San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
@MissBigelow
Consuls general party at ‘Beach Blanket Babylon.’
A round-the-world trip led by Snow White at Club Fugazi during a performance of “Beach Blanket Babylon” was a perfect premise for the holiday party hosted by Mayor London Breed and Protocol Chief Charlotte Shultz honoring the San Francisco Consular Corps and the volunteer Host Committee.
“San Francisco has always been an international city, and we’re blessed with the finest consul generals in the world,” toasted Shultz and her husband, former Secretary of State George Shultz, who turned 98 recently, both adorably dressed in “BBB” Santa costumes.
The city boasts more than 75 consulates and 19 international sister city relationships, and for 50 years Schultz has presided as an unpaid civic cheerleader at City Hall, celebrating consul generals and their families.
Assisted by “BBB” producer Jo Schuman Silver and Deputy Chief of Protocol Matthew Goudeau, 200 globalists dined upon a McCalls buffet prior to the nation’s longest-running variety show, with laugh-out-loud popculture homages.
“Thank you Madame Mayor and the Shultzes for embracing our Consular Corps family and opening the door of the city of San Francisco,” enthused Consular Corps Dean Henry Bensurto Jr., the Philippines consul general. “We appreciate the warmth of your kindness. It’s very easy to work in San Francisco. I think we feel more warmth here than our embassies in Washington, D.C.”
Festival of Lights: Hanukkah and the 70th anniversary of the founding of Israel were recently celebrated by the Triple I (ItalianIsraeli-Irish) Society at the Italian Athletic Club.
The festive afternoon also honored three community leaders: Contemporary Jewish Museum Executive Director Lori Starr, Jewish Community Center Security Chief Matt Epstein (also chief of Dry Creek Rancheria Fire Department) and philanthropy entrepreneur Adam Swig.
Yet whether a guest or dais grandee, a majority of folks received shout-outs throughout this heartfelt lunch. Judge Quentin
Kopp, a society co-president, also honored club secretary John Shimmon, a 95-year-old World War II vet, with the Triple I Lifetime Achievement Award: “In his 63 years with the Triple I, Abraham John Shimmon has never missed a meeting and has served with generosity, kindness and love.”
Then it was Kopp’s turn to be surprised when Supervisor Aaron Peskin conferred the same award upon the judge.
The other honorees also voiced thanks: “I want to thank Judge Kopp for recognizing the role that museums play in creating a civil, global society and making a city vibrant,” said executive director Starr. “And I dedicate this award to my parents. My father’s family immigrated here to escape the Russian pograms. Israel is an important part of my identity.”
Entrepreneur Swig credited his grandmother, civic leader Roselyne Swig, with inspiring his activism to organize events designed to engage a young tech crowd to benefit the Jewish community.
“This is so cool,” enthused Swig, still rocking his long, curly S.F. Giants rally locks. “I love everything about San Francisco. One thing my family has taught me is ‘Tikkun olam,’ which means ‘Heal the world.’ That’s what drives me every day.”
Getty a-go-go: It was a fairy tale come true when 850 nearest and dearest to Gordon Getty turned out at the glamorous Getty manse to herald the family patriarch’s 85th birthday.
Hosted by his wife, Ann Getty, the epic soiree on Dec. 16 also celebrated the shared Dec. 20 natal day of their granddaughter, Ivy Getty, now 24. Numerous Getty clan members flew in from around the globe, but the thirdmost popular party guest was Rep. Nancy Pelosi. Sans her now-famous red Max Mara coat and shades, the soon-to-be speaker of the House was mobbed like a rock star as guests clamored for selfies with this skilled #BossMom of the U.S. Congress.
The decor theme, exquisitely expressed throughout the Gettys’ gorgeous salons by designer Stanlee Gatti, featured an homage to classic fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen. And mostly patient neighbors keenly observed as Gatti built a tented, street-side pavilion that included a 20-foot-tall queen ice sculpture by Kevin Roscoe. But heat rose atop a faux frozen lake where South American musicians and dancers of Pena Pachamama performed.
“Ann has impeccable taste and always chooses wonderfully creative themes for Gordon’s birthdays,” Gatti said. “It’s great to see the Getty clan come together. They’re a cast of characters who love each other dearly.”
December birthday dwellers oft feel shortchanged by Christmas revels. But that’s not the case for Getty or his granddaughter.
“Having my birthday near Christmas makes this time of year even more exciting,” said the younger Getty, dazzling in an ensemble paired with YSL rhinestone boots. “In many ways I feel similar to my grandfather so it’s special to celebrate together.”
As revelers gathered to sing Getty’s praises, the composer sliced into an Andersen-theme cake topped by “The Little Match Girl” — a fondant reference to a Getty-composed cantata. The day before, Getty held an orchestral reading of his new opera, “Goodbye, Mr. Chips.” But even amid his peripatetic performance schedule that, Getty was keenly aware of the passage of time.
“My God,” Getty exclaimed. “By the time one reaches 85 or even 83, you do begin noticing that you’re not a teenager anymore.”