This past Friday evening Villa Montalvo was the site for A Benefit with Ballads & Bubbles, the annual fundraiser of the Peninsula Volunteers, Inc. (PVI). Los Gatan along with Embarcadero Media were media sponsors. I was invited and attended; it was an evening to remember and beyond Pluto in enjoyment.
This well-choreographed evening was spectacular and seamlessly coordinated on all levels. Starting off on the veranda, a jazz group played softly while the over 500 guests arrived. The dress was suggested to be “black tie” and a few gentlemen did just that. Mostly, though, there was a variety of dress. The majority of men and women were dressed “California style.”
A $10K Diamond helps to raise funds
In addition to the silent and live auctions, there were champagne glasses to purchase: $200 bought a glass of champagne—and a chance that the glass you purchased had the real diamond in it ($10,000 value). Hank Julian Stenner of Gleim the Jeweler was on hand to identify the real diamond, distinguishing it from the cubic zirconia stones in the other glasses. Stenner said, “We do this to help raise funds for PVI. Our store is in the Stanford Mall. We know how much PVI helps our community and we are happy to give back.” A little later in the evening Stenner revealed the identity of the winner.
Enabling seniors to age in place
For the past 78 years, PVI has been helping seniors in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, primarily, to remain in their homes to “Age in Place.” PVI, a nonprofit, was founded in 1947. Programs include Little House, which is a community center in Menlo Park offering seniors fitness and other classes along with social activities.
Rosener House
There is also the Rosener House, which is a location where seniors with Alzheimer’s, dementia and other age-related challenges can “hang out.” PVI supports and aids Meals on Wheels and PVI Ride. Additional services are also offered to aid caregivers.
Dinner is served
As the jazz combo wound down, attendees were ushered out of the silent bidding area up to the lawn area for dinner and then a brief live auction. After the live auction came the Righteous Brothers’ Lovin’ Feeling Farewell Tour.
The Righteous Brothers originally consisted of Bill Medley and Bobby Hatfield. Hatfield passed on in 2003. In 2016 Bucky Heard joined Medley, allowing the Righteous Brothers sound to continue. Medley has been performing for more than 60 years. On this evening his iconic bass-baritone sounded much like it did in 1964, when he recorded “You’ve Lost that Lovin’ Feelin’,” which became a worldwide hit. Dancing was encouraged by Medley, and many danced under the stars. Those of us who enjoyed this music in our youth knew the words to these songs and sang along.
What an Evening
Funds were raised, a diamond was given away, silent and live auctions were held and cash gifts were donated. PVI’s mission, ”Enabling Seniors to Age in Place,” will carry on. Hats off to Event Chair Susan Martin and her committee members: Honor Huntington, Jan Barker, Chaya Donne, Georgie Gleim, Lisa Murphy, Rebecca Matteson Nelson, Carolyn Schutz, Candice Schwab, Michelle Naber-Smedley, Kelly Vincelette and CEO Peter Olson. Well done, all—a very enjoyable evening for a very worthy cause.
“The Villa”
Located just over four miles to the north of Los Gatos lies the 175-acre site that we call Villa Montalvo. This Italian Mediterranean Revival style mansion was built by Senator Phelan in 1912–1914. Phelan resided here till his death in 1930. Upon his death he bequeathed it to the State of California. Phelan’s instructions were that the estate would be used as a park and cultural resource. Admission is free to walk the grounds, respecting any special events that might be being held.
In 2005, Villa Montalvo’s name changed to the Montalvo Arts Center (MAC). Some 170 acres are leased to Santa Clara County for use by the county parks system. Recently a $3 million wedding was held here.
In 1978 Villa Montalvo was awarded inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. The grounds were designed by the same landscape designer (John McLaren) who designed San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. On these 175 acres there are many gardens and trails—including a trail with an incredible view of the Bay Area. There are areas of untouched woodlands and pergolas as well. Behind the villa itself, there is the Lilienthal Concert Bowl, which is a large outdoor amphitheater.
Queen Califia
The Montalvo name refers to the Spanish fable writer Garci Ordóñez de Montalvo, a 16th-century writer who first coined the name “California.” In his fables he described an island rich with gold and jewels, populated by Amazons. The queen was named Califia. His writings created the mythical island of California. In his fables Amazons rode griffins—the winged guardians of precious treasure. Griffin statues are found throughout the Montalvo site.
Senator Phelan
“The Villa” was Senator James Duval Phelan’s home up to his death in 1930. Phelan (1861–1930) was a three-time mayor of San Francisco and California’s first popularly elected United States senator. Phelan had strong racist views, which have been noted as history and overcome with today’s diverse communities, including and welcoming all.
The trusteeship of the villa was turned over to the Montalvo Association in 1953. This citizens association was formed to insure Phelan’s wishes that his villa would remain a center for arts and culture, as it had been during his lifetime. In 2005, the Montalvo Association took the name Montalvo Arts Center.
Montalvo Arts Center, is now also home to the Lucas Artists Residency Program, which emphasizes the center’s commitment to artists working in different media. Art has the ability to share messages with our diverse community. Through its programs, Montalvo Arts Center claims to impact more than a quarter-million people throughout the Bay Area.
