HAPPY TRAILS FOR ‘ST. MARK’ BUELL
San Francisco has its patron saint. And now so do the city’s parks.
At the Trails Forever party that raised $1.67 million for the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy on Sept. 23, the organization’s top brass recognized former board chairman
Mark Buell for his outstanding leadership — and his skills as an auctioneer for the past 15 years in cajoling deep-pocket donors into parting with their cash at the annual dinner event.
He had no authorization from the pope (or Queen Elizabeth), but the conservancy’s executive director, Greg Moore, went ahead as Buell was welcomed to the podium and spontaneously “knighted” him, dubbing him “St. Mark of the Parks.”
An appropriate moniker, too, as this fete unfurled atop the site of the conservancy’s latest effort: the Presidio Tunnel Tops Parklands. Come 2019 when the $90 million project is complete, it will be the first time the Presidio’s Main Post is joined to Crissy Field across 14 new acres of parkland.
Fronted by the interactive Presidio Visitor Center, the elevated Tunnel Tops (designed by celebrated New York City High Line landscape architect James Corner) will showcase stunning bay and Golden Gate Bridge views atop a lush outdoor “living room.”
For this beloved blue-jean and cowboy boot-style soiree, led by co-chairs Julie Flynn and Amy Ritter, that “living room” inspired guests to further fund the conservancy’s trail improvements, habitat restoration and nature education (in conjunction with Presidio Trust and the National Parks Service) within the 82,000-plus acres of the Golden
Gate National Recreation Area.
And 500 happy glampers reveled at the sneak “peak” atop an observation desk as they snapped Golden Gate Bridge selfies at sunset. Cocktails and canapes were savored in chic campfire style (Adirondack chairs and fire pits) before guests sauntered into a Kathleen Deery-designed tent where McCalls Catering dished up cookout favorites of fried chicken and chocolate cookie s’mores.
As parks are typically tranquil oases, none were overheard referencing the latesummer drama sparked by a planned right-wing rally at
Crissy Field. Or current White House policies seeking to shrink national parks and subvert their protections.
But Moore gracefully waded into the ruckus with an inspirational reminder.
“The national parks are America’s best idea: Protecting the best of our scenery, our history and our nature, for all,” he declared. “Your support in creating new parklands provides a destination for people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the beauty, inspiration and democratic spirit of our national parks.”
Home run: It was a $650K at-bat for San Francisco Giants
catcher Buster Posey recently at AT&T Park where he and his wife, Kristen Posey, hosted their second BP28 gala.
Under the auspices of the Buster and Kristen Posey Fund, the couple are fighting a battle against pediatric cancer — and their on-field and Club Level fete benefited the Children’s Cancer Fund at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals.
Also on deck: Giants President Larry Baer and his wife,
Pam; UCSF CEO Mark Laret; Giants Manager Bruce Bochy and his wife, Kim; Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford and his wife, Jalynne; along with beloved Giants announcers, including Kruk and Kuip; emcee Renel Brooks-Moon; and Giants Community Ambassador Jeremy Affeldt.
In just two short years, the Poseys have hit it outta here: They’ve already raised $1.9 million for pediatric cancer treatment and research.
Curtains up: Many guests who showed up for the recent dedication ceremony for a planned seven-digit refurbishment to the historic theater at the Legion of Honor on Sept. 22 had no idea such a space even existed.
But 150 newly minted fans joined Fine Arts Museums Director Max Hollein and board chairman Dede Wilsey in a chorus of bravos for this exquisite Louis XVI-style jewelbox theater (designed in 1924 by the museum’s storied architect George Applegarth) and its new patrons: FAM trustee
Cynthia Fry Gunn and her husband, S.F. Opera Board Chairman John Gunn.
The event included a performance by S.F. Symphony Concertmaster Alexander Barantschik playing the museum’s
treasured Guarneri violin, named David.
The Gunn name already graces numerous Stanford University endowments, including a neurological sciences professorship and an economic policy research building. Yet the Gunns’ generosity covers the local waterfront, too, including their support of the Legion’s recent “Degas” exhibition and, now, this theater.
“The Opera would be really dark without John and Cynthia, outstanding community pillars with a great sense of humor, humanity and enormous passion for the arts and education,” toasted Hollein. “But San Francisco culture is significant for the Gunns: Cynthia pointed out to me, the first time she saw Janis Joplin was in this very theater.”
Green scene: In other park news, the 11th Party for the Parks was a rousing success as 500 swing-and-slide supporters raised a record $700K for San Francisco Parks Alliance.
Designer Nicole Krassner transformed Stern Grove into a magical woodland alive with frolicking costumed fairies. Inside a clear tent, guests noshed from a McCalls buffet in between dancing (almost) under the stars to DJ Aaron Axelsen.
Led by co-chairs Liz Farrell, Sophie Middlebrook Hayward and her sister-in-law, Caroline Brinckerhoff, party proceeds support Parks Alliance and S.F. Rec & Park’s campaign to renovate 13 city playgrounds.