A Display of Affection
The event: Canvas of Hope, a black-tie dinner Saturday that took place among the rare cars displayed at the Marconi Automotive Museum in Tustin. The gala raised funds for the Orange County Chapter of the National Parkinson Foundation.
Hot wheels: They didn’t kick the tires, but 400 car buffs in their black-tie finery checked out some of the sleek machines inside the museum-turned-ballroom. One person even set off a car alarm while examining the rare autos, which included a yellow Ferrari 365 GTS/4 ordered for Cher. “There are no ‘Don’t Touch’ signs in here,” said Dick Marconi, museum owner. “A kid could come in and touch a $3-million Ferrari.”
Guests sat at tables draped in black and enjoyed a performance by Florence Henderson of “The Brady Bunch” fame, music by the Paul Smith Trio and an appearance by comedian May May Ali, daughter of boxing legend Muhammad Ali, who has Parkinson’s disease.
The toughest race: For those who have Parkinson’s, a degenerative disorder of the nervous system, a cure can’t come soon enough. Stan Scher, who chaired the event with his wife, Renee, has had the disease for 20 years: “You get kicked from all angles when you have this disease,” Scher said. On bad days, the disease makes both walking and talking difficult for Scher.
Quote: “Parkinson’s is a tragedy that doesn’t have to exist,” said Marconi, who was honored at the event as the local foundation’s Man of the Year. “They’ve isolated the genes that cause it. All we need is enough money to find a cure.”
Faces: Davo, an artist who contributed works for the gala auction; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Rodney Peete; Bill Cox, master of ceremonies; Kimberly Kirkland Seidman, West Coast director of the foundation; Priscilla “Bo” Moore, museum vice president; Iris Frankl, Brent Koch; Mignone Trenary; SonyaBella, Renee Cortez; Dan Marconi; Dennis and Judy Lollobrigida; Roger and Beverly Rhode; and Diann Kozlowski.
Bottom line: The gala was expected to net about $75,000 for the local foundation. Proceeds will be used for Parkinson’s research and patient services.
For patient care: The National Parkinson Foundation Patient Services & Outreach Program at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach offers a variety of free services, including counseling, support groups and educational materials, for patients and their families. Call: (714) 574-6338.