Progressive Dinner Offers Four Courses for a Cause

What will donors get for their $40 ticket to the Saturday, March 24 Mount Washington PTA Progressive Dinner?

PTA Vice President of Ways and Means Sharen Steele-Herran explains:

"Awesome food, awesome experiences and a chance to see four great Mount Washington homes," Steele-Herran said. "What more could you ask for?"

How about a chance to support educational programs at ? Your ticket buys that, too.

For those who've never attended a progressive dinner before, the idea is simple. Dinners will be escorted by van to four homes, whose owners have graciously offered to open their doors to the public and provide a dining venue.

Each home will be host to one course of a four course meal, Steele Herran explained.

Homes include the "Mount Washington West" original Thomas-Staley residence, where appetizers and fondue will be served; The Mediterranean-styled Casa PC, where the soup's on; the architecturally impressive Feinberg residence, where diners will enjoy a Mexican-inspired main course, and the delightfully eco-friendly Austria's house, where the meal will conclude with dessert and coffee from .

The proceeds of the progressive dinner will be be used to help support educational programming at which like all LAUSD schools is bracing for the pain of deep budget cuts.

"They're expecting even more extensive budget cuts than last year, more severe and far-reaching cuts," Steele-Herran said.

Progressive dinners are nothing new, but this is the first one to be hosted high up on the Hill of Mount Washington, and each home will provide a distinct vantage point of the city below.  The idea was first pitched by Mount Washington President Ariella Roberts last year, and was finally made a reality by the PTA's efforts this year.

Steele Herran said enlisting hosts was easy. She drove around the Hill, appealing to homeowners whose abodes seemed like suitable settings for the fund-raising feast.

"I Just knocked on doors, and you know what? Nobody said no," Steele-Herran said.

And how could you?

The Mount Washington PTA Progressive will be held on Saturday, March 24 from 5-9 p.m. The van will pick up diners at Mount Washington Elementary School promptly at 4:45/5:45 p.m. and will drop off at 9:15/10:15 p.m. Tickets are $40 for individuals and $75 for couples.