Around Town: Five Atherton homes on house tour Around Town: Five Atherton homes on house tour (November 23, 2005)

More than 500 parents, students and alumni are working on "Christmas at Our House," the 17th annual home tour sponsored by the Women's Club of St. Francis High School in Mountain View.

The tour, to be held December 1-3, features five Atherton homes. Michelle Barsanti and Mari Jo Pelzner are co-chairing the event.

Festivities begin with a twilight tour and preview party at 4 p.m. Thursday, December 1. On Friday and Saturday, December 2 and 3, the homes are open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

At least 3,000 visitors are expected to tour the five festively decorated homes in Atherton. Last year more than $150,000 was raised.

Visitors to one of the homes will find a "Twelfth Night" table setting created and donated by Tiffany & Co. Tickets at $25 each may be purchased to win the "Twelfth Night" table, which includes a complete service for eight with china, crystal, flatware, linens and centerpiece.

A limited number of tickets for a Saturday luncheon at $20 each may be purchased in advance.

One of the homes will feature "Santa's Drawing Room," with holiday items to be won in a donation drawing. Another will host a Christmas gift shop.

Homemade baked goods, eggnog, hot cider, tea and coffee is included in the tour price of $40 for advance purchase, or $50 at the door, if available. Tickets for the preview party are $100 each.

Children over 12 are welcome on the house tour. Visitors are asked to wear flat shoes only. For reservations and taped information, call 968-1213, enter 1 and then the extension: 701.
Coldwell Banker drop-off for toys

For the 19th year, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage offices will serve as collection centers for the Toys for Tots campaign, sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

New unwrapped toys may be dropped off at one of the local offices located at 1000 El Camino Real, Suite 150, Menlo Park; 930 Santa Cruz Ave., Menlo Park; 116 Portola Road, Portola Valley, or 2969 Woodside Road, Woodside.

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