Do you recognize this logo for Wish Upon A Wedding?  If not yet, you soon will.

First, a story.  I’m usually an upbeat fellow, but sometimes life happens, and I temporarily lose heart.  At these times I ask my friends how they stay motivated, and most people I know tell me they guide themselves with a few energizing words or sentences throughout the day.  Words to live by.  Does this work for you, too?

Call it “self-talk” if you like, several of these motivational aphorisms are running through my mind these days.  Here are two: “You make a living by what you get, and you make a life by what you give” and “Give first — it creates the pathway for receiving.”  Compassion and generosity are important attitudes for me, and I find “self-talk” like this keeps me focused.  You might try it, too, if you don’t already indulge.

Now, I’ve noticed that people’s attitudes about generosity seem to range from “I gave at the office” all to way to “It’s the best reason for being alive”, and Wish Upon A Wedding stands near the latter.  It’s a new organization, like the “Make A Wish Foundation”, but dedicated to fulfilling wedding dreams of people struggling with terminal illnesses.  Launched in 2010 by event coordinator Liz Guthrie, Wish Upon a Wedding celebrates the courage, determination and spirit of these couples by granting their dream wedding wishes.  The goal is having the chosen recipients inspire other couples facing similar situations to find hope and strength.

Plans are moving quickly, and currently twenty chapters are operating in the United States (Northern California, Orlando, Los Angeles/Orange County, New York, Seattle, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Washington DC, the Carolinas, Houston, Tennessee, Atlanta, Chicago, and more), and international chapters are already “in the works”.

The wish-granting process is simple.  People in need apply to be considered, and all the services and products for their weddings are donated generously by top professionals in their fields, who apply to become donors.  Ceremonies will be scheduled across the country.

I’m SO proud to be a founding board member and National PR/Media liaison.  If you’re interested in helping Wish Upon A Wedding, please click here to learn more.  Please, please participate generously every way you can.

On another note (a little musician humor there), my most valuable asset is TIME, and I try to budget carefully.  Whenever I’m not entertaining somewhere, I’m often enjoying a networking event with my colleagues in the special event biz — whether at a casual mixer, or a professional business association meeting, or collaborating on a special project like Wish Upon A Wedding.

The Magnolia Jazz Band entertains somewhere nearly every day, and I’m always on the lookout for our next opportunity. If we can help you, please call us at 408-245-9120.  Visit MagnoliaJazz.com for our schedule, and catch us at a public event soon.  Our next public appearance is this Friday, March 5, 6-8pm, in the annual benefit reception for the Alzheimer’s Association at the Computer History Museum, in Mountain View.  See details on our website.

Thanks for reading my blog.  Please take a moment to share this post, subscribe, and send me a comment.

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2. Fundraiser Jazz Band, not just for Weddings and Parties

Top photo: We’re on the far right in this picture, WAY in the back, creating a casual background for the Silicon Valley Concierge Association annual awards party last month. Second photo: Same location, 2 weeks later, and we’re creating an elegant atmosphere for “An Evening of Adventurous Cuisine”. These were two memorable receptions, and what a privilege to work with these top professionals — Diana Mazza and Mona Davis, of Club Auto Sport, and Jamie Perez and Chris Flippen, of Restaurant “O” Catering. Special thanks to photographer Tommy Wu, of TommyPhoto, for the wonderful pictures. Second photo, left to right: Gary Milliken, me, and Andy Norblin.

The success of each evening is testimony — as if testimony is ever needed — that it takes seasoned professionals, working smoothly together, to produce reliably perfect results every time. I’m reminded of this every day I work with professionals like event coordinators, caterers, facilities, photographers, videographers, florists, limousines — you name it. You want a pro piloting your airplane or removing your appendix, right? Same thing.

Back to the second party, where seventy-five guests enjoyed conversations over gourmet appetizers and wine, while they admired some of the world’s rarest and fastest motor vehicles. Club Auto Sport is a unique facility, certainly in California and possibly in the world. You’ve never seen anything like it! An eye-catching location for one-of-a-kind parties, seminars, and fund-raising events, it’s part condominium for cars, part concierge service for the car owners, and part elegant clubhouse & lounge (10,000 square feet, with 20-foot window walls), where local auto enthusiasts display their prize exotic vintage sports cars and where the club hosts fabulous parties.

Club Director Diana Mazza, and Concierge Mona Davis, are a dream to work with — charming, outgoing, and expertly seeing to every detail of every party.

Restaurant “O” Catering, always lives up to its award-winning reputation for fine cuisine lavishly presented. Formerly a restaurant, now exclusively a caterer, and soon to be a restaurant again, Restaurant “O” is recommended for catering at the finest facilities throughout the Bay Area. Over the years we’ve coordinated with Restaurant “O” on many special events, and I’m always looking forward to our next opportunity to work alongside Jamie Perez and Chris Flippen. For this evening, Executive Chef Julian Perez presented four sensational appetizers, each paired with an exquisite wine from J.Lohr Winery. Just look at these delicacies:

• Roasted Jumbo Prawns with Yuzu Beurre Blanc and Apricot-Cipolini Relish, 2007 J. Lohr Bay Mist White Riesling, Monterey County
• Macadamia Nut Encrusted Sea Bass Medallions with Chardonnay Carmel Sauce, 2007 J. Lohr Riverstone Arroyo Seco Chardonnay
• Beef Carpaccio Kisses with Coffee Aioli, Manchego Cheese, Mini Croutons, Micro Greens with Merlot Drizzle, 2006 J. Lohr Los Osos Merlot, Paso Robles
• Chocolate and Scotch Bonnet Truffles with Strawberry Pistachio Dus, 2007 J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles

Sound interesting? The good news is that many more sensational receptions like this are in the works. Watch for our next event, and join the fun.

This year the band has been entertaining people at many events like this, and I’m always on the lookout for more opportunities. For instance, will you be celebrating a significant event soon? Throw a party and include us. Are friends talking about a wedding? Please recommend us. Today I’m talking with people hosting parties for Memorial Day and Father’s Day. If you’ll have a soiree on one of these days, or on any day in between, now’s a good time to arrange the details, including the music.

Have a question? We’ll have the answer. Call us at 408-245-9120. You’ll love what we do. We’re easy to work with, so let our experience help your celebration.

In the meantime, please catch us at a public event coming up. On Saturday, June 27, we’ll be setting the perfect elegant mood for “The Vintage Affaire” wine auction and dinner party at a fabulous estate in Atherton. Please visit MagnoliaJazz.com for details, and I hope to see you there.

Please take a moment to find me on Facebook and follow me on Twitter. Want to catch us in action? Visit my Facebook Page, become a fan, and you’ll receive an update for each of our public appearances.

Thanks for reading my blog. Please send me a comment (below), and I’ll reply promptly. What do you think of working with professionals?

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3. Planning? Preview us at parties, concerts, and festivals.