Javier & Shannan Labrador and Marjanne Priest

October was a month filled with atta-boys/girls and lots of back patting (sometimes flexibly achieved by folks who were both the patter and patee). Nothing new there. However, in a strange twist, most, if not all of it, was more than deserved. Here's the round up...

Betty Ferguson Foundation's Woman of Honor Dinner, in recognition of the Child & Family Center's former head honcho, Liz Siepel, made for a moving night out - even for "important" people like Assemblyman Cameron Smyth. Founders Marjanne Priest and Judy Cox were again the belles of the ball, but were kind enough to share the limelight with supporters like Javier and Shannan Labrador of Frontline Community Church.

Gary Spindt & friends

LETMESAIL's Evening of Inspiration, along with founder Gary Spindt, gets top awards for asking Patrick Henry Hughes to share his motivational story with nearly 600 SCVians. Hughes was born without eyes and with severe physical handicaps, but manages to do more every day than your average community magazine editor. The hyper-talented musician shared his gifts, and his message, with the crowd - along with the very funny comedienne Kathy Buckley.

Sue Smyth & Anna Ott

Our local Boys & Girls Club celebrated 40 years of service to our valley last month. Two gals - Anna Ott of Bellasport and Sue Smyth (proud mom of previously-mentioned "important" person) - who are way too young to remember when Santa Clarita was club-less, were a few of many in attendance at the self-congratulatory, but well-deserved, shin dig.

Chris Brooks & Nikki Sixx

Lastly, MB2 Raceway has lots of reasons to feel the love; famous people keep showing up at their track. Among the star-studded October lineup were NFL All-star Keyshawn Johnson and Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx, who displayed his enviable I'm-still-cool vibe with owner Chris Brooks.