A 7-Foot Tall Dinosaur Leg Auction?

It's gift-giving time. For that hard-to-please loved one or special friend, may we suggest an authentic dinosaur leg? Tyrannasaurus Rex, to be specific.

The Nature Gallery, a fossils and minerals store, is celebrating its 25th anniversary with, uh, verve.

"Compared to the 65-million-year-old, 7-foot-tall Tyrannosaurus bataar dinosaur leg in my gallery, it’s no time at all,” said owner Carol Garsten.

Garsten is auctioning the dinosaur leg, which just arrived, to benefit the Peninsula HealthCare Connection, where she serves as chair on the board of directors. Garsten will donate 25 percent over the minimum bid on the silent auction, which runs December 7 to 21. 

The Peninsula HealthCare Connection is the only licensed free clinic in this area providing primary and mental health care to the homeless and at-risk population in our community, Garsten said.

"The work that the staff and volunteers accomplish is absolutely amazing," she said. Most people are unaware the 200-square foot clinic exists inside Palo Alto’s Opportunity Center, she added, and the auction's purpose was also to highlight the work it does. 

Carol Garsten started the mineral and fossil gallery with her mother in 1987 in San Luis Obispo; They moved first to the Palo Alto Town & Country Village, and then, after 17 years, the gallery moved to its current location at 296 State Street in February, 2012.

Her kick-off coincides with First Friday, which is celebrating its first anniversary of doing special events downtown. In addition to the shops opening up later, as is the First Friday custom, the organization is throwing a holiday party at 359 State Street and GreenTown Los Altos is providing free (recycled) gift wrapping service. 

Schedule of Events
Friday, Dec. 7, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.: The Anniversary party will kick off a silent auction of the Tyrannosaurus Dinosaur Leg to benefit Peninsula HealthCare Connection. (www.peninsulahcc.org). Paleontologist John Hedley, who prepared the juvenile leg, will be on hand. A donation of any amount to PHC will allow you to take your picture with Tyrannosaurus bataar leg. Garsten also will introduce her 87Rocks Holiday 2012 jewelry collection. Musician Samantha Wells will perform classical acoustic guitar.

Saturday, Dec. 8, 11:00 am – 1:00 p.m.: “Creating Balance and Harmony in your Home or Office Using Crystals and Stones”Presented by Feng Shui Master Linda Lenore (lindalenore.com).

Saturday, Dec. 8, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.: “If the Rocks Could Talk, What Would They Tell Us About Planet Earth?” An exploration of the Nature Gallery collection and more, with geologist Leslie C. Gordon, United States Geological Survey.

Sunday, Dec. 9, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Mineral and Fossil Community Art Collage for children, 5 to 12 years old. Reservations are required. Facilitated by Deanna Messenger, art instructor at Gunn High School. Using images of fossils and mineral pieces from 25 years of Nature Gallery photo postcards, children can participate in a community collage or make their own work. This is a free event but space is limited; reservations are required. Reserve at naturegallerylosaltos@yahoo.com