Feb 25, 2007

At Stanford benefit 'Nothing Is As It Seems'

By Janet Duca Norton / Society Columnist

Jillian Manus and Alan Salzman hosted their second annual Valentine ball titled "Nothing Is As It Seems," a gala benefit for the Stanford Cancer Center on Feb. 10. They welcomed 250 guests to their Atherton home for a unique evening of dining, dancing and entertainment orchestrated by renowned party impresario Robert Fountain. They were thrilled to announce the event raised $500,000 for the Cancer Center.

"We are happy to share our good fortune with those who need it," Salzman said.

Double-entendre and trompe l'oeil carried out the theme of the evening, from the red valentine box invitations that required readers to view the message in a mirror, to the sampling of desserts and dancing to the Robert Hopkins Rock 'n' Roll Orchestra on a giant chessboard in an "Alice in Wonderland" tented pavilion.

During the course of the party, guests encountered a surprising ice sculpture, painted statues (who were actually mimes) that looked like they had stepped out of artworks from the walls, had questions answered by an electronic oracle (that gave sharp-witted and insightful observations), watched their handwriting be analyzed by an expert and observed a simulated Italian-style wedding reception.

The auction of a "Signature 100" Tesla roadster, however, was the real thing. Farzam and Noosheen Nazem made the winning bid on the electric sports car. For those who weren't at the party, former Atherton mayor Charles Marsala mentioned that two of these Teslas will be on display at Atherton's Earth Day celebration on April 21.

Stanford Hospital and Clinics President and CEO Martha Marsh thanked everyone for attending and then described for the crowd the hospital's unique Stanford Cancer Concierge Services, which represent a new patient program model that addresses the whole person and their support network through each stage of the cancer treatment process.

Patients may choose from a wide array of advocate services, complementary therapies, counseling, caregiver support and training, and educational resources to suit their needs. Stanford's concierge services are available free of charge to every Stanford cancer patient, their family and friends.

Guests included Susan Ford and Michael Dorsey, Dianne and Tad Taube, Jeanne Fischer, Nancy and Joe Greenbach, Caroline and Jim Labe, Carl and Leslie Guardino, An and Clement Chen, Dave and Michelle Dollinger, Dave and Lisa Mooring, Hospital Board President Mariann Byerwalter and husband Dan Begovich, and director of guest services Barbara Ralston and her husband Bill.

Party hosts the Salzmans took an interest in the cancer center based on the experiences of their friends and family members, and have already begun planning another spectacular event for next year.

E-mail Janet Duca Norton at society@paloaltodaily news.com.