In late March, members of the Marin Symphony and the Marin Music Chest (a music scholarship organization celebrating its 75th anniversary this year) gathered for a preconcert reception to welcome guest artist Hai-Ye Ni, principal cellist of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Ni is a former Marin resident and a recipient of a Marin Music Chest scholarship.
In Larkspur, Lehrer Jewelry Design opened its doors to Marin Montessori School to show the kids the process of carving gemstones and making fine jewelry as part of their study of gems and minerals.
In San Francisco, Lycia Carmody Fried and Ann Ferrell Millham cochaired the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Francisco’s largest fundraising event, which brought out 340 locals and raised $520,000 to support the groups’ programs and services.
The San Francisco Garden Club held its annual luncheon benefit at the San Francisco Four Seasons Hotel, auctioning off 21 “bouquets to go” by local floral designers.
At Macy’s Annual Flower Show, a rare exhibit of work by late photographer David George, with son Donn Tice appearing on his behalf, brought crowds eager to see the images that were discovered in George’s home.
Recently, the Larkspur Children’s Cottage Cooperative Preschool held its annual fundraiser at the Corte Madera Recreation Center with an auction to benefit the general fund of the school.
Marin Symphony welcomed guests including the Consul General of Japan in San Francisco, Mr. Yasumasa Nagamine, to the concert parties held in conjunction with the Screen Gems event. Pre-concert, there was a gourmet chocolate tasting with Leslie Harlib and sponsored by Valrhona chocolate, Prager Port and Wells Fargo.
Also recently, Kristen Harper and Marin native Danielle Bourhis, founder of Brown Eyed Girl, closed down Saks Fifth Avenue to celebrate the launch of their new lifestyle coaching firm WingWoman. With backgrounds in psychology and retail, the duo aims to mold and nurture their clients’ personal style in all aspects of their life-not just their wardrobes.
At the Smith Rafael Film Center the red carpet was rolled out for California Film Institute’s Oscar Night America. Attendees enjoyed dinner, a Hollywood-style cocktail lounge and wine bar, silent auction, raffle and more. Local comedian Geoff Bolt served as emcee and provided several laughs during the commercial breaks. Proceeds for this event benefited California Film Institute Outreach, a complimentary program that brings films and filmmakers to Bay Area students.
At Fort Mason Center, Camp Okizu’s “Fire and Ice: Art Inspiring Hope” fundraiser enjoyed a record turnout. The friendly bidding wars started early in the silent auction, where artwork included a 1912 Muir Woods photograph that went for $650. By the end of the night over $780,000 was raised, which means many children and family members affected by childhood cancer will be able to enjoy the camp in the Sierras this summer.
