May 25, 2008

Secret Garden celebrates 'key' supporters

By Janet Duca Norton / Society Columnist

About 100 guests turned out for the beautiful Secret Garden evening event at the Palo Alto Children's Library. The weather was hot and so was the news at the May 15 annual Palo Alto Partners in Education "key" donor party. Board President Lois Garland announced a record-setting total of $2.3 million was raised during this year's campaign for Palo Alto schools.

Funds will be used for classroom support and art education in elementary schools and career counseling and staff support in the secondary schools.

The other hot topic of the evening was the official kickoff of the October 4 Black and White Ball, which once again will be held at Palo Alto's Lucie Stern Community Center. Ball co-chairwoman Belle Griffths announced the theme is "Plaid to See You," and following tradition, the proceeds will be shared with the Palo Alto Recreation Foundation.

"There really is a sense of partnership, passion and wisdom," Superintendent of Schools Kevin Skelly said. "The ball celebrates the community and Partners."

The cool items that evening were the iced drinks served by The Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley. Seen sipping, smiling and sampling chef Alessandro Cartumini's culinary creations were Lois Garland, Susan and John Paul, Camille Townsend, Elaine Hahn, former Board President Susan Bailey and her husband Bill Bailey, Gina Jorasch and Partners executive director Muneerah Merchant.

Council members Greg Schmidt and Jack Gordon left early to attend a finance committee meeting, but Sid Espinosa appeared in time to sample the delicious risotto.

"It's a lovely evening, and we're grateful for the Children's Garden and the sponsorship of The Four Seasons," said event co-chairwoman Hazel Watson, taking time out from hostess duties. "We were pleased to invite the Palo Alto Recreation Foundation, Partners, volunteers and the Black and White Ball committee."


PINK RIBBON DAY AT HORSE SHOW

Everything was pink at the May 9 United Professional Horsemen's Pink Ribbon Day at the Horse Park in Woodside. Part of the sixth annual Professional Chapter One Horse Show running from May 8 to 11, the special first-time daylong event helped raise funds for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Show co-chairwomen Jennifer Dixon (chapter president) and Michelle Ganci were pleased the Woodside Show raised $4,600, which will help in reaching the organization's national goal of $100,000.

"It was a real community event, a great way to give back - to fight cancer while riding horses," Ganci said. "It was something where we could do good things for people who need our help. Everyone, all dressed in pink, got into the spirit of the event."

About 1,200 people turned out to watch champions from as far away as Los Angeles, Washington and Oregon ride 200 American Saddlebred, Morgan, Friesian and Hackney show horses. Sitting at pink draped tables, guests also sampled pink cookies and lemonade, and modeled their pink hats. Guests raved about chef Eric Colodny, who came from Florida to donate his time and culinary expertise, creating delicious crepes and omelets. Colodny said he came to help his sister Lissa Sivara, who was on the event committee.

The final competition was the Ladies Amateur Five-Gaited Class, where riders showed both their expertise and their pink attire in the center ring. All riding American Saddlebred horses to the tune of "Anything Goes," the nine riders competed in honor of cancer patients and survivors. In the spirit of the tune, something did go - a horse threw a shoe and the competition came to a halt. Menlo Park farrier Dave Fraser successfully replaced the shoe in the allotted five minutes (official horse show rules). Katie Jarve of Atherton, riding her world champion horse Magic Spell, won first place.

Seen applauding were Judy Castaillac, Lexie Castaillac, Jacque Jarve, Royalee Cleveland, Marie Peyman, Paula Schmidt, and Mary Teter and her daughter Sarah Henderson.

According to Nan Chapman, the American Saddlebred, a 19th-century breed originally known as plantation horses, has continued its lineage into the 21st century due in part to General Ulysses S. Grant, who allowed defeated Confederate General Robert E. Lee to take all of his horses back home to the South when the Civil War peace treaty was signed at Appomattox Court House. Ganci added that Saddlebreds were also ridden by the U.S. Cavalry. The breed is popular, she said, because riders develop a close relationship with these horses, which are known for their intelligence, beauty, graceful stride and sensitive nature.

Prizes were also given for the "most pink exhibitor," "most pink spectator" (won by Phyllis Hawkins), "most creative tack room" (won by Back Bay Co-op) and "most pink tack room" (won by Monarch Stables of Gilroy).


Janet Duca Norton's society column appears every Sunday in the Daily News. Send event information to 255 Constitution Dr., Menlo Park, CA 94025 or e-mail society@paloaltodailynews.com.