By Daily Press staff
A night of wine, food and celebrities this weekend in Santa Monica will make the wishes come true for hundreds of children in Los Angeles.
Bringing together a host of restaurants in Los Angeles and wineries from all over the world, the event is the largest fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Los Angeles, raising more than $600,000 — funds that will be used to fulfill the wishes of more than 400 children in Los Angeles County. In addition to celebrity bartenders at the Carving Ice/Kristall Vodka martini bar, more than 500 live and silent auction items will be featured, including exotic vacations, artwork, fine and rare wines, jewelry, celebrity memorabilia, and one-of-a-kind treasures.
The event, which will begin at 6:30 p.m., will be held at the Barker Hangar at the Santa Monica Airport Santa Monica, 3021 Airport Ave. this Saturday.
The celebrity bartenders begin pouring at 7 p.m. and the live auction begins at 9:15 p.m., hosted by Bob Goen and a special appearance by Brad Garrett.
The team of celebrity bartenders pouring at the Carving Ice Martini Bar, currently includes Diedrich Bader from “The Drew Carey Show;” Leslie Bibb and Leslie Hope, “Line of Fire;” Mark Derwin and Marianne Muellerleile, “Life with Bonnie;” Matt Gallant, “Planet’s Funniest Animals;” Chris Harrison, “The Bachelor and The Bachelorette;” Cris Judd, choreographer and actor; Bianca Kajlich, “Rock Me Baby;” Phoebe Price, “The Horse Trader;” Missi Pyle, “Big Fish and Along Came Polly;” Luc Robitaille, “Los Angeles Kings;” Adam Rodriguez, “CSI: Miami;” Sara Rue, “Less Than Perfect;” Melana Scantlin, “Average Joe/GSN’s World Series of Blackjack;” Kent Shocknek, “KCBS2;” Ty Treadway, “SoapTalk;” Constance Zimmer, “Good Morning, Miami;” Arianne Zuker, “Days of our Lives;” and volleyball champions Sinjin Smith and Randy Stoklos.
More than 100 world-renowned wineries pouring, including Beaulieu Vineyards, Castello Di Selvole, Echeverria, J. Lohr, Lancaster Estate, Laurent Perrier, Marquis Philips, Renteria, Rombauer Vineyards, Spadina Nero Davole, Taurino, Summerland Winery, Valminar and Zardello.
More than 30 of LA’s best restaurants serving, including Balboa Steakhouse, Chez Jay, Citrine, Dandy Don's, Il Grano, Noe, Locanda Del Lago, Loft Hawaiian Restaurant, Mirabelle Restaurant, Michael's, P.F. Chang's China Bistro, San Gennaro, Sushi Roku, The Farm and Water Grille.
For additional information, visit http://www.wishla.org/wine2004.html.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 12, 2004. Read the original PDF.