Sep 16, 2007

A swinging good time had by all at Tally Ho

By Janet Duca Norton / Society Columnist

A heart-pounding polo match and big-band swing music were the highlights of "Tally Ho Swing," a benefit for Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford, presented by the Woodside-Atherton Auxiliary.

The 57th annual fundraiser, held on Sept. 8, attracted about 300 sponsors, friends and volunteers to the polo fields at Atherton's Menlo Circus Club. The daylong event featured a casual al fresco supper with culinary specialties donated by 20 Bay Area restaurants, along with wine tasting and silent and live auctions.

Tally Ho (the oldest charity event on the Peninsula) raises funds for families in need of help with medical expenses at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. Each year a special project is sponsored at the fundraiser, and this year's funds will go toward the purchase of digital imaging workstations for the new Pediatric Cancer Center.

The polo match was more than a spectator event. At halftime, everyone was invited onto the polo field to sample strawberries and sip champagne while participating in the divot stomp, which was followed by a demonstration by the National Center for Equine Facilitated Therapy.

Announcer Tony Gregg gave play-by-play commentary of the match action between the green and black Menlo Polo teams. Players included William Garlock and his professional partner Rolando Obregon, as well as Barnaby Levin and Menlo Polo Club captain Dave Dollinger.

Enthusiastic polo fans included new Packard Hospital Chief of Staff Dr. Hugh O'Brodovich, former Chief of Staff Dr. Harvey Cohen, president and CEO of Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health Dr. David Alexander, Pediatric Emergency Medicine director Dr. Bernard Dannenberg and auxiliary president Jean Coblentz.

During the evening's auction, bidding on a "fighter pilot for a day" experience was so furious that auctioneer Frank Bizzarro sold the Air Combat USA package twice. Christopher Dawes, president and CEO of Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, and Dr. Seth Ammerman, director of the Packard Teen Health Van (a comprehensive health care unit servicing homeless youth), were the lucky winners of fighter aircraft adventures.

Jim and Connie West made the winning bid on a package to the 2008 Masters Golf Tournament in Augusta, Ga. Jackie and Dave Holmkvist purchased a deluxe accommodations trip for four aboard a Carnival Cruise ship, to a destination of their choice, while auction chairwoman Diane Stabile made the winning bid on a stay at the Canyon Ranch Spa in Tucson, Ariz.

The evening was capped with a performance by the Mike Vax Band, with vocalist Cami Thompson, and fun dance demonstrations of the Jitterbug, Balboa and Shag that were presented by Jeff Kroll and his partner Ashley Sarver.

Seen sampling tasty bites and applauding the lively dance demonstration were Diane and Bill Bottoms, Steve and Harriet Zelencik, Jim Barnett and Mary Beth Holman, Nadine and Bob Franceschini, Tally Ho director Louise Rockhold, and Marcia and Richard Kashnow (who made the winning bid on a collection of wines hand-picked by master sommelier Reggie Narito).



"SWING IN THE PARK"

One-of-a-kind playground swings were in the spotlight at the "Swing in the Park" benefit for Atherton's Holbrook-Palmer Park. About 400 people attended the annual fundraiser on Sept. 9 that included entertainment by the T2 Quintet and Pork Belly Band, children's activities, a barbecue and silent and live auctions.

"We hit our goal, and it was fun to see the multigenerational crowd enjoy the music, wine, good food, and best of all, admire and test out the swings," event co-chairwoman Denise Kupperman said.

Funds raised at the benefit will go toward the implementation of the park's master plan, and in particular, will be used for landscaping the new entrance to the planned pedestrian footbridge.

Auctioneer Frank Bizzarro turned out for yet another fundraiser and enjoyed himself while playing on the swings. The Heitzman's Trophy Swing designed by Roger Heitzman was a hot auction item, but event co-chairwoman Marylue Timpson continued bidding until she prevailed, saying, "It will be the most sought-after seat in the house." Roger Schwab took home "The Zephyr" and a glass swing designed by artist Nikolas Winestein.

Guests included Mindy and Carlos-Perez-Rubio, John Dolan, Tom Hilligoss, former Atherton mayor Charles Marsala and "Copper Swing" designer Ron Roberts.

Kupperman saluted Richard Nippes, Thor Miller, Bob Franceschini and Etta Mae Bower for their participation in the park, dating back to its beginning, and thanked Betty Ogawa for offering a matching grant for new park benches.



Janet Duca Norton's society column appears every Sunday in the Daily News. Send event information to 324 High St., Palo Alto, CA 94301, or e-mail society@paloaltodailynews.com or call (650) 327-9090, ext. 334.