Scott Rushing was dealing blackjack: “I don’t gamble” he noted but he had the game’s lingo down pat.“It was fun, tough on your math skills,” joked MacKinnon about dealing blackjack and tracking the make or break 21. “A good crowd that was having a lot of fun...”“I was gambling at Chief MacKinnon’s table,” said Supervisor Long, “...and lost!”There weren’t losers at the opportunity drawing overseen by Elias Valdes, or at the Silent Auction where an array of art, unique gift baskets and jewelry were among the must have items.Musical entertainment by the Fays was the perfect backdrop for lobby gambling.Santa Clara Valley Hospice/Home Support Group’s (SCVH/HSG) The River Valley Club (RVC), opened in September at El Buen Pastor Methodist Church as an adult day program for those seniors with special needs that need a little more attention and help who benefit from the club’s variety of activities.The Casino Night just might become an annual event, said Cathy Barringer, longtime former chairwoman of the SCVH/HSG Board of Directors, who noted the contributions of the volunteers and supporters.“It takes a lot of people to do a lot of things,” Barringer noted. “It was a wonderful party...people were having a ball!”
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Gambling is not unknown in the rich legacy of the Glen Tavern Inn but Saturday might have been the first time that blackjack tables and roulette wheels were being operated blatantly on the first floor of the historic hotel. Above, guests are dealt Blackjack during the Western Casino Night to benefit the River Valley Club held Saturday evening. Photo by Brian D. Wilson |
Casino Night benefits River Valley Club
June 27, 2007
Western Casino Night a rootin’ tootin’ success!
Santa Paula News
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula TimesGambling is not unknown in the rich legacy of the Glen Tavern Inn, but Saturday might have been the first time that blackjack tables and roulette wheels were being operated blatantly on the first floor of the historic hotel.Santa Paula Police Chief Steve MacKinnon was already on scene but he was dealing, not detaining as the Western Casino Night to benefit The River Valley Club brought gambling and a strong dose of the old West to the inn.Western Casino Night brought celebrants in their finest Western dress to play Texas hold-em poker and other games of skill and chance, but mostly it was their gamble that they would enjoy the event that paid off for all.Volunteer dealers joined the pros where the end of the evening payoff were more raffle tickets for an array of prizes.A tent outside the historic hotel held diners who enjoyed gourmet Chuck Wagon hors d’ oeuvres prepared by The Grove restaurant for the party, which ranged into the Glen Tavern annex and inn lobby.Volunteer dealer Stan Goldstein looked right at home and like a character on “Deadwood” with his Western getup including long flowing hair that might or not been attached to his Stetson.“...It’s fun and for a good cause” he noted during a break.Vice Mayor John Procter, also a dealer, said that asking for money is always a touchy issue with him but he was glad to take on all comers for the sake of the River Valley Club.Supervisor Kathy Long, Councilman Bob Gonzales and City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz were also seen in the crowd.“People were winning at my table,” said dealer Suzi Skutley, who treated her players with great respect as she urged them on.
