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    Breast Cancer Battles

    Three remarkable women recount breast cancer battle at razzle dazzle luncheon

    Shelby Hodge
    Oct 6, 2014 | 12:12 pm

    There could not have been a more heartwarming luncheon than Memorial Hermann's recent Razzle Dazzle Breast Cancer Awareness fundraiser at the Westin Houston Memorial City where three remarkable women took the spotlight with their stories that brought tears, standing ovations and cheers from the sellout crowd of 550.

    While breast cancer survivors were the true heroes of the "Rhapsody in Pink" luncheon, it was honoree Donna Vallone, herself a breast cancer survivor, who set the impressive warm and loving tone of the event. Add the enthusiastic spirits of the three chairs — Sandy Barrett, Jo Lynn Falgout and Grace Kim, each personal friends of Vallone — and there was no way this luncheon would be anything less than a roaring success. (Kim is a 10-year breast cancer survivor.)

    A unique aspect to the luncheon was the fact that mammograms were available that day for ladies who were due for the annual exam.

    Donna was joined by most of her immediate family at a large table where she and husband Tony Vallone greeted well-wishers.

    The heart-wrenching aspect of the program came from Caroline Brown's testimonial, recounting her story of early breast cancer and its affect on her fertility.The happy ending was a bouncing baby girl, made possible through surrogacy.

    Keynote speaker was the energetic, entrepreneurial powerhouse jewelry designer Kendra Scott. The Austin resident shared with the audience her seven steps for living a full life as well as the story of a very close friend recently diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer which had spread to her spine.

    A unique aspect to the luncheon beyond tours of the Bobetta Lindig Breast Center was the fact that mammograms were available that day for ladies who were due for the annual exam. Proceeds from the luncheon are earmarked for breast center community outreach, state-of-the-art equipment and cancer education resources.

    Memorial Hermann honchos turned out in force including Memorial Hermann Health System president and CEO Dan Wolterman, health system COO Chuck Stokes, Memorial Hermann Foundation CEO Ileana Trevino, health system chief legal officer Deborah Gordon and Children's Memorial Hermann CEO Susie Distefano.

    Among those arriving early and staying late to shop the boutique of local purveyors including Kendra Scott, each of whom donated a percentage of sales to the center, were Dr. Yvonne Cormier, Joni Ballas, Bobetta Lindig, Lora Clemmons, Diane Lokey Farb, Debbie Pakzaban, Christine Falgout, Kimberly Falgout, Philamena Baird, Soraya McClelland and Alina Garcia.

    Luncheon chairs Grace Kim, from left, Sandy Barrett and Jo Lynn Falgout.

      
    Photo by © Michelle Watson CatchLightGroup.com
    Luncheon chairs Grace Kim, from left, Sandy Barrett and Jo Lynn Falgout.
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    Blooms and Baroque

    Vivaldi and vino charm Houstonians at enchanted garden soirée

    Joel Luks
    Jun 17, 2025 | 5:15 pm
    Prelude Music Foundation Vivaldi in the Garden
    Photo by Kit Peltier
    Sebastian Godfrey, Ana Treviño-Godfrey, Kimberly Borders, and Charlene Tombar.

    In a West University garden scented with jasmine and strung with twinkling lights, Prelude Music Foundation hosted its “Vivaldi in the Garden” soirée, transforming a quiet spring night into a multisensory celebration of music and meaning.

    Hosts Sarrah and Jim Petersen opened the gates to their blooming backyard hideaway, where guests wandered through lush layers of hibiscus, hydrangeas, and milkweed before settling in under lantern-lit trellises. Chairs Caroline Reichert and Lauren Sanders curated a romantic tablescape of golden linens, music note napkins, and flickering votives—a nod to the night’s harmonic heart.

    The evening’s highlight was an electrifying performance by a sextet from Mercury Chamber Orchestra, led by Jonathan Godfrey on solo violin. From Vivaldi’s Four Seasons to Piazzolla’s smoky Libertango, each piece shimmered with energy and soul. Ana Treviño Godfrey, co-founder of Prelude, spoke passionately about the cognitive magic of early music education, connecting the dots between melody and neurogenesis.

    Adding playful charm? Grown-up musical chairs — live-scored, naturally — and the chance to “Take Home the Garden,” with blooms offered for donation. Guests clinked glasses of rosé and filled wine passports from four global vineyards, thanks to sommeliers from Everywine and nibbles from Hungry’s.

    Funds raised will support Prelude’s programs at 13 underserved schools, plus Ronald McDonald House Charities and Casa de Esperanza.

    Adding sparkle to the soirée were Rachel Regan, Steven Godfrey, Isabel David, Melanie Lawson, Carlos Treviño, Briana and Rachel Conner, Bernadette Verzosa and Len Cannon, Marsha and Michael Bourque, Caroline Le Feuvre and Jeff Shaddix, Lauren and Adam Selwyn, Julia and Michael Hiner, Mary Morgan and Reed Stevens, Gretchen and Ken Penny, Courtney and Jordan Chester, Martha Villanueva and Jordan Gross, Erika Westberry, Kimberly Borders, Katie Koenig and Doug Dirschl, Sarah and Christopher Lewis, Eli Levinowitz and Art Levinowitz, Tricia Monticello Kievlan, Atalia Castro and Chrystian Quinones, Jaime and Matt Titus, and Charlene and Tym Tombar.

    Prelude Music Foundation Vivaldi in the Garden
      

    Photo by Kit Peltier

    Sebastian Godfrey, Ana Treviño-Godfrey, Kimberly Borders, and Charlene Tombar.

    fundraisersprelude music foundation
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