Dinner dance, auction to support Willow School
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

Willow Elementary School in Agoura Hills has set its sights on St. Patrick's Day as a spring fundraiser theme. The dinnerdance and silent and live auction event is scheduled at The Canyon on March 17, hosted by the school's Parent Faculty Association.

Called "Let's Rock on Shamrock," event organizers hope to auction off a premier oil painting by local artist Bernard Dunaux. Proceeds will support music, art, science, physical education and computer programs at Willow, said Tami Wank, event co-chair with Mary Lechman.

Wank said Dunaux's 48by36-inch oil painting, "The Crows," is valued at $7,500. Dunaux's "abstract expressionist" paintings are represented in galleries in Los Angeles, Miami and Indianapolis, and larger works typically fetch between $8,000 and $15,000, Wank said.

"Both Tami and Mary...have worked extremely hard to make this a memorable event for all and we are really looking forward to sharing some fun surprises with our Willow families and guests," said Laly Ballard, PFA copresident.

Other live auction items include a signed electric guitar from the walls of The Canyon, a sevennight Mammoth vacation, a custom crafted piece of jewelry by Avis Diamond, a boutique shop at the Four Seasons Hotel, and dinner at the new fire station in Agoura Hills. Even the front and back covers of the school's yearbook and a reserved parking spot at Willow will be auctioned off.

Silent auction items include passes for gocart racing, a Clipper-signed basketball, tickets and limo ride to "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno," tickets and a limo ride to the play, "Wicked," "American Idol" tickets, dinner packages and an array of other items.

An opportunity to meet with a Hollywood casting director and a children's talent agent will also be up for bid.

Special invitations to Willow families, friends and alumni have been customized with a guitar pick with "Rock with Willow 3-17-07" attached. In February, the PFA sold guitar pick necklaces to students to support programs at the school and promote the spring fundraiser.

The evening will include cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, a sit-down dinner and even a chocolate fountain. The band Night Fever will perform, and raffles will be held throughout the evening.

Tickets must be purchased in advance. For information, call Wank at (818) 991-8264 or the Willow front office at (818) 889-0677 or send an e-mail to justinhayley@netscape.net.