At the Corte Madera Goodnite Moon grand reopening celebration, with new owner Annie Jackson, parents were treated to child safety information along with a free DNA packet, photo and fingerprinting of their kids. Cupcakes, clowns, face painting and balloon animals rounded out the day's events.
Marinites like Mill Valley resident and KRON sportscaster Vern Glenn were seen at the grand opening of the Westin San Francisco Market Street. The night was a celebration of the $30 million renovation and included a silent auction benefiting Friends of Faith, which provides financial assistance to breast cancer patients.
In San Francisco's Mission neighborhood Gap founders Doris and Don Fisher were honored for their 43 years of service to the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Francisco at the Opening Doors for Kids gala. The event raised $700,000, which will help the club to continue to provide high-quality programs, staff and facilities for youth.
In Mill Valley it was a sold-out event at the town community center for the second annual Summer Search North Bay luncheon. Almost $200,000 was raised for programs that will serve students in Marin, Sonoma and Napa counties. Summer Search inspires low-income high school students to become responsible and altruistic leaders by providing year-round mentoring, life-changing summer experiences, college advising and a lasting support network.
In Marin Ambassadors of Hope and Opportunity (AHO) hosted its sixth community event to create awareness about youth homelessness. The art benefit and wine reception also included a sneak preview of the new documentary Youth Homelessness . . . A Growing Trend, which highlights youth homelessness in Marin County.
San Rafael's nonprofit art center Art Works Downtown held its third annual ArtRageous fundraiser. The bacchanalian-themed fete featured a performance by Sha Sha Higby, food by Jay Yinger, fire dancing and other delights.
In San Francisco Le Meridien hotel recently debuted an on-site art installation by Chris Johanson and Jo Jackson entitled Paradise Library. The exhibit is part of the hotel's Unlock Art program, which is designed to appeal to guests' cultural curiosity and provide them access to local contemporary art institutions. As part of the installation the artists have selected books that have inspired people throughout time. As with a traditional library, these books are offered to guests to enjoy at their leisure. Guests may also add books of their own to the collection for others to enjoy.
At the Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium in San Rafael Dominican University of California and Book Passage sponsored a lecture by former Vice President Al Gore. Approximately 2,000 people attended the event, including Dominican president Joseph R. Fink and the ex-VP, who signed copies of his latest book The Assault on Reason.
In Mill Valley it was all about the little ones at the grand opening VIP party for new kids' boutique Honeys and Heroes. Owner Alanna Klein (who also owns Presidio Heights hot spot Pumpkin) was on hand to greet guests (and their children), who shopped for the latest must-haves from brands like Ella Moss and True Religion.
At the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge grown-ups were getting in on the fun at the Bay Area Discovery Museum's Play Date 2007. The colorful cocktail party included big-kid auction items like a seven-day siesta at a private playground on the sea of Cortez, a Costa Rican eco-adventure and an exhilarating ride in a Formula One race car.
Marin Theatre Company hosted "Forty Years on the Road with MTC" as a gala celebration to raise funds for the group's new roof. The group's live productions are a unique part of Mill Valley's artistic scene.
The Headlands Center for the Arts held a benefit art auction with guest auctioneer Durwood Zedd, getting the crowd excited to buy works from Dennis Adams, Lylah Ali, Ray Beldner and others. The night raised nearly $100,000, which will support the artist in residence programs.
At Merola's 50th Anniversary Gala, "Voices Heard 'Round the World," guests celebrated five decades of training future San Francisco Opera stars. The evening included a concert featuring Merola alumni, a seated dinner and post-dinner lounge made possible by gala cochairs Amii Barnard-Bahn and Patrick Wilken.
At the San Rafael Community Center, Beyond Hunger held its third annual Building a Community for Prevention fundraiser. Musical guests Susan Z, Shana Morrison and Jennifer Naegele entertained at the benefit concert, which raises funds for education programs to prevent eating disorders in Marin's schools.
Stubbs Ranch in West Marin was the setting for an idyllic evening where guests enjoyed Stubbs organic wines and local cuisine prepared by Manka's Daniel Delong and Margaret Grady. Words of wisdom and sustenance insight from guest of honor author Michael Pollan rounded out the evening benefiting Marin Organic.
In San Francisco, Will and Grace star Eric McCormack headlined A.C.T.'s Ruby Jubilee fundraiser at the Four Season's Hotel. The event celebrate's A.C.T.'s 40th anniversary raises funds for the conservatory's training programs.
Across the bridge, Neiman Marcus hosted a luncheon for Carolina Herrera. The designer showcased her fall 2007 ready-to-wear collection for the Bay Area crowd.
In Mill Valley the Chamber of Commerce held a grand opening mixer for Cabana Home. The high-end home fittings store offers design consultations and furniture for indoors and out.
TSE and Marin Magazine teamed up for a morning of socializing and shopping at Heather Cooper's Tiburon home as a benefit for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Guests were treated to a sneak preview of the TSE fall collection, which proved the line is more than just luxe sweaters.
In San Anselmo it was the grand opening of Green Fusion Design Center's new gallery space on Greenfield Avenue; the center offer's high-end eco-friendly options for a healthy home.
Larkspur Landing's newest addition is the Tam Cellars wine bar, which offers meet the winemaker events with gems like Ridge Vineyards, a large selection of bottles for sale and gourmet cheeses and chocolates to whet the palette.
Crowds gathered at San Rafael's California Closets, a 5,000-square foot showroom, for the annual Marin Art Salon. The event draws talent from the local art, music and fashion scene with help from About Records and Artsfest. All Season's Catering was on hand to indulge guests with delectable hors d'oeuvres and Northern California wineries Imagery and Lapis Luna offered tastings of their finest wines.
Recently, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong took a break from a busy day of meetings to tour Sausalito's waterfront and host a private party at Gaylord's restaurant.
In Mill Valley the Redwoods Retirement Center transported residents to the tropics for the annual Senior Prom with this year's theme, Lovely Hula Hands. Hawaiian shirts, leis and grass skirts were fair game for seniors at The Redwoods and Tam High School as media personalities Ross McGowan of KTVU and KGO's Joanie Greggains united to co-host the evening. Local favorites Swing Fever belted out big-band numbers while dance pro Cynthia Glinka shared her signature moves with attendees. Prom King Charles Popell, 100, and Queen Alice De Weese, 101, were crowned at the event.
On Maiden Lane, Yves Saint Laurent and Nancy Pelosi hosted a pre-party for The San Francisco Child Abuse Prevention Center's anniversary luncheon with a night to discover (and drool over) the newest it bag-the Downtown.
At the Fairmont Hotel, the 17th annual California Mille Miglia event showcased vintage automobiles but the classic car connoisseurs were also treated to a sneak peak of the newest watch models from Blancpain.
In Tiburon three top boutiques-Ko'ze, Citrus and Red Dot-opened their doors for an evening of champagne, cupcakes and fabulous spring fashions.
Just a few blocks away, celebrities and Marinites mingled at the 50th San Francisco International Film Festival's awards night where local George Lucas was honored.
The Caldwell Snyder Gallery celebrated the grand opening of the newest St. Helena location with Napa wines and red carpet welcome. The historical and restored Star Building now houses the gallery's collection of contemporary pieces by artists like Gilles Marrey and Frank Stella
