What better place to have a gathering of pretty people than in a sparkling setting like Valobra Jewelry? Just ask Carol and Mike Linn, chairs of the Nov. 1 "A Samarita Celebration," who gathered their glittery troops at the Highland Village emporium for a launch party.

The Linns were joined by Samaritan Spirit honorees Terri and John Havens and Dr. Charles Fraser, surgeon-in-chief at Texas Children's Hospital. All turned out in support of the Krist Samaritan Center.

The ladies and gents oooohed and aaaaahed over Franco Valobra's contribution to the fundraiser auction — a spectacular pearl necklace accented with citrine and amethyst.

Serious shopping

It was an afternoon of shopping with purpose and news from Houston Grand Opera at Saks Fifth Avenue where ladies gathered for a luncheon and presentation featuring the Armani fall collection. Anne Mendelsohn, who chairs the April 13, 2013, gala with her husband Dr. John Mendelsohn, announced that the theme of the grand evening will be La Belle Époque.

While Saks donated 10% of sales that day to HGO, ladies perusing the merchandise included Robin Angly, who organized the lunch, plus Isabel David, Anna Dean, Valerie Palmquist Dieterich, Danielle Ellis, Zavaha Haenosh, Cynthia Petrello, Barbara Van Postman, Birgitt van Wijk and Rini Ziegler along with Saks GM Terry Zmyslo.

Nutcracker Market maneuvers

Houston Ballet's Patsy Chapman recently received a letter from the principal at Velasco Elementary School requesting that Houston Ballet open the Nutcracker Market early on Saturday, Nov. 10, because every teacher in her school has requested Friday off to attend the market and they don’t have enough substitutes to fill in for every teacher.

Chapman playfully responded that the school district should declare Friday a holiday, "Nutcracker Market Day," and give all the teachers the day off so they can shop 'til they drop.

Special honors

That would be the recognition givento Sofia Adrogué and Rabbi Adrienne Scott as honorees at the National Council of Jewish Women's 2012 "Women of Influence Brunch" held at the Julia Ideson Library. Hosting the gathering of 150 women and sprinkling of men were chairs Beth Wolff and Evelyn Leightman.

Best birthday ever

There was a very special guest list for Joan Schnitzer-Levy's most recent milestone birthday — men only and most of those were former boyfriends for this vibrant, youthful and, yes, still sexy dame of a certain age.

Irene Robertson arranged for the private room at The Houstonian Manor House for the midday feast. Among those helping Joan blow out the candles were two astronauts — Gene Cernan and Walt Cunningham — oilman John Mecom, Dr. Denton Cooley, Sam Douglass, Robert Sakowitz, Barry Silverman and more.

"I thought it was just the best idea," she said. "Instead of having a bunch of women, the men really enjoyed it."

The party, full of reminiscences, went on for hours. And, no, hubby Irvin Levy was not invited. He wisely remained at home in Dallas.

Sight 'ems

Venerable members of the old guard taking over Tony's bar including — and at various tables — Rose and Harry Cullen, Sally and Nathan Avery, Tony and Isaac Arnold, Nancy Allen, Elise and Russell Joseph plus Patti and John Everett . . .

American Idol alum and Tony Award nominee Constantine Maroulis and R&B superstar and Grammy Award nominee Deborah Cox (both here for TUTS' Jekyll & Hyde) lunching at RDG between their rounds visiting TVand radio stations promoting the musical . . .

Celebrity chef, author and TV host G. Garvin dining with friends at Philippe Restaurant . . .

Writer and South Asian TV anchor Ruchi Mukherjee celebrating her birthday with a 50 Shades of Black & White party at Hotel Icon's L&L Bar.