It was a rare treat for an intimate group of Brilliant Lecture Series supporters when the non-profit's chairman emeritus, Lynn Wyatt, opened her River Oaks home for a reception honoring Hungarian violinist Edvin Marton. His presence alone might have been special enough but the brief cocktail gathering soared when Marton gifted the group with a round on his violin.
No ordinary violin mind you, Marton performs on a 300-year-old Stradivarius and he brings his talents in full force to Wortham Theater Center with a Brilliant Lecture Series performance on Sept. 20. In addition to the brief musical interlude, Marton shared a bit of his history with the gathering that included Brilliant Lecture Series founder and executive director Scott Brogan.
Among the lucky guests were Gracie and Bob Cavnar, Carol and Mike Linn, Antoine Plante and Lori Muratt, Melissa and Michael Mithoff, Isabel and Danny David and Houston Grand Opera artistic director Patrick Summers.
A Star at the table
In Houston for the National Black MBA Association conference, attorney and TV personality Star Joneswas an item at a central table in Tony's where she was the guest of Diedra and Terence Fontaine, METRO chief administrative officer.
Among the star gazers in the restaurant was Fred Zeidman, a friend of the Fontaines, who asked to say hello and then asked Jones if she would speak to his wife, Kay Zeidman, on the cell phone. Kay is a huge Jones fan and the two visited for five minutes or so.
A proud University of Houston Cougar, Jones was quick to point out that she earned her law degree at UH.
H-town welcome
In one of numerous steps toward blending St. Luke's Hospital System into the family of Catholic Health Initiatives, Jana and Scotty Arnoldy, a long-time system board member and chairman, opened their River Oaks to community leaders for introduction to Kevin Lofton, president and CEO of the Denver-based health system.
Among the movers and shakers tuning into Lofton's remarks were Susan and David Fine, Susan and Dick Hansen, Michael and Melissa Mithoff, Pam and Dr. David Pam Ott, Beth Robertson, Leonard Tallerine and Howard Tellepsen.
Extra change to spare?
Memorial Hermann Foundation is passing the hat — in a very big way — in order to meet requirements of the $1 million challenge grant recently offered by the Mabee Foundation in support of facility capital improvements at TIRR Memorial Hermann.
To meet the challenge, Memorial Hermann Foundation must secure approximately $2.3 million in additional commitments by June 30, 2014, which will complete the $17.6 million expansion project. To support the challenge or learn more about the project, click here.
Kevin Lofton, left, with Jana and Scotty Arnoldy at the St. Luke's Hospital System gathering.
