M.D. Anderson has been ploughing the fertile philanthropic fields of Aspen for years with its annual seminar on advancements in cancer research held at The Aspen Institute and the must-attend cocktail party at the riverfront home of Barbara and Gerald Hines. The concept of quartering potential donors in a swell setting with cool temps has apparently caught on.

This week alone, Aspen is seeing friend-raising events not only for Anderson but also for St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital and The Methodist Hospital Center for Performing Arts Medicine. On Friday, CPAM will partner with the Aspen Music Festival to present a seminar on the medical needs and challenges of musicians, both amateur and professional.

Today's report is on the Anderson bash at the Hineses' home on the banks of the Roaring Fork River where more than 200 richly-attired (no more mountain casual for Aspen) supporters and friends persevered in the brief late-afternoon rain showers.

This year's event honored Anne and Dr. John Mendelsohn, who is retiring from his position as M.D. Anderson president at the end of this month. John told the gathering that coincidentally his last day as big chief, Aug. 31, coincides with his 75th birthday.

Not intended as a fundraiser, the party ended up bringing in a windfall $10,000 for Anderson thanks to Barbara Hines, who had painted a spectacular landscape of red poppies and mountains that she offered for auction. High bidder was John Paul DeJoria of Paul Mitchell and Patron tequila fame.

Dining on sumptuous hors d'oeuvres under a party tent furnished in living room style and strolling the banks of the river bank were long-time summer residents Judy and Bob Allen, Joan Schnitzer Levy, Sara Dodd-Spickelmier and Keith Spickelmier and Nanette and Jerry Finger. Additional notables included Jeri and Marc Shapiro, Ellen and Steve Susman, Diane Lokey Farb, Leslie and Jack Blanton Jr., Sis Johnson, Denise and Bill Monteleone, Mary Ralph Lowe and Charlie Flanders and Yvonne and Scott Ziegler.

The cocktail party preceeded Tuesday's 13th annual Making Cancer History seminar. Joining Dr. Mendelsohn in that program were Dr. Laurence Cooper, Dr. Jeffrey Myers and cancer survivor Shelby Robin, who recently returned to M.D. Anderson Children's Cancer Hospital as a nurse in the pediatric unit, where she received treatment as a child.

Birthday month finale

Party girl emeritus Suzy Bergner closed out her seemingly endless birthday celebrations at Hotel ZaZa on Friday with a "Suzy B Bad Closing Ceremony" luncheon, which she proclaims was a "huge hit." And how could it have been otherwise?

Ibiza chef Charles Clark did the honors of the official de-crowning, removing her golden, bejeweled head ornament that was safely placed back in its glass case where it will remain until next July.

Suzy says that because she is known for going over the top with her parties, the places that she frequents usually lay down the rules. But lucky her —on Friday ZaZa GM Matthew Nuss was out of town, so it was no holds barred. She had the VIP section of Monarch Restaurant draped in black, added special effects lighting, brought in a super sound system and thereby turned the place into a rocking disco.

After the de-crowning ceremony in the main restaurant, the curtains opened for Suzy's crew to reveal a full-blown disco. In deference to the other diners in the room, she had her section of the room divided off with 20 champagne buckets filled with Veuve Cliquot. Before it was over, the party girl invited all the other diners to join the disco dancing — which most of them did.

The party began at noon and rocked on until 9 p.m. "Oy vey, my head!!!!" Suzy e-mailed.

Joining the bash were Karen Aspromonte, Nancy Mendenhall, Nancy Marcus Golden, Rosie Meyers, Bridgette Bottone, Janine Iannarelli, Kelly Anzilotti, Beverley Ostrofsky and on and on.

Sight 'ems

The Elaine Turner team takingover La Colombe d’Or Hotel today for their fall fashion shoot under the direction of photographer Julie Soefer with styling by Kate Allen Stukenberg. The suite where they headquartered resembled a dream closet with all those nifty handbags and shoes of Elaine Turner design . . .

Janet Gurwitch and Ron Franklin having dinner at Tony Mandola's with Joan Schnitzer Levy and Irvin Levy . . .

Andrea and former Mayor Bill White dining at Backstreet Cafe.