"Umbrellas Over Time"
Sunday, September 8, 2002

Live Auction Items

Silent Auction Items

L1: Ridge Geyserville 2000
This generous 3-liter bottle of wine - the equivalent of four regular bottles -- is a beautiful way to serve a dinner party of eight from one bottle. Located on the western edge of Sonoma's Alexander Valley, Geyserville was Ridge's first source of red wine grapes, other than Monte Bello Ridge. Geyserville 2000 was selected especially by Ridge winemaker Paul Draper. This mix of 66% zinfandel, 17% carignane, and 17% petite sirah is the thrity-fifth vintage from this exceptional Sonoma County vineyard. The resulting beautifully balanced wine is rich yet elegant; its jammy, complex fruit gives immediate appeal, and this wine will be at its best over the next five to seven years.
Donors: Paul and Maureen Draper   Value: $150   Starting bid: $50

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L2: Ridge Lytton Springs 2000
Selected by CEO and vintner Paul Draper, this Lytton Springs red is a complex, sensuous wine. Appealing now, its lovely fruit will show to best advantage over the next five to seven years. The 3-liter bottle, equivalent to four regular bottles, is a stunning way to present this special wine, which is 80% zinfindel and 20% petite sirah - the first time in a decade Lytton Springs was limited to just these two grapes. The fruit was grown on the benchland and rolling hills between Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys in Sonoma County, and has produced a rich, yet well-structured wine.

Donors: Paul and Maureen Draper   Value: $150   Starting bid: $50

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L3: Original Jane Gallagher oil painting, "Ridge Winery View"
Accomplished Portola Valley artist (and CGF board member) Jane Gallagher has created a unique oil painting just for this event. Her stunning landscape of the view from Ridge Vineyards details Skyline Ridge and the lush green and gold vegetation of the California foothills. Jane's oil and watercolor landscapes of Bay Area scenes are collected worldwide. She has created and framed this one-of-a-kind painting (24 x 30") as a way to help ensure that the unspoiled lands she portrays will continue to exist for future generations.

Donor: Jane Gallagher   Value: $2000   Starting bid: $850

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L4: Lunch with Supervisor Rich Gordon
Spend a fun and fascinating lunchtime with San Mateo County Supervisor Rich Gordon, who will treat you and a friend to lunch on the Peninsula or Coastside. Rich has all the exciting areas of the County in his District - almost all of the coast, Skyline, and Ladera - and 97% of the unincorporated area of the County. Rich was elected to the Board in 1997 and has tackled many thorny issues. He is known for his interest and skill in delving into the details - and we all know the devil is in the details! A third generation Californian, Rich promises to be a witty lunch companion.

Donor: Rich Gordon   Value: priceless   Starting bid: $75

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L5: A weekend in Lennie Roberts' Fallen Leaf Lake home
Revel in a three-day weekend at the spectacular mountain home of Lennie and Mike Roberts. This gorgeous Craftsman-style home offers beautiful views of Fallen Leaf Lake and Desolation Wilderness. Roomy enough to sleep six, this home is a great place to enjoy the mountains in fine style with family and friends. We'll even include a hardcover copy of the award-winning book, "Magic Yosemite Winters - A Century of Winter Sports," so you can read all about the winter beauty of Lennie's favorite National Park.

Donors: Lennie and Mike Roberts   Value: $940   Starting bid: $350

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L6: Lunch with Congresswoman Anna Eshoo
You and a friend can enjoy lunch with longtime champion of the environment, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, in the House of Representatives' private dining room. This is the perfect highlight to a tour of our nation's capitol. The congresswoman's staff can assist in planning the rest of your itinerary on "The Hill." The lucky winner may choose instead to meet Anna locally, as fits her travel schedule.

Donor: Anna Eshoo   Value: priceless   Starting bid: $75

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L7: Lunch with State Senator Byron Sher
Bring a friend and join State Senator Byron Sher for lunch at his favorite local restaurant. Longtime environmentalist Sher has served at the state level since his 1980 election to the Assembly; he was elected to the State Senate in 1996. A former Stanford University law professor and a Fulbright Scholar, Byron has authored a number of landmark laws to protect California's environment, and currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. A longtime supporter of the Committee, Byron is sure to be a captivating lunch host.

Donor: Byron Sher   Value: priceless   Starting bid: $75

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L8: Wallace Stegner's favorite sweater
Wallace Stegner, founding President of Committee for Green Foothills, spent his life writing and working to protect the environment. His wife, Mary Page Stegner (who continues to support many of Wally's causes) has donated his favorite sweater to our auction. Fans of Stegner's novels will immediately recognize this lovely Icelandic wool sweater as that which Wally wore in his famous book jacket photograph, taken by Leo Holub. Leo has donated a signed original of this photograph for the lucky winner of this one-of-a-kind collector's item.

