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In perfect 76-degree weather, hundreds of supporters came out on Sunday, Sept. 25 to Saddlerock Ranch, a spectacular private thousand-acre Malibu estate, to attend the 11th Annual Malibu Family Wines Grape Crush & Harvest Festival benefiting City Hearts: Kids Say Yes to the Arts. Fox’s Glee TV series’ Max Adler (aka Dave Karofsky) was named City Hearts new official spokesperson, and both he and fellow Glee cast member Josh Sussman (aka Jacob Ben Israel) mingled graciously with fans, guests and event volunteers and had fun watching kids participating in the Barefoot Grape Crush and Green Tea Party. Everyone enjoyed live music by Indie singer Inara George of The Bird and the Bee and The Living Sisters, gourmet food, wine and a relaxing afternoon.

Fifteen local restaurants shared their signature dishes including the new Rosa Mexicano on Sunset Plaza , Sam's by the Beach on W. Channel Rd. in Santa Monica and Longshot Coffee in Los Angeles , and Semler and Saddlerock wines, which were all huge hits. The event was emceed again this year by former KCRW, now MTV Music Supervisor and KCSN Radio Host Nic Harcourt.

With the eco-friendly theme of “City Hearts Goes Green for the Arts,” the event also featured a Green Art Show, kids’ games, crafts, a make-believe Green Tea Party and, in a unique twist, a “Beauty Row” featuring Santa Monica’s Fred Segal Salon Foot & Nail Spa (foot scrubs, nail art and goodie bags) and Shades Natural Hair Color Studio in Beverly Hills (hair extensions, color strands and massages and goodie bags). This year, the Luxury Silent Auction included a “Circle of Love” Diamond Necklace from Scott & Dana Kaufman (value $1,995), Diamond Earrings from Daniels Jewelers ($1,800), 128 GB Mac Air Notebook ($1,199), sets of 2 VIP tickets to “American Idol,”($500) and “So You Think You Can Dance” ($400), Basket of Gourmet Goodies from The Cheese Shop in Beverly Hills, a Diamond Bracelet from D.L. Rhein on W. Third St., and much more. Beverly Hills Porsche displayed their new Panamera and Cayenne hybrid cars.

It was one of the most successful events in the Los Angeles-based non-profit’s history. “It was a great success,” said City Hearts founder, Executive Director Sherry Jason, “and it was the most fun event we’ve ever had.”

On becoming City Hearts new spokesperson, Glee’s Max Adler said, “It is a true honor. I feel very, very lucky to be in the position I am in and to have had some of my dreams already come true. If I can now pass that on to the next generation of youngsters and help them find their passion and their love, and help them make it happen for themselves, that would be the greatest feeling in the world.”

Westside sponsors included HSBC Private Bank, Beverly Hills Porsche, O.N.E. Coconut Water, The Water Guys and Topanga Film Festival.


City Hearts: Kids Say Yes to the Arts, the 26-year-old Los-Angeles-based non-profit that transforms the lives of Southern California ’s most underprivileged and critically at-risk children aged 5-18 through after-school and other Arts programs of the highest caliber, was founded by juvenile public defenders Bob and Sherry Jason. So far, City Hearts has provided programs in Shakespeare, acting, playwrighting, dance, photography and more than 30,000 kids, helping to break the cycle of poverty, gangs, drugs and illiteracy. For more information, go to www.cityhearts.org and “like” City Hearts: Kids Say Yes to the Arts on Facebook.

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