Getting Your Gagas Out
Taste of the Grapevine celebrates life
Published On: August 31, 2010
Most cited it as one of the must events of the season, and not just to see glitz. Chad and Sarah Goughnour were there because of a friend’s recent and sudden death from melanoma. “We had experienced cancer in our family, but had not really experienced a loss until John,” Chad said. “He was the core of our neighborhood.”
The Goughnours encouraged their neighbors to attend. “We’ve all been affected and changed by John’s death. This event is important because it’s about what’s going on with the people touched by cancer.”
Becky Hernando, a two-year survivor of breast cancer, came with friend and supporter Joy Criss. “I’m here celebrating life, of course, and to give back in thanks for having good results.” She had attended last year, but this was Joy’s first time. Both praised strong support from local businesses.
Event chairperson Terra Jackson was also excited about the business community’s support. “There were so many vendors requesting to participate that we actually had to scale back on patron tables! The event has tripled in size, and the Seelbach has been amazing.” This is Jackson’s fourth year as chairperson, and this year, she exclaimed, was “Gold. The first year was chaos, but now we just ride smooth as glass.”
If an icon were chosen for this event, it would be Terra Jackson. Not because of the purple and silver glitter shooting from the corners of her eyes, the tumble of curly hair, the fish nets and the glittery shorts - although all that would qualify - but because, as friend Judy Pocker says, “She’s got some oomph! She’s goal-oriented, vivacious, energetic and she really wants to help.”
About that revolutionary shirt: Before the crowd got rocking to Eight-Inch Elvis (think Lady Gaga mixed with AC/DC and Tommy Tutone) Tommy Middleton was seen standing to the side of the stage wearing a jacket over what Seinfeld fans would call a “puffy shirt.” The shirt was staging a revolution against all things boring and commonplace. After all, when anyone can be touched by something as nasty as cancer, it’s important to relax and have fun. Besides, “Tuxedos,” he mused, “are only fun when they’re worn by someone else.”
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