Volunteering is truly a joy! May Blog

....Volunteering is truly a joy. We can help others and think well of ourselves in so doing...

May 1, 2011

Good morning, Dear Members and Welcome to Spring:

First, I apologize for the late President’s Blog. Usually it is ready for you by the first of the month but since I returned from New York I have had unending computer problems. I am a dinosaur when it comes to computers and have had to wait for assistance from the computer gurus. Because of this I asked Joan Heye to email you all with this VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE which NEEDS YOUR TIMELY RESPONSE.

MAY 17, GENERAL MEETING WILL BE OUR TOUR AND LUNCHEON AT THE LUCILE PACKARD CHILDRENS HOSPITAL

By 10:30-11:00 am: PARK AT BLAKE WILBER PARKING GARAGE (You will have exit passes so parking will be free – carpooling is strongly encouraged.) PROCEED TO LPCH LOBBY FOR NAMETAGS AND TOUR SELECTION.

11:00 am: GATHER IN LPCH AUDITORIUM FOR SPEAKERS (Jill Sullivan: presenting an update on the incredibly beautiful Phase II then following will be Dr. Bernie Dannenberg, Director of Pediatric Emergency Medicine, LPCH)

11:45 amTOURS OF PACKARD HOSPITAL (Two tour groups will go to the NICU and the Forever Young Zone and one will go to the Ford Center for Surgical Services and the Chapel.)

12:30 pm: LUNCH IN BING DINING ROOM – third floor of Stanford Hospital

LUNCH WILL BE $22.00 for a lovely entrée salad, bread, drinks and gratuity and ending with an incredible White Chocolate Brioche Pudding with Black Maple Hill Bourbon Syrup!

WE NEED TO SEND SUE HNILO OUR LIST OF ATTENDEES BY MAY 9^TH to give to the caterer and to print our nametags. NAMETAGS ARE NEEDED FOR US TO TOUR THE HOSPITAL.

PLEASE SEND YOUR CHECKS FOR $22.00 TO DALLAS MANNING AT 836 PINE HILL ROAD, STANFORD, CA 94305, BEFORE MAY 9^TH.

VINTAGE GIRLS LUNCHEON was held on April 14^th at the lovely University Club in Palo Alto, colorfully decorated with vintage memorabilia. Our members (many wearing hats) had a delightful afternoon, sharing fond memories with our Roving Reporter BJ SORENSON. The 48 members attending represented 1,653 years – yes, years, not hours - of volunteer time! Many thanks to GERRY NELSON and her committee for coordinating this annual event.

Here are a few photos from the event (click on photos to enlarge) --- make sure you view all the photos at Shirlee Stites' new photo gallery (see below for info):

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One of our goals this year is to enhance our websites. SHIRLEE STITES is doing an incredible job as our private photographer giving us a grand addition to the website. Our Webmaster, BOB STEVENS has modified the photogallery page on the website to include Shirlee’s gallery, Smugmug! Our PAA home page will show the date the galleries and the blog are updated. If you have photos to share you may send them to Shirlee for possible future inclusion.

MOTHER’S DAY BOOK SALES: Our thanks to BECKY YUNG for arranging 6 venues where we can sell TASTES, TALES AND TRADITIONS. Offering their time to sell at the tables are MARAH BREHAUT, SARAH BEETEM, MARZETTE WOODS, MALKAH CAROTHERS SHARON BRUGOS, NORMA CANCE, MARY KOEPPEN, BETTY NG, BECKY HERSELF AND ME. These table sales are of particular importance since we will not be placing any ads in the newspapers for this Mother’s Day.

DIRECTORY UPDATE: Once again, many thanks to JOAN HEYE, SHARON BRUGOS and MARY KOEPPEN for their continued efforts to update our directory. Thank you to KAREN STEVENS and BETSY BULLARD for hours of proofreading. The membership will be notified of additions and corrections as they occur.

RESTAURANTS WITH HEART continues to enjoy great success. Photos of the evening at Iron Gate will be available on Shirlee Stites’ photo gallery. MARLENE BOLHOFFER and DEBORAH POTASH are working diligently to fine tune this delightful project. Several diners at the Iron Gate failed to leave a gratuity and the owner expressed concern. His suggestion to include the gratuity in the meal price seemed a good and simple solution. Thus, the new RWH prices of $24 for lunch and $35 for dinner will include an 18% gratuity. It is hoped that this change will clarify any confusion regarding gratuities.

MATINEE MAIDENS: I met with GERRY NELSON, our Special Events, chair, and she is very excited about this new fundraising project. The plan is to get special group rates to local live theater productions that would enable us to raise money. Those interested in working on this delightful project please contact Gerry or me.

