Jan 20, 2008

Realtors celebrate Hollywood style

By Janet Duca Norton / Daily News Staff Writer

"An Evening with the Stars," the 14th annual Silicon Valley Association of Realtors Installation (SILVAR) dinner dance, lived up to its title. The 270 guests arriving at Sharon Heights Golf & Country Club on Jan. 10 had fun strolling the walk of fame, a star-lined path that featured this year's board of directors.

The host committee greeted the sold-out crowd with star name tags that were placed on the back of everyone for an icebreaker Hollywood star game. The highlight of the cocktail reception was discovering everyone's starry identity.

Following the guess-who portion of the evening, California Realtors Association past president Vince Malta installed Leannah Huntas president and state Sen. Joe Simitian installed the 2008 board of directors.

About the event and celebrating with her SILVAR comrades, new president Hunt said, "Negotiating residential real estate transactions is competitive, and we enjoy taking time to socialize with our colleagues."

And if the surprised faces of the winners of the President's Award and SILVAR honors were any indication, Realtors can really keep a secret. Hunt recognized Jeff Bellfor his leadership at SILVAR and gave a posthumous award to Fariba Lighvanifor her support of association activities. When Alice Nuzzowas recognized for her 35 years of involvement in Los Altos community activities, she laughed and said, "I'm stunned."

Past SILVAR president Mark Burns presented Carolyn Millerwith the Spirit of SILVAR Award, describing her as "SILVAR's cheerleader" for her tireless efforts in representing the association's interests. Wearing a broad smile and her favorite red dress, Miller's acceptance remarks began with, "I feel like a star."

Gabe Bodner was recognized for his support of the association's golf tournament and advocacy for the affiliates (mortgage brokers) with the Affiliate of the Year Award.

Finally, former association president Willi Krauss received the coveted Realtor of the Year Award for her 20 years of volunteer involvement.

"It means so much to me, and I hope you will get involved and will love it as much as I do," Krauss said to the crowd.

Seen applauding the honorees were state Sen. Elaine Alquist, California Association of Realtors President
William Brown, SILVAR President-elect Julia Keady, Palo Alto Coldwell Banker manager John Carman, Ann Griffiths, Santa Clara Supervisor Liz Kniss, as well as Hunt's family members Laurel and Matt Robinson and Brian and Jenna Hunt.


Mayor's Tree Planting Ceremony and Canopy Awards

Misty moments didn't dampen spirits or enthusiasm at Palo Alto's 12th annual Mayor's Tree Planting Ceremony and Canopy Awards party.

Outgoing Mayor Yoriko Kishimoto continued the tradition of choosing the variety of tree for the Jan. 10 ceremony when she planted a Frontier Elm street-side at the Greenmeadow Community Asssociation. "I planted a tree for the next seven generations," Kishimoto said.

Former mayor and Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss and Kelly Morariu and young Sophia Morariu (looking cute in a red ladybug raincoat) took turns with the shovel.

Canopy is a nonprofit organization that helps maintain Palo Alto's urban forest. The choice of location for the tree planting reflected Canopy's goal of reforesting south Palo Alto neighborhoods and its partnership with the city and residents of the Fairmeadow Neighborhood Association.

Hans Weber, Jack Wilson and Allen Chen received "Out-on-a-limb" awards for their outstanding efforts as urban forestry volunteers.

"It was real physical work, planting and mulching," Weber said.

The prestigious Soforenko Award, named for Canopy's first treasurer, Arnie Soforenko, saluted four volunteers who made an extraordinary effort to preserve and enhance the city's urban forest, including Stanford professor emeritus Ron Bracewell (in memoriam), who produced a scholarly survey of trees; Joe Vallaire, who restored the tree canopy for the Palo Alto Municipal Golf Course; Chuck McDonnell, who helped preserve large oak trees on Palo Alto school campuses; and retired City Planner Virginia Warheit, who spearheaded the Trees for El Camino initiative.

Among the 50 Canopy members, city council members and guests applauding the honorees were former mayors Jim Burch, Gary Fazzinoand Bern Beecham, as well as Council Member Pat Burt, Mary Daveyof the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, planning arborist Eric Krebs, landscape specialist Dave Dockterand Open Space division manager Greg Betts.

Founders and principals of Greenmeadow Architects, Markand K.C. Marcinik, who are involved with restoration and preservation of Eichler homes, said Mark was nominating the Greenmeadow Community Association building for the Palo Alto-Stanford Heritage Award in the commercial category.

The organization is emphasizing preservation of residential and commercial mid-century modern buildings in recognition of the beginning of the technology industry in Palo Alto.

Janet Duca Norton's society column appears every Sunday in the Daily News. Send event information to 324 High St., Palo Alto, CA94301 or e-mail society@paloaltodailynews.com.