Spa launches Web site, helps charity
February 23 - March 1, 2007 - Del Mar Times
by Elise Espirit

About 200 guests attended a flavorful event for a great cause on Feb. 17. Neil and Marcina Checketts, owners of Casa Blanca Salon and Spa at Del Rayo Village, ordered up cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, desserts and coffee to celebrate the launch of their website www.CasaBlancaSalonSpa.com as well as to raise money for a great cause.

The Checketts selected a program called PC Pals because it has a direct and profound impact on seriously ill children in hospitals. The salon looked around for a while for just the right charity to partner with, as they wanted to involve helping children out in some capacity, according to Neil Checketts.

"If you can instill charitable work as kids, then hopefully it will become second nature to them" Checketts said.

All net proceeds raised from the silent and live auction, and 20 percent of all net online purchases made at the event, benefited the Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation's PC Pals program. This program will place as many PC Pals as possible into Rady Children's Hospital. Starlight Starbright's PC Pals provides durable, mobile and secure laptop systems designed specifically to meet the needs of pediatric patients ages 5 to 18.

PC Pals raise children's spirits and distract them from pain. Each PC Pal comes pre-installed with Starlight Starbright's medical education and disease management programs. Used by hundreds of thousands of sick children each year, the programs provide medical information in a fun, engaging manner and empowers children to manage better and cope with their medical conditions as well as confidently interact with medical professionals.

The highly spirited event was held outside under a massive tent in Carmel Valley and contained something for everyone.

There was a Fashion Show including the 2007 Wendy Glez Spring Lingerie and Loungewear Line, and the Spring 2007 Jewelry Line by Lisa Stewart, featured in Victoria's Secret catalog.

There was a celebrity chef cook-off between executive chef Bernard Guillas, of the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club and the Marine Room, versus Jeffrey Strauss, executive chef and owner of the Pamplemousse Grille.

After patrons munched on giant scallops and lobster ravioli they voted Jeffrey Strauss to be the winner of the evening.

Finally, there was a champagne station, oxygen bar and pink martini salon. All guests left with stuffed swag bags.

Legendary fashion and celebrity photographer, Alexander Spear, who most recently shot Evangeline Lilly of the television series, "Lost", documented the event by shooting photos of guests in return for a $25 donation to the PC Pals program.

Eva Stimson, Director of Marketing and Community Relations for Casa Blanca Salon and Spa said the event was a huge success. "We are growing by leaps and bounds," Stimson said. "Having the Web site now will allow us to increase sales which will allow us to continue with our philanthropic efforts. We are all about giving back to the community. Look for us again next year. In fact, chef Bernard Guillas has already committed to coming back."

To learn more about the PC Pals, visit www.starlight.org and www.chsd.org .