The Diversity Center

Photos of 2009 Casino Night

On September 25, 2009, Santa Cruz once again enjoyed a festive evening sponsored by the Diversity Center for its Casino Night, held at the Santa Cruz Dream Inn. Lots of fun and grand prizes were won! Special thank you to all the volunteer support & sponsors!

Sponsors in 2009 included: The Santa Cruz Dream Inn; Good Times; ACLU; Bark Place Pet Boutique & Barkery; Claire Sanders, Broker & Terry Cavanagh, Realtor; Emily's Bakery; Floating Edge, Inc.; Santa Cruz Seaside Company; Sagadahoc Oil & Gas Company; and Temple Beth El.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article and Photos of 2007 Casino Night

 

2007 Casino Night Article in The Diversity Center CommuniQ, by Stephanie Taylor

On November 10, 2007, I stood amidst a cascading sea of shimmering silk with 150 other members of my LGBTIQ community and friends. We were laughing, hugging, dancing, eating, drinking, and betting on a great cause. We posed for pictures, bid on wonderful silent auction items, and crowded around the craps table to cheer on players who continued to draw a crowd the entire evening. On this magical Saturday night, I was at Temple Beth El for The Diversity Center's Annual Campaign Casino Night fundraiser.

Terry Cavanaugh with Pacific Sun Properties and Beach Auto Sales of Santa Cruz were Event sponsors. Each of the nine gaming tables run by Class Casino were paid for by donations from Tobacco Free LGBT, Bark Place in Aptos, The Whole Enchilada in Moss Landing, Sagadahoc Oil & Gas Corporation, Cathy Curtis, LCSW, Susan Strouse, Claire Sanders of Thunderbird Realty, John Kettle, Phillip and Van, and Vince Di Silva, Cary Friedman, and The Community Bodywork Center. Temple Beth El also sponsored the event by donating their hall, which was transformed into a shimmering Moroccan Kasbah through the talents of Cobra and Sandi of Faerie Magic, who donated all their materials and time. 

The silent auction and casino raffle prizes were all generously donated by community members and businesses. Dedicated people like Board President Jane Schwickerath, Chris DiMaio, Board member, Sally Jones, social committee member, and Rachael Lotto, Center Administrative Assistant gathered the prizes which were gloriously displayed by social committee and Board member Beth Davis and her partner Tegan Speiser.

I was involved in a bidding war over a gorgeous red blown-glass bowl, eventually won by Mardi Brown and her partner Laura. (I do get to visit it from time to time). They, along with many others, carried home their prizes with pride and happiness.

The crowd was serenaded by Jazz-A, a fabulous group of gay and straight jazz musicians, who also donated their time and talent. We were also treated to the infectious world beats of Los Kombucheros.

Board member, Sandra Sandoval, and her partner Vera served champagne, wine, and beer with a smile, along with other great volunteers.

When we needed to refuel before hitting the roulette table, Board secretary and social committee member Kathy Manus, along with her wife Lulu and other volunteers, kept the food table stocked with sweets and delicious cheese plates. Our MC's, Artemis & Patrick Curry kept the crowd entertained, engaged, and informed. 

As I worked the event and went from station to station, I saw the smiling faces of so many volunteers, Board members, Center staff, and friends who made the evening possible. I thought about the countless hours everyone put in to make the event a success. I thought about how we all held our breath as the rain came pouring down, hoping people would brave the storm. At the end of the evening on November 10, 2007, I sat on an empty stage in an almost empty room and was thankful for every smile, every handshake, every hug, and every jackpot because I knew we had created something special, a casino night to remember. If you were there, I hope you had a memorable evening. If you weren't, I hope to see you next year!

 

 

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The Diversity Center of Santa Cruz