Pat and Debbie Alleman with Lea and Kurt Carlton Dick Van Laere, John Estes and Charlie Raymond

Global Wildlife Center’s “Starry Safari” send-off

It was fun while it lasted, but on April 26, Global Wildlife Center hosted its final “Starry Safari” gala (for a while, at least). The center had raised enough funds to successfully implement its five-year plan, so for this send-off the center went to one of its original “Starry Safari” supporters, artist James Michalopoulos, to be the party’s featured artist. For the event, Michalopoulos created an original painting with a zebra that was both the image for the invitation and the top live auction item of the night. In addition to the painting, the live auction had 11 offerings, while the silent auction featured about 200 items. Twenty restaurants and caterers served up a variety of dishes, and Kingsroe provided musical entertainment. Global Wildlife Center in Folsom is home to zebras, giraffes, cattle, antelope, kangaroos and other animals, many of whom greeted guests as they arrived at the party. Talk about animal magnetism! •