2008 in Review

2008 was full of unexpected developments. First we changed the name of our enterprise from The Full Belly Project to Little Spark due to a legal dispute about our name. The name changed but the mission stayed the same! We still hosted a variety of dinners and special events, including an all-vegan dinner, a Sunday brunch and an outdoor movie spectration extravaganza.

We threw some wonderful gigs and raised enough funds to make a $900 donation to Women For Women's Congo relief funds last December. We gave at a time when all donations were being matched by an anonymous funder. So we effectively raised $1800 for the women of The Congo!

A huge Little Spark thanks to everyone that came to an event and helped make that possible. We are always humbled and grateful for your support, and look forward to seeing you again in 2009.

Dinner is Served!

Many thanks to our recent stellar dinner guests: Kelly & Jane, Meems, Irish Molly, Eric, Greg & Linn, Tara, and Brandon & Molly. We were able to comfortably host a party of 12 around Olaiya fantastic new table. The lavish affair netted Little Spark over $300 toward our causes!

Olaiya and I make a rare appearance in front of the camera... Probably because we had guest photographers Tara and Molly in the house!


After the chilled melon soup, roasted hazelnuts and introductory toast, Olaiya served the tomato stack appetizers... featuring both red and yellow heirlooms.


Greg and Linn survey the main course: a fillet of salmon with purple basil aioli; a sweet corn pudding; platter of dressed favas, purple potatoes and green beans; and stuffed globe zucchini.

Brandon wanting to compare a taste of Molly's wine with his own.

The magical aftermath of wine glasses, candles, espressos and cognac. Special guests Kelsey and Alex sit with Eric in the back row.

Two Events for August

Please consider joining us for a couple of August fundraising events. Welcome Little Spark back into your life and enjoy the blessings of good eating, good company and good causes.

Summer Harvest Dinner

Saturday, August 9th

Featuring a chef's choice of the best of our local farmer's market fare
Think peak-of-summer tomatoes
Juicy ripe peaches
Tender green beans
Foraged mushrooms

Sweet corn
Melons
Homemade ice cream
And a crisp white wine perfect for summertime!

Cost of $45 per person

And

The First Ever Little Spark Spectration Event

An outdoor projection of Stand By Me in Olaiya's lovely backyard garden

Saturday, August 30

White Truffle Popcorn
Spicy Caramel Corn
Popsicles

Real Deal Nachos
Homemade Pretzels
Assorted Candy
Soda & Beer

Low, low cost of $20 per person

A New Name for Our Project

Old and new friends alike,

Olaiya and I have been contacted by another fundraising agency that has trademarked the name The Full Belly Project. They have asked that we discontinue our usage of that name. Rather than fight their request, we've decided to use this opportunity to ask ourselves: "What do we want out of this endeavor, and is there a better name to capture that?"

We decided on the new title of Little Spark.

We kept talking about our sense that there's an enormous movement afoot to repair this world. We saw that, as a community, our global consciousness is being raised... our environmental and humanitarian instincts are firing. All around us, we see people with good intentions and a desire to help. Olaiya and I felt exactly like that when we first talked about starting this project. To me, it felt like a build up of positive energy, just waiting for an opportunity to express itself... just waiting for a Little Spark to set things into motion.

So here we are, trying to ignite that positivity and continue with our goals. Thank you all for joining us!

Dinner Soiree Another Success

Last weekend, Olaiya and I were blessed with yet another fantastic dinner crowd: This time drawing largely from the guys I play basketball with on Thursday nights. Among other goals, we wanted to fete Brett (first to arrive and last to leave) before he leaves us for the browner pastures of eastern Washington. Anthony, a basketball stalwart, wasn't able to make it, but was kind enough to donate money to the cause even so.

We raised a couple hundred dollars, though we owe an extra thanks to John B. for making trips to TJ’s for extra beer and wine. We definitely underestimated this crowd's thirst! And if not for John, we might have cut into our profits significantly.

Table set with appetizer platters, including pena azul, fava beans, provolone picante, roasted red peppers with fried capers, parmaggiano reggiano, balsamic mushrooms, and copa picante salami.


Dressed arugula with prosciutto and grilled fennel... later finished with buffala mozzarella.


Scallops seared and served with homemade pappardelle pasta tossed with asparagus, zucchini and fava beans in a pesto cream sauce.


Preparing for our opening toast: Brian, Cathy, Brett, John, Cathy, Andres, Dan and Olaiya (clockwise from top left.)