On the Ball

The American Cancer Society honored its heroes at the 8th annual Riviera Ball at the Biltmore, when 120 guests turned out for the cause, raising around $100,000.

The popular bash, co-chaired by Jon Church and Elaine Christ, feted Carpinteria financial executive Jeff Moorhouse, who, along with other pilot friends, used his Beechcraft Bonanza to fly 170 missions during the Thomas Fire and mudslides, for cancer patients, medical personnel, as well as transportation of blood.

The Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, who donated $20,000 to the charity, also received awards, along with Ridley-Tree Cancer Center oncologist Daniel Greenwald, and Santa Barbara cancer survivor Claudia Lash, a community volunteer.

David Gonzales sang an impressive rendition of the national anthem and Bryan Kerner, director of development for the sciences at UCSB, auctioned off a number of prizes, including a Fijian vacation, a holiday Santa Barbara trolley tour for 32 guests, and a round-trip aerial view of the Pacific Coast for two.

Among those supporting the cause were Adam and Rachel Peltier, Fred Kass, Mary Anderson, Denise Sanford, Joel Wiesenberger, Warren Butler, Claudia Lash, Craig and Denise Montell, and Bruce and Sharon Edwards.

Up in Arms

Actor Ashton Kutcher, who lives in a beach house in Carpinteria, says he feels lucky to be alive after his wife, Mila Kunis, picked the same Thousand Oaks locale where 12 people were shot, for his birthday celebrations this year.

Ashton, who turned 40 in February, took to Twitter to share his story with 18 million followers, and made a call for change.

He offered his condolences to those whose loved ones in the Borderline Bar and Grill were among the 12 people killed.

“My wife threw a birthday party this year at the Borderline,” he wrote. “The only reason we’re alive is the shooter chose a different night!”

Fate working in the most mysterious of ways.