Overheard

Don Fleming, Tom Veloz, Cheri Fleming, Wayne Crawford, Dianne Crawford and Roger Seaver

Goodness, how we wish that we could put this under "Observed," but alas, fate has only partially shined down on us.

Cheri Fleming and President George Bush now have one more thing in common: food is out to get them. No, a terrorizing pretzel wasn't the culprit with Fleming; her new arch nemesis is, drum roll please, the seemingly innocuous Brussels sprout.

After creating a culinary feast for friends, Mrs. Fleming finally took time to nosh on her favorite veggie. Oblivious to its ulterior motives, she was taken aback, literally, when the sprouty ringleader lodged in her throat, blocking her airway.

And, to answer your question, no, it's not nice to laugh. Not yet. You don't even know if she survived. Hold on. We're getting there.

There is a happy ending to this story (now it's alright to chuckle). Husband Don Fleming noticed that his beloved had turned a lovely shade of green, and, being the resourceful man he is, aptly performed the Heimlich maneuver.

Out went the wicked Brussels sprout, in went the air, and, being the hostess-with-the-mostess she is, dessert was still served on time.

"Had she stepped up sooner, I'd have brown hair, and more of it," jokes Gary Cusumano, referring to Roberta Veloz's unprecedented $3 million donation to Henry Mayo. Veloz, head of Aquafine Corporation, spoke of the life-saving services she hoped the cardiac cath lab (which will soon sport her name) will provide. "Everyone should give to the hospital, whether it's $1 or $3 million. I'm just luckier," says the philanthropist. Veloz explained that her motive behind the huge cash infusion was prompted by two things: first, a friend's son nearly died of a heart related illness, and second, she sold her company "for a profit." The last statement was met with laughter from the audience, as Aquafine has an estimated worth of tens of millions.

Observed

Jim and Jill Mellady, John Duncan

Jill Mellady, co-chair of the Michael Hoefflin Foundation, along with approximately 450 other guests, were on hand to congratulate the Wickman family on the grand opening of their new Homemakers Showroom. In true giving style, the Homemakers folks turned their special night into a fundraiser for the foundation, dedicating a gorgeous fountain to the children's cancer org and raising $12,000 to boot.

HMNMH is having a good month when it comes to donations. The Crawford-Fleming Breast Cancer Awareness Golf Invitational cut a $113,000 check earmarked for the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Imaging Center. The money will be applied to its equipment fund for future technology upgrades.

The Santa Clarita Valley Newsmakers of the Year Awards will be held on February 3. Hosted by the Santa Clarita Valley Press Club, two of Inside SCV's publishers were nominated - for the same award.

Jeanna Crawford and Wayne Crawford (she's his daughter-in-law) are both vying for the title of Newsmaker: Behind the Scenes.

As you can guess, we're keeping the office pool very, very quiet.