'Surf's Up!' for Menlo Park schools' fundraiser 'Surf's Up!' for Menlo Park schools' fundraiser (April 13, 2005)

** State Sen. Joe Simitian is auctioneer.

By Marjorie Mader

Almanac Staff Writer

"Surf's Up" is the theme for the Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation's annual fundraiser, a dinner and auction, on Saturday, May 7, in an Atherton garden.

Party-goers in "beachfront casual attire" will bid on more than 400 auction items, dine on "surf and turf" prepared by chefs at McIntosh & McGraw, and dance to Beach Boys' music, played by the local band "Riptides."

State Sen. Joe Simitian will be the auctioneer at the nonprofit foundation's largest event, which raises funds for the 2,100 students and programs in the Menlo Park City School District's four schools -- Laurel, Encinal, Oak Knoll and Hillview.

"Senator Simitian has been a great friend of public schools in this area," said Jill Parker, foundation president. "After championing basic aid school districts and helping prevent proposed drastic school-budget cuts two years ago, he's become a local hero."

During the live auction, Sen. Simitian will call for bids on theme-related items, including a trip to two premier hotels in Hawaii, autographed skim boards and stays at vacation homes

The silent and live auctions will offer for bid about 400-some items -- from parties and gourmet meals to tickets to sporting events and vacation getaways -- that have a total value of more than $200,000, according to the auction co-chairs. A new addition this year is a puppy from Pets in Need.

Last year's sell-out event -- attended by 650 parents, teachers and community leaders -- raised $440,000, helping the foundation to give a $1.2 million record grant to the school district. Foundation funds support five areas: libraries, science, technology, musical instruments and excellence in teaching.

The auction and dinner will cap a week of fundraising that will include bidding on art projects created by district students and on display at the schools, and selling raffle tickets.

This year, the district's "Fund-A-Need" donations will be used to expand the district music program by bringing guest musicians to the schools and purchasing innovative instruments and music technology.

Hundreds of parent volunteers have worked for months on the event, contributing time and donations. Co-chairs are Julie Brody, Ellen Leanse, Tina Bird, Maria Hilton and Mary Summers.

The auction catalog will be available the week of April 25.

Businesses helping to sponsor the event are: local real estate agents, Agile Asset Management, Rudolph & Sletten, Charles Schwab & Co. Inc., Heller Ehrman LLP, Pacific Peninsula Group, Skadden Arps, and Sofinnova Ventures.

The Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation was founded in 1982 by parents and citizens concerned about diminishing state funding for public schools. The nonprofit, all-volunteer organization has raised more than $10 million over the last two decades.

For more information about the foundation, go to www.mpaef.org.
INFORMATION

"Surf's Up!" -- the Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation's annual auction and dinner -- will be held May 7 in Atherton. Tickets are $125 each now and $150 after April 21. Make checks payable to MPAEF and send to P.O. Box 584, Menlo Park, CA 94025-0584. The gala begins with the silent auction, hors d' oeuvres and cocktails at 4:30 p.m.; dinner and live auction begin at 7 p.m. Dancing continues until 11 p.m.

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