Auction

Auction and Dinner Dance In the beginning... Woodside

Priory 1957 Will Deliver Surprises and Fun

The event will simulate a simpler, more relaxed time.

Father Martin Mager is at work on the 19th in his tall clock series. This one will stand over seven feet tall and is made of a delicious black walnut wood, which has the color of rich chocolate. The mechanism, face, weights and lyre pendulum are imported from Germany. Each of Father Martin’s gems is signed and dated.

6 In the beginning, when the Priory opened its doors in 1957, there were seven young monks, a bare hillside, and 14 boys. In the culture around them, there were classic cars, rock ‘n roll music, film stars, soda shops, crazy clothes and dances that made the ‘50s a time to remember.

Symbols of the ‘50s: kids loved them, parents worried about them, and the older generation didn’t understand them. Guests at the Priory will be immersed in them at the annual auction and dinner dance, which this year celebrates the Priory’s 45th anniversary.

You’ll know you’re there by the classic Ford Fairlane convertible parked at the curb when the party begins—6 p.m., May 3 at the Hotel Sofitel in Redwood Shores.

The emphasis at this year’s auction is on fun—it’s a party no Priory community member from ‘57 forward will want to miss. The colors and ambiance will speed you backwards, and the food and music will recapture the spirit of those carefree times. Sometimes, you could swear you were in a—well that’s a secret, which Auction Chair Carol Duncan doesn’t want to reveal until dinner at 8:00 p.m.

Remember Elvis, Marilyn and James Dean? You’ll see them and other teen heart throbs—they each head up a room filled with silent auction treats. You’ll see items from dreamy to practical—and probably at prices that will tempt you to stock up for the year ahead.

Restaurant certificates, wines, art, jewels, professional services, vacation home getaways, gift items, sports memorabilia, great tickets to special events, things you need and things you want will all be spread before you with a lavish hand. There will be something for every taste and pocketbook.

As always, parents can secure a variety of school–site rewards for their children. How about Headmaster for a Day? The most prized parking spot? Naming rights to the Priory driveway, or —drum roll, please—a week of free dress for an entire class?

After the silent auction, the sumptuous hors d’oeuvres and

wines and dinner and dessert, the live auction will have everyone laughing as Headmaster Tim Molak hones his live-auctioneering skills.

The Priory auction is a shopping spree everyone can feel good about, the headmaster emphasizes. Proceeds go directly into the operating budget to support small class size, excellent teachers and other essential elements of a Priory education. This is the school’s only big fund-raiser of the year—as well as its only big, all-school social event—and the Priory counts on these funds, Mr. Molak said.

A sampler of the temptations includes: • Meet KPIX reporter Kate Kelly and the news staff, tour the facility, and find out how they get all that information from the world to your TV screen.

• Bonsai is a living work of art and the Priory has two trees lovingly created by a Priory grandfather, a practitioner of more than 40 years. He founded the Golden Bate Bonsai Club, was the first president of the Kasamura Bonsai Clubs, and designed the beautiful Oakland Bonsai Garden. He is just one step away from a master’s ranking (there are only 2,000 bonsai masters in the world). • Are you ready for a mini-vacation? How about a five-star getaway in La Paz, Mexico? Or, how about a three-bedroom, three-bath flat near Hyde Park and Sloan Square in London? It’s yours for six nights—great for a family trip or a friends’ reunion.

• Here’s a rare opportunity to tour a private collection of more than 200 military vehicles housed in Portola Valley. A party of 15 will also be treated to a luncheon on the site, catered by Michelle Rapp’s M 2 Event Planning. • People who have been watching and enjoying Taylor Eigsti’s career in jazz music won’t want to miss the group of tickets to his upcoming concert at the luxurious Filoli estate. What an event!

• You’ll get dinner, theater, circus, comedy and music all together and presented under a glamorous big top tent on the San Francisco waterfront. It’s the famous Teatro Zinzanni and someone will get four tickets.

“We’re going to recreate the fun and simpler times of the 50s in dance and food, and I hope people will love it. We are picking up the pace of the evening, keeping things lively, and starting the dancing a little earlier,” said Carol.

“People will encounter lots of entertaining surprises, from the larger-than-life photo stroll through Priory history to....well, if I tell the rest, it won’t be a surprise,” she added.

“The great spirit among the volunteers and the continued support from our donors are more than inspiring. The best way we can thank them is to buy tickets, celebrate, and make this the best anniversary party ever,” said Wayne Davison, Chair of the Priory Board of Trustees. —C. Dobervich

You’ll see items from dreamy to practical— and probably at prices that will tempt you

To-Do List Order tickets NOW—call Linda at 650-323-6928. Raffle Ticket-call Virginia at 650-598-9181. Preview items online-woodsidepriory.com/auction

For an eye-popping yard in the spring, the Priory’s eighth grade boys basketball team will bring 500 bulbs and plant them in the bare spot of your choice.

Can you picture yourself relaxing in the sauna, then having a late breakfast on the beach? The fabulous Four Seasons resort in Punta Mita, Mexico has everything.

This blue and white 1970 Mercedes 280 SL is a classic. Appraised at $27,000, it is in excellent condition and has under100,000 miles. Experts say the model is “very reliable, with performance to match,” and a pleasure in modern city driving. For bidding information, go to the online auction at www.woodsidepriory.com/auction.