Talk of the Town: It will be a bash at the ball...and so much more!

It’s that busy time of the year, folks, with loads of things happening and lots to choose from. Here’s an event you don’t want to miss.

The Community Performing Arts Center Foundation will be hosting a glorious day of festivities Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Community Performing Arts Center at 1250 W. Continental Road.

The CPAC Arts Festival will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and will highlight the new 202-seat state-of-the-art theater that converts into a multi-use room, an art gallery, reception area and a set design shop. The event is open to the public and will include tours of the new studio while enjoying the sounds of the Green Valley String Ensemble and the Ocotillo Recorder Ensemble. Kokopelli’s Gelato Factory will be offering samples of their mouth-watering gelato. Dale Strong, a renowned oil painter, will be demonstrating his techniques and local photographer Richard Paige will have a display of his amazing photographs. Also included in the activities will be other artists and local clubs.

Later that evening, the foundation will host its Red, White and Black Ball beginning at 6 p.m. Co-chairpersons are Jean Vickers and Berdette Robison.

According to Robison, CPAC’s spokesperson for the event, this major event is a fundraiser to meet the $250,000 Challenge Grant from Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold. The funds will be used to provide the seating, lighting and sound system for Phase II, which is scheduled for completion on Dec. 1, 2008.

The ball will be an elegant evening and a chance to sport your finest evening attire. There will be sumptuous food stations from Creative Catering, two wine bars from Sonoita Vineyards, music under the stars to the magical sounds of the Allan Riding Quintet, and a silent and live auction.

Auction items include donations from the Inn at San Ignacio, San Ignacio/Canoa Hills Golf Course, T&R Ironworks, KGVY, the Retreat at Santa Rita Springs, Safeway/Continental Plaza, Green Valley Village Mall, Salon del Sol, Bashas’, Valley Players, Amado Territory Inn, Camilot Flowers, Green Valley Jewelers, Friends of Madera Canyon, Fountains Etc., Janie Gildow, M & I Bank, Xanadu Ranch, Ashley Home Furniture, Green Valley Fire District, Desert Sky Cinema, Al and Julia Saterbak, Green Valley Pecan Store, McKibbon Beef, La Posada, Nancy Pantz, Kokopelli’s Gelato Factory, Camilot Flowers, Lyons Studios, Ann Paxton, Dionne Frank, Dale Strong, Serene Rein, the Lodge at Sedona, New West Design Interiors, Trivetti’s, Green Valley Bike & Hike, Green Valley True Value and Desert Oasis Soaps.

Tickets are $65 per person, which includes two tickets to the wine bar. Seating is limited, so please call 399-1750 today to reserve your seats, or pick up your tickets at the Arts Center at 1250 W. Continental or online at www.cpacfoundation.org.

This is a wonderful opportunity for you to visit the Community Performing Arts Center, a premiere performing arts venues in Southwest Arizona showcasing local, regional and national talent. Don’t miss this spectacular day of activities.

If you have any questions, please call Berdette at 399-1750.

Some 43 guests traveled to Las Vegas from Arizona, Texas, Wisconsin, California and Canada to attend the Aug, 8 wedding of Robert F. Rankin and Gloria A. de lla Garza, of San Antonio, Texas.

Robert is the son of Michael and Eleanore Rankin of Rio Rico and the grandson of Ellie Rankin and the late Robert E. Rankin of Green Valley.

Gloria is the daughter of Rene and Sylvia de la Garza and the granddaughter of D. Robert and Gilda de la Garza of Edinburg, Texas.

The best man was Robert E. de Hoyos and the maid-of-honor was Melissa Munoz of San Antonio, Texas. The flower girl was 2-year-old Katrianna Perez.

On the night before the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted a “get acquainted” dinner at the Village in the Paris Casino in Las Vegas. The wedding was held in the Belleza Wedding Chapel and the reception followed at Planet Hollywood in the Forum at Caesars Palace.

“Brides were everywhere,” according to Ellie Rankin, who said she saw dozens of brides walking in the Imperial Palace Casino in casual and formal bridal attire.

“It seems that the date, Aug. 8, 2008 at 8 a.m., was a popular time to get married, too,” she said.

Others who attended the wedding included: Eleanore Rankin, Ellie Rankin and her children Kristi Rankin Yanez, Michael Rankin and Patrick Rankin; Andrew Rankin, Erin Rankin, Mona Rankin (El Paso, Texas), Amanda Yanez, Dominic Yanez, Janessa Yanez and Zachary Yanez (Marana, Ariz.); Victor Perez, Katrianna Perez and sister of the groom Christina Perez (Rio Rico); and Henni Bartel, Sigrid Dynek (Milwaukee, Wis.).

rford@gvnews.com