Charlotte Shultz

A surprise, early 89th birthday celebration honored former Sec. of State and USMC Maj. George Shultz at Davies Symphony Hall

Photos by Catherine Bigelow

A giant, “Surprise!” rang out from the symphony hall of Davies (and probably all the way to the shores of Tripoli) on Monday when former Secretary of State George Shultz was feted for his upcoming 89th birthday by his missus, Protocol Chief Charlotte Mailliard Shultz.

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.

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.