A truly grassroots effort in a Palisades neighborhood raised $50,225 Sunday when 301 Democrats paid $150 apiece for a Kerry/Edwards political rally and festive gourmet dinner at the home of Stefano and Debra Coaloa on Grenola. Originally the brainstorm of Palisadian attorney Scott Corwin (Palisadian-Post, October 7), a trustee of the Democratic National Committee, the party evolved into the biggest political gathering in many years in the Palisades as 14 Palisades couples joined the preparations. Said Susan Corwin, Scott’s wife: ‘We had four chefs who are neighbors (Stefano Coaloa, Rob Vogel, Steve Mindel and Antonio Cocoa), 10 servers and helpers, hundreds of hours at committee meetings planning and replanning, and neighbors who were understanding enough to let the party happen even if they have an alternative point of view.’ She continued, ‘I know that everybody loved the food. At my table, my mother-in-law commented that the dinner here was better than her meal at the $5,000-a-plate Kerry fundraiser at the Sheraton Miramar Hotel. Several guests asked me who catered the party, and when I said, ‘Our neighbors!’ they were stunned in disbelief.’ Guest speakers at the event included California State Treasurer Phil Angelides, L.A. City Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa, and State Assemblymember Fran Pavley.
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