and like-minded
Armenian organizations.

Patricia Rubio, a Palisadian by way of Chicago who had bid on several
items, said she exercised all morning before attending ‘Uncork.’ ‘I’ve
been eating my way through this event,’ she said, laughing.

Rubio told the Post that her support was personal, as the Foundation
had granted her niece, Alexandria, a Disneyworld trip. ‘She was a
year-and-a-half when they found a brain tumor,’ Rubio said. ‘She
was in and out of chemotherapy until she was three.’ But that was
a decade ago. Today, Alexandra is 14, leading a normal, healthy,
cancer-free life.

‘When everything is going wrong and things appear dark,’ Rubio said,
‘Make-A-Wish gives them a little joy and hope.’