Donor: Mary Page Stegner   Value: priceless   Starting bid: $75

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L9: Lunch with Supervisor Liz Kniss
Two lucky people will be treated to lunch with Liz. Currently serving as Santa Clara County Supervisor, Liz has been a public servant for 15 years; she has also worked as a public health nurse and as a marketing professional. She will be sure to share her passion for the County and its incredible natural resources during this one-of-a-kind lunch.

Donor: Liz Kniss   Value: priceless   Starting bid: $75

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L10: Robert Buelteman's signed and framed "Sunrise Symphony" photo; "The Unseen Peninsula" gallery edition
Award-winning nature photographer (and Woodside native) Rob Buelteman has a passion for the land, and it shows in his magical and powerful landscapes. You'll receive a 10x10" signed, matted, and framed black-and-white original print of Buelteman's "Sunrise Symphony," shot above West Union Creek on the Phleger property, now part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. You'll also receive a signed Gallery Edition of Rob's acclaimed "The Unseen Peninsula" hardbound book, the series to which "Sunrise Symphony" belongs. Included with the edition (one of only 350 units) is an original 9x9" print, "Sunrise in Shadow," made by the artist. These stunning photographs give us a rare look into some beautiful lands, inspiring protection of future open space.

Donors: Carol Espinosa, Robert Buelteman   Value: $2100   Starting bid: $750

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L11: Lunch with Assemblymember Joe Simitian
Joe will treat two people to lunch on the Peninsula. As Santa Clara County Supervisor for District 5, Joe Simitian took the leadership role in negotiating the creation of the General Use Permit and Community Plan for Stanford University. Joe was elected to the California Assembly in 2000 where he continues to make us proud. What better opportunity to get a first-hand account of the continuing Stanford campaign and the inner workings of Sacramento?

Donor: Joe Simitian   Value: priceless   Starting bid: $75

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L12: A getaway weekend at Pajaro Dunes
Spend a magical weekend in a beautiful oceanfront home overlooking Monterey Bay. Watch the dolphins dance across the surf, pelicans diving for dinner, and otters playing in the waves from this two-bedroom oceanfront condo. The perfect place for a getaway, this private home is just steps away from pristine white sand beaches filled with sand dollars and gorgeous views. Two nights at Pajaro Dunes will leave you relaxed and rejuvenated.

Donor: Jessica Agramonte   Value: $530   Starting bid: $250

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L13: Lunch with Senator Jackie Speier
Longtime Committee for Green Foothills friend Senator Speier will treat two people to lunch on the Peninsula. A Democrat, Speier became in 1980 the youngest person ever elected to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and has been a rising star ever since. She was elected to the State Assembly in 1986, and was elected to the 8th Senate District in 1998 with nearly 80% of the vote. Lunch with Jackie is sure to be fascinating.

Donor: Jackie Speier   Value: priceless   Starting bid: $75

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L14: Signed Ansel Adams photograph: Vernal Fall, Yosemite Valley, California, ca 1948
This photograph belongs to a portfolio of 15 photographs entitled What Majestic Word; In Memory of Russell Varian, issued in 1963. It is one of only 260 issued, and was published the same year Adams received the Sierra Club's John Muir Award. Adams, born 100 years ago, spent 50 years photographing Yosemite and other natural areas. His images of Yosemite have become American icons. In this remarkable photograph, Vernal Fall pours over the massive granite fixture into the valley.

Donors: Mary and Jack Davey   Value: $5250   Starting bid: $3000

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L15: Signed Ansel Adams photograph: Orchard, early spring, near Stanford University, California, ca 1940
This photograph also belongs to the What Majestic Word portfolio. It is one of only 260 issued, and was published the same year Adams received the Sierra Club's John Muir Award. It is a spectacular portrayal of the "Valley of Heart's Delight" as it was some 60 years ago. The budding trees promise a full harvest, and their geometric outlines are reminiscent of some of Adams' work with more rugged landscapes.

Donors: Mary and Jack Davey   Value: $2000   Starting bid: $850

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L16: Dinner and wine for four at the Drapers'
Savor dinner for four at the home of Paul and Maureen Draper, here on breathtakingly beautiful Monte Bello Ridge. Your dinner will be matched with wines chosen by Paul, Ridge's internationally acclaimed winemaker. As part of the evening, Maureen, pianist and author of "The Nature of Music: Beauty, Sound, and Healing," will play a few of her favorite piano selections. This very special evening with the Drapers promises to be a savory temptation for all your senses!

Donor: Paul and Maureen Draper   Value: priceless   Starting bid: $150

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Look at our exciting silent auction items
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