Bittner is the latest in a family lineup of Bittner dentists. Her mother, Susan, and father, Gerald, are both retired dentists whose practice was on Saratoga Avenue, San Jose. Brother Gerald Jr. took over that office, as well as his father's patient list upon his parents' retirement.

Meanwhile, a third sibling, Blair Bittner, recently opened her dental practice on Highway 9 at Santa Cruz Avenue in Los Gatos. And she inherited her mother's client base. Michi will graduate from UOP dental school this spring and will continue to do graduate work in order to become an orthodontist.

Just what office she will be affiliated with upon her graduation is unknown now, but she will probably be part of both, conjectures Blair. "They made it look like fun," Blair says about the family business.

Meanwhile, the third generation is steadily coming up with dreams of dental tools in their future, too. Though still school-aged, all six vow to go into dentistry. The Bittner clan is close: all live within a three-mile radius of each other.

As for the fundraising fashion show, it's been chaired since 1997 by Bonnie Kwong, a director of the Pacific Dental Education Foundation, and the aforementioned Dr. Susan Bittner, president of the Children's Dental Health Care League. Both are Saratogans.

Celebrity models included Dr. Rene Dell'Acqua, Mrs. California 2001; Jennifer Massey, finalist from NBC's The Apprentice; Dr. Bill Dorfman, dentist on ABC's Extreme Makeover; and Roger Craig, former San Francisco 49er.

Proceeds from the fundraiser benefit the pediatric clinic, which provides dental care to under-served children throughout the Bay Area. The benefit was held at the San Francisco Fairmont and drew more than 400 people.

COUNTING BLESSINGS: The new Counting Blessings Group, an affiliate of the Los Gatos Community Foundation, will hold a fundraiser at La Estancia June 5, 4-7 p.m., to raise funds to buy AutoPulse devices for the Los Gatos and Saratoga fire departments.

Counting Blessings founder Shannon Weich credits the AutoPulse with saving her mother's life. Her mother, Caralee Weich, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest in March 2004. She was without a pulse for almost 30 minutes and her survival and complete recovery are considered a miracle by medical professionals.

There are many heroes who came to her immediate aid, Shannon says, but without the use of a new CPR device called the AutoPulse Resuscitation System, she might not be alive today. Doctors never found the cause of her cardiac arrest, but she has no heart disease or residual damage. Her brain simply sent the wrong signal to her heart, Shannon speculates.

David Stonesifer and Larry Arzie own La Estancia. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased through Weich at 408.219.9636 or at www.countingblessings.com.

NEW MYSTERY: Saratoga mystery writer Lana Waite has a new book out called Cobwebs and Contraband. It's set in a Victorian hotel near San Diego. Lots of cellars and old mission ruins provide the dusty and disturbing background. The book is published by Infinity Publishing.

This book follows her Buried in Burrywood and The Madd Mountain Murders. Lana and husband Fred have just moved from their home of 44 years to the Saratoga Retirement Community. They are discovering lots of Saratogans, people from the northern peninsula and even from the Midwest.

The Waites' apartment has a fine view of a eucalyptus grove and Lana adds that the food is great.

NEW BOARD: Newly installed to the board of Assistance League of LG-Saratoga for 2005-06 are Shirley Johnson, president; Linda Krain, v.p., membership; Terry Spice-Norma Stewart, v.p., philanthropy; Chrystie De Soto, v.p., resource development; Lonnie Toensfeldt, secretary; and Susan Schneider, treasurer. Other board members are Kathy Duryea, public relations; Jessica Perrazo, education; and Jan Ehrhardt, strategic planning.

ANGELS ON STILTS: An angel on stilts and a harpist with butterfly wings were part of the assembly that celebrated the opening of Good Samaritan Hospital's Center for Women and Babies, the final part of a five-year, $75 million capital program.

"Spreading Our Wings" was the theme--hence the appearance of the angel, who escorted guests from parking lot to entrance. The butterfly-winged harpist was in the lobby and a butterfly garden awaited on the fourth floor of the new tower, where butterfly-shaped boxes were filled with fresh fruit. Mayors Kathleen King of Saratoga and Mike Wasserman of Los Gatos were part of the launch team at the event.

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