Long Beach Press Telegram

Tim Grobaty

Tuesday, April 30, 2002

Bid on some real gems at Jewels 

The CSULB 49er Athletic Foundation raised more than $185,000 for the Student-Athlete Scholarship Program during its Eighth annual Jewels of the Night fund-raising event at the Pyramid on the Cal State Long Beach campus.

The 1,000-plus partygoers were greeted by faux Blues Brothers Bob Bennett and friends, who played jazz tunes throughout the night. 49er cheerleaders sold Enterprise-Rent-A-Car opportunity tickets for a chance to win cash prizes.

Auctioneer Ed Arnold took bids for sports, jewelry, home and wine luxury items, which were auctioned off throughout the night. More than 100 auction baskets were styled by Therese Quesada and Barbara Loureiro. Live auction items were displayed with beautiful auction boards designed by Debbie Bickerstaff with the help of Susan St. Germain to give bidders a chance to prebid before the live auction. As guests made their way down to the lower level of the Pyramid, they were greeted by the sounds of Captain Cardiac & the Coronaries and the fabulous smells of restaurant fare from about 50 local establishments.

Master of Ceremonies Ed Arnold opened the evening program and introduced CSULB President Bob Maxson, who introduced the new men's basketball Head Coach, Larry Reynolds.

Auction action: Dan and Bobbie Struve were the top winners, scoring a week at Bacara Resort and a Bunco Party at Spaghettini's - Italian style. Other winners included Dan Struve and Frank Rossi, who won a trip to the 2003 PGA Masters tournament. Ira & Cini Robb took in Paul McCartney's concert at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim thanks to their winning bid. Tom & Lynn Hermstad and Ed & Victoria Gulian will spend time at Disneyland and Club 33. Bruce and Mary Forbes-Bradley will board Air New Zealand on their way to Sydney, Australia, while Carolyn Woodruff will take one of her daughters to New Zealand.

Seen at the scene: CSULB President Bob Maxson and wife, Sylvia. Brian and Dania Gimmillaro, Bob and Sue Ewart, Pete and Cheryl Manarino, Rick and Libby Azevedo, Pat West, Luan Tinoco, Karen Sinaguglia, Susie Atwood with Dave Butler, David and Nessa Bernstein, Jim and Joan McCormack, John and Paula Bloeser, John and Fran Blowitz, John and Maureen Vastardis, John and Tori Busch, George Mehale, Steve Chesser, Barry Clifford, Craig and Polly Cross, Kathy Drum, Jana Echevarria, Rocky and Deborah Gentner, Dennis and Leslie Gilday, Cindy and Hall Gillis, Art and Margie Johnson, Kris Leathers with Manuel and Barbara Loureiro, Bruce and Maureen MacRae, Mike and Melissa Murchison, Mayor Beverly O'Neill, Bob and Fran Pitts with Dennis and Susan Pitts, Braden and Susan Phillips, Les and Cindy Robbins, Susan Rose with Connie and Jack Shainline, Gene and Rayann Rotondo, Dan and Bobbie Struve, Steve and Jan Szabatura, Mick Ukleja, John and Joan VanBlom, Kim and Steve Whaley, Jean Unatin and Bond Nichols, Janice Schuerman, Bunny Sutherland, Jerry and Charlene Feller, Debbie and Howard Chambers, Derald Sidler and Jerry Murphy.

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