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Published on 06/22/1998 All articles from this issue

A Web of schmoozers and lunch with Fergie in Milan

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By Robin Katsaros

Socially Speaking

100 percent Web-powered: Web this, browser that. It's hard to keep up with all the companies grabbing a piece of the Web business. But on June 4, Tom Proulx, co-founder of Intuit, held a cocktail reception at his home in Atherton for a select group of Silicon Valley executives celebrating the launch of UpShot Sales, the first 100 percent Web-powered sales automation software. Not a whole lot of sales automation going on, but schmoozing was definitely at a premium. Los Altos resident Ted Helvey, director of business development for Netcom, was seen getting a demonstration of the software from Keith Raffel, chief executive officer and president of UpShot. And Los Altos-based catering company, Elegant Cuisine, kept the party moving at a constant pace by providing the delectable hors d'oeuvres. Check out details of this startup at www.upshot.com.

Shop 'til you drop: Literally. Founder and executive editor of Gentry Magazine, Elsie Floriani, hosted the ultimate shopping trip to Milan, Italy, for 18 lucky women, the inaugural group of "The Gentry Traveler," a first-class touring company for readers and friends of Gentry Magazine. For those of us who didn't know quite what to expect, Elsie put together an extraordinarily memorable vacation. We enjoyed five-star accommodations at the Four Seasons Milano and Villa d'Este on Lake Como, dinner receptions at the grand Floriani Villa, a private cooking course given by the world-renowned chef at Villa d'Este and lunch at a posh Milano restaurant with the Duchess of York (yes, Fergie was there, and she looks great in person), combined with shopping, shopping and more shopping. Need I say more? It was a women's paradise! Some of us thought we had died and gone straight to heaven. Los Altos Hills locals Patty Sue Mozart and Marilyn MacDonald won the prize for the most fashionable jewelry bought. Ruth Chu couldn't resist the Fendi coat, Donna Whitney introduced the group to her fashion find - up-and-coming Milano designer Patrizia Brenner, and Sigrun Corrigan (world traveler that she is) inspired us with her fashion savvy. It was an unforgettable trip. For more information on upcoming travels with Gentry, call Gentry Magazine at 324-1818 or Mary Cardoza at Cardoza Travel at 325-5600.

The latest brew: Los Altos Hills resident Pete Slosberg has introduced something special, and it isn't a newer version of Pete's Wicked Ale. He's now ventured into the publishing arena, beer style. His new book, "Beer for Pete's Sake, Adventures of a Brewing Maverick" is hot off the press, and doing nicely according to his wife, Amy Margolis. Fifty or so beer aficionados were lucky enough to get a personally-signed copy at the book signing at Keplers in Menlo Park on June 8. For your own copy, it's available locally at Heintzelman's Bookstore in downtown Los Altos.

Forty and counting: El Camino Hospital Auxiliary celebrated its 40th birthday in style - at a party on May 27 held at Hyatt Rickeys in Palo Alto. A check for $104,970 was presented by this ambitious auxiliary to the hospital. The 300 volunteers were then treated to a delicious lunch and entertained by none other than Dr. Wendell Ferguson, chief of staff for the hospital, on his guitar. And who said doctors were only good in the operating room?

Heard about a great party? Have a funny story to tell? A celebrity sighting or any other good scoop? Let me know by writing to "Socially Speaking" at the Town Crier, 138 Main St., Los Altos 94022, or by calling or faxing 949-4207. You can e-mail me at: rkatsaros@aol.com