Week in Review: Shanti Gala, SF Fall Antiques Show and Stephen Silver

The San Francisco Giants have the city abuzz with World Series fever. However, Bruce Bochy and his boys weren’t the only talk of the town this past week. We toasted the Shanti Project at its 40th anniversary dinner and the Ronald McDonald House turning 40. The San Francisco Fall Antiques Show got underway with an elegant preview gala and This Old Bag enjoyed another successful edition. Down in Menlo Park, there were oohs and aahs at the grand opening of the Stephen Silver Fine Jewelry and Timepiece Boutique. Read on for more details of these haute events as we look back at the week that was.

The Shanti Project’s Compassion is Universal Dinner

Drew Altizer Photography

The Shanti Project celebrated its 40th anniversary with its annual Compassion is Universal benefit at The Fairmont San Francisco on Oct. 18th. More than 600 stylish guests attended the dinner, which was co-chaired by Bahya Oumlil-Murad and Ken Fulk and which featured both silent and live auctions. Honored this year were Reverend Cecil Williams and Janice Mirikitani of Glide Memorial Church, who were presented with the Nancy Pelosi Lifetime Achievement Award from The Honorable Willie L. Brown, Jr. Also recognized for their tremendous impact on the world were community leader Stu Smith (awarded posthumously) and Shanti Project Founder Charlie Garfield. The Haute Living-sponsored event raised $510,000 to support the work of Shanti, a community of volunteers that provides emotional and practical support to people affected by HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

Stephen Silver Fine Jewelry and Timepiece Boutique Grand Opening

Photos Courtesy by Sam Fontejon

The grand opening of the new Stephen Silver Fine Jewelry and Timepiece Boutique inside the Rosewood Sand Hill Resort in Menlo Park on Oct. 17 was a lively event filled with champagne, exquisite jewelry and an impressive collection of rare timepieces. Guests were greeted by a row of masterfully engineered McLarens as they walked into the Rosewood Sand Hill Resort. Once inside, Duke Ellington’s talented grand nephew, Doug Ellington, treated everyone to a soulful blend of show stopping jazz, infused with an urban groove and a touch of blues that perfectly set the scene for the evening.

Stephen Silver and his team officiated the event with an official ribbon cutting that included Stephen’s mentor, John Arrillaga, the man responsible for the retail presence, as well as, architect Joel Miroglio, who gave the space its signature look. Representatives from the watch manufactures showed their wears while the Stephen Silver team allowed guests to try on jaw dropping pieces including a Victorian tiara and a 22ct diamond named La Splendeur Dorée. One of the many highlights of the evening was the intricate Cartier Mystery clocks on display for that night only. At the conclusion of the evening’s festivities, party goers were given gift bags filled with coveted treats from the watch companies as well as Stephen Silver himself.

The San Francisco Fall Antiques Show Preview Gala

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer Photography

The 2014 edition of The San Francisco Fall Antiques Show benefitting Enterprise for High School Students got underway with a glamorous preview gala at Fort Mason on Oct. 22. Connoisseurs Circle Chair, Michele Goss, who chaired the show for 10 years, and Adrianna Pope Sullivan, the current show committee chair greeted the guests, who included Maria Barrios, Ken Fulk, Rosemary Baker, Karen Kubin, Jorge Maumer, Peter Lago, Elisabeth Thierot, Peter Lago, Christa Coupar, Pamela Jackerino, Kaylee Whitworth, Terri Mino, Jane Mudge, Teresa Spirz, Karen Kubin, Alan Morrell, Wayne Kaleck, Michael Rose and Kathy Geissler Best.

As always, 100% of proceeds benefitted Enterprise for High School Students, the San Francisco non-profit that engages and empowers Bay Area high school students to develop skills for their future through job readiness training, employment, and career exploration.

Catering by McCall’s included multiple caviar stations, a bread pudding cart, sushi made on the spot, lamb chops and a massive dessert display. No one had to worry about missing the Giants in Game 2 of the World Series because the game was shown on a big screen in a lecture tent. The show, the oldest and most prestigious continuously operating international art and antiques show on the west coast, opened Thursday and runs through Sunday.

 This Old Bag: The Power of the Purse

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer Photography

More than 400 eager supporters snapped up designer collections, classic vintage and celebrity handbags and fabulous live auction packages at the 10th Annual This Old Bag: The Power of the Purse presented by Kaiser Permanente, Rocket Fuel and Wells Fargo at the Bently Reserve on Oct. 17. The annual handbag auction gala raised $302,000 to the benefit Breast Cancer Emergency Fund, which provides immediate financial assistance to low-income people battling breast when they are too sick to work and, since 2001, has provided over $2 million dollars in assistance to help families maintain financial stability during a devastating illness.

Guests grooved to beats provided by DJ shOOey while they enjoyed bites from Global Gourmet Catering and drinks provided by Corbin Vodka, Laughing Glass Cocktails and Mumm Napa. The silent auction bids were competitive, especially with the brand new mobile bidding experience. Fashionistas and philanthropists in attendance included venue host Christopher Bently and Camille Crowder, longtime supporters Geoff and Hilary Newsom Callan, Anette L. Harris, Christine and Doug Merritt, Bahya & Gus Murad, Sam Leftwich, Pamela Rummage Culp, Sonya Molodetskaya, Farah Makras, Alan Morrell, Robert Atkinson of Graff and Terri Mino of Neiman Marcus.

Ronald McDonald House’s 25th Anniversary

and Home Away From Home Gala

Photo Credit: Moanalani Jeffrey Photography

Guests enjoyed a memorable night at Ronald McDonald House’s 25th Anniversary and Home Away From Home Gala on Oct. 17. Senator Mark Leno presented a resolution to honor the House’s 25 years of service to families with critically ill children. Willie Brown and Wilkes Bashford dazzled the audience with an impromptu performance when they magically transformed one live auction package into three (courtesy of John Konstin of John’s Grill) and tripled the amount raised for a lunch with the two. Masters of Ceremony Cheryl Jennings and Mike Nicco added a lively energy to the program and highlighted personal stories from families who have stayed at the House. The evening ended with dinner and a dance floor jam-packed thanks to music by the ever-popular Pride & Joy. The event raised over $325,000, breaking some of the organization’s previous fundraising records.

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