Connect body, mind and spirit at expo in San Francisco

Oakland Tribune, Apr 1, 2004

THE San Francisco New Living Expo, a gathering with the theme "Connecting Body, Mind and Spirit," will be April 23-25 in San Francisco. The event will feature more than 100 speakers and 300 exhibitors focusing on natural health products, holistic body therapies, yoga props, intuitive arts, natural foods and tools for expanding consciousness. Topics addressed will include spirituality, personal development, environment, conscious parenting, guided imagery, hypnotherapy and sexuality. Speakers include Mariel Hemingway, Daniel Peter Sheehan, Dan Millman, Geneen Roth, Dannion Brinkley, John Gray, Patricia Sun, T. Harv Eker, Baba Sri Siva and Tricia McCannon. At the event, in the spirit of a healthier planet, all the utensils, cups and dishes used by food vendors will be made from 100 percent corn. The event will be at the Concourse Exhibition Center at 635 8th St. in San Francisco. Hours are 3 to 10 p.m. April 23, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. April 24, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 25. Tickets are $10 to $15 and include access to all lectures, workshops and discussions. For more information, call (415) 382-8300 or go to www.newlivingexpo.com. -- Melissa SchorrBenefits abound

The benefits of benefits are supposed to be of the self- sacrificing, noble variety. You part with a chunk of your hard- earned cash so that nonprofits might prosper -- or at least make it to another year.

But benefits can also be a lot of fun -- good company, good food and a chance to bid on some snazzy auction items.

For the theatrically minded, there's no shortage of upcoming benefits.

First up is Berkeley Repertory Theatre's annual Narsai Toast hosted by radio host Narsai David.

Scheduled for April 23 at San Francisco's Ritz-Carlton, the event boasts a four-course meal prepared by Jean-Pierre Dubray of the Ritz- Carlton, Gerald Hirigoyen of Piperade, Adrian Hoffman of One Market, Rick Moonen of Restaurant RM (in New York) and Ron Siegel of Masa's. The event begins with a reception and wine auction at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and a live auction at 7:30.

Tickets are $350. Call (510) 647-2903.

On May 1, Mountain View's TheatreWorks hosts its annual fund- raising gala, "Anything Goes!" at the company's scene shop, 1110 Hamilton Court, Menlo Park.

Cocktails lead to dinner. Dinner leads to dancing. And dancing leads to a live auction offering a chance to meet actor Liam Neeson, the opportunity to have Bon Jovi keyboardist David Bryan write you a song and a walk-on role in TheatreWorks' "Shakespeare in Hollywood." Tickets are $250. Call (650) 463-1950 or visit www.theatreworks.org.

On June 5, the Alameda Civic Light Opera presents "Hooray for Hollywood," the annual spring fund-raising dinner at the Alameda Elks Lodge. This Oscar-flavored salute to classic movies features an original floor show, dinner and both live and silent auctions. Tickets are $50 if ordered before April 15 and $55 after. Call (510) 864-2256 or visit www.aclo.com.

-- Chad Jones

Summer of Hope

A parent's illness can be a heavy weight to bear for a child's small shoulders. Camp Kesem, which means "Camp Magic" in Hebrew, is a nonprofit project that provides a free week of summer camp to children who have a parent who has died from cancer or is coping with the disease.

Based on the Stanford University campus, the program began in the spring of 2000 as a Hillel social action project initiated by Jewish students.

The program's mission is to empower and inform students about perspectives on social action, illness, death, grief and healing by sponsoring educational programs that present Jewish and other spiritual teachings.

In addition, the camp provides an opportunity for children to break away from the struggles at home. Kids get to swim, hike, play sports, make arts and crafts, learn about nature and make friends in a highly supportive and nurturing environment.

With a high camper-to-counselor ratio of two to one, campers receive the special attention they need.

For more information about how to register as a camper or a volunteer, call (650) 723-1603 or visit hillel.stanford.edu/kesemweb/ index.html#purpose

-- Jenny Slafkosky