What a Wild Night

The party animals were out en masse when Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network hosted its annual Wild Night Out at the Carousel House at Chase Palm Park with 200 guests raising more than $150,000 for the popular group.

The boffo bash, co-chaired by Gretchen Lieff and Connie Pearcy, had decided Hawaiian overtones with dancers from the Santa Barbara group Hula Anyone showing off their talents, while serving Mai Tais to accompany the fare of burritos, paella, and fresh Morro Bay oysters.

“It feels so good to be back in the flesh after two years,” declared Ariana Katovich, executive director of the Goleta-based charity, which is just completing building a $6 million, 5,400-square-foot, two-story hospital complex and intensive care unit, scheduled to open in December after nearly two years of construction.

Curt Menefee, who anchors Fox NFL Sunday and hosts A&E’s newest series America’s Top Dog, emceed the fun fête, and conducted the auction that included a South African safari, and staycations on Catalina and in a Summerland beach house.

Among the animal lovers supporting the mad social whirl were Mindy Denson, Miles Hartfeld, Ginni Dreier, Penny Bianchi, Brendan Twigden, Kristi Newton, Rick Oshay, and Beno and Kandy Budgor.

What Can’t She Do?

Singer Katy Perry is trying her hand at being a TV talk show host.

The former Dos Pueblos High student is fronting an upcoming episode of fellow Montecito resident Ellen DeGeneres’ show on her 37th birthday.

Katy, currently a judge on ABC’s American idol, will be interviewing fellow judge Luke Bryan and Michael J. Woodard, a former contestant on the popular show.