(Feb. 22, 2007) -- An enthusiastic crowd filled LB's Gaslamp Restaurant (PCH/Loynes) on Wednesday night Feb. 21 for a fundraiser benefiting the LB Police Officers Association's Widows and Orphans fund, aiming to help recovering officers Roy Wade, Jr. and Abe Yap and their families. Officers Wade and Yap were shot and seriously wounded in the line of duty in downtown LB on Dec. 22.

Gaslamp co-owner Alicia Shelton arranged for proceeds from food and drink specials to benefit the charity...and made doing the right thing delicious. Shortly after midnight, Ms. Shelton estimated that they'd collected a sum approaching $10,000 with over 800 attendees. Ms. Shelton and Gaslamp co-owner Jennifer McDonald deserve credit for arranging this good deed.

Among the generous VIP diners/attendees we spotted: LB First Lady Nancy Foster and her Dad, Darwin Williams.

Left to right: 6th district Council candidate Al Austin, 4th Council district legislative aide Brian Mineghino and one of our loyal readers, Daryl Supernaw.

Arriving a few moments after we snapped the photo above: LB attorney/LBCC Board of Trustees VP Doug Otto.

Others present: City Council Chiefs of Staff Ray Pok (7th dist) and Jonathan Kraus (8th dist).

Blue Steel -- a band comprised of talented LBPD officers -- rocked the room and drew dancers with hits like "867-5309/Jenny."

To hear a sound clip, click here. (:24, MP3 file)

In this photo, two women seem to be dancing with CSULB Professor and Straight Talk host/executive producer Art Levine. When you're hot, you're hot.

Thanks also go to Southern Wine & Spirits for their generosity and support.

[LBPOA continues to welcome continuing donations to its Widows and Orphans Trust Fund. Donations should be made payable to "Widows and Orphans Trust Fund." In the memo part of your check, you can write-in "YAP/WADE." Checks can be mailed to the Long Beach Police Officers Ass'n, 2865 Temple Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90755].