It was vintage cocktail and black-tie at The 32nd Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse 2018 Twistin’ at The Ritz Amethyst Ball at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara, CADA’s annual premier fund-raising event, where Fred Brander wine were being poured all night. Chubby Checker and his band the Wildcats brought everyone to their feet to dance and the renowned performer danced with numerous guests in attendance. The entire ballroom was rockin’ with guests twisting and singing to the 60s hits.

KEYT3 Team of Honorees with MC Catherine Remak

Silent and Live Auction items were simply fantastic, and featured The Unparalleled Party that included dinner by Dario Furlati, owner of Ca’ Dario Restaurants, Margerum Wines, and Dishwalla entertainment all to be held at the mountaintop home of renowned entertainer Alan Parsons. The party drew $25,000 x 2, and a litany of generous donations were made by CADA supporters during the live auction.

Brander Wines

Chef Toni France and the staff at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara prepared and presented a fabulous dinner of filet mignon and a unique vegan entree paired with Brander Merlot and Sauvignon Wines. Anne Smith Towbes was warmly thanked from the stage for her support of the Telethons for CADA, and General Manager Mark Danielson with the KEYT3 Team were honored for their ongoing support of CADA.

Chairs for this year’s event included Diana MacFarlane, Dana Mazzetti, Holly Murphy, Susan Neuman, Anne Smith Towbes and Betsy Turner. According to Diana MacFarlene. Ed Stonefelt, President and CEO of CADA did introductions, and Catherine Remak was the amazing MC, and danced with Chubby Checker!

Ritz Carlton Bacara Chef Tony France

This was a dress for success event with many guests wearing vintage 1959-60s couture, and others looking stunning in designer evening wear. My favorites included Anne Smith Towbes wearing a black & white Kate Spade, and Erin Graffy in a vintage 1959 costume. Everyone noticed Montecito real estage mogul Terry Ryken, who looked stage ready in a sparkling white jacket.

Filet Dinner by Chef France

CADA was established in 1949 by a small group of Santa Barbara citizens and has grown into the largest organization in the county for the prevention and treatment of alcohol and drug abuse, serving over 14,000 youth and adults over its many years. For information or to make a donations visit: cadasb.org.

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By Bonnie Carroll

Bonnie Carroll has been a food/travel/lifestyle writer since 1983. She is the founder & publisher of Bonnie Carroll’s Life Bites News (www.lifebitesnews.com), and does travel and food reporting on local radio/TV, she also contributes to a variety of national and international travel/lifestyle publications and blogs, and is a member of IFWTWA and NATJA. Contact her at writebc@aol.com.