PATTY GUINTO represents the Northern California chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, which keeps an office at 1060 La Avenida Street in Mountain View.

Recently I received an e-mail from Ms. Guinto asking for help. It seems the group's upcoming benefit could use a boost — and as Voice readers have shown many times, they are always ready to support a worthy cause.

Her e-mail is just the sort I like: well-written and succinct, with some flattery directed our way, so I'll just give you the bulk of it:

Dear Mr. Frances,

Thanks in large part to your coverage of the Alzheimer's Association's Memories in the Making program, in which individuals with mid- to late-stage Alzheimer's participate in art classes to improve communication and self confidence, our Memories in the Making Art & Wine Auction in 2009 raised $92,000 to support families coping with Alzheimer's disease in our community.

We will be hosting the event again on Friday, March 5. Unfortunately, we have not been seeing as many people register for the event as we had last year.

I am hoping that you might be able to run a calendar listing or event announcement in this week's edition if it's not too late!

The Memories in the Making Art & Wine Auction, emceed by KPIX-TV reporter Thuy Vu, is Friday, March 5 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the Computer History Museum. All proceeds benefit the Alzheimer's Association. To register, click here or call (800) 272-3900