Best of Sacramento Celebrate

2009-11-21T03:47:11Z

"Oh god, this is gonna be a long night," said radio personality Jack Armstrong as he and Joe Getty kicked off the 11th annual Best of Sacramento party on Thursday.

The party, a benefit for the March of Dimes, was full of Sacramento Magazine's notion of the best of what Sacramento has to offer, everything from food and drinks to local media and entertainment.

"It's really a huge honor, it's a reflection of the station I work for," said 'Best TV Reporter Team' winner Edie Lambert. "It's a big compliment to quality journalism."

Booths filled the Convention Center, and lines wrapped around the exhibit hall as attendees took full advantage of the free food, services and other goodies.

Express Event Imaging and Sacramento News & Review offered free photographs gracing the covers of Sacramento Magazine and SN&R, Hoshall's Salon and Spa's fashion show featured dramatic hair, makeup and clothes, and KCRA 3's news team --Walt Gray, Mark Finan, Mike TeSelle, Kelly Brothers, Del Rodgers, Eileen Javora and Adrienne Bankert -- posed for pictures with attendees. The team also swept the media category.

"I heard this was the place to be," said first-time attendee Scott Wood. "I could joke and say there should be more free booze, but I think there's plenty."

Booths hawked products and services while providing freebies that ranged from body waxing to information from the zoo on the difference between apes and monkeys.

"We're glad to be here to let people know that the zoo isn't just for kids, even though we were voted 'best place to take the kids'," said Sacramento Zoo employee Lara Kirkendall.

The event raises money for the March of Dimes, devoted to the safety and care of infants.

"We raised $400,000 for March of Dimes, we had more sponsors than ever before. We are now up to $3.4 million for the charity," said Joe Chiodo, publisher of Sacramento Magazine. "This is our best year yet."

Dozens of attendees bid on silent auction items, the main source of donations.

"We came to support the March of Dimes, we're making our way to the auction tables," said Stephanie Thompson, attending for the first time. "They also have excellent sushi from Sapporo Grill and the atmosphere is great."

For more information, and to see all of the 'Best of' winners, visit the Sacramento Magazine website. For more information on the March of Dimes or to make a donation, visit the March of Dimes website.

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Best of Sacramento Celebrate