Daytime showers failed to dampen the convivial spirits who gathered the evening of May 19 for the ABAS Law Foundation's Third Annual Wine Tasting and Silent Auction, hosted by Pavilions Shopping Plaza in the Pavilions Courtyard.

Joe Gilman, on keyboard, led a jazz trio with Matt Robinson on bass and Henry Robinett on guitar, courtesy of Pavilions. Food and wine companies dispensed their wares from the Pavilions archways, while guests sampled the wines, relaxed at tables shaded by umbrellas, and browsed the Silent Auction.

Attendees included Justices Vance Raye and Tani Gorre Cantil; former Presiding Judge Michael G. Virga and Judge James M. Mize (both of whom poured wine for the guests); Judges Trena Burger-Plavan, Thomas Cecil, Russell Hom and Cheryl Chun Meegan; VLSP Managing Attorney Vicki Jacobs; Sacramento Law Foundation President Thomas A. "TAC" Craven; CAPITAL Chair Sonney Chong; CAPITAL Public Safety Liaison and Deputy District Attorney Alice Wong; CAPITAL Chief Legal Counsel Jerry Chong; ABAS President Mike Mireles; Fair Employment and Housing Commission Member Linda Ng; InterAct founder Dennis Yep; Center for Youth Citizenship Director Dr. Joe Maloney; and Assemblyman Dave Jones.

Lincoln University Law School was an event sponsor. Attending were Dean Anthony Dicce, as well as one of Lincoln's best-known alumnae, Sacramento County District Attorney Jan Scully.

The Foundation, a 501(c)(3) educational and charitable organization, raises funds at the Wine Tasting and the annual ABAS Golf Tournament with the principal goal of nurturing future lawyers who will be activists and give back to the Asian Pacific Islander communities. The Foundation's Scholarship Committee evaluates student applicants on three criteria: proven potential for leadership and community service; financial need; and academic achievement. Several individuals fund named scholarships annually; these include criminal defense attorney Chuck Pacheco, in memory of the late Alex Jo, the Foundation's former Scholarship Chair; former Assemblyman Phil Isenberg and Marilyn Araki Isenberg; and Judge Chuck Kobayashi and Dorrie Kobayashi. Anyone interested in donating or seeking a scholarship is encouraged to contact Scholarship Chair Jerilyn Paik at 568-1222.

The Foundation's scholarship recipients in 2005 are law students Richard Asfar, Gloria Cheu, Theresa Hardjadinata, Kimberly Huangfu, Amy Lee, Yumiko Maeda, Mariejoy Mendoza, Sara Mo, Yoonjin Park, Jennifer Rosario and Susie Yoon. Some of these hardworking law students not only worked their way through college but actually sent money home to their families!

Boutique Northern California wineries donated wine for pouring or auction: Vino con Brio (Anne Matson pouring), Bogle Vineyards, Cedarville Collection (Jonathan Lachs and Susan Marks pouring), Sterling Hotel - Chanterelle Restaurant, Kelson Creek Winery and Domaine de la Terre Rouge & Easton Wines (Judge James M. Mize and former Presiding Judge Michael G. Virga pouring), Jewel Collection (Rod Moniz pouring), Michael-David Vineyards (Kathe Macdonald pouring), Sogno Winery (Larry Otterness pouring), and Wilson Vineyards (Mark Wilson pouring).

Food was varied and delicious. The sushi from Oshima Sushi went fast. Other dishes came from Plum Blossom Restaurant, Szechuan House, Bali Wine Bar & Grill, Griselda's Catering, and Seoul Restaurant; and several kinds of cheeses and crackers (including an apricot goat cheese) from Trader Joe's. Special thanks to Bernadette Chiang and Perry Yuen for food donations, Frank Plavan and Assemblyman Dave Jones for advice, and Paulette Vogler for signage.

At the silent auction, guests bid on a 2004 Pino Grigio and a 2003 Merlot del Venezie from Ecco Domani Wines, a 3-liter bottle of Phantom 2001 from Bogle Winery, gift certificates redeemable at Charles B. Mitchell Vineyards, an autographed Bobby Jackson jersey, River Cats tickets, an autographed picture of Sacramento Monarch Ruthie Bolton, gift certificates for learning at Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op, a handcrafted maple burl bowl by lawyer-artist Jack Nissen, who was featured recently in Sacramento Lawyer magazine, a gift basket by Carole Chong, and cases of Kirin and Budweiser (in aluminum bottles) from Butch McElwee and Markstein Beverage.

The ABAS Law Foundation hopes to see you at the ABAS Golf Tournament at Teal Bend this fall, and at the Fourth Annual Wine Tasting next spring!

September / October 2005