NEWS OF THE ASSOCIATION OF AUXILIARIES

Celebration events for LPCH’s 20^th Anniversary began on April 7^th, with a luncheon at the Los Altos Country Club for all current and past presidents since Packard Hospital opened in June 1991. PAA was well represented. Dr. Harvey Cohen was master of ceremonies and guest speakers were Dr. Elliott Krane, Director of the Pain Management Service and Sandy Sentivany-Collins, RN clinical nurse specialist. A special appearance was made buy Carly. Carly is a specially trained K-9 who works with the children to help them through their difficult days at the hospital.

JUNE 26^TH marks another event for LPCH's 20^th Birthday celebration - A grand outdoor community “Birthday party.” Of the 80 booths that will be on the Stanford campus, one large one is for the seven auxiliaries. This is our opportunity to publicize who we are, what we do and increase interest in people becoming members. We will need volunteers to make this a success. Please contact me if you would like to help on June 26^th. All auxiliaries will have special responsibilities and will donate door prizes representing what they do. I will share more details in subsequent blogs and general meetings.

SARAH BEETEM and I have been attending the Steering Committee meetings and have offered two tickets to the American Girl event and a copy of “Tastes Tales and Traditions” for the drawings. It will also be PAA’s responsibility to provide 2000 Swedish Ginger Cookies for that day. San Mateo County requires that any food items distributed to the public must be made and packaged in a licensed kitchen. We have finally found a commercial kitchen where we will be able to bake them all in one day. MARY HICKS has agreed to chair this project. More detail on this later. For now, if you are interested in helping us bake and package the cookies please contact me (Mary will be out of town until the middle of June.) I look forward to hearing from our wonderful cooks!

ALLIED ARTS GUILD AUXILIARY is hosting its annual fundraiser, Tally Hoedown on Sept 10, 5:30-11:pm at the Menlo Circus Club in Menlo Park. They invite each auxiliary to have one model participate in the Kate Spade fashion show on that day. They will need to know who they will be as soon as possible. We have such a bevy of beauties in our membership, how are we going to choose just one!! If you are interested in representing PAA, please let me know by May 8.

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR (See events page for details)

May 3 – Pillow Sewing and Knitting at Thora’s

May 17 – Annual Tour and Luncheon at LPCH

May 23,24 – RWH at Spalti Ristorante 417 California Street in Palo Alto.

June 21 – general meeting (venue to be announced)

DID YOU KNOW?

- SUE HNILO’S son, Andy who lives in LA, was struck by a car and sustained serious injuries, including a broken jaw and a collapsed lung. His craniofacial surgeon actually trained at LPCH under one of their best reconstructive surgeons. Andy has been released from the hospital. He is facing a long period of recovery. but doing miraculously well.

- IRENE BELL’S husband, Phil, passed away in April. A gift of $50 was made to LPCH in his name. If you wish to write a personal note, Irene’s address is in the directory in the Associate Members section.

- Our May birthday ladies are ROSAMOND MARTIN, KATHY SQUELLATI AND MARGARET STAFFORD.

- MOLLY PAULSEN had her birthday party at The Restaurant when she was 16.

- All U.S. Children’s Hospitals were started by women.

- STEPHANIE BEACH makes copies of our emails and mails them to all our ladies who do not have computers. Many thanks, Stephanie - this is so appreciated.

-Many Children’s Hospitals no longer allow public tours because of security reasons. It is such a privilege to have this private tour offered to us. Please invite spouses, and friends to share in this special luxury which comes but once a year. We have invited two perspective members to join us.

Thank you all for your emails and suggestions. Please remember that I always welcome your thoughts and desires for PAA.

See you all at the Children’s Hospital on May 17^th.

Luisa

President Luisa Pliska - We are an ageless, vibrant, undaunted and fun group

Good morning, Dear Members,

This is my first Blog as your President, please indulge me while I share a few thoughts with you before we get to the news and announcements.  For years I have been telling you what an outstanding group of women you/we are.  This has not been idle talk.  Allow me to show you what my eyes see.

When we joined PAA it was not only because of our mission – raising funds for Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital -but also because we enjoyed working together, cooking, serving and holding special events. For 70 years we successfully operated our restaurant.  Several years ago, the restaurant was closed and we were left with no restaurant and no weekly camaraderie.  Some members left PAA. We were devastated and for several years we became known as “that group that used to run the Allied Arts Guild Restaurant.”

