• PHOTO BY STEVE E. MILLER
• I SPY : Susan Stenovec has set the stage for a downtown SLO adventure with her fast-approaching event, SLO Revealed.

Anyone who thinks competitive gumshoeing sounds like a good time needs to check out SLO Revealed. An ambitious little project—in a good way—SLO Revealed pits teams of four against one another in a race of the feet and mind. Each riddle, when solved, leads to another one; when all is said and done, even those who don’t win receive dinner afterward.

The event is the brainchild of Susan Stenovec, who, while dabbling in a great many different organizations, came to one important conclusion: Every group has the same set of fundraisers!

“You rarely get any events that haven’t been done before,” Stenovec said in an interview, “and when that one exciting fundraising event comes along, it always only pertains to one group of people. For example: A golfing tournament—that’s great! Unless you don’t like golfing.”

Her challenge was to create an event everyone would be able to enjoy, and when she was inspired by an event a relative mentioned to her, SLO Revealed was born.

The event, set to start with registration on May 14 at 2 p.m., begins with a check-in at local restaurant Creeky Tiki, which generously provided the space. Each team is given a backpack containing clues, and the beverage of their choice to prepare for the madness to come. From there, the race is on.

And what does the SLO Children’s Museum have to do with everything? I guess you’ll find out.

As the competition rages on, befuddled teams can receive helpful hints—for a price. Various helpers will be situated throughout the town with matching T-shirts and lanyards, selling clues to the clueless. But bear in mind that you’ll have to do something … silly.

At the end of the event, prizes will be awarded to the first team to complete the race. There are other categories, too.

“There’s going to be an award for Best Team Spirit,” Stenovec said. “I would really like to see people dressed up like Sherlock Holmes, or competition between various notable groups. New Times versus the Tribune? Fire department versus the police department?”

And of course, dinner at the Creeky Tiki is provided to all.

The event benefits the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of San Luis Obispo County, but Stenovec insists it’s more about the event than the funds.

“I really want people, when they hear the words ‘San Luis Obispo,’ to think of the Madonna Inn, Bubblegum Alley … and SLO Revealed!”

Ambitious? Perhaps, but worth a shot nonetheless. Teams of four must pay $40 per person, while children younger than 10 play for $6. For more information or to join the hunt, visit slorevealed.com.

Fast Fact

On May 7, from 2 to 5 p.m., visit Kelsey See Canyon Vineyards for The Colors of a Cure, a benefit for the Hearst Cancer Resource Center. For $25 (plus tax) and $20 for children younger than 18, guests can enjoy fine Italian food from Upper Crust Trattoria, live music by the Mother Corn Shuckers, a chair massage, barrel tasting, and a silent auction. Call 595-9700. ∆

Intern Chris White-Sanborn compiled this week’s Strokes and Plugs. Send your business news to [email protected].