...By Myra Richman...

Hardly scary, but enchantingly exciting, ACCEL (Arizona Centers for Comprehensive Education and Life-Skills) held its unique, two-day event on October 2-3, 2010, hosting a ladies-only, overnight experience at the historic Hassayampa Inn in Prescott, AZ.

Aptly named, "Practically Magic" ~ BOO BASH 2010, this annual fundraiser commenced in Phoenix, as a luxury tour bus filled with guests headed north for an exciting overnight extravaganza, with proceeds benefiting Michael’s Garden, a 501(c)(3) non-profit division of ACCEL, which provides vocational training and services to special needs adults in Arizona.

Upon their arrival, attendees were greeted with gift bags containing one-of-a-kind, "couture" holiday aprons and candle favors from Aramadilla Wax Works of Prescott. A map-guided shopping tour of local boutiques and galleries, psychic readings, as well as glamour services provided by the Fountain of Youth Salon and Day Spa, were all a part of the afternoon’s optional activities.

The "Trick or Treat" Holiday BOO-tique, located in the Hassayampa Inn lobby, displayed a variety of custom created witch and derby hats, as well as holiday décor and t-shirts, ensuring that every guest would be adorned with the perfect accessories to compliment their "spell binding" fashion statement.

Michael’s Garden encourages and incorporates artistic creation and expression as an integral part of its unique vocational training program for its adult clients. A complete catalogue of its custom created hats and accessories can be viewed at www.michaelsgarden.org/catalogs/retail-catalog-2010

The night time festivities began with the hosted cocktail hour featuring award winning Arizona wines by Carlson Creek Vineyard of Wilcox, AZ. Guests, adorned in "Bewitching Cocktail Attire" enjoyed wine and signature "Midnight Margaritas" while perusing a wide variety of silent auction items. Schmitt Jewelers of Phoenix hosted the Raffle Prize, a pair of diamond earrings, valued at $1,600, which were disguised among the cubic zirconia earrings given to each raffle ticket purchaser.

Angela Pacheco, BOO BASH 2010 Event Chairwoman, announced the dinner hour, welcomed guests and acknowledged the generous sponsors of "Practically Magic" which included Alliant Insurance, Schmitt Jewelers of Phoenix, Carlson Creek Vineyard, SCF Arizona, Cardiovascular Consultants, Ltd, and Heritage Audio Visual.

Highlights of the evening included SNAP, the Special Needs Activity Program of Prescott, whose special needs participants treated attendees to two "magical" sign language performances! In addition, Rebecca David, a client of Michael’s Garden, and Dasche’ Taylor, an ACCEL staff member, performed memorable musical renditions of "Witchy Woman" and "I Believe I Can Fly"! Rebecca’s attendance was sponsored by Antoinette Metzger-Hrudka, in loving memory of her son, Nicklaus Metzger.

The entertainment continued with the live auction, which included the custom created, "Practically Magic" witch hat and coordinating "Haute Hostess" apron. DJ Kaz of Phoenix kept the "haunted house" rocking with dance tunes until the stroke of midnight.

Since 1980, ACCEL, along with Michael’s Garden and the BISTÅ Autism Center, has provided exceptional educational, behavioral and vocational training programs and services on four campuses to students and adult clients with autism, emotional, physical and behavioral challenges from across Arizona. For more information, please contact Gail Curran, VP of Organizational Development at 602-926-7211 or visit www.accel.org