in the Heart of Houston May

in the Heart of Houston

MAY be you didn’t notice, but the year is flying by! What happened to your New Year’s Resolutions?

OK, I’m going to NutShell Dr. Ox’s 10 Commandments for weight loss :

Thou shall not wear pants that stretch

Thou shall not keep “Fat Clothes” in your closet.

Thou Shall not eat meat that walks on four legs more than one time a week.

Thou shall not graze or browse in search of prey (plan your meals.)

Thou Shall not eat after 7:30 at night.

Thou shall not pile on food on a plate more than one inch high or two inches to the edge of the plate

Thou shall not chew less than 20 bites.

Thou shall not covet thy neighbors plate (or sample anything on it.)

Thou shall not carry small bills (for vending machines)

Thou shall not eat standing up or in a car. (concentrate on what you’re eating.)

Now, are you thin?

APPLAUSE, APPLAUSE:

Oil tycoon and philanthropist Oscar Wyatt at the Houston Grand Opera “Yellow Rose of Texas” Ball which honored his wife, Lynn, surprised the throngs by making a One Million Dollar donation in Lynn’s honor. The donation will establish the Lynn Wyatt Great Artists Fundwhich will be used to bring world-class artists to the city. At the microphone Lynn said, “I’m so proud of you, Honey. Thank you for everything you’ve done.” Good for you, OW, and we thank you, also.

Congratulations to PAUL-DAVID VAN ATTA, Catering Director of the Hilton Americas, for winning the Jefferson Award for his volunteer efforts. BRIAN TEICHMAN planned the outstanding celebratory cocktail reception at the historic Cochran-Hofheinz House, 3900 Milam. The heavenly hors d’oeuvres were prepared by Culinaire chef/owner, Barbara McNight who operates her business from the Cochran-Hofheinz House and is also lucky enough to live there.

THEATRE UNDER THE STARS continues to bring excitement to the city. Looks what’s coming in the 2010-2011 Season: Hairspray, 9 to 5: The Musical, Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas” The Musical, Billy Elliot The Musical, Curtains and Rock of Ages! Thanks, TUTS!

MORE WARNER AWARDS:

MOST INSPIRATIONAL EVENT: CHILDREN’S DEFENSE FUND “Beat the Odds” Awards Dinner on April 15 presented six extraordinary youths with college scholarships. The honorees shared their individual life struggle, whether childhood mental, physical, sexual abuse, childhood arthritis or other major challenges. National President Marian Wright Edelman explained that the mission of CDF is to ensure every child a healthy start, a head start, a fair start, a safe start and a moral start in life. The organization’s logo is a big body of water with a tiny boat and occupantwith the caption, “Dear Lord, Be good to me. The sea is so wide and my boat is so small.” Believe me when I tell you that tears were flowing in the room.

BEST INVITATION DESIGN AWARD: The May 5 Houston Symphony Society “Flowers Flourishes and FaLa La” invitation is absolutely whimsical, fanciful and endearing. The event is chaired by GABRIELA DROR, DIANE GENDEL, APRIL LYKOS with President of the Houston Symphony League President JANE CLARK. The tag line: “Friendship Fun Fashion Frivolity Festivity Favors “Filanthropy” (why isn’t it spelled this way anyway?) The event is at the Houston Country Club.

Runner-up for BEST INVITATION DESIGN: The May 2 Legacy Community Health Services

invitation is outstanding for its 8 x 10 size and the beautiful photograph of DEBRA and MARK GRIERSON on the front cover. Well done!

SHEER FASHION FUN AWARD:

April 29^th Cancer Fighters luncheon at Lakeside Country Club

In the clever and most capable hands of DALLAS HILL, the ultimate Fashion Director, this luncheon fashion show entitled “We’ve Got You Covered” was a smash. Featured were the Blinn College dancers, under the direction of JAMIE EVERETT, the musical direction of ZACH “DOC” WEBB and the talent of Elvis tribute artist, DAVID PERRY,. President of Cancer Fighters, TERRI STRAUGHN joined member models in fashions by NIMA.

