Art A La Carte: Food and drink for a good cause

Indulge me. I'd like to put in a plug for a party I'm throwing (with a bunch of my friends) for a good cause. Art A La Carte, Nov. 15, is a fundraiser for the St. James After School Program, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit that provides arts and music enrichment to fourth- and fifth-graders from low-income households at no cost to their families. It's a great little program, and I happen to be prez of the board. We work with Arts Partners, Roots&Shoots, Communities in Schools and USD 259 to give these children avenues to be creative and have fun in a nurturing environment.

My good friend David Kamerer is helping immeasurably with this. His WSU communcations students are working hard to promote the event. Other friends, including Joe Stumpe and Carrie Rengers, are donating valuable stuff for our auction (in Joe and Carrie's case, an elegant dinner party to be cooked in your own home!) David's gypsy jazz band, the Nouveau Quintet is providing music. Also Lisa Hittle of Friends University will be performing with her jazz trio. We'll have wine, excellent food (provided by the folks who run Uptown Bistro, Sabor and Oeno Wine Bar) and an art auction too, in the newly renovated Guild Hall at St. James church. Do not miss this party. Tickets are $50 ($35 of which is tax-deductible) available by sending a check to St. James ASP, 3750 E. Douglas, Wichita, KS 67208. If you're reading this blog post from so far away that you can't attend the party, consider sending a tax-deductible donation to this excellent little program. I'd be so grateful, and the kids will be grateful too.