Well, take a look at us now.  Yes, we are that group but we are much more!  We are also the group that runs Restaurants with Heart; the group that produced a national award-winning cookbook and sold almost 10,000 copies to date.  We continue to sew cough pillows and blankets, collect books, build teddy bears and make tote bags for the children at the hospital.  We put on the highly successful American Girl Tea and Fashion Show and host guest speakers at our successful lecture series. We continue to find new venues where we can have that camaraderie and continue to raise funds for those needy children at LPCH.

Now that you have seen yourselves/us through my eyes - be filled with pride. We have indeed reinvented ourselves. We are an ageless, vibrant, undaunted and fun group. Our hearts have a native intelligence.  Let’s tap into that intelligence and support our existing projects and create new ones. Sign up to work on these projects and enjoy time with each other again.  There is a job for everyone. The project leaders will find just the right one for you. Together we can make this a magnificent year for the Palo Alto Auxiliary.

Now, to the business at hand:

As you may know, we no longer have our meeting place at Nordstrom’s.  They will be using that space for retail. For two months we have been feverishly looking for places where we can meet.  Until we can find a place that is not too far south, nor too far north we will be a merry band of traveling troubadours! If you have suggestions,please contact me.

FEBRUARY 15^TH  we shall meet at HARRY’S HOFBRAU, 1909 EL CAMINO REAL, REDWOOD CITY. 1:00 – 3:00pm. If you wish to have lunch before hand, plan to arrive at 11:30am.  It is cafeteria style (many choices and all of them good) You are welcome to bring your trays into the meeting room.

MARCH 15^TH Elizabeth (Betty) Modina has arranged for us to meet at THE FORUM, 23500 CRISTO REY DRIVE, CUPERTINO . THIS MEETING WILL BE 1-3:30.  Lunch is available in the green room at 12 noon.  Reservations needed call Elizabeth (Bette) Modina - see PS for more info & phone #.  We will be on the second floor and there is an elevator.

At the beginning of each month I will give details on subsequent meeting places. So, please check our website regularly.

RESTAURANTS WITH HEART continues to be a success.  Many thanks to all who have come and brought family and friends.

FEBRUARY 21 AND 22, THE MANDERIN GOURMET, 420 RAMONA STREET IN PALO ALTO will offer lunch and dinner.  Please check the website home page for details.

BONA RESTAURANT IN MENLO PARK will be our MARCH 22 AND 23 RWH. Look for details in my March Blog

 GENTLE REMINDERS: We will send out a second dues notice.  Please remember to send in your dues as soon as possible.  We will be editing the directory and want to be sure your name is included.  We welcome some of our former members to return and enjoy working with each other once again for so worthy a cause.

Also – please send me your birthday MONTH. Phone: 650.593.9334 or 1567 Escondido Way, Belmont 94002 or email: luisapliska@comcast.net

I am pleased to welcome two new members to our Board: DALLAS MANNING will be our Social Chairperson and Nancy Bronstein is Corresponding Secretary. I am equally pleased to announce that SHIRLEE STITES will be our “official” photographer for special events. Please check the website for more information about them and our new board. All of us are welcome to take photos at our events or behind the scenes (ERIKA CROWLEY has given us many such photos ) Hopefully she will continue as I am sure Shirlee cannot get to everything.  Once again -we welcome our three new members: CAROLANN BRLECIC, BARBARA BRAUN  from San Mateo and ERMINIA CALTABIANO of Watsonville.

Click to enlarge - 2010 Board: L-R - Sarah Beetem, Kathy Squellati, Luisa Pliska, Audrey Polster, Susan Kirtley, Marzette Woods and Deborah Potash

JANUARY 18, we held our Annual Membership Meeting and Luncheon at Michaels at Shoreline on January 18^th Shirlee made her “paparazzi” debut taking photos of our 2010 outgoing Board and the new 2011 Board.  

PRESIDENT: LUISA PLISKA
1^st VP KATHY SQUELLATI

2^nd VP SHARON BRUGOS  (absent)

TREASURER: SARAH BEETEM 

RECORDING SEC’TY: SUSAN KIRTLEY 

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY: NANCY BRONSTEIN

VOTING/DIRECTOR/PARLIAMENTARIAN; DEBORAH POTASH

PUBLICITY CHAIR: LUISA PLISKA

SOCIAL CHAIR: DALLAS MANNING

2011 Board: Sarah Beetem, Nancy Bronstein, Kathy Squellati, Luisa Pliska, Susan Kirtley, Deborah Potash -
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Many thanks to MARZERTTE WOODS, KAREN STEVENS AND AUDREY POLSTER. for their fine work during their tenure on the 2010 Board.

