CPNA Annual Picnic
Saturday, September 17, 2011

Picture perfect, that's what it was. Your Cuesta Park Neighborhood Association pulled together a practically professional picnic on an equally pleasant day. Had enough "P's"? Well here's two more: Peter Pirnejad. He led a great team that made it all look so easy.

Right from the beginning things came together. Robin Tenold, Sarah Donahue, Natalie Johnson, Dora Henderson & Jo cleaned off and covered the tables for all to enjoy. Pam Miller set up the auction area, while Andy Miller, with lots of help from Nancy Hill and others, hauled in water and soft drinks by the pile. Then, with help from the kids, distributed it all nicely into five buckets and chilled them down with lots of ice. Super thanks to Nancy Adel Stuhr who sponsored the beverages section.

Hugo Penafiel (another "P"!) headed up the Safety Fair headlined by our own CERT Command Post Trailer and staffed with Eric Lipanovich, Jon Peters, Dave Offen and others. Add our very own MTV Police Safety Unit, and Jaime Garrett from Lynn Brown's Office of Emergency Services, and finally Acterra, a leader in clean/green activities.

What great fun in the Kids Zone too! Ice cones and syrup, a profusion (P) of pretty (P) bubbles blowing in the breeze, games to play and even a giant (real live) clown! Thanks to sponsor Aileen La Bouff!

But of course it wouldn't be a picnic without great food. Russ Jones, Bill Lowes and Don Merry had the charcoal started by 10:00 am so everything would be just right when the crowds arrived. Simple but good was the word, with hot dogs and chili as the star attraction, rounded out with neighborhood-grown Granny Smith apples, carrots, mixed bags of snacks and a condiment table overflowing with onions, relish, sauerkraut, and ketchup. Credit Linda Lies & Jan Jones with organizing all this, and then posting Robin Tenold and Rick Van Mell to dish it out until every last dog and scoop of chili was handed out.

Dessert? Well, yes, lots of people brought desserts, as requested, but Margaret Atherton, Sophie Brown and Donna Lowes kept it organized, fresh and neat as swarms of kids and adults alike descended on the goodies. It was no accident that it was shaped like a "U" so they could ride herd over the pushy (another "P") crowds.

Keeping it all lively was 27 Strings, a fresh and energetic bluegrass band that knocks your socks off. Be sure to enjoy the videos of both the impromptu tune-up session we captured and one of the foot-stompin songs we used as the background for a picnic panorama (2 more "P"s). Thanks to Gail Gauvin for finding these great folks, and their web link is down below if you'd like to hear more of them. They play occasionally at the church on the corner of Cuesta & Miramonte.

It was also nice of our neighbors Jac Segal and John Inks to stop by, not only do they hang in the 'hood, Jac's our MTV Mayor, and John's on the City Council.

When it was all winding down, Aurora Filinich was still as fresh and perky (P) as when she started greeting people three hours ago. It's a real tribute to the whole Check-In Team Kim Merry put together, with thanks to Barbara Chan, Svetla Ziateva, Sue Cummings, Gail Gauvin, Anne Metz, Aileen La Bouff, Loretta Merry, and Julie and Frances Lloyd. Well done!

As of this writing, we're not sure how many came, but we are sure that after you've read this far and looked at the pictures (P) below, you'll be sorry you weren't present (P), and promise (P) you'll be both present and punctual (2P) next year! See you then.

The following pictures have been reduced in size for easy web display. If you would like a full-size original, just email Rick Van Mell and provide the picture's caption and the picture number in the URL.

A beautiful place for ...	our annual picnic ...	this is us.	Setting up ...	Russ is busy ...
Peter & Sarah too ...	Pam & Margaret ...	table crew # 1 ...	table crew # 2 ...	Peter's pleased.
27 Strings sets up	BBQ is ready thanks to ...	Jan, Bill ...	these guys and ...	Russ!
Delicious Granny Smiths	Food team's happy	All spiced up	Ready for ...	bucket brigade ...
looks great thanks to ...	Nancy!	Kim's ready so ...	Aurora welcomes all ...	City safety checks in
Safety Fair	Diane & Eric at ...	CERT trailer ...	good display.	Hugo, Jaime & Eric
Norm & Stephanie Red Cross	Police safety team	Acterra is for ...	green living.	Did you win?!
... maybe George did!	Robin serves up ...	smiles!	Russ & Don tend grill	The Dessert Team
More food takers ...	going fast!	The Fun Team!	Aileen, Debbie & Nancy	Zakriya clicks
Me too?	Mayor Jac Segal	It sure was ...	getting started ...	lots to do ...
ice cones ...	bring smiles ...	and bubbles ...	Sharon's happy.	Neighbors are having ...
a great time ...	all smiles ...	boys chow down ...	family fun ...	ladies table ...
guys table ...	Sarah & Paul enjoy ...	27 Strings	Tall talk	Mom & daughter

27 Strings Tunes Up

27 Strings Performs

http://www.27strings.com/

Generations	Picture perfect	We're happy ...	we want dessert!	Dessert table crowd
Councilman John Inks	Sign-in Team ...	was great!	Food donations	It was a GREAT day!