A sneak preview of the holidays A sneak preview of the holidays (November 17, 2004)

By Jane Knoerle

Almanac Lifestyles Editor

More than 270 women got a glimpse of "Holidays on a High Note" on October 18 when the Foothill Auxiliary to Family Service Agency held its seventh annual benefit luncheon and boutique at the Menlo Circus Club in Atherton.

The guests admired the holiday tables and festive floral arrangements before settling down to watch Doug Robbins create several autumn floral designs. Mr. Robbins, who lives in San Jose, has been a floral designer for 20 years and has worked for upscale resorts such as Bellagio, the Mirage, Treasure Island, and Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. He just returned from spending seventh months in China designing floral products.

After a lunch of quiche and salad with goat cheese, with chocolate lava cake for dessert, many guests did early Christmas shopping in the boutique. Local vendors included Erin MacGeraghty Jewelers, The Dressed Room, Hirzel Fine Jewelry, Jewelry by Ellen Leanse, and Pink Tangerine, all of Menlo Park, and Marie Burke of Portola Valley.

Kris Forbes was chairman of the event and Teri Watts, chairman of the silent auction. Other committee members were Robin Taylor, Maile Creamer, Tricia Christensen, Jennifer Levey, Vivienne Virani and Diane Crittenden.

Proceeds from the event benefit Family Service Agency of San Mateo County, a private nonprofit agency that has provided counseling, child abuse treatment, early education and care, supervised family visitation, and support services for the elderly for the past 50 years.

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