Queen of Hearts

Saturday, February 10, marks the Friendship Center’s 19th Annual Festival of Hearts at the Fess Parker. The festive Valentine luncheon is a popular fundraising event for the adult daycare center, located on Eucalyptus Road in Montecito. 

This year’s theme is the Queen of Hearts’ Tea Party, and attendees will enjoy lunch, local wines, musical entertainment provided by Montecito Jazz Project (led by Tom Towle), and a silent and live auction. As always, the silent auction includes beautiful handmade hearts donated from local artists, six of whom are from Montecito. One artist, Ginny Speirs, was unable to reach her studio following the mudslide and told organizers she wouldn’t be able to submit a piece this year. Sharon Morrow, the event’s “heart wrangler,” offered her own studio space and supplies for Speirs to use to decorate her “heart.” Sixty other hearts are also up for auction. “We are very thrilled with having so many hearts for auction,” Morrow said. 

The live auction, emceed by Gail Rappaport, features travel, adventure, and luxury packages. All proceeds from the event support Friendship Center’s HEART (Help Elders At Risk Today) Program, subsidizing the cost of adult day services for low-income aging and dependent adults and their families. Tickets are $125 per person, available at www.friendshipcentersb.org. 

The event is from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm at 633 E. Cabrillo Blvd.