CostaMazing celebration ends on the dance floor

Deirdre Newman

City councilman Chris Steel burned up the dance floor with partners

such as former Costa Mesa Mayor Linda Dixon at a dinner dance Friday

at the Mesa Verde Country Club.

The “Dining Through the Decades” celebration was the last event of

CostaMazing, the year-long celebration of Costa Mesa’s 50th

anniversary. The Friday night dinner was to thank CostaMazing

sponsors and contributors. The closing ceremonies will be Thursday.

Throughout the celebration, the city has hosted various events

appealing to different age groups, such as a hoedown at the Senior

Center and a Fun Run for families.

“Dining Through The Decades” is an effort to show appreciation for

the sponsors in an appetizing and classy way, said Amy Kuchta, the

city staffer coordinating the CostaMazing events.

“I’ve been away for two weeks, but one event I wanted to make was

this,” said former Mayor Karen Robinson, who is now an Orange County

Superior Court judge.

One of the highlights of the evening was when Kuchta presented the

Costa Mesa Community Foundation with a check for $10,000.

“Costa Mesa is amazing -- that’s all I can say,” said a surprised

and speechless Mary Hornbuckle, another former mayor of the city.

The evening featured a five-course, wine-pairings dinner with the

wine provided by three wineries, including Valley of the Moon. Many

of the quests said they were impressed with the presentation of the

five courses. “This is beautiful,” said Julie Kramer, a Chamber of

Commerce board member. “These potatoes are to die for.”

The event sold out quickly because most of the guests were former

city council members and sponsors, Kuchta said.

“I’m totally honored that I could plan this celebration and hope

everyone was able to enjoy it in some fashion,” Kuchta said.

City Manager Allan Roeder said the evening showed Costa Mesa at

its best.

“As much as we will bicker and argue among ourselves on all kinds

of issues, deep down people always pull together and put Costa Mesa

first,” Roeder said.