UC ramping up for benefit featuring Jen, Ben

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The University of Charleston is ready to roll out the red carpet.

An 80-by-220 foot tent’s already up and volunteers are scrambling over the last-minute details.

Charleston sweetheart Jennifer Garner and her fellow movie star husband Ben Affleck are on their way to “Starry Starry Night,” a University of Charleston fundraiser set for Friday along the Kanawha River.

If you want to rub elbows with Tinseltown’s elite couple, a limited number of tickets remain at $250 a pop or $5,000 for a reserved table of eight.

Garner and Affleck were invited to host the event to raise money for a new, multimillion-dollar athletic complex at the university. The gala will also honor the lives of distinguished alumni Louise and Mario Palumbo.

Crews have been working feverishly all week preparing for the Garner’s arrival and an estimated crowd of 800 people.

A tent went up Tuesday on campus across from the Capitol. In the next few days, workers will install lights and carpeting inside the tent. Table, chairs and decorations will be set up.

“It’s probably the biggest tent you’ve seen in Charleston,” said Jennie Ferretti, university spokeswoman. “It’s almost as big as our football field.”

The university had to go to Skyline Tents of Charlottesville, Va., for the tent. It was transported to Charleston in a tractor-trailer.

“We couldn’t find one big enough in the state,” Ferretti said.

A reception will begin at 6 p.m. in the Erma Byrd Gallery of Riggleman Hall, followed by the fundraising event at 7:30 p.m. outside the university’s riverfront.

Designated parking spots have been reserved for sponsors. General parking may be limited around campus, Ferretti said.

Shuttle services will be available from the Columbia Gas parking lot nearby along MacCorkle Avenue. Shuttles will run every five or 10 minutes throughout the evening.

Event-goers can also opt for a more scenic shuttle - on a horse and carriage from Briar Patch Stables that will transport folks from the Columbia Gas lot to the fundraiser via Kanawha Avenue.

A full gamut of vittles will surely whet anyone’s appetite. The menu includes a fresh-grilled Italian bruschetta station featuring grilled pesto chicken and wild mushroom ragout with black pepper crusted Brie and fresh rosemary.

Other food offerings include sushi, grilled chicken satay, lamb kabobs, rice paper-wrapped salads, ginger-lime marinated shrimp and a variety of meats, cheeses and vegetables.

Desserts will include chocolate-dipped fruits, lemon terrine, mocha caramel tartlettes and truffle lollipops.

Food service provider AVI Fresh of Warren, Ohio will help University of Charleston Catering cater the gala

For live entertainment, event organizers have acquired the services of Big Ray and the Kool Kats, which consists of a four-piece rhythm section, four horn players, and multiple male and female vocalists.

The group was named one of Modern Bride Magazine’s “Best Wedding Bands in America.”

“They do some Sinatra-style singing, as well as more contemporary styles,” Ferretti said. “They’re conducive to dancing under the stars.”

A volunteer committee of 40 people has been organizing the event, she said. In addition, about 90 students are volunteering as well.

Security will also be in full force.

Uniformed and plainclothes officers will be working the evening, said university Chief Jack Rinchich.

Campus officers and police from local agencies will patrol around campus, including a team on the river, Rinchich said.

“It’s not every day you get Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck in here,” he said. “We can’t take any chances. We could deal with potential paparazzi and starstruck people wanting to get in there.”

The university has had to step up security in previous events featuring Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, Vice President Dick Cheney and Erin Brockovich, a legal clerk who had a feature film named after her.

A 36-year veteran of the police force and former Charleston officer, Rinchich said officials have contingency plans in place.

Donations from the event will fund an athletic complex projected to cost at least $20 million. The complex will house the men’s and women’s basketball programs and the volleyball program. It also will include athletic coaching offices, locker rooms for softball and men’s and women’s tennis and training facilities.

A video tribute to the Palumbos will play continuously on large plasma TV screens throughout the evening.

University President Ed Welch, state Delegate Corey Palumbo, who is the son of Mario and Louise Palumbo, and Garner will offer remarks.

For more information, call 304-357-4735.

Source: Charleston Daily Mail