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Acclaimed actor and director Kevin Costner (right) was welcomed by Police Chief Steve MacKinnon (AKA “Da’ Chairman of the Board”) at Saturday’s Moonlight at the Ranch IV: “The Roaring 20’s!” Costner was Honorary Chairman of the Moonlight event where he graciously greeted and posed for photographs with guests at Limoneira Ranch. |
Kevin Costner shows strong support for public safety at Moonlight at the Ranch!
September 22, 2010
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
Kevin Costner showed his strong support of public safety and the Santa Paula community when the acclaimed actor and Academy Award-winning director attended Saturday’s Moonlight at the Ranch IV: “The Roaring 20’s!” of which he was honorary chairman.
Costner, whose roles have included G-Man Eliot Ness in the hit 1987 film “The Untouchables,” showed he personally is not - graciously greeting fans and posing for keepsake photos with many of the celebration’s 1,000 guests at the Limoneira Company Ranch bocce ball courts. Later Costner strolled over to The Eclipse Club, Moonlight’s own speakeasy, where he was admitted early to chat with those operating the almost 50 booths offering tastes of the region’s finest cuisine.
Costner had his own special parking place at the event - marked with signage noting “Eliot Ness Parking Only” - and Chamber of Commerce President Nan Drake greeted him. Costner was accompanied by longtime friend and Ventura’s Buena High School classmate and business associate Tim Hoctor.
Drake provided initial introductions to Costner, including to Carla Edwards, whose husband Harold is president/CEO of Limoneira Company, and to the Moonlight at the Ranch IV chairman, Police Chief Steve MacKinnon. MacKinnon was dressed as his “Da’ Chairman of the Board” AKA “Da’ Chief” character, the suspicious appearing mobbed up owner of Moonlight’s own speakeasy, The Eclipse Club.
MacKinnon said he sensed Costner “was a little overwhelmed by it initially... we thought he would only stay a short time, but he was obviously enjoying himself and stayed longer.” And Costner “got a kick of seeing so many people in costume. He went down and interacted with the restaurants and thanked them for contributing to make Moonlight a great event.”
Costner visited The Eclipse Club accompanied by Clara Behrens of the Chamber, and Chris Sayer - incoming Chamber board president - and his wife Melissa Sayer. Among those Costner chatted with were those at the La Cabaña Restaurant booth.
Costner’s roots in the area include attending Briggs School, where as a kindergarten student he was in the same class as Santa Paula Fire Chief Rick Araiza, a Moonlight at the Ranch Committee member whose mother Gabie Araiza Reeves has owned the Santa Paula-based La Cabaña for decades. Karen Araiza Reynolds, Gabie’s daughter, was the Moonlight Restaurant co-chair.
MacKinnon said his “personal perspective” is that famed actor and director Costner is “kind of a quiet and shy guy” who went out of his way to pose for photos and chat with Moonlight guests. “He seemed happy he was a part of the event” and, noted MacKinnon, “we were thrilled he was willing to give us his time.... Earlier this year we had our fingers crossed” Costner would make an appearance, “but, knowing his schedule - and that he was just arriving back in town and then would be off again to Russia - that he was willing to spend some time with us was just great.”
Each year’s Moonlight at the Ranch celebrations benefit the Santa Paula Police and Fire Foundation - of which Costner was an early supporter - and the Chamber of Commerce.
