Dec 3, 2006

Ruby Gala a swinging success for Community College Foundation

By Janet Duca Norton

The San Mateo County Community College Foundation celebrated its 40th anniversary with the Ruby Gala on Nov. 18 at the Menlo Circus Club. The sold-out, first-time event featured a '40s theme with musical entertainment by the JewelTones and a swing dance demonstration by College of San Mateo ballroom dance students to the music of the Larry Vuckovich Band.

Canada Theater Arts students Chris Ciolino, Kyle Garibaldi, Jenna White, Bianca Beyrouti and Paul Bains wore vintage '40s costumes (from Canada's costume bank) and provided a photo opportunity for the more than 300 guests who were pictured by a 1947 Desoto Taxi, loaned by John DeLuna for the evening.

The '40s theme played nicely off the foundation's goal of raising funds for 40 student scholarships.

This was a night of firsts. "It was the first fundraising gala, the first time all three college presidents and the chancellor were all together and the first opportunity for community and business supporters to celebrate with the colleges," said Francesca Eastman, foundation board of directors. The gala raised $100,000 and surpassed its goal by $20,000.

Raffle ticket sales were brisk for a trip to Boston (airfare donated by JetBlue) with accommodations at the new Intercontinental Hotel as well as a ruby and pearl necklace, designed and donated by Marilyn Weller. John and Carol Hamilton purchased the winning ticket for the trip.

It was a big night for foundation board member Connie and Dr. Ed Bartold, who won the ruby necklace and made a winning bid on the hotly bid-on "Passionate for Paris" trip.
Mary Mastrobattista sipped her martini and was very happy to take home the ruby attached to her glass.

The leader of the JewelTones, "Rosie the Riveter," described the foundation and Chancellor Ron Galatolo as "visionary," and gave a salute by performing the 1944 song "Shoo Shoo Baby." After the number, Rosie presented Galatolo with a surprise gift: a red feather boa.

Leading the applause were presidents Shirley Kelly of College of San Mateo, Victoria Morrow of Skyline College and interim president of Canada College Thomas Mohr. Joining in the applause were board president Penny Greenberg and husband Scott, Cecilia Hopkins, Jane Eastman, Tina Ebey, Paula Uccelli and executive director Georgi LaBerge.

Both volunteer auctioneers Jim Hartnett, Redwood City Councilman, and Jerry Hall, president of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, were San Mateo Community College graduates. They shared personal stories of how the college changed their lives for the better and then had fun coaxing bids skyward, starting with the opportunity to be a "ball dude" for a night for the San Francisco Giants. Past foundation president Steve Doukas will be the proud "dude" on the field.
The Paris trip was also purchased by Thomas and Sandy Mohr.

Honorary foundation director Raymond Daba not only made a six-figure donation, he gave a spontaneous matching challenge grant of $10,000 for the Fund-a-Need scholarship item during the live auction, and a combined total from five guests met the challenge.

Major sponsors were Provident Credit Union and the Goodstein Foundation.

Send event information to 324 High St., Palo Alto, CA 94301 or e-mail eventsandnews@dailynewsgroup.com.