The Stanford Tree greets guests at the Shultz Summit

Photos by Catherine Bigelow

So, you think you know how to host a summer soiree in your backyard? Think again.

On Tuesday, we traveled down to sunny Stanford University for a party hosted by Protocol Chief Charlotte Mailliard Shultz and her husband, former Sec. of State George Shultz, in honor of their pal, former Sec. of State James Baker and his wife, Susan Baker.

The concept of “throwing another shrimp on the barbie” will never, again, be the same.

Detail of Samurai armor at the Asian Art Museum's Lords of the Samurai exhibition

Photos by Catherine Bigelow

When did June become such a busy month of blockbusters? Aren’t we all supposed to be toe-deep in the sand, reveling in the bliss of summer sloth?

Apparently not. As the culturati dished out endless dollops of tantalizing invites last month: Samurai at the Asian Art Museum, Tut at the de Young, Gordon Getty at the SF Conservatory of Music. And the indefatigable and stylish Charlotte Mailliard Shultz hosting a round of private parties with great panache.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and former Sec. of State George Shultz

Photos by Michael Mustacchi

As you already know, Monday was a heady day of power politicos who parachuted into San Francisco.

And the majority of these players (minus First Lady Michelle Obama, though she was, of course, invited) ended that day at an intimate dinner hosted by Protocol Chief Charlotte Mailliard Shultz and her husband, Former Sec. of State George Shultz in their Russian Hill aerie.

Susan Swig gives a wave to our Peanut Gallery

Photos by Catherine Bigelow

I swore to myself, I wasn’t gonna do it. Really, I had so (so, so) many other tasks to accomplish today rather than trying to chase down the motorcade of Michelle Obama.

And while my little digital camera is nifty, it lacks the power of a big, ol’ telephoto lens.

But as more calls regarding this momentous occasion in our fair city were made and received, the reporter in me could resist no longer. And I caved.

SFist Editor Brock Keeling and City Brights blogger Peter Getty

Photos stolen from Facebook; compilation by Catherine Bigelow

Well, sweetie? It looks like our summer blog reading just jumped up a notch on the sizzle scale.

This morning, frère Peter Getty eloquently responds to both SFist Editor Brock Keeling and SFAppeal founder-editor Eve Batey regarding the initial decision by one of the Brothers Getty to not allow public comment on their City Brights blog.

Eric Owens ("Porgy") and Laquita Mitchell ("Bess") at the SF Opera cast party

Photos by Catherine Bigelow

If you weren’t able to score tickets to the stellar San Francisco Opera production of Porgy and Bess, then Summertime opera ain’t necessarily going to feel very easy.

Unfortunately this oh-too-brief engagement of George and Ira Gershwin’s American operatic masterwork is fleeting as sweet summer itself.

Blogging brothers, Billy and Peter Getty

Photos and compilation by Catherine Bigelow

Burning up the ethernet this ayem? Ricocheting emails ‘round town regarding the debut of the latest members in the City Brights blogging stable on SFGate: Peter Getty and his brother, Billy Getty.

Val Diamond in the BBB Skyline Hat

Photos by Catherine Bigelow

To celebrate the 35th anniversary season of Beach Blanket Babylon -- the nation’s longest-running musical revue created by madcap showman Steve Silver -- BBB producer Jo Schuman Silver lit the floodlights on Monday for high school seniors at the 7th Steve Silver Foundation Beach Blanket Babylon Scholarship Awards.

A vintage Fillmore Auditorium concert poster for Grateful Dead, Otis Rush and Canned Heat

Photos by Catherine Bigelow

The party beat is filled with rock stars. And last week at The Old Mint, the joint was jumping with these empyreal personages. Both literal and metaphorical.

In honoring innovators of the '60s-era San Francisco Sound, The San Francisco Museum and Historical Society got its groove on at the annual Standing Ovations event which pays tribute to individuals whose work forged our city’s unique cultural scene.

St. Mary's Medical Center event co-chairs Blanche Brown and Jeannette Etheredge

Photos by Catherine Bigelow

There were many, many doctors in the house at Tosca Cafe recently when owner Jeannette Etheredge and her pal Blanche Brown hosted a reception there for St. Mary’s Medical Center.