It's a delicious tradition that never seems to tire among the ladies supporting the Houston Grand Opera Ball — a swank lunch at Tony's with the cost of admission a $100 gift card from the attendee's favorite retailer or restaurant.
This year, in advance of the April 13 opera ball, jewelry designer Nini Hale sponsored the gathering that saw several scores of women pour into the San Remo Room for a tasty midday repast and plenty of socializing.
Not only did Hale underwrite the luncheon but she also presented ball chair Anne Mendelsohn and auction chair Isabel David with a pair of pearl button flower earrings, from her Nini Jewels collection, to be featured in the silent auction. The dazzlers in diamonds, sapphires and tsvorite are valued at $29,000. Working with Hale, John Evatz brought along a sampling of her precious creations.
Mendelsohn and her husband, Dr. John Mendelsohn, who takes over as HGO board chair only a month after the ball, are putting final details on the white-tie-and-tails gala themed "La Belle Époque."
Joining the pre-ball luncheon were Donna Bruni, Lynn Wyatt, Pat Breen, Marie Bosarge, Gracie Cavnar, Elizabeth Husseini, Beth Madison, Cynthia Petrello and Rini Ziegler.
