"Let's Dine Out" local dining show offered pizza from Gourmet Pizza of Redlands, while Redlands Chamber of Commerce President Darrell Olson was on hand representing Sawyer Cook Insurance and Arrowhead Credit Union on behalf of "Construction Zone Radio," featuring Redlands Cultural Arts Commissioner Clark Elder Morrow.
Guests sipped on wines from the Galleano Winery while they tasted other treats, including apple pie from the Riley Farm in Oak Glen and chocolate cake from Claim Jumper Restaurant. Bracken Bird Farm sponsored the "Nature" booth, while Grounds For Enjoyment offered coffee and cappuccino in sponsorship of the "Wild Planet Chronicles" show.
The room was filled with prominent Redlands personalities, including Plymouth Village Administrator Sandra Bruckner, Redlands Triple A Academy Director Mardi Linane and Redlands Symphony Guild Vice President Helmi Merkley. Additional familiar faces in the room included Curtiss Allen Sr., Kim Hoeptner and Myra Patterson, president of the Associates of the Redlands Bowl.
Live music was provided by the Ed Webster Little Swing Band. Personalities from KFRG radio highlighted the silent auction items and drew attention to the various information tables. The live auction was facilitated by Martha Green.
He congratulated the staff for their accomplishments and lauded their service to the community, stating that public television aims at a higher mentality than network television can offer.
The beautiful thing about Southern California is that you can experience the cultures of the world without traveling more than 50 miles, said Howser.
He said that he never plans to retire and would rather "die on the air" because he loves meeting interesting people and featuring their stories on his program.
"I guarantee you the lady at the checkout stand at the grocery store has a more interesting story to tell than any movie star you'll ever meet," said the former journalist.
Guests lounged in La-Z-Boy chairs for the live auction portion of the evening. Green called out the items and fielded bids from a relaxed crowd in mostly reclined positions. Items included a Palm Springs Tram tour, a Thomas Kincaid painting, trip to Mammoth, San Diego Bay cruise and private dinner with Howser at Claim Jumper.
Green, who is currently discussing a food program option with KVCR management, chided Howser for thinking he could enter the realm she so dominates in the region, but expressed her respect for his years of television experience.
Green found that there were two major parties bidding on the dinner for six. In an attempt to raise additional funds, she gathered up the manager of the local Claim Jumper and convinced him to increase the number to 12 people for dinner, but there was no sharing to be found when she tried to spilt the item between the two bidders.
It wasn't the mother lode, but the event did raise some much-needed funds for local public broadcasting. Station management needs those funds to move forward with programming desires after the completion of new technological advancements. Digital technology will soon provide KVCR with six television stations and they are experimenting with streaming live radio over the Internet, said General Manager Larry Ciecalone.
New radio and television programs will feature a more localized flavor, including local newscasts and programs such as the potential Martha Green cooking show.
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