By Charlene Dean -

Periodic fundraisers benefitting Symphony Animal Foundation are normally organized either by founder Laraine Harper or one of the organization’s volunteers. They usually take the form of adoption events, yard sales and the annual cream pie in the face event, where local celebrities volunteer to get “creamed” for a price.
Tomorrow, beginning at 2 p.m., a progressive dinner entitled “Symphony in Motion,” will take participants on a 68-mile road trip to seven restaurants for a day of eating and fun.
The event, organized by Kathy Bragg of the Short Branch Saloon in Crystal, and Suzi Doran of the Longstreet Inn & Casino in Amargosa Valley contacted Harper and asked if SAF would like to be the benefactor.
“Of course I said ‘yes,’” Harper said. “Right now, we have a horse needing surgery and we hope to raise the $3,000 we need.”
Harper said what is normally a relatively simple procedure to geld a stallion is going to be more difficult with the rescued horse. “He hasn’t dropped, so his breeding aparatus is inside his body, not outside.”
Symphony Animal Foundation has an adoption program, but all animals must be neutered. “We need to get him ready for a new home,” Harper said. “He can’t go like that.”
Harper said SAF took 12 horses from Dream Chaser Ranch, a struggling local horse rescue. “The animals were very underfed when they came to us.” She said some of the horses have already found new homes, but three more are available.
The fundraising event should take a bit of time, however Harper said five of the restaurants are local.
For the uninitiated, a progressive dinner means participants travel from location to location, where a different course will be served.
It will begin with wine and cheese at Sanders Family Winery, 3780 E. Kellogg Road. Harper said participants may purchase tickets at the doors for the rest of the journey.
Since the event was organized by others, Harper said she didn’t have a lot of details about the meal. “The girls haven’t told me much except they want to keep most of it a surprise.”
She said most of the food has been donated. Following registration and wine at Sanders Winery, group members will be given a map with the restaurants and courses marked.
Traveling at their own pace, with an ending deadline, diners will have two appetizer options, soup, salad, vegetable, entree and dessert courses.
Harper said participants will also have the responsibility to award one $100 prize to the best server or bartender they encounter through a ballot entered at the final stop. Instructions will be available at sign-up.
Another perk will be the addition of a poker-run type of affair using dice. Doran said only five of the restaurants will have dice. Each participant rolls for the highest total and prizes will be awarded at the final stop. All maps, scoring and voting information will be available at Sanders Winery.
Tickets are $30 per person or $50 per couple. Harper said commemorative T-shirts are included while supplies last.
She said about 130 tickets have already been sold and those wanting tickets in advance may purchase them at Sniffany’s Thrift Store, corner of Gamebird Road and Pahrump Valley Boulevard.

Special to the Pahrump Valley Times - These are two of the horses under the care of Symphony Animal Foundation volunteer Audrey Bayer. Above is “Thunder,” a stallion needing surgery before he can be adopted. “Lady,” is a rideable Arabian mare which SAF volunteer Audrey Bayer said, “will take an experienced rider.” To adopt an SAF animal, contact Bayer, 990-3134. She said there are guidelines to provide a safe, loving environment for the rescued animals.