Members of the Symphony Bells conducted their first flamingo fundraiser Jan. 11-26.

The flamingos began at the home of Friends Association of the Symphony Orchestra president Rose VanArsdel, who then paid a "removal" fee and chose which house the flamingos would travel to next.

For two weeks, the "flock" migrated from one home to the next, raising more than $800 along the way.

The money will aid the Symphony Belle Prom Preview on March 1 at Miramont Country Club, with final proceeds going to the Brazos Valley Symphony.

The MSC OPAS Guild raised more than $100,000 at its 2008 Guild Gala on Jan. 26 in College Station.

This year's event carried the theme "Beatle Mania."

Special guests 1964 ... The Tribute, a Beatles cover band, entertained the crowd of more than 600 in the Hilton's Grand Ballroom.

"They have sold out Carnegie Hall 12 times," Becky Russell, gala co-chair, said of the band.

The evening began at 5:30 with a champagne reception, silent auction, dancing and music provided by the Aggieland Orchestra under the direction of Jay O. Brewer.

Dinner followed at 7 p.m., featuring a garlic and chipotle stuffed pork loin, twice-baked potato, squash and carrot medley, topped off with a kiwi and strawberry bread pudding tart.

Following dinner, auctioneer Art King led the live auction, selling items such as a Canadian duck and goose hunt, a Miramont golf vacation, and a romantic evening featuring dinner at Veritas Wine & Bistro and a night at 7F Lodge & Spa.

1964 ... The Tribute took the stage at 9:30 p.m. and kept the dance floor packed for an hour and a half, playing Beatles favorites such as I Want to Hold Your Hand and Twist and Shout.

The band originally hails from Akron, Ohio. Members play the same type of guitars used by the Beatles, and use the same 1960-era amplifiers. They go through suits every six months, and are outfitted by Gordon Millings, the Beatles' tailor in England.

At 11 p.m., there was a drawing for a sterling silver and diamond necklace and bracelet, and pave hoop earrings, donated by David and Julia Gardner. The set is valued around $7,000.

OPAS Guild officers for the 2007-2008 year are Bonnie Kistler, president and gala co-chair; Stan Kistler, first vice president; Martha West, second vice president; Lou Ellen Ruesink, secretary; Jane Hughey, treasurer; Jim Burke, parliamentarian; and Ruth Clearfield, at large.

The goal of the OPAS Guild is to support arts for the children and youth of the Brazos Valley. Last year, the Guild donated $40,000 to MSC OPAS. The Guild also sponsors the Patricia S. Peters Lagniappe pre-performance educational lecture series.

In May 2003, the OPAS Guild established a permanent endowment fund of $100,000 for the support of OPAS Jr. and other educational programming for children.

The Woman's Club held its monthly meeting Jan. 23 at its Bryan clubhouse, with guest speaker Janet Briaud, who outlined "A Baker's Dozen of Financial Goodies."

Briaud, a certified financial planner, is owner of Briaud Financial Planning in Bryan. She recommended a variety of financial strategies for wealth building and retirement planning.

The 13th item on her list was gratefulness, "a sense of being grateful for what you have, for the services you receive, and for the life and choices you have."

Club members donated food and cash to the Brazos Church Pantry, one of the charities assisted by The Woman's Club.

• Send information about your club's recent achievements and events to Heather Lee at heather.lee@theeagle.com. Or call her at 254-760-0665. Submission deadline for the following Sunday's edition: 5 p.m. Mondays.

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