MOST STAR-STUDDED AWARD:

The April 30 Houston Children’s Charity”A Gathering of Champions .. Mingle with the Stars, Under the Stars” dinner was held at the palatial home of PAIGE and TILMAN FERTITTA. Where else are you going to see the likes of NOLAN RYAN, YAO MING, JEFF BAGWELL, CRAIG BIGGIO, RAY CHILDRESS, CLYDE DREXLER, ELVIN BETHEA, ELVIN HAYES, TERRY PUHL, astronauts, several Houston Rockets, and the list goes on.

BOOK IT:

May 2 – Chairs BOB DEVLIN, MELISSA MITHOFF and SUSAN PLANK and Legacy Community Health Services present “Where Fashion Meets Philanthropy: honoring DEBRA and MARK GRIERSON. FMI: 713.574.9736

May 4 – The American Heart Association’s enormously popular “Go Red for Woman Expo & Luncheon will feature Former First Lady, BARBARA BUSH as keynote speaker. Chaired by LEISHA ELSENBROOK, the LEILA GILBERT volunteer of the year award receipient is JOANN CRASSAS. FMI: 713.610.5020

May 5 – Men of Distinction Luncheon benefiting children’s programs at Texas Children’s Hospital. Chairperson is Jess B. Tutor and the honorees are Tom Barrow, Dr. John Mendelsohn aand Mike Stude at the River Oaks Country Club. FMI: 713.623.2244

May 7 – The Moores School of Music Society “It’s Off to the Races” luncheon at the Junior League will honor SUZANNE BRANDRETT, BETH MADISON, SUE SMITH, SHELBY HODGE Aand SHAFIK RIFAAT. Chairmen are MARY ANN MCKEITHAN, KATHI REVERE and CATHY MCNAMARA. FMI: 713.743.3168

May 8 – Circle of Life Gala benefiting Memorial Hermann Foundation’s Pediatric and Adult Centers of Excellence in Neurosciences. Chairpersons Alino and Roberto Garcia, Donna and Tony Vallone and Sheridan and John Eddie Williams are the Chairpersons and Celia and Albert J. Weatherhead, III are being honored. FMI: 713.448.5220

May 8 – Virtuosi of Houston Young Artists Chamber Orchestra present “Legend of the Future VIII: Under the Colors of Mexico,” a annual concert and dinner at the InterContinental Legend Ballroom. The event is chaired by Mr. And Mrs. Jack McCrary and Dr. and Mrs. Meherwan Boyce. Honoerary Chairs are The Honorable Consul General of Mexico, Carlos Gonzalez-Magallon, Sra. Gonzalez-Magallon and Mr. Monzer Hourani.

May 12 – The 14^th annual Strong, Smart and Bold Celebration Luncheon benefiting Girls, Inc. inspiring all girls to be strong, smart and bold. Chaired by CORTNEY R. COLE, Mayor ANNISE PARKER is the keynote speaker and will receive the Strong, Smart and Bold Award; Center Point Energy will be accepting the Corporate Vision Award. FMI: 713.802.2260

May 14 – Kick Out Kidney Disease “Pump-A-Licious” Luncheon. Chaired by MERELE YARBOROUGH, the fashions are presented by Neiman Marcus.

May 13 – Evening in the Park, benefiting Hermann Park Conservancy. Chairs ANNE and NOBLE CARL, LUCY and WILLIAM CARL are chairing and the evening honors Peter Brown.

