Smothers his suitably droll, funny self at ACLU event

Imagine some of the funniest things in life and you probably don't think of an awards banquet held by the American Civil Liberties Union.

But what if Tommy Smothers is the top honoree?

I was headed out of the country when the ACLU's Sonoma County chapter gave its 2011 Jack Green Award to the Kenwood resident whose social/political satire prompted CBS to squash "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" in the late 1960s.

By all accounts, Tommy was humble and hilarious.

"I tend to live my life in the past," confessed the outspoken showman who not long ago turned 74, "because that's where most of it is."

He explained that the word "politics" derives from the Greek words "poly, meaning many, and tics, meaning blood-sucking parasites."

Like a commemoration speaker, Tommy advised his listeners to be themselves - "because everyone else is taken."

WHITE HOUSE/RED WINE: The folks at Kosta Browne Winery in Sebastopol were happy to greet a visitor from Pennsylvania Avenue.

Daniel Shanks, the usher and cellarmaster for the White House, popped in while calling on Sonoma and Napa wineries. Before he took a job in D.C., he managed the restaurant at Domaine Chandon.

At Kosta Browne, founder Michael Browne and vineyard owner Dennis Koplen thanked him, selecting the Kosta Browne 2008 Koplen Vineyard Pinot Noir for pairing at President Obama's June 7 state dinner for German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

AND IN LONDON, the president's people pulled out the good stuff near the end of Wednesday's thank-you dinner for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.

Poured to complement the dessert of classic pecan pie and brandy ice cream was a Sonoma County sparkling wine, 2005 Iron Horse Russian River Cuv?.

Simply regal.

MONTY'S TURN: The Elsie Allen High theater students picked to perform at this year's Fringe Festival in Scotland were blown away by the outpouring of community support that assisted them in raising the $60,000-plus they need for the August trip.

Across town, Montgomery High students working to pay for their journey to Edinburgh are happy for their Elsie counterparts, but they're about $23,000 short and need help.

An entertaining way to contribute to their effort (montgomerydrama.com) is to attend any or all of three coming productions.

There's a benefit preview Wednesday at 6th Street Playhouse of the hailed spoof, "The Mystery of Irma Vep," the staging of the students' Fringe performances July 8 and 9 at the school and a July 10 murder mystery dinner at Cattlemen's restaurant.

Drama teacher Susane Byrne also welcomes tax-deductible business sponsorships and personal donations. She's trying to stay calm as the clock ticks toward departure day.

SNOOPY OPENS DOORS: While visiting their son Chris in the Big Apple, Santa Rosans John and Diane Lisciandro decided to take in the Museum of Modern Art.

At the ticket desk, John pulled out a card and inquired if their admission would be covered by the reciprocal arrangement that came with his membership to a museum in California.

Sorry, the clerk replied, but MOMA doesn't participate in the North American Reciprocal Museums Program.

But then the clerk looked closer at the card John held, reflecting the Lisciandros' charter membership in his hometown museum, the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa.

The SOMA clerk smiled and told them she loves Snoopy, and gave them two tickets.

Chris Smith is at 521-5211 and chris.smith@pressdemocrat.com.