When folks line up at the St. Francis Catholic Kitchen in Santa Cruz, they always look forward to Friday.
That's when Lou DePedro cooks his famous Taco Soup or marvelous minestrone. It's one of the clients' favorites, reports Wayne Shaffer.
Lou has been coming to work at the soup kitchen since it opened 25 years ago. Not only does the retired escrow officer arrive at 6 a.m. to start the pots of soup that will feed 200 people, but he often donates much of the food himself, Wayne said.
In addition, he regularly gives clothes, tools and supplies to the kitchen, which serves the area's downtrodden. He also is performs every job that is sent his way with tireless energy and a smile, according to Wayne.
So that's why the folks at the kitchen awarded him with a certificate of appreciation for all his work. He's one of our community's quiet heroes.
Diane Keaton spotted
One of Hollywood's bright stars, actress Diane Keaton, was spotted shopping in Soquel Dec. 29, according to those in the know. Diane — who won an Academy Award for "Annie Hall" and received three other nominations, including a best actress nomination for "Something's Gotta Give" — was seen at Center Street Antiques, browsing with a friend last month.
Our star-spotter said Diane was dressed in her own style, wearing a tulip skirt and boots. Her friend picked out two lampshades from one of the 32 antique vendors there. Our source said many clients who come to the antique center are from Santa Barbara and L.A.
| Big-hearted girl |
But there was one big difference. Instead of a pile of birthday presents, there was a pile of donation envelopes waiting to be mailed to Best Friends Animal Society, an animal rescue sanctuary that is home to more than 1,500 dogs, cats, horses, rabbits and other animals, reported her mom, Siri Vaeth. Tess' dad is historian, filmmaker and author Geoffrey Dunn.
In her invitation, Tess had asked her friends to forego gifts to her and instead use their money to support Best Friends.
This is the fourth year that Tess, a sixth-grader at Santa Cruz Children's School, has selected a charity to support in lieu of birthday gifts.
"Tess has always been very community-minded, raising funds for cystic fibrosis research, local animal organizations, Jacob's Heart and Second Harvest," said Siri. "We are proud of the example that Tess provides to her friends and relatives"
Tess said she loves animals and so was happy to use her birthday to help them. Asked whether she minds not receiving gifts, Tess said, "I am getting a gift and so are the animals. The animals get homes, and I get the gift of joy, happiness, and a bigger heart"
With the help of her friends and family — Dylan Dunn, Cami Akins, Olivia Owens, Paige Pearson, Galen Woerner, Sasha Hawley and Daniel Nemire, among others — Tess raised $240 for the animal shelter.
For more information on Best Friends, visit www.bestfriends.org
.A happier holiday
There was face-painting, gift-giving and magic-making when the Kiwanis Club of Surf City/Santa Cruz held its annual Christmas party last month.
More than 50 kids turned out for the event, which provided them with gifts and an afternoon of food and fun. Generous help came from Mervyns for the clothing, Bei-Scott Co. for the toys and Ron Daugherty Distributing for the sodas, reported Louis Paolino of the Kiwanis.
Bret Bolich, aka Bretzo the Magician, gave a free magic show while other helpers included Curtis Halpin and Lluvia Lopez, Cameron Opland and Noel Alaimo, along with Boy Scout Troop 633 and Club Pack 616.
Kiwanis members and friends who made the event a success were Ronnie Casey, Jeannene Rawlsky, Paul Crawford, Paul Browne, Hank Pearce, Chuck Goddard, Jack Weaver, Jim Riss, Tom Bolich, Mike Carrigan, Steve Pappas, Ron Daugherty, Joanie Rosebraugh, Pete Pearson, Lou Fackler, DeAnne Alcorn, Phil Fortier, Kent Rice, Stan Roitz, Mike Kaufman, Earl Rosebraugh, David Blank, Ed Lake, Jack Burnett, Bert Bly, Frank Carroll, Jim Bonar, Lynn and Bob Davidson and Jack Spurlock.
Hospital workers feted
Three employees at Watsonville Community Hospital were singled out for their great attitude and work skills when the hospital honored its top workers.
Brenda LaGrange, who is manager of the telemetry department, which is for patients whose hearts need continuous monitoring, was named Employee of the Year. Her professionalism, calmness, teamwork and can-do attitude made her the pick of the employee vote, reported Bettylu Smith, spokesman for the hospital.
Brenda will be awarded a trip to Tennessee, where Community Health Systems, which owns the hospital, is headquartered. There, she will be honored with other company employees of the year with a grand party.
Also honored was Pam Holmquist, who is director of the therapy/infection control department Clinical Manager of the Year and Sandra Barker, who is director of food services Non-Clinical Manager of the Year.
Congratulations to all.
S.V. schools benefit
A quartet of young entrepreneurs pooled their ideas and energies to make money for Scotts Valley schools.
Lena and Eva Hunt and Rose and Kara Ledig have spent a couple of weekends at Roudon-Smith Winery selling cookies and sodas for their schools. The food and drink items were donated by the winery and Lena and Eva's parents, then sold for $1 each. The weekend sales netted $165 for their schools, reported Annette Hunt.
Eva, Rose and Kara attend Brook Knoll Elementary, while Lena attends Scotts Valley Middle School.
Got a story to tell, an event to report, an award to announce? Write to Peggy Townsend at P.O. Box 638, Santa Cruz, CA 95061; fax to 429-9620, e-mail to ptownsend@santacruzsentinel.com.
