A wonderful Elks Roast
I think the recent Elks Roast that feted Jay Thomas was among the best I've ever attended. If you missed it, you missed a really fun evening. The roasters were actually funny, not so "blue" as in years past and the food was great. Jay Thomas is a class act and the event reflected his style. Good job all around!

Seen at the Elks Roast
Among those seen at the Elks Roast: Jenny and Tim Ketchepaw, Darrel and Patty Paulk, Debbie and John Heys, Shelley and Marshall Hann, Julie and Steve Sturgeon, Bob and Kathy Kellar, Da Anne Smith, Jasmine Foster, Frank and Charlotte Kleeman, David Gauny, Dennis Poore, Jayne and Chris Fall, Ed Masterson, Carla Edwards, Cheri and Don Fleming, Duane and Pauline Harte, John and Joni Shaffery, Ken Pulskamp, Marc and Kerri Emmer, Lois Bauccio, Randy Moburg and Mitzi Like, Diana Sevanian and Mike Dunkle, Betty Seldner, BJ and Jeannie Adkins and Ed Bolden.

‘Tea Parties for a Cause'
Elda Meguerditchian, owner of The Tea Gardens in the IHOP Center off Bouquet Canyon Road, just expanded into the adjoining space. She is now offering "Tea Parties for a Cause" and has teamed up with Harrison Katz, a candidate for City Council, to host a Valentine's Day tea party to benefit the SCV Emergency Winter Shelter. Celebrate with the sounds of guitarist and songwriter Melissa Kaye at one of two seatings, either 11 a.m-1 p.m. or 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Tickets are $39 per person. Among the goodies you might sample are: Creamy tomato soup with heart-shaped parmesan croutons, sweetheart cucumber sandwiches, prosciutto wraps, petit spinach quiches, salmon florettes, raspberry and cream scones with amaretto clotted cream and preserves, petit fours, mini cupcakes and chocolate covered strawberries.

Call (661) 255-9832 for reservations.

Time to ‘transform' in 2010
Results Fitness is launching the "New Year, New You Transformation Contest" designed specifically to help the SCV to get fit in the New Year. "We want the whole community to have an opportunity to hit their fitness goals in 2010," said Cameron Hedges, manager at Results Fitness. The contest will run for six weeks. Each contestant will be placed into a group of five individuals. If you have friends or family who are interested you can form your own group. Each group will be weighed in, body fat will be measured and clothing size logged. Each group will be eligible for a $5,000 grand prize ($1,000 for each person in the group) and receive two group coaching sessions and four small group (five people) coaching sessions during the six-week period. Each contestant will receive a Results Fitness nutrition journal for logging meals and learning strong nutrition fundamentals. Cost for the contest is $50 per person. No entries will be accepted after Feb. 13. Info: (661) 799-7900, www.results-fitness.com or e-mail info@results-fitness.com.

Newsmakers
Yes, Newsmakers is back! We published our list of nominees on Monday. To reserve your tickets or tables for the Friday, March 19, event please call me at (661) 902-5590. We're planning a fun evening to celebrate the Newsmakers of 2008-2009 at the Hyatt Regency Valencia.

Michele E. Buttelman is the features and entertainment editor of The Signal. She can be reached by e-mail at mbuttelman@the-signal.com.