LIFE

A $100K Jag, a blonde at the wheel, a menu to savor

Johnathan L. Wright
jwright@rgj.com
Melissa Dolan, left, Amanda Berry and Kara Duncan attend the Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern Nevada annual Red Shoe Gala at the Atlantis.

We have often said in This Space that we do not abide among the ranks of automobile enthusiasts. We get no kick from fascia, to paraphrase the old song.

But the other evening, when one our favorite blondes (who asked to remain anonymous this week) picked us up in a 2015 Jaguar XKR Coupe — a sleek black villainess toying with the road — well, our conversion to the Cult of the Car was immediate and joyful (if but temporary).

This beauty, about $100,000 from Jaguar Land Rover Reno, took us a bit of maneuvering (a sort of drop, then slide to the left) to get into because we are clumsy, but once in, ah — our world brimmed with soft-grain leather and burl walnut and adaptive dynamics and heaps of other cool things we didn't understand but knew were top-drawer. The blonde and I were on our way to Aged to Perfection, the annual KNPB public television benefit that honored the Bradley family this year.

Jennifer Bushman, left, and Darrell Rodriguez attend the KNPB Aged to Perfection dinner at the Atlantis honoring the Bradley family.

She's driving

As we purred our way into valet at the Atlantis, the valet boys leaped to open the doors, clearly anxious to take the wheel.

Valet boy: "What year is this? Why aren't you driving?"

We: "Because she does." (And why not? A man driving a $100,000 sports car? Certain shortcomings are assumed. A beautiful blonde driving it? Hot.)

We had a special reason for attending Aged to Perfection beyond the usual social swim: Philanthropist Robin Mercer, who helped organize the event (and who was a table sponsor with husband Ed Morgan), had asked us to help plan the menu, and so we did, including a tasting with the committee.

In the end, we all came up with what was one of the best charity dinner menus we've had in some time: curried butternut squash bisque, butter lettuce and shaved pear salad with guava mustard vinaigrette, filet mignon and sea bass with haricots verts, and a beautiful apple tart, its edges folded up with rustic informality, from Atlantis executive pastry chef Kayline Amos.

Laura Klaich, left, Joe Bradley and Lonnie Klaich attend the KNPB Aged to Perfection dinner at the Atlantis honoring the Bradley family.

As folks forked into frills of butter lettuce, KNBP board chair Mendy Elliott recognized local worthies in the room, including folks running for office. Mayoral candidate (and Reno City Councilwoman) Hillary Schieve was omitted from the roll call, but not to worry.

Abbi Whitaker of the Abbi Agency, a Schieve supporter and Hillary's table host for the evening, cried out, "Hillary Schieve! You forgot Hillary Schieve! Hillary Schieve is running for mayor!" Thus reminded, Mendy duly recognized Hillary.

When you hire Abbi Whitaker, kittens, you get Abbi Whitaker, including, if needed, a literal shout-out.

Red steps

A week earlier at the Atlantis, we attended the annual Red Shoe Gala that benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern Nevada, one of our area's most worthy nonprofits. The organization offers programs that promote the health and education of children and families, including operating the Ronald McDonald House. The House provides meals and housing to families whose children are undergoing medical treatment.

Bill Naprstek, left, and Rick Bessette attend the Ronald McDonald House Charities Northern Nevada annual Red Shoe Gala at the Atlantis.

We want to toss some kudos to Rachel Gattuso, RMHC's marketing and communications manager, for getting the word out about the event. And we loved impressionist Scott Record, whose set frequently sailed perilously close to the politically incorrect wind — which made it all the more hilarious.

We weren't able to muster a pair of red shoes for the gala (purple, yes, but not red), but we wore red boxers and trusted that this expanse of undercover color would do.

Johnathan L. Wright is the food and drink editor of RGJ Media. Join him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RGJTaste or follow him on Twitter @RGJTaste.