By Diana Cavagnaro

The 15th annual Strut for Sobriety was presented by A New PATH (Parents for Addition Treatment & Healing) on Sept. 21 at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina. The luncheon and fashion show is about reducing the stigma of addictive illness and finding quality treatment rather then incarceration. This signature recovery event began with a Champagne social hour and fun shopping in booths set up by local boutiques. TV personality Geni Cavitt was the “Mistress of Ceremonies” for the afternoon. She got the program rolling by announcing the 2019 Path to Recovery honorees. Awards were given to Claudio Cabrejos, M.D., Mary Jo Grubbs, Grace Micetich, and Donald Stewart, Ph.D., for their service and countless hours of volunteering.

Radio and television’s Little Tommy Sablan was the guest speaker and he presented a special award to Geni Cavitt for her years of volunteering efforts. The honorary chairs were Shirley and Hank Murphy. During the luncheon, guest auctioneer Joe Bauer oversaw the live auction. You may remember him from the “Hudson & Bauer Show,” which is San Diego’s longest running and most successful morning radio team. Chairs for this wonderful event were Liz Crocker and Colleen Ruis, Inc. Professional models as well as guest models who are in recovery strutted down the runway for a special segment wearing Macy’s fashions.

Gretchen Productions produced the theatrical fashion show, which began after the lunch. This entertaining show features a combination of dance, theater, and fashion. The opening number began with models wearing all combinations of black and red. Gretchen Bergman’s trademark has always been to come out in the first segment dancing and singing and greeting the audience. The fashions on the runway were provided by Macy’s Fashion Valley and local boutiques. One of the standout trends in the fashion show was a section with animal prints and models rocked the runway with this fashion trend.

A New PATH is a nonprofit organization in its 20th year of working for quality treatment, reduction of recidivism and free from discrimination drug policies. A New PATH was instrumental in passing Proposition 36 in California, which mandated treatment instead of incarceration for non-violent drug offenders. The goal is to save lives and move to a healthier society. For more information or to attend the fashion show next year, stay tuned to: www.anewpath.org

— Diana Cavagnaro is an internationally renowned couture milliner based in the historic Gaslamp Quarter. Learn more about our hat designer, teacher and blogger at DianaCavagnaro.com

Upcoming Events

Oct. 19-Jan. 5, 2020 – ‘Stories in Cloth.’ Visions Art Museum’s upcoming exhibits include a steampunk-themed solo show of wearable art, sculpture and assemblage by Marty Ornish. This is Marty-O’s first invitational solo exhibition. Opening night is Oct. 19 from 5-7 p.m. and the exhibit runs until Jan. 5, 2020. Admission is free. Visions Art Museum, 2825 Dewey Road, San Diego

Nov. 7 – Zandra Rhodes Fashion Show celebrating her 20th anniversary in the Versailles Ballroom at the Westgate Hotel from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. with a three-course luncheon.
For tickets, visit: www.westgatehotel.com.

Nov. 10 – Wedding Party Expo at the Hilton San Diego Resort at 1 p.m. There are 20,000 square feet of wedding experts to help. For tickets, visit: www.sandiegoweddingparty.com