Marin Magazine - April 2007

Marinites packed the Mill Valley Community Center for Wildcare’s Nature Lover’s Ball, emceed by Doug McConnell. The event supports the group’s programs in wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education and honors the 2007 Terwilliger Environmental Award recipient, Laurette Rogers. Guests mingled during a champagne hour before feasting on a gourmet vegetarian dinner catered by Dan McCall and dancing to the band Swing Fever.

Love was in the air at the San Francisco Opera Guild’s Valentine’s Ball at the Four Seasons Hotel. The black tie gala included a silent wine auction and dancing to the music of the Royal Society Jazz Orchestra. Proceeds benefit San Francisco Opera Association and Opera Guild’s education and outreach programs.

At the Marin Civic Center, 500 guests entered “Paris: The City of Lights and Love” for this year’s Marin Valentine’s Ball. Tempting auction items such as trips to Paris, Puerto Vallarta and abalone feeds helped raise funds for the North Bay Children’s Center, Sunny Hills Services, the Godmothers of Timothy Murphy School at St. Vincent’s School for Boys and Whistlestop.

February was a time for local groups to support health programs around the bay. At Greenbrae’s California Cancer Care Center, Heart for Healing, an exhibit of 28 paintings by local cancer patients, expressed the effects of cancer and its treatment on the heart, mind and soul. The artists participated in Art for Healing, a health care program offered by the Foundation for Integrative Oncology.

At the University of San Francisco Mission Bay, the Stanlee Gatti–designed Raising Hope fundraiser featured a performance by Bette Midler, who received a standing ovation from the crowd. The event benefits the UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center and raised over $3.75 million.

At Bay Club Marin’s fourth anniversary party, A Good Time for a Great Cause, guests grooved to Bay Area band Pride and Joy, rested their feet in the Velvet Lounge and the Cool Blue Jazz Room and bid on enticing vacations. Proceeds from the event benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Bay.

In San Rafael, the first Pizza Smack Down cooking contest and celebrity chef pizza toss event starring seven-time world pizza toss champion Tony Gemignani was a fundraising success for the new Marin Youth Center. Proceeds will support the youth-run cafe and health, nutrition and cooking classes at the center.