By Donna Beth Weilenman
Staff Reporter

This year’s fashion show and luncheon that helps the Community Action Agency and lets local celebrities strut down the catwalk Wednesday for the good cause highlights the disco beats and attire of the 1970s, Christina Strawbridge said.

Strawbridge, the City Council member who for six years has been a main organizer of the annual fashion show, said she picked the “Staying Alive!” theme because clothing elements of that decade are coming back in style.

Among the many other hats Strawbridge wears, she owns and operates Christina S Fashion Destination, a downtown clothing business that is providing the women’s fashions again this year.

“Fringe, wider-leg trousers, shorter jackets and pant suits,” she said, listing the influences that are being featured lately in couture lines worldwide. And Vogue magazine recently highlighted the 1970s retro look in its pages, too, she said.

So her choice is timely for the popular fashion show that falls on Administrative Professionals Day, giving local business owners a chance to treat their office personnel to lunch and a show and help raise money for the Community Action Agency at the same time.

Besides seeing the fashions, attendees will be dining on food catered by Randy Ramos of Nine O Seven Grill.
“Also, there’s the music,” she said. “When we do the show, the music is vibrant, and it’s easy to walk the runway and get in the mood.”

Besides recorded music, Strawbridge always has live musicians to entertain the crowd, too.

Returning again this year is smooth jazz artist Kevin Frazier, who will be doing double duty as saxophonist as well as disc jockey. He has appeared on “Sierra Nights,” a collaboration CD. He and Scott Urquhart have started a new recording company, “Access Music Records,” to highlight San Francisco Bay Area music.

Also appearing is Chloe Jean, the Marin singer who recently released a self-titled e3xtended play recording of rhythm and blues and upbeat pop songs.

Unlike some fashion shows, this one doesn’t use professional models. Instead, many are elected officials and government employees. Those attending will see peers and friends on the runway.

Prying the models away from their regular jobs “gets easier every year,” Strawbridge said.

She recalled when Mayor Elizabeth Patterson, took her first steps on a catwalk for a Soroptimist event. “It was a little out of her comfort zone,” she said. But that has changed, and Patterson has become a confident model, she said.

Now it’s City Manager Brad Kilger she has to coax. “He plays coy, but I think he enjoys it,” she said.

Councilmember Alan Schwartzman and District 2 Solano County Supervisor Linda Seifert are among those who are ready to take their turns, she said.

“It’s what happens. Even in the first show, by the third or fourth walk, they are ready to do more,” she said about the models.

This year, Strawbridge said she has asked members of various city departments to join in, including some of its newest members, such as the newly-hired Director of Community Development Christina Ratcliffe and Benicia’s Finance Director Karin Schnaider.

“We have some new faces,” Strawbridge said.

But the models include some familiar faces, too. Attendees will see are Assistant City Manager Anne Cardwell, City Attorney Heather McLaughlin, Benicia Public Library Director Diane Smikahl and Principal Planner Amy Million.

Also modeling are Gina Eleccion, Susan Hurl, Debra Davis, Kim Imboden, Julie Peterson, Steve Gizzi and Benicia Fire Department employees.

Another addition this year is the participation by Williamson and Company, the Napa men’s clothing store owned by Jay Williamson, who will be providing the men with their attire.

Although Williamson rarely displays his merchandise outside of his home area, “he said he would give us a try,” Strawbridge said.

First Impression Salon and Spa will be handling makeup and hair duties for the models.

The fashion show concept as a CAC fundraiser began six years ago as a revival of a show Helen Estes of Metropolitan Van Line Storage once organized for Sutter Solano.

Estes contacted Strawbridge about organizing new shows for CAC, and they selected Administrative Professionals Day as an ideal time. “It’s a great day out,” Strawbridge said of the event.

Some do more than buy individual tickets – they sponsor tables. Among them are Benicia Main Street, the Care Network, the city of Benicia, Coldwell Banker, First Impressions Salon and Spa, Fred and Mittie Railsback, Jaad Ajlouny, John and Jan Silva, Metropolitan Van and Storage, Richard Bortolazzo, Solano Affordable Housing, Valero, Vice Mayor Mark Hughes, Windsor Vallejo Care Center and James and Sherri Cook.

One important element of the fashion show is how it helps the CAC, an organization that has been assisting low-income and less fortunate residents since 1967.

Numbers of those needing CAC help has been rising since 2010, despite funding decreases, according to information provided by the agency. In 2011, almost 12 percent of the families it served had no income whatsoever. More than 8 percent were part of the Temporary Assistance for needy Families (TANF) program, another 10 percent received Supplemental Security Income (SSI), 15 percent were on Social Security, 4 percent were on pensions, 63 percent received unemployment benefits and 23 percent were employed.

Under the leadership of Executive Director Viola Robertson, the CAC provides multiple services, such as case management, emergency food, help with rent payments, access to free dental care for low income children, job preparedness and opportunities for court-mandated community service.

It also distributes food from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and meals for older residents. It also organizes special events, such as holiday food baskets, holiday “adopt a family” opportunities and a community Thanksgiving dinner which was attended by 500 in 2011.

Residents in need also can get clothing, utility assistance, emergency shelter, access to information about jobs, referrals to other agencies and other services from the CAC.

As the shows have continued through the years, Michele Hughes, a CAC director and the vice mayor’s wife, also became involved.

“She’s been instrumental in keeping it going,” Strawbridge said, particularly in the area of CAC board involvement.
Strawbridge’s 40 years in fashion productions has led to her developing a formula for these shows that puts participants at ease and keeps the pace upbeat for the audience.

She’s been involved in national and international shows, and said, “The formula really works. Now it’s second nature. I love to do fashion productions.”

It’s not just about the fashions, either, Strawbridge said. “It’s the entertainment factor and keeping it lively and fun.”
Tickets are $35, available at Christina S Fashion Destination, 370 First St.

If you go:
The luncheon and fashion show will start at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Benicia Clock Tower, 1190 Washington St.