Saks Fifth Avenue is providing fashions from famed designers. FMI: 713. 524.5876

May 16 – 2010 Cardiac Cup benefiting Texas Children’s Hospital Heart Center at the Houston Polo Club. Houston Texan’s KRIS BROWN and his wife, Amy are the Honorary Chairs and the event is chaired by Dr. Aashish Shah and Roseann Rogers. FMI: 832.824.6818

May 16 – The Mission Incredible fundraising event benefits The Mission of Yahweh, a homeless shelter for women and children. At River Oak Country Club, the evening consists of a silent auction, dinner, dancing and award presentations to honorees Laura and Dave Ward, Monica Hartland and Pines Presbyterian Church. Chairmen are Pam Lockard and Lisa Lee Wilson. FMI: 713. 334.1800

GRAPEVINE GOSSIP

Elizabeth Taylor has definitely experienced adventure in her life! There is a rumor that La Liz is getting married again, but this is certainly not confirmed. Now, let’s see .. there was Conrad “Nicky” Hilton, Michael Wilding, Michael Todd, Eddie Fisher, Richard Burton, Ditto, John Warner and Larry Fortensky. So why not? If anyone deserves to be happy, it’s Ms. Taylor. Friends who have worked with her for many years say that she is one of the kindest people in the world.. with the biggest heart of anybody. And, so very shy. Ah love .. Ah Liz.

And hometown singing superstar, STEVE TYRELL is singing It Had to be You not only on his new CD but while he’s looking at our town’s KAREN PULASKI. They seem to have fallen right smack in the middle of it .. Ah, Love..Ah, Spring.

A local charitable organization had hoped that two time Oscar winner, Denzel Washington would appear at their fundraiser; but as fate would have it, he got a gig on Broadway in the revival of Fences co-starring Viola Davis.

REMENBERANCES:

One of America’s favorite actresses died in Houston’s medical center -DIXIE CARTER, who the Alley Theatre’s artistic director GREGORY BOYD describes as “an astonishingly versatile actor – everyone knows her expertise in contemporary comedy, but she also excelled in Shakespeare, in Wilde, in musicals. She was a sublime cabaret artist, and her act at the Carlyle in New York was the best cabaret act I’ve ever seen. She had the thing that the theatre at its best, though only rarely, sees in an artist – an inner light, a spiritual depth and an abiding sense of grace.” Whew..what a review. I’ll always remember her entertaining performances on television’s Designing Women and now I’ll remember Mr. Boyd’s beautiful recollections of her.

Houston lost a great philanthropist, DAN L. DUNCAN, the richest man in this city and one of the richest in the country and the world, when he unexpectedly passed away recently. There were so many accolades given to him at his funeral, which was attended by thousands; but for me, the best story was one where Duncan had invited people he had just met to visit he and Jan at his ranch. When they arrived, DUNCAN met them, dressed in his jeans, grabbed their bags and showed them to their room upstairs. The man, unaware that the person carrying his bag was Duncan, promptly offered him a tip of two dollars. Dan graciously accepted, said “thank you,” turned and left. I also came away with the three words that others used to describe DAN DUNCAN: humble, hard-working and honest…the three “Hs.” This is a man who lost his mother when he was seven, his only brother when he was 7 and his father when he was 17. He learned this mantra from his grandmother, “Always do the best you can.” I believe he did just that.

BRINGING IT HOME:

I admire Wayne Dyer, the great motivational speaker and author, who at this moment is facing a challenge with cancer. He said recently, “I remember that I am a spiritual being living in a human body temporarily. Everything is fine.”

And, that reminds me of when I interviewed Billy Graham he said, “I’ve read the last page of the Bible. It’s all going to turn out alright.”

Paramahausa Yogananda said: “Never mind the past. Have the unflinching determination to move on your path unhampered by limiting thoughts of past errors.”

Recently a good friend of mine, LISA MOSCARELLI had an overwhelming feeling that she MUST help Mount Carmel Academy raise much needed funds. This small school started out of the ashes of Mount Carmel High School which suddenly was forced to close. Like the Phoenix rising out of those ashes, students at the Academy have for the two years it has been open, excelled beyond all expectations. It is, one might rightly say, a Miracle School. Well, LISA took on the challenge, forged through the frights of producing a first time fundraising event and did a magnificent job. There is such a joy that comes with helping others.

Have you done something good for somebody today?