On The Town:

As you read this column, Brazilians and visitors to the South American country are celebrating the festival of Carnival. An annual Brazilian celebration that ushers in Lent, Carnival begins 40 days before Easter and includes spectacular parades and musical events.

While 6,000 miles separate Brazil from Burbank, that distance evaporated Saturday as the Providence St. Joseph Medical Center Guild presented its annual spring fundraiser under the theme “Destination Brazil.”

Festivities, emceed by longtime Los Angeles broadcast journalist and anchorman Harold Greene, were at the Universal Sheraton.

The event kicked off with a silent auction and boutique featuring clothing, jewelry, handbags and other accessories.

Following lunch, Carin Holmenas presented a Carnival-themed fashion show featuring the offerings of various designers. Working the catwalk were Providence St. Joseph physicians who served as models including Dr. Marc Botnick, Dr. Boyd Flinders, Dr. John McGroarty, Dr. Stephen McNeese, Dr. Raul Mena, Dr. Raffi Mesrobian, Dr. Augusto Silva, Dr. Raymond Tatevossian, Dr. Stephan Yacoubian and Joseph Naylor of the medical center’s foundation.

Among those whose dedication made the fundraiser a success were the guild’s president, Lucy Brown, event Chairwoman Donna Mahoney, Co-Chair Ollie Vick and their committee that consisted of Julie McArdle, Linda Brundage, Marian Enos, Terri Lee, Deedee Walser, Judy McDowell, Ericka Mayer, Audrey Yates, Maria Balke, Maureen Walsh, Sharon Grooms, Ron Pagliaccetti, Terry Campbell, Kathleen Marsden, Patricia Heaton, Marilu Crowley, Angie Scholl, Wanda Bistagne, Dee Call, Grace Mylroie Patz and Lori Riela.

Among the 300-plus supporters who enjoyed the day’s festivities were the Rev. James Toal, Sister Rose Byrne, Linda Jamentz, Paula Davis, Tracy Canfield, Sophie Goodsell, Elaine Paonessa, Jeffrey Klein, Sister Colleen Settles, Lynne White-Shelby, Lynne Meares, Judy Gragg, Joyce Matlock, Janet Ezraeellian, Rende Rae Mora, Gail Migden, LaVerne Thomas, Judy Pierce, Maryanne and Joanne Parker, Sandi, Katie and Nancy Ann Call, Nicola Marchese, Marie Getchel, Wauneve Shaw Harmon, Edith Elrod, Helen Smollen, the Rev. Bill Lofbom, Teresa Campbell, Barbara and Frank O’Kane, Kenneth Maclver, Dolores Bononi, Fritz Balke, Bob and Mary Hughes, Robert and Frances Hohman, Sam Riela, Dr. Nicholas Tidik, Lucille Mellon, Mary Persic, Patricia Cassidy, and Jackie Van Beveren.

Others whose presence and dedication benefited the guild were Ron Pagliaccetti, Linda Allen, Christine Higgs, Deanna Allen, Gretchen Wayne, D.G. Gumpertz, Margaret Larson, Marion Deep, Milton and Peggy Quon, Collette Finale, Betty Jane Rose, Jane Farout, Margaret McNeal, Ferris Greenberger, Jack and Yolanda Plessner, Irene Murgida, Bill and Sydney Bennett, Ken Vick, Helene Vitagliano, John and Teena Wolcott, Roland and Kitty Criswell, Dr. Angela Arango, Raymond Powers, Charles Sloan, Marlene Waggoner, Bert Pierce, Diane Robertson, Josephine Massimini, and Eileen Carol.

Staged annually as the guild’s major fundraiser, proceeds from this event will go to the organization’s pledge of $1 million to the Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center.

 DAVID LAURELL can be contacted at: dlaurell@aol.com or (818) 563-1007.