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Media Contacts: (408) 910-9195 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sebastian
Thor Hosts Society “Event of the Season!” San
Francisco’s Glitterati Strut their Stuff for celebrated Australian
Labradoodle; Social event also benefits “2002 Toys in 2002” drive San
Francisco, California – December 9, 2002 - Leaving his
distinct mark on San Francisco’s robust social scene yet once again,
Sebastian Thor, Saturday evening, hosted nearly 75 of the City's most
notable notables at a
holiday gala in his Parnassus Heights home. The guest list,
reflecting Sebastian’s egalitarian Australian heritage, included a diverse cross-section of Bay Area personalities – authors, doctors,
lawyers, peninsular technologists, queens, leather divas,
politicians, relatives, neighbors and folks who just like to drink at a
hosted bar. Local television personalities and broadcast media were also in
attendance. Keeping
true to his city-wide philantropic effort, Sebastian's social event benefited the “2002 Toys in 2002” drive, spearheaded
by celebrity fundraiser Mama Sandy Reinhardt, which collects toys for
youngsters suffering from HIV and Aids related illnesses. Guests
were asked to bring new, unwrapped gifts in lieu of a traditional hostess
memento. Over 50 toys were collected for the worthwhile cause. Sebastian,
having just returned from an extended stay at the Happy Pets Inn, a Napa
Valley doggy resort and spa, was the consummate host. Dressed in red
ribbon and brass sleigh bells, and freshly rejuvenated from the Napa mud baths,
hydro spa treatment and final visit to the grooming salon, the well
behaved pup received accolades from the entire guest list. Party
staff also gave him their begrudging respect. Celebrity Caterer
Jose’ Romero, accustomed to his high profile clientele giving him his
lead, expressed some initial irritation with the pup. “I am
Jose’!” he pointed out, as he flew around the dining room. “My
other clients NEVER insist on inspecting each dish I serve!”
Sebastian’s clear satisfaction with the baked ham, smoked turkey,
brochettes, stuffed grape leaves and other delicacies – and especially
with the salmon plate - ended up winning over the flamboyant chef. Doorman
Adrian, expecting Sebastian to fly out the front door and to personally
greet each arriving guest, was amazed that the young pup remained in the entry hall,
assisting with the collection of coats and giving enthusiastic thanks over
the arrival of one stuffed toy after another. Likewise,
the Flying Dutchman parking valets were initially short-tempered.
“We are used to being given instruction, but we’ve never had a party
host BARK them at us,” was a common comment. When the young lads
realized Sebastian’s easy-going Australian charm, though, they rapidly
became “mates.” Sebastian
handled the party-going crowds like an experienced entertainer. His
greetings were enthusiastic and polite, but not overly rambunctious, and
he was remarkably subdued around the enticing holiday displays and
tempting Christmas tree. When the room became a little too crowded
for the diminutive pup, he – much like his Dads – took refuge behind
the bar, where bartender Annette was likely to drop an occasional lemon
rind or martini olive. Several
guests, who have known Sebastian since he immigrated to San Francisco in
late September, were amazed at how quickly the youngster has matured.
“It’s more than just his size,” observed family friend Jeff Leonard,
“it’s his temperament.” Sebastian has grown from just 9 ½
pounds to 32, in less than 3 months, and has faded from a deep chocolate
into a more gentile café color. To Jeff’s observation, though, he
is now a well-behaved young adult, who listens well to Dads and who now
prefers to give puppy kisses rather than to chew everything in sight.
While he still maintains many of his puppy enthusiasms, he also evidences
a much calmer, confident manner. During
the holiday party, guests mingled in both upper and lower gardens,
festooned with white lights, large beds of red poinsettias, and several
dozen votive candles. Regrettably, owing to the poisonous nature of
poinsettias, Sebastian was banned from the lower garden and contented
himself with batting at the floating candles in the water fountain, when
he joined his guests for an outdoor smoke break. Celebrations continued until well past 1am, with the last guest helped from the floor to his cab around 2am, but Sebastian took a prime position in an armchair, much earlier, and drifted off to sleep in the midst of the Beach Boys Christmas Album and a still-very-noisy living room. The excitement of the day, and the generous sneaks of brie and salmon from guests, proved overwhelming for the Aussie, in his first time role as an American party host. Many
a nenowned guest, as they left the holiday extravanganza, were over-heard
saying that they could hardly wait for Sebastian’s New Year’s Eve
event – a planned spectacle known only to the pup's circle of
intimates. |