Oct 29, 2006

Fundraiser hits high note for Family Service

By Kim Selby

The holidays are peeking out from behind every corner this month. Nowhere was this more evident than at the Family Service Agency of San Mateo County Foothill Auxiliary's presentation of their annual home entertaining fundraiser, "Holidays on a High Note," on Oct. 16 at the Menlo Circus Club in Atherton.

This eight annual event is a staple for those looking for exciting new ways to enhance their holiday decorating and entertaining. Event chairs Kris Forbes and Andi Mallinckrodt were thrilled to welcome award-winning floral artists Connie Oakson and Kren Rasmussen.

Each year the auxiliary invites floral designers to give presentations for guests on how to make arrangements on their own. Secret tips and clever ideas were given.

Rasmussen, of Bloomsters, spoke to the crowd of a trend toward contemporary designs in floral arrangements. His past experience includes working as an apprentice to the floral designer for the Danish royal family.

For her part, co-presenter and floral designer Oakson employed such unique items as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, turkey feathers and a feather boa in the dazzling arrangements she created for the crowd. Both arrangements were auctioned off at the conclusion of the luncheon.

In addition to the presentation, "Holidays on a High Note" featured a boutique with 10 local vendors showcasing unusual clothing items, fall decorations, jewelry, handbags and shoes. Williams-Sonoma Home in the Stanford Shopping Center brought many lovely items from their new store. Williams-Sonoma also graciously provided goody bags for event attendees, complete with adorable cocktail napkins and a store discount card.

The more than 200 guests shopped, wandered and admired the 22 table settings on display, many of which were available as silent auction items.

Jeanese Rowell Designs provided a wonderful Halloween-themed table, while Neiman Marcus, a longtime supporter, went for an elegant and classic-looking table. Co-chair Mallinckrodt designed a very clever seaside wedding table with sand under foot, seashells and Tiffany blue, which looked fit for a Santa Cruz Beach wedding.

Silent auction items were many and varied. Auction chair Claire Wyburn and her committee secured a Pebble Beach weekend, Tahoe holiday, paintings, bottles of wine, tickets to the Stanford-USC game and much more. Tricia Christensen and Robin Taylor, Foothill Auxiliary co-presidents, anticipated raising over $20,000 to benefit the Family Service Agency of San Mateo.

A wonderful lunch of Korean grilled beef and Thai accompaniments left guests sated and curious about the recipes.

Hillsborough resident Ruth Wisnom attended along with Andi Espina of San Mateo, whose husband is Family Service Agency board chair Frank Espina. Laurie Wishard, Family Service Agency president, was delighted with the number of people who attended and enjoyed the event.

Other committee members who ensured the event's success included Maile Creamer, Peggy Costello, Jennifer Pollack, Jennifer Levey and Diane Crittenden.

Also in attendance were Vivenne Virani, Janet Tarr, Nancy Stewart, Mara McDonale-Wiest, Ellen Moore, Diane Miller, Carol Mince and Claire Whyburn.

All proceeds from the ticket sales and auction items (along with 20 percent of the boutique sales) will benefit the Family Service Agency, a San Mateo-based nonprofit that helps improve the lives of struggling Peninsula children, families and seniors through the provision of vital programs and services.



PRICELESS TREASURES APPRAISED

The San Mateo offices of Borel Private Bank & Trust Co. hosted an after-hours event that included a presentation by Bonhams & Butterfields Fine Art Auctioneers. San Mateo residents and the staff of Borel came together and discovered whether their priceless possessions were just that, or if they were nothing more than treasured keepsakes.

Stephen Turner brought his knowledge and experience in the fine arts trade and graciously appraised the many articles. Treasures that were brought in for appraisal included porcelain items, decorative art, photographs of furniture and old books.

Turner appraised a 1981 Cleveland Major League All-Star Baseball ring belonging to Kevin Weir, which was valued at $2,000 to $4,000.

Relationship banking supervisor Linda Manzon, Larry Rymmell and Diann Jennison brought a few valuable items of their own. One antique bank was valued at $200 to $400. Others were disappointed to see their old treasures turn out to be only sentimental keepsakes.

Longtime San Mateo resident Milton Cavalli, 93, brought in several antique pocket watches and enjoyed partaking in the appraisal process as he reminisced about the items' history.


For consideration, send event information to 324 High Street, Palo Alto, CA 94301 or e-mail amurray@dailynewsgroup.com.