The Concert for UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital: Neil Young headlined and Joanna Newsom opened the Dec. 8 benefit, which featured special guest Colin Powell, who lent his support with a lively speech and presented an award to cancer survivor Paddy O’Brien. Proceeds from the event, held at Nob Hill Masonic Auditorium and underwritten by Salesforce.com, will go to UCSF Benioff Children’ s Hospital, a state-of-the-art Mission Bay facility slated for completion in 2014.  

Shoppers aid women’s clinic

Women’s Community Clinic benefit: Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Marissa Mayer, Regina Kulik Scully and Katie Traina hosted a cocktails-and-charitable-shopping gathering Dec. 1 at the Ralph Lauren Fillmore Street store. Fifteen percent of the evening’s sales proceeds will go to the nearby Women’s Community Clinic, which provides high-quality health care services to uninsured women.

VIPs ‘Hob Nob’ for burn center

Holiday Hob Nob on the Hill: St. Francis Memorial Hospital held its 22nd major fundraiser for the Bothin Burn Center on Dec. 3 at the Fairmont Hotel. VIPs at the black-tie progressive dinner included Fairmont General Manager Tom Klein, event co-chair Susan Gearey, Janis MacKenzie, Dr. Clyde Ikeda and Dr. H. Hugh Vincent. Former Mayor Willie Brown and event-co-chair Elizabeth Thieriot paid memorial tribute to Hob Nob founder Dame Bella Farrow.