The Container Store teamed up with the San Francisco Junior League for the opening of the fabulous new Union Square store that attracted more than 1,100 guests – and raised more than $10,000 in support of the League's community service programs that promote education.
On the first floor, guests enjoyed live music while sipping champagne before riding the escalator to the second floor in search of more munchies to accompany the tangy mojitos. Paula LeDuc prepared the delicious offerings, from sushi to hot mashed potatoes served in martini glasses and sweet onion tarts with truffled crème fraiche and apple steusel tartlets.
Junior League president Renee Tucei was chatting with The Container Store's head honchos, including Garrett Boone, chairman, Sharon Tindell, EVP of Merchandising, and Kip Tindell, CEO. Bob Mettler, Chairman/CEO of Macy's West, was on-hand with the welcome wagon for his new neighbor. Also enjoying the evening were Liz and Preston Keogh, Renee Singh, Regina Ravetti, Michael Downing, John Hanford, Gingy Harris, Carol Benz, Scott Gooch, Sterrin Bird, Tara Scott, Marc and Stacie Brody, and Mathew and Cheri Spolin.
Bay Area families recently had the chance to attend the ultimate trick-or-treat party at the ultimate toy store at the Halloween Heroes event. The Wender Weis Foundation for Children assembled a who's who list of celebrity athletes for the event which was co-chaired by San Francisco Giant Jeff Kent and Oakland Raider Jon Ritchie. Big kids and little kids alike played games and sampled food from Kokkari, Farallon and Compadres while they collected autographs from current and alumni players from the Giants (Rich Aurilia, Vida Blue and Orlando Cepeda), the Raiders (Tim Brown, Rich Gannon, Rick Mirer, Barret Robbins), the 49ers (Greg Clark, Keena Turner, Eric Wright), the San Jose Earthquakes (Jon Conway, Troy Dayak), the San Jose CyberRays (Dawn Greathouse, Di Alagich), and other Bay Area sports figures (Shawn Estes, Adonal Foyle). And that's only a partial list. But the biggest celebrity of the night was Darren Baker who was besieged by fans and autograph hounds, and this time Darren's dad Dusty saved him by lifting him from the crowd.
Halloween festivities took a different twist the next night at bash held at the Clift Hotel. The Redwood Room and Asia de Cuba were filled to the stylish rafters with every imaginable costume (or lack thereof). Some of the favorites were characters from the "Royal Tennenbaums", Frida Kahlo, and a few Marilyn Monroes that were a bit more masculine than the real Norma Jean. Enjoying the outrageous evening were Susan and Paul Duryea, Randy and Belinda Steyer, and Sarah Lewis.
A few days later, wine enthusiasts drove up valley to Clos Pegase Winery in Calistoga for the "Blind" Wine Tasting and Auction benefiting The Foundation Fighting Blindness. Sponsored by Pacific Growth Equities, the event attracted more than 400 participants and raised nearly $45,000. Guests sipped fine wines and enjoyed delectable gourmet fare from well-known Bay Area and Napa Valley restaurants, such as Roy's and The Restaurant at Meadowood, while listening to jazz. Competition was fierce as the auction continued by auctioneer Emily Peters Johnson of Butterfields. Two high bidders were in hot pursuit for a chance to have dinner with the afternoon's emcee Spencer Christian, who loves to enjoy fine wine when he's not reporting the weather for ABC-7.
Exploring the caves and sampling the wines were Victoria Coon, Britt Loughlin, Raegen Fineberg, Jody Harris, Debbie Lopker, Michelle Cosette, Nyla Patzner, Sean Noonan, Nancy Rossi, Mark Silver, Andrew Bloch, and Amy Blaisdell.
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