Two husbands were honored for their work for PAA.  ROGER POTASH for  his incredible work setting up our virtual office and BOB STEVENS (in absentia) for developing our beautiful website and being our webmaster.  We are eternally grateful to both of them. A donation of $100 each in their name has been donated to the hospital.

Roger and Deborah Potash

Photos of and roses for our handsome past presidents:CAROLYN KEELEY, THORA RICHARDSON, CATHERINE MCGILVRAY, RUTH WOOD, ROSAMOND MARTIN, JACKIE CLARK, MARZETTE K WOODS, B.J. SORENSEN, SHARON BRUGOS (absent) and DEBORAHA POTASH.

Click on image to to enlarge

Roses and photos of our project leaders: SHIRLEE STITES, GERRY NELSON, MARLENE BOLHOFFER, THORA RICHARDSON AND SARAH BEETEM.

Click to enlarge - Names above are in order

I welcome your thoughts and desires for PAA.  Please feel free to contact me.  See you all at Harry’s Hofbrau on the 15^th.  Until then,

Luisa Pliska

President, Palo Alto Auxiliary

P.S. For those who would like lunch, Elizabeth(Bette) Modina has arranged for us to have lunch  at noon in the Green Room. Lunch is $15.00 plus $47.50 for service (this 47.50 will be divided amongst the number of those having lunch.)  Bette will let us know how much we each owe her after she has all the reservations.  For those who were not at the general meeting,you will need to call Bette and make your reservation and choice of entree prior to the meeting. Checks should be made out to Elizabeth Modina  She also will accept cash.

TEEN VAN VISIT on MARCH 8 is at noon at East Palo Alto HIgh School IN MENLO PARK. The address is 475 Pope Street, MENLO PARK. There is parking in front of the high school and on side streets.  The Van is located at the rear of the high school.  Walk through the breezeway from the front to the back of the school to reach the Teen Van.

The students will be at lunch but Dr. Seth Ammerman will be there to give us a tour.  Dr. Margaret Deanesly will also join us. Members can bring travel size toiletries for the teens. Other suggestions are gift cards from Target or movie passes which can be purchased at Costco.  NO SOAP please (too messy in their kits once they are wet) but shower gels are okay.

Restaurants With Heart Dinners

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I hope that you all enjoyed a relaxing Summer, and are looking forward to Fall.

The Palo Alto Auxiliary for Children thanks everyone who participated in our first Restaurants With Heart dinner at Scott's Seafood. The dinners at Scott's were a great success, with 123 diners. We raised nearly $2,000 for LPCH from the two evenings at Scott's. We hope that Restaurants With Heart will continue to be well attended, and will enable us to make a sizable donation to LPCH this year. My special thanks to Marlene Bolhoffer, who conceived the concept of a dining out fund raising project for PAA, and to her committee, who have spent countless hours over the past year, developing the Restaurants With Heart program.

Our September Restaurants With Heart dinner will be at Sultana in Menlo Park. I encourage you to go our events page which has the announcement for Sultana with all the reservation information. You make now make your reservations online, in addition to mailing a check or phoning our telephone and leaving a message.

I hope to see you at Sultana, where we will enjoy a delicious Turkish menu.

Deborah Potash,
President, PAA

President's First Blog

Welcome to our beautiful new Palo Alto Auxiliary website! I think it looks wonderful. I hope you do too.

Palo Alto Auxiliary’s profound thanks go to Bob Stevens, its creator, for his months of hard work, initiative and talent. His generosity in volunteering to take on this project pro bono has saved P.A.A. the thousands of dollars that a professional design company would have charged.

Our impressive new website will serve as an important asset for our auxiliary. Please visit it often to keep informed about P.A.A. activities and in touch with our members.

Two important upcoming dates to mark on your calendars are:

Tuesday, May 18^th, 1 PM: P.A.A. General Meeting

Nordstrom, Stanford Shopping Center,

3^rd floor conference room

Tuesday, June 15^th, 11 AM: LPCH Annual Tour and Luncheon

11-12 AM tour LPCH, 12 PM lunch in Bing Dining Room,

3^rd floor Stanford Hospital.

Menu will be:

Entrée: grilled salmon salad accompanied by rolls and beverage

Dessert: molten chocolate cake.

Spouses and guests are welcome. Luncheon cost is $22. Make checks payable to P.A.A. and send them by June 7^th to:

Marzette Woods

1037 Yorkshire Drive

Los Altos, CA 94024.

I hope to see you all on both dates! I will be posting a new blog each month with P.A.A. news and information. “Visit” me again next month to learn the latest, and tell your P.A.A. friends.

Happy Spring!

Deborah