Monday, December 01, 2008

A charitable event to raise money for Central Catholic High School

By MIKE MOONEY
mmooney@modbee.com

last updated: April 13, 2008 07:22:20 AM

Here's the deal.

You've got to come up with a plan to raise a quarter of a million dollars -- or more.

Fast.

Today.

Whoa! Wait a minute. Stage a fund-raiser? That's not about to happen.

Haven't you heard?

Like the rest of the nation, Modesto and Stanislaus County are struggling with a faltering economy.

But the future of your high school hangs in the balance.

So, what do you do?

How about building an event around fine foods and wines, a silent auction and the latest in fashion?

Welcome to Central Catholic High School's "BASH 2008," being held Friday and Saturday.

Michael Chiarello's NapaStyle pavilion anchors this year's revamped BASH, which will transform the school's David Patton Field into a chic Central Market Place.

By the way, that's BASH, as in "Building A Scholastic Heritage." The annual fund-raiser debuted in 1974 with an Oktoberfest theme, built around a formal dinner and silent and oral auctions.

The school's inaugural effort netted $21,000.

At the time, building a community fund-raiser around a silent auction was unique.

No more.

In fact, that's one of the reasons organizers say they decided to revamp BASH this year. The area's free-falling economy also was a key factor.

"This is very important event for us," said Lidia Parman, coordinator of BASH 2008. "It's our biggest fund-raiser of the year. It helps us offset tuition costs and needed (classroom) equipment. Half of our students need tuition assistance."

Parman is confident this year's BASH -- a two-day extravaganza featuring a wealth of fine food and wine, live music, myriad vendors, a fashion show and the familiar silent auction -- will exceed the event's historic $250,000 annual fund-raising average.

That's a pretty lofty goal, especially given the region's economic doldrums. But BASH 2008 organizers remain confident.

And why not? With Chiarello's NapaStyle anchoring the Central Market Place, anything is possible.

The Turlock High School grad has taken the cooking world by storm. His cooking shows are featured on the Food Network and Fine Living channels.

Chiarello won't be making a personal appearance at BASH. His publicist said he will be in Florida over the weekend because of a prior commitment.

Still, Patty Halvorson, a parent volunteer and co-chairwoman of BASH 2008, said the two-day event is not to be missed.

"We feel we're providing things that people need and are buying anyway," she said. "This is a new event (and) we feel the community is ready for something different."

BASH 2008 gets under way with a gala Friday from 5 to

10 p.m., featuring the music of Ernie Bucio's Little Big Band.

Organizers say David Patton Field will be transformed into a miniature version of New York's Central Park.

Gala tickets are $125. The price includes your food and drink, provided by a bevy of eateries -- Bacchus, Cayenne, Cool Hand Luke's, Da Vinci's Deli, Fuzio, Papapavlo's and Tony Roma's, among others.

Guests also will be able to enjoy a martini, glass of fine wines and other adult libations, as they wander among the vendor tents and place their bids in the silent auction.

The Central Market will open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Two ticket options are available:

For $10, you can walk in and check out the vendors, participate in the auction and, generally, soak up the atmosphere.

The $50 ticket also allows you to attend a special fashion show. That price includes lunch, prepared by Galletto Ristorante, as well as dessert from Rachel's Kitchen.

At the fashion show, Central Catholic students, parents and faculty will model the latest styles, including selections from Macy's, The Boutique at Salon Salon, Gloss, Impulse and Rossini's.

"We're hoping to create a lot of excitement with this event," said Parman.

Halvorson agreed.

"We've been working on this for almost a year," she said. "it's not just our little auction and dinner anymore, it's a communitywide event with something for everybody. It's going to be a lot of fun."

For more information about BASH 2008 contact Lidia Parman at Parman@cchsca.org or 524-6818.

Bee staff writer Mike Mooney can be reached at mmooney@modbee.com or 578-2384.

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