Sep 26, 2006

Polo and Mangione showcased at Tally Ho

By Janet Duca Norton

"Tally Ho Jazzes Up Polo!," the 56th annual Woodside-Atherton Auxiliary benefit for Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford, was a new event. This year's Tally Ho included a polo match by the Menlo Polo Club with play-by-play announcing by Tony Gregg; a demonstration by National Equine Rehabilitative Therapy Organization; a casual poolside supper featuring tasty bites donated by 24 Bay Area restaurants and vintners; a silent and live auction; a performance by jazz artist Chuck Mangione and his band; post-concert dessert; single malt tastings; and dancing to the music of Forte.
At least 350 sponsors, friends and volunteers attended the Sept. 9 party at Atherton's Menlo Circus Club, which was also a tribute to Dr. Harvey Cohen, outgoing chief of staff at Lucile Packard, who is returning to cancer research.
Sponsors viewed the match from a posh polo tent by Joann James Designs, featuring Ralph Lauren style furnishings.
Tally Ho is the oldest charity event on the Peninsula, dating back to the children's circuses in the 1920s. Proceeds from the event benefit families who cannot afford medical expenses. In her welcoming message Auxiliary president Jean Coblentz's said, "The Auxiliary raises money for uncompensated care and special projects."
Tally Ho director Diane Bottoms worked for a year with her talented committee and said, "Our new format was well accepted, more people attended, we raised more money and we're grateful to all our donors. We raised more than $100,000 for the special project."
The project consists of establishing the Pediatric/Obstetric Telemedicine Center, a network for videoconferencing, to enable long distance, real time face-to-face physician and patient interactions.
Auctioneer radio personality Lissa Kreisler of KBAY helped guarantee the project's success when she encouraged a pair of auction godfathers, Lorry Lokey and Bill Ruehle, who tied for the designation of last man standing.
Before Cohen introduced Mangione, a lifelong friend from Rochester, N.Y., he smiled and said, "You re making a big difference. These 13 years have been the best years of my life." This year U.S. News & World Report listed Lucile Packard as one of the top 10 children's hospitals in the country.
Mangione, playing his signature fluegelhorn and keyboard along with his talented band, received a standing ovation for performing his original hits. Enthusiastic audience members Marcia and Dick Kashnow, Steve and Harriet Zelenzik, Marya Keeth and Jackie Holmkvist identified with the Grammy award-winning song "Bellavia," as well as "Feels So Good" and "Disney Miles."
Stephen Beal, master of whiskey, presented a nightcap of low- and highland malt tasting. Dr. Bernard Dannenberg and Libby and Joe Russo, who donated his DPR wine (which is only available through a charitable donation to Lucile Packard), were some of the tasters.

Stanford Stadium opening
The opening of the new Stanford Stadium was sensational: there was a jet flyover and rocket fireworks set between the goal posts that were synchronized to "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Veteran Stanford announcer Bob Murphy's sidewalk interviews with former Stanford and Navy athletes from his booth located on the path to the stadium added color to the festivities.
There were smiles all around: President John Hennessy and his wife Andrea greeted VIP guests; stadium project godfather John Arrillaga cut the ceremonial ribbon; and senior athletic director Ray Purpur (who was in charge of the opening day event) and his wife Terrie enjoyed the festivities from the media center's rooftop terrace.
There was more action on the directors' level of the media building than there was on the field. Guests were impressed with the luxurious accommodations and fun food, and agreed it was a shame the precise synchronization of the fireworks didn't carry over to the Cardinal's game play.
Isaac and Maddy Stein with their children Sarah and Josh and daughter-in-law Jenny; Bill Lane; John and Marcia Goldman; Roger Smith; John and Cynthia Gunn; and Susan and Michael Dorsey were some of the VIP ticket holders. John Hanna noticed Judy Kleinberg and her husband John were sitting next to Nicholas Jellins and said smiling, "The mayors of Palo Alto and Menlo Park are seated side by side. Is there a chance some good things can be accomplished?"
It looked like homecoming with many pre-game tailgate parties including the president's tent event, a big Business School bash and the Alumni Association-hosted Buck Club tent party.
Buck Club party organizers must have thought long lines for drink tickets and drinks would foster new friendships - but that was not the case. When the Blue Chalk Cafe's dollar meals ran out during the first hour, stadium food vendors were guaranteed a brisk business.
Buck Club partygoers included John and Jacque Jarve; Reid Dennis; Mary Lou and Dick Johnson; Jerry, Shirley and Kristy Carlson; Bill McCall; Kathy and Joe Cusic; Carol and Ralph Kuiper; Chris Burford; and Duff Sondheim.
Game attendees gave the new stadium rave reviews and offered the proverbial wish that the team would improve at its next game. Stanford lost to Navy, 37-9, at the Sept. 16 game.