Successful fundraiser @ Scopazzi's on Thurs, June 13th

What a wonderful night everyone had last Thurs, June 13th @ Scopazzi's!  The Museum decided to 'change it up' a bit by having a special menu highlighting chef Paul's delicious flavorful pasta in a buffet setting.  Everyone loved the variety of pasta dishes, even a gluten-free option was available, and the option to taste a bit of everything.  The live auction items were spotlighted in a corner with a big ticket donation of a track bike that looked like a racer and a framed etched-glass reverse-painted framed art piece of the famous Big Basin Auto Tree circa 1910 by artist Zane Williams.  In the live auction, bidding was very lively with lots of laughs and good nature 'stealing' going on with each higher bid.  The turnout for the evening was double from last year and the bidding was enthusiastic and fun.    If you missed it this year, be sure and attend next year.  You won't be sorry.

New Traveling Exhibit Coming in March 2014

Yesterday I drove with the museum's Collection Manager Lisa Robinson to the San Joaquin County Historical Society's Museum complex in Lodi to attend an all-day exhibit workshop on the Smithsonian's 'The Way We Worked' exhibit that will be stopping at the San Lorenzo Valley Museum on March 9, 2014.  There were representatives from the other museums on the schedule so exchanges of ideas and questions were being shared.  This exhibit looks at how and why 'work' has evolved and how that evolution has changed not only our own personal lives, but also our communities.  There will be more info the closer we get to the date, but the exhibit will only be at the SLV Museum for 5 weeks so circle date and make a point of stopping by to see this world-class exhibit.

Getting Ready for an Auction! or two!

This is an exciting time around the SLV Museum and this year I am more excited than ever.  Scopazzi Restaurant co-owners Tahlal Janbay and Paul Violante worked with us to offer an exciting new dinner menu for  our Annual Fundraising Dinner.  The menu will have three Italian pasta dishes in a buffet setting so everyone can sample and go back for their favorites.  We even have a gluten-free option.  Our live auction has great items for bidding, such as 2 tickets for Giants vs. Dodgers on Fri, July 5th in the Virgin America Club seat section, a guided historic tour of Boulder Creek with lunch, Ahlgren wine pairings (they have stopped producing so their wine is going fast into collections), a Gnarly Head track bike, a table-top BBQ filled with goodies, an oval metal tub (just add ice) filled with hand-crafted beers, beer glasses and snacks, a basket filled with home-made jams, jellies, preserves, and various mixes - just to name some.  Our silent auction is packed with great items too.  I enjoy packaging restaurants together with an evening or day out, like to Shakespeare Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz Symphony, restaurant group packages, and family day outings like to the Winchester Mystery House, Happy Hollow, Gilroy Gardens, and Roaring Camp or ziplining at Mt Hermon.  All proceeds go to benefit our programs and operating our historic museum.  However, I couldn't organize and coordinate all this with all our wonderful volunteers to work so many hours to make this a success every year.  It is fun, gives a sense of accomplishment, and a good feeling to know that families throughout the San Lorenzo Valley will benefit through school field trips, new exhibits, family activities, cultural days, learning from historic talks and walks.  Thank you everyone.