Aug 31, 2008

Club marks 20 smooth-sailing years of yachting

By Janet Duca Norton / Society Columnist

"Rock 'n' roll Met the Wave" at the 20th anniversary celebration of San Francisco's South Beach Yacht Club. Held at the club, located at Pier 40 on Mission Bay, about 150 guests celebrated friendship and the club's spirit of volunteerism with a fun rock 'n' roll party featuring the music of the Hot Rod Band.

The Aug. 16 party took a look back in time, with member speeches and warm memories shared about the club's history. Begun in 1988 with 60 members, the club's membership has swelled over the years to 500 - and the wait list is long.

Current commodore Gary Van Giersbergen and past commodores shared highlights and amusing anecdotes about their terms in office. Bland McCartha, one of the club's original organizers, told the story of the club's founding. As McCartha told it, the then San Francisco Harbor Master invited South Beach Harbor tenants to a meeting at the Long Shoremans Union Hall with the idea of starting a yacht club. The 56 participants at that meeting thought it was an excellent idea, and as the saying goes, the rest is history.

There have been several temporary clubhouses. Completed in 2007, the sleek, contemporary clubhouse has been a labor of love. Under the direction of Frank Navarro, members completely constructed the building's interior, including wiring the electricity, laying the hardwood floor, and building the kitchen, library and mahogany bar.

Making a contribution to the surrounding community has been a part of the club's mission. During its three-year history, a junior sailing program for inner-city youth has been a big success. Volunteer coordinator Kevin Wilkinson proudly said they taught 54 kids (ages 8 to16) to sail over this summer. Wilkinson's sons, Woodside Elementary School students Patrick and Andrew Wilkinson, served as instructors.

The weather lived up to tradition, it was a typical San Francisco summer night with a cool breeze and fog blanketing the harbor. Heat lamps on the balcony made it possible for everyone to dine on the deck and enjoy the view of the harbor.

Local guests toasting the Yacht Club's success and purchasing the club's souvenir anniversary cookbook included Marcia Bever, Jayne Williams, former commodore Tom Rogers and his wife Elissa, Josh Abend, Lori Wilkinson, Ann and Paul Osborne, Richard Forst, and Alex and Diane Kononoff.

In partnership with the Benecia Yacht Club, on Aug. 30 the South Beach Yacht Club will host its annual Labor Day Jazz Cup Race. About 125 boats will race from Treasure Island to Benecia.


NEIMAN MARCUS FALL TREND FASHION SHOW

Trend-setting fashions, beautiful models and a smart looking runway show were highlights of the sixth annual Neiman Marcus fall preview event at Stanford Shopping Center on August 16.

General manager Terry Brown welcomed 160 guests to the afternoon show and public relations manager Cydney Brown introduced the season's "seven magnificent trends."
Models in stylish high-heeled, high-vamp shoes (both boots and pumps) wore colored tights under dresses and pencil skirts in sleek shapes with longer jackets. Jewel tones, particularly berry colors ranging from purple to magenta, led the color list.

Touches of lace were juxtaposed against masculine fabrics and tailoring. Sweaters and jackets featured appliqued jewelry touches. Romantic blouses in satin and statement jewelry for day and evening completed the looks.

Haley and Lindy Sherwood, Sarah Heslin, Helen Owen, Asinette Aiassa and Judy Hendricks were seen applauding the show and having fun with their goodie bags, which contained provisions for a successful afternoon of shopping - a Dylan Candy bar (a new candy produced by Ralph Lauren's daughter), power water, fragrance samples and a style file with the seven hot fall fashion trends.


PRESTIGE HAS GRAND REOPENING

After being in the same location at Town & Country Village Shopping Center in Palo Alto for 56 years, Prestige Inc., the famous A-list fashion store, moved to a newly remodeled location in the center. Of course, that called for a grand opening celebration.

The more than 80 guests at the Aug. 21 event generated record sales. "The grand opening was grander than I thought," owner Barbara Sedelmeyer said. She and her partner JoAnn Strong barely had time for a glass of champagne.

In addition to shopping, sipping champagne and sampling tasty tidbits, the fun included a raffle drawing for goodie bags from several fashion houses, which contained $500, $300 and $200 gift certificates.

Manufacturer representatives, who flew in from Canada and Los Angeles, joined fashion show coordinator Bonnie Henry and longtime customers Marge Crosby, Nancy Kaufmann, Susan Kokores, Deborah Pappas, and Libby and Joe Russo for the fashionable event.

E-mail Janet Duca Norton at society@dailynewsgroup.com.