Good news for children, seniors, families and the arts of Santa
Clara Valley
… the Silicon Valley Charity Ball is back with the theme
”
Viva El Coraz
ón,
”
honoring the
”
Hearts of the Valley.
”
Thursday evening, Oct. 14, Charity Ball board members and
special guests were hosted at the breathtakingly beautiful home of
Florian and Lori Barth of Los Gatos.
Good news for children, seniors, families and the arts of Santa Clara Valley … the Silicon Valley Charity Ball is back with the theme “Viva El Corazón,” honoring the “Hearts of the Valley.” Thursday evening, Oct. 14, Charity Ball board members and special guests were hosted at the breathtakingly beautiful home of Florian and Lori Barth of Los Gatos. As the intrepid society columnist, willing to go to great lengths to cover such exclusive events, I followed South County residents Bob and Lynne Meyers and shared the awesome views, scrumptious wines and delectable hors d’oeuvres (I love this job!).
The Meyers are deeply connected to the valley’s premiere charity event, with Bob serving on the executive board and Lynne serving as event co-chair with Board Vice President Lynda Evjen. Invitations to the event promised a “surprise chef” … and delivered even better: Two award-winning chefs who happen to be married. California Culinary Academy graduates Eric Tosh and Diane Rose (both class of 1994) own the restaurant Crimson in Los Gatos, where they also serve as chefs. This first couple in cuisine generously donated their services to the gathering at the Barths, serving heirloom tomato gazpacho with prawns, beef satay, sweet corn pancakes with shredded pork (my favorite), foie gras tarlets with caramelized onions, toasted pistachios and truffle oil, and on and on … a true feast for the senses.
Meanwhile, our wonderful host Florian made sure everyone’s wine glasses (donated by Coyote Canyon Winery-Aromas) never ran empty. It’s a wonder the evening ever ended at all! Do you recall my homily in last week’s tirade … er, column? Well, these people know how to treat volunteers!
It truly is good news for the valley to see the Ball back and rolling away. It certainly signals a loosening of the corporate belt. As Evjen explained to the guests, the Ball is both good for charity and good for business. The non-profits receive grants to help sustain programs, and businesses can use their sponsored tables as rewards for customers and associates. The proverbial win-win situation.
As Marybeth Ancona, underwriting chair, simply stated, “This valley is so blessed.” Blessed to have people willing to work hard for charity, and we wish the Ball every success. Can’t wait to see the transformation of the San Jose Convention Center next wrought by Lynne Meyer and her committee. On to a thriving South County recipient of a Charity Ball Grant …
Is there a Baron or Baroness in the house? Rumor has it the South Valley Symphony’s opening season concert had Swiss royalty in the audience Saturday night at Gavilan College. No doubt they came to hear the sweet strings of concertmaster Beverly Olivier-Blount, who played Vaughn Williams’ “Lark Ascending,” or perhaps Maria Amirkhanian on the outstanding nine-foot Steinway grand piano, gracing the stage and our ears with Rachmaninoff’s “Piano Concerto #2.”
Before you read further – this is a biased review. Although my name did not show up in the program (no, I’m not one to hold grudges, Sue Piccardo!), I was part of the string section and many times was caught off guard during the entrancing cadenzas of both pieces. The tight percussion section found the symphony’s regular “concussionist” along with a “ringer,” Morgan Hill-raised Tim Dent, a 1990 Live Oak graduate who holds a graduate degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Filling the seats (to almost capacity) were a long list of symphony supporters including Dr. Joseph McCormack, Rev. John Coleman, Rev. Bill Hawkins and his wife Michelle (who at time of print may have delivered a new music lover), Rev. Dan Kinoshita and his wife Patty, Gavilan College Director of Admissions Joy Parker, Ron and Rosy Kinoshita, Carolyn M. Schiltz of Los Banos, Ken and Nancy McDonald, and Dia Hoshida.
After the concert many of the symphony members and supporters sojourned to Gilroy’s Happy Dog Pizza. David Porcella of Porcella’s Music seemed unfazed by a bar room brawl that spilled out into the street … quite the transition from an evening of classical music. Despite the ruckus, the beer kept flowing and the pizza chef only paused for a moment to watch before pulling a fresh pie from the wood-fired oven, appreciated greatly by a pack of hungry musicians. And, hey, the backdrop of a live “Westside Story” production out on the streets only added to the ambience of Gilroy culture, we all agreed. Tecate ‘n’ testosterone makes for an explosive mix of TNT!
Ciao for now.
