Feb 17, 2008

Political satire raises funds for center

By Janet Duca Norton / Society Writer

Partisan politics was replaced with satire and spectacle at Jillian Manus-Salzman and Alan Salzman's "Politically Incorrect Valentine's Ball" on Feb. 9. This was the third year the couple had hosted the gala benefit for the Stanford Cancer Center at their Atherton home.

About 350 elegantly attired "voter guests" arrived at the Off-White House for a fun evening of dining, dancing and entertainment, orchestrated by the dream team: renowned event impresario Robert Fountain and caterer Paula Le Duc. An informal poll revealed the gala won the "best party of the year" vote.

Jillian said she planned the party for a year with its "equal offender" themes to get some laughter into the politically charged environment.

On a serious note, Jillian said, "We have hope for help with cancer: The Stanford Center brings hope and help to everyone who goes through the center's doors."

Alan's mother Helen Salzman, who has been challenged three times with cancer, originated the idea for the fundraising event. A post-party announcement declared the evening raised $600,000 for the cancer center.

Setting the scene that evening were valet parking attendant "candidates in training" (wearing Donald Trump wigs), a red carpet walk, a check-in with FBI agents and a front door greeting by Tai the elephant, wearing a banner with the phrase, "My Wife Says I'm an Ass."

The only traditional touch was the red, white and blue color scheme. Each room featured a theme with headliner politicians. Where else would you find Bill Clinton dressed in boxer shorts and Hillary Clinton in a suit, hosting a party in the Lincoln Bedroom? Entertainment alternated between Clinton playing his sax and Abe Lincoln playing the piano while Monica Lewinsky served McClinton burgers to everyone, including Camilla and Prince Charles, Steve Westly and Nancy McFadden.

Mitt Romney's Bar Mitzvah featured an Olympic theme, a kosher buffet and his Jewish parents encouraging guests to dance to the Klezmer trio's traditional music.

Roman Emperor Nero, wearing a red toga, fiddled "Night and Day" in the Wild Affair Bistro. There were long lines for a fortune-telling session with Elizabeth Taylor in the ladies only "Betty Ford Room," featuring pastel, candlelit decor and comfort food including miniature chocolate high heel shoes and jars of Prozac cookies. No one, including Barbara Ralston and Susie Fox, minded the long wait when handsome male orderlies with stethoscopes were on hand to monitor vital signs. At the Dick Cheney Hunting Club, Playboy-type bunnies and foxes served cigars to the men only crowd.

Raj Mathai (Channel 11 sportscaster) and his wife Sonia had an interesting conversation about Deep Throat with a talking portrait of Richard Nixon in the FBI Room, while a Mark Felt character conscientiously checked for bugs - literally large insects on all the walls.

Fantastic food with sculptures of notorious subjects, presented in the Delicious Dictators Court, showcased busts of Napoleon in cake, Fidel Castro in organic veggies, der Fuehrer in cheddar cheese and Cleopatra in Ghirardelli chocolate. But the show-stopper was a larger-than-life ice sculpture/martini luge of George W. Bush titled "the Brain Drain."

The evening ended with the Austin Powers Inaugural Ball in a '60s Pucci-style orange-and-white print tent featuring the Bill Hopkins Rockin' Orchesta and male and female go-go dancers in cages. Seen at the British buffet with psychedelic desserts were Sue Levy, Jeanne and Frank Fischer, Carole and Michael Marks and Lisa and Dave Mooring.

At the ball, Stanford Hospital President and CEO Martha Marsh said, "We will win the war on cancer."

Speaking for the cancer center team, Barbara Ralston, director of Concierge Guest Services, thanked everyone, saying, "Cancer is bigger than the elephant out front. We thank you for allowing us to do the good work we do."

Based in the Comprehensive Cancer Center, the unique Stanford Cancer Concierge Services represents a new patient program model that addresses the whole patient and the patient's support network through each stage of the cancer treatment. Not only are cutting-edge therapies provided, 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 all Stanford cancer patients, their family and friends.

Guests included Roz and Mervin Morris, Laurene Jobs, Kathy Frorer, Nancy and Joe Greenback, Susan and Gary Grandmaison, Mandy Lowell and Charles Munger, Mark Heising and Liz Simons and Hospital Board President Mariann Byerwalter and her husband Dan Begovich.