Music, barbecue at Uptown to benefit ‘Mama Maria’ and family
CONNIE SWINNEY • PICAYUNE STAFF
MARBLE FALLS — For “Mama Maria,” the best meals are served from the heart.
“Everyone who knows her knows what a wonderful person she is,” said R-Bar & Grill manager Stacey Zargallows. “She makes special things for people. She’s always had a big heart for us.”
Maria Valdez has worked as a chef for R-Bar & Grill, 904 Third St., and Escondido Golf and Country Club in Horseshoe Bay for several years.
Recently, a double tragedy overcame her family after her husband was diagnosed with cancer in 2013 and was involved in a serious accident Jan. 19 on RR 1431 in Marble Falls that left him with a broken neck.
To help the family with medical expenses, the owners of R-Bar and Grill and Uptown on Main, 218 Main St., are offering their heartfelt support to the Valdez family during the “Benefit for Mama Maria” on Feb. 19 at the Main Street venue.
“Hospital bills have become too much,” said R-Bar/Uptown events coordinator Lori Bingham. “We want to show her how much we apprecate her.”
The event includes live music 5-11 p.m., a silent auction and $7 pulled-pork barbecue plates.
“The outpouring is just amazing,” Bingham said of the entertainers and businesses. “No one has said no. Everyone (asks), ‘What can we do?'”
Performances include:
• Andrea Marie and the Magnolia Band, 5-6 p.m.
• Levi Holder, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• The Texas KGB, 8-9 p.m.
• john Arthur martinez, 9:30-10:30 p.m.
The Lucas Brothers and Jeff Inman also are scheduled to perform. Admission is free for the live entertainment; however, donations are welcome at the door.
A silent auction will offer a number of items, including gift certificates, paintings, golf bags and gear, rounds of golf, a cooler, weather gear, wine baskets, a one-month free athletic club membership, an overnight stay at a bed-and-breakfast and a diesel oil change.
Attendees will be eligible for prize giveaways.
“That’s what’s so great about a small town. They all come together,” Zargallows said. “A lot of them know Maria, but a lot of them don’t. They just show generosity and compassion.”
Tickets for barbecue plates can be purchased in advance at R-Bar and Escondido.
For other donations, a bank account has been set up for Maria Valdez at American Bank of Texas in Marble Falls. Call (512) 517-4721 for more information.
connie@thepicayune.com