Interests in science and medicine came together over cocktails a the Tanglewood home of Laura and George Pontikes when they honored Baylor College of Medicine president and CEO Dr. Paul Klotman at a kickoff event for Baylor College of Medicine's President's Circle. Members came from New York and Los Angeles, all committed to advancing the medical school.

Part of the evening's diversions included tours of the Pontikes extensive wine cellar, said to rival that of Tony's.

BCM supporters on hand included President's Circle members Ozi Amanat, David Dominy and David Saperstein, along with BCM board chair Marc Shapiro and wife Jeri, BCM board member Tom Powers and wife Pat, Sushila and Durga Agrawal, Joan and Stanford Alexander, Bill King and Neda Ladjevardian, Bain Pearson Pitts and John Pitts.

Artful schmoozing

Fans and friends of visual artist Taft McWhorter gathered at the home of songbird Kristine Mills and hubby Jacques Borisewitz for the launch of his new collection "Double Entendre." Among guests were patrons who have commissioned works in the series that features colorful presentations of song lyrics or lines of poetry that are woven into the painting along with an embedded message.

The "Double Entendre" paintings will be included in a coffee table book of McWhorter's works, to be published in the spring. Diane and Michael Caplan and Dr. Roland Maldonado and his partner Joel Bickley were among partygoers who've commissioned paintings in the series.

Swaying to Mills' tunes (she's headed to the Metropolitan Room in New York in October) were Amy and Dado Matkins, Toan Nguyen, Sydney Jim, Sasha Meyer, John Kuhl, Reggie and Tom Nichols, Beth Wolff, Heidi and Steven Skiff, Lisa Pittman and Elizabeth and Lou Wilson.

Sight 'ems

A heavy-hitter group of Houston Grand Opera supporters — the special events committee — lunching at Tony Mandola's where they chewed over not only a special menu but also upcoming HGO happenings with HGO director of special events Scott Ipsen. The lunching ladies included special events committee chair Donna Bruni, Becca Cason Thrash, Sharin Norman, Isabel David, Anna Dean, Ashley Wehrly and more . . .

Margaret Alkek Williams and Saks Fifth Avenue GM Terry Zmyslo dining at Ristorante Cavour at Hotel Granduca, celebrating her being named Legendary Woman of Distinction, with Bob and Donna Bruni, enjoying honors as one of 10 Women of Distinction . . .

Marita Fairbanks and Kelli Blanton headhuddling at Brasserie 19 over plans for the Texas Medal of Arts Awards events that they are co-chairing in March.