June 3, 2005

J.F. Smith’s ‘Books On Par 2005’ drives in $60,000

By Bea Baechle
Editor

James F. Smith Elementary School did it again. The Books on Par 2005 golf tournament, dinner and auctions filled the PTA coffers with $60,000 on May 16.

Returning 2004 champs—Bill Frandsen, Greg Olson, Tony Vivona and Gene Norcia—also won the Books on Par 2005 Golf Tournament. Photo by Carol Butler Photography

“Who would have thought—five years ago when a few neighbors were chatting over a glass of wine, wondering what they could do for our new school—that it would come to this,” recalls Leslie Shannon, director of the successful fundraiser, which has funneled $250,000 to the school in the past four years.

“It truly does show what can happen when a community works together for a common goal,” continued Shannon.

Beyond the financial benefits, the annual fundraiser exposes children to many different art mediums as each classroom creates a masterpiece to be auctioned off on the big night. This is particularly important in an era when budgetary hardships have greatly reduced the liberal arts portion of education.

“Programs such as music, drama and art are no longer a mainstay in the public school curriculum,” added Shannon.
“If only for a short time, Books on Par helps to bring art into our school. The children truly love creating their artwork.”

Shannon thanked the teachers for recognizing the importance of art and the talented parent volunteers who work so diligently and patiently with the students each year. The highlights of the day and evening follow.

Joanne Rochon, who creates the program for the Books on Par fundraisers, and her husband Michel Langlois win their child’s masterpiece each year.

Golf tournament
The Books on Par fundraiser began with 86 golfers hitting the links for an 18-hole round of tournament golf at Silver Creek Valley Country Club (SCVCC).

To add to the excitement, George Johnson, general sales manager of Sunnyvale Acura, sponsored four “Hole in One” contests. Potential prizes of a 2005 Acura RL, an Ireland golf vacation for two, a Baja cruise for two and a round trip airfare dangled before the golfers, but no one won this time around.

Aldo Montufar of MegaByte Pizza in the Silver Creek Canyon Shopping Center catered the golfer’s lunches, and the Coca-Cola Company provided sodas and water.

For the second year in a row, the winning foursome of Bill Frandsen, Gene Norcia, Greg Olsen and Tony Vivona prevailed to win the tournament. These golfers have played in the Books on Par tournament every year, according to Shannon.

Jim Nallan won “Closest to the Pin,” Gene Norcia earned the “Men’s Longest Drive” and Jennifer Hurwitz took the honor of “Women’s Longest Drive.”

Cocktail reception, silent auction
Al Olseen, State Farm Agency owner in Evergreen, Donovan Pham of Country Wide Home Loans and Nicole Trieu of Century 21 Alpha donated the wine for the cocktail reception.

(From left) Lucy Chacon placed the highest bid of the evening on the painting “Girl with Lillies,” created by her son’s fifth grade class. His teacher, Bea Nikoley, stands on the right.

During the reception, guests browsed through 110 silent auction items, including 13 sports memorabilia items. An autographed poster of the U.S. Women’s 2003 World Cup Team went for $460.

The Great Grant, Griffith and Jones Commission Giveaway could add tens of thousands of dollars to the Books on Par profits. This item could save thousands in commission while funneling the commission that would normally go to the listing agents directly to JFS instead. Sealed bids are being accepted through June 17.

Live Auction
At the close of the silent auction, approximately 200 guests filtered into the SCVCC’s Yerba Buena Room for a sit-down dinner. Former ABC-7 News South Bay Bureau Chief Rigo Chacon once again served as the Master of Ceremonies.

After dinner, auctioneer Pete DeVries volunteered to lead the live auction of 26 pieces of art—from paintings, quilts and bejeweled guitars to chairs, sand designs and even a dog house.

The live auction raised $32,250, with the high bidders Rigo and Lucy Chacon plunking down $3,600 for the “Girl with Lilies” painting inspired by famous artist Diego Rivera. Bea Nikoley’s fifth grade class created the masterpiece.

“Blissful Blossoms” painting. Photo by Carol Butler Photography

The Chacons also snagged “Name the Loop,” which is the honor of naming the pick-up/drop-off loop with their own personalized street name.

Michael and Leslie Shannon placed the second highest winning bid of $3,100 for “Blissful Blossoms,” a color study of a painting by Scottish painter, Michael Clark. Linda Ulleseit’s fourth grade class created that treasure.

For $1,700, John and Ruby Hall won the “Principal for the Day” honor for their son, who will follow the footsteps of J.F. Smith’s new incoming principal, Keith Hodgin.

Dr. David Tillmanns of Evergreen donated a full set of braces, valued at $5,000. The winning bid came in at $3,400.

Many of the wonderful class projects were framed by the talented Dzemal Emric of Emric Decorations, who has supported the classroom projects for the last four years.

Carol Butler Photography supplied the photos of event, available for purchase at: www.printroom.com/pro/carolbutler.

Sponsors donating $1000 each

- Albin Engineering Services, Inc.
- American Express
- Rigo Chacon’s Abrazos & Books
- The Coca-Cola Company
- Coldwell Banker - Joe Piazza
- Delta Alarm Security Systems
- Estate Home Loans
- The Langlois Family
- Dr. John Lien, M.D.
- McDonald’s Restaurants
- Realty World Platinum Properties - Joe Raya
- Solectron
- South Bay Imaging
- Swan Pools
- Dr. David V. Tillmanns, DDS MSD
- JMH Weiss, Inc.
- Windermere - Kerry Sexton & Debbie Lane