Mar 10, 2008

Spring Fling ropes in funds for education

By Adria Murray / Society Columnist

Blowing around like tumbleweeds, fueled by margaritas and barbecue sandwiches, cowboys and lassies made the rounds at the auction tables and kicked up dust on the dance floor at the San Carlos Education Foundation's "Denim to Diamonds" Spring Fling benefit. Raising money hoedown-style, parents, teachers, principals and San Carlos School Board members attended the March 1 benefit to help in "wrangling up riches for education."

This was no ho-hum dinner benefit. From its buckles and boots attire, to its carnival games, Texas Hold'Em poker tournament and mechanical bull rides, the 800 guests at the San Mateo County Events Center found good times to be had in every corner.

Well, ... nearly every corner: guests with an ornery streak could pay to have their friends or significant others thrown in jail. To post bail, the jailbirds either had to donate $100 to the night's cause or find people willing to bail them out for $20. And as you might imagine, there were a couple of people (husbands) in the clinker that weren't too happy about it.

From behind bars where his wife Laurie Miller had sent him, Tierra Linda Middle School parent Bill Miller said, "My wife, she's walking home."

In its fifth year, the Spring Fling gala has raised much-needed funds for several of the district's educational opportunities and services. Spring fling co-chairwoman Kim Kondo said statewide budget cuts to the schools have meant that parents and the community have had to step in to ensure that vital programs do not disappear.

"Without the money that is raised tonight, we would not be able to provide P.E. teachers, librarians, or our schools' music and art programs," Kondo said.

The funds raised that evening went to benefit White Oaks, Heather, Brittan Acres and Arundel elementary schools, as well as San Carlos Charter Learning Center and Tierra Linda and Central middle schools.

The gala, underwritten by platinum sponsors Avenir Restaurant Group, Bob Bredel of RE/MAX Today and the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, raised more than $250,000 toward the foundation's $1 million annual budget, and surpassed the night's projected goal, said co-chairwoman Lisa Costello.

The night's big-ticket auction items included a behind-the-scenes tour and test drive at the new Tesla Motors in San Carlos, a kitchen or bathroom face-lift donated by Da Vinci Marble, and a tour of Pixar facilitated by San Carlos Mayor (and recent Oscar winner for "Ratatouille") Brad Lewis, donated by him and his wife Regina.

Superintendent Steve Mitrovich put himself on the auction block as the purveyor of a fly-fishing excursion to Mount Shasta, his hometown, won by school board member Seth Rosenblatt.

Roping themselves some diamonds from the diamond martini bar, donated by Kavita Malaviya of Emkay Jewelers, were grand prizewinner Lyli Haldeman, of White Oaks School, who took home a 14K white gold bracelet with 31 diamonds; Central Middle School teacher Terri Somers, who won a 14K yellow gold diamond circle pendant necklace; and Cecilia Montalvo, of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation, who won herself a pair of heart-shaped 14K gold earrings with blue topaz stones.

Kicking the party into high gear, the Wildcats, a group of Palo Alto dads, played a set of rockin' cover songs into the wee hours. The dads, CEOs and investment bankers who formed their band to help raise funds for education, took payment in the form of a donation to the Palo Alto School District.

As guests hit the dance floor, played games of horseshoes and enjoyed the flowing spirits at the saloon, those left to rot in jail sat with their drinks, waiting for someone to pony up the cash.

That's just the way it goes in the Wild West.


Adria Murray's society column appears every Sunday in the Daily News. Send event information to 324 High St., Palo Alto, CA 94301, or e-mail amurray@dailynews group.com or call 650-327-9090, ext. 328.