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The 4th Annual Monte Carlo Night took place on October 3 with a Denim & Diamonds theme. It seems this party gets better every year!! Every one of the people in attendance – numbering over 500! — had a blast. Nancy, dressed in elegant cowgirl regalia, once again opened her Northridge home to raise additional funds for PALS (Police Activities League Supporters) to purchase materials needed and for the various programs for the Councilman Greig Smith LAPD Devonshire PALS Youth Center, named after the local councilman who has been so supportive in the efforts of PALS and other organizations. The money raised over the past few years has helped to build a brand new 5500 square feet youth center which will proudly open November 2, 2009. The Center is targeted to provide after school activities and motivational opportunities for potentially “at risk” youth.
Loads of Nancy’s celebrity friends, professional poker players as well as a few hundred other people came for an evening of Texas Hold ‘Em and other casino games including black jack, roulette and craps. Tom Kenny, the amazing voice of SpongeBob SquarePants, once again lent his talents as emcee of the festivities. Music was provided by the Cody Bryant Band, which certainly added to the country western feel for the evening. Entertainment included a musical set from Nathan Osmond, another in the long line of amazing Osmond singers. Nathan previewed many of the songs from his new country CD, Feels Like Heaven. Songstress Dee Dee O’Malley performed the PALS theme song, which she wrote and debuted last year. The Explorers once again served as Color Guard which emphasized the positive impact of the programs that PALS and this event support.
The celebrity guests mixed, mingled and played Monte Carlo games until the very end of the evening. Kirstie Alley, Camryn Manheim, Yancy Arias, Bill Smitrovich, Kate Linder, Stefanie Schaeffer, Patrick Cassidy, Derrick Williams, Jose Canseco, Dorian Harwood, and others joined Jamie Gold, World Series of Poker Main Event winner of 2006, as well as Poker pros Mary Jones, who once again hosted poker boot camp, Barbara Enright, Marsha Waggoner, Kristy Gazes and others.
The top five Tournament winners received seats to a WSOP satellite tournament and full entry to next year’s Monte Carlo night. Other prizes included Polanti watches, Las Vegas show tickets, a Talisman Unlimited necklace and a private lesson with Annie Duke! Mark Eddleman won the 1st Place Trophy. Second place went to Mike Armstrong and the third place winner was Marina Baroco.
Dinner and dancing, including line dancing lessons, were enjoyed by all. Trick roping and magic by Mickey Silver were also part of the eye candy. The cigar bar was a success as always and, of course, the open bars, with specialty margaritas including POM mixers, made everyone just a bit happier. The silent auction and Chinese raffle let several people bring home treasures, including jewelry, specialty baskets and celebrity and sports memorabilia. Some lucky person even won lunch with Nancy!!!
The evening could not have been possible without the support of many people and sponsors including Innovative Artists, Polanti Watches, Rockstar, Before and After Mints, Wiseman & Burke, Law Offices of Leah Antonio-Ketcham, Esq., H20 Water, LifeSource Water, Fox Television, and many others.
