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    Shelby About Town

    Matt Schaub makes romance, the mayor makes a birthday party and the ladiescelebrate Valentine's

    Shelby Hodge
    Feb 17, 2012 | 3:11 pm
    • Ann Carl, from left, Kim Moody and Rachel Regan at the Sweethearts tea at theFour Seasons.
      Photo by Kim Coffman
    • Susan Boggio, from left, Kathy Borlenghi, Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein and Phoebe Tudorat the Four Seasons.
      Photo by Kim Coffman
    • Susan Boggio, from left, Franco Valobra and Rosemarie Johnson at the UNICEF galalaunch.
      Photo by Kim Coffman
    • Bob Borochoff and Jane Cummins, pictured at a party last year, celebrated hisbirthday at Del Frisco's.
      Photo by David A. Brown
    • This photo taken only weeks before Brad and Joanna's engagement.
      Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
    • Pershant and Nidhika Mehta at Valobra.
      Photo by Kim Coffman
    • Jodi Doughty, from left, Warner Roberts and Angela Moore at the Four Seasons.
      Photo by Kim Coffman

    Nevermind the Ladies Who Lunch. How about the Gals Who Go for Tea? Several dozen leading ladies gathered at the Four Seasons Hotel on Valentine's Day for a launch of that downtown hotel's afternoon tea service.

    It was the second annual Houston Sweethearts Valentine's Day Tea, founded by Warner Roberts to recognize fantastic femmes. Taking bows as honorees on Tuesday were Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein, Mehrnaz Gill, Monica Hartland, Rachel Regan, Michelle Smith and Phoebe Tudor. For that honor, they received crystal awards presented by Bruce Padilla of Baccarat.

    The mid-afternoon gathering was hosted by last year's Sweetheart contingent Anne Carl, Kimberly DeLape, Deborah Duncan, Sylvia Forsythe, Kim Moody and Alicia Smith along with Warner.

    Four Seasons GM Dirk Burghartz and staffers Jodi Doughty and Angela Moore welcomed the group of more than 100 that included Martha Turner, Dallas Hill, Patti Murphy, Leisa Holland-Nelson, Kathi Rovere, Ellie Francisco, Merele Yarborough, Carol Sawyer and Linda Brown.

    The hotel inaugurated the twice-weekly tea service a day early for this special group. Tea will be served (along with bubbly, if preferred) from 2 to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

     Gearing up for UNICEF

    The ever-charming Franco Valobra opened his namesake jewelry emporium in Highland Village for a night of toasting Nidhika and Pershant Mehta, who will receive the Spirit of Compassion Award at the March 31 UNICEF World Ball. Generous philanthropists, they will be recognized at the black-tie gala for their advocacy for children around the world.

    While guests sipped champagne, Franco revealed a few dazzling jewelry pieces that will be part of the gala auction. And that put big smiles on the faces of gala chairs Susan Boggio and Rosemarie Johnson.

    Toasting the honorees were Donatella and Fred Benckenstein, Mehrnaz Gill, Karina and Carlos Barbieri, Matt Johnson, Dan Boggio, Phoebe Tudor and Tony Bass. Look for them and others at the UNICEF gala at the Hilton Americas-Houston.

     The Mayor made this party

     Cafe Adobe owner Bob Borochoff, born in 1956, celebrated his 56th birthday in the second floor wine room of Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House Wednesday night at an intimate dinner party hosted by his special lady Jane Cummins. In addition to Mayor Annise Parker and partner Kathy Hubbard and City Councilman Steve Costello and wife Debbie, the guest list was heavy on restaurateurs.

    Helping Bob blow out the candles were Pappas Restaurant's Chris and Maria Pappas, Jack in the Box franchisees Melita and Atour Eyvazian and Gringo's and Jimmy Changas honchos Monica and Russell Ybarra. Forget the birthday cake, this three-course dinner ended with Del Frisco's decadent cheesecake and creme brulee.

     Love feast

    That's what it seemed like at Tony's for Valentine's Day dinner when three couples, among the 500 diners served that night, celebrated their engagements.

    Tops on the list were Brad Marks of I.W. Marks Jewelers and Joanna Hartland, who toasted their future nuptials with her twin sister and brother-in-law Hannah and Cal McNair, Houston Texans vice chairman. A giant bouquet of flowers on their table almost obscured sight lines. The card on the flowers read, "To the prettiest twins we know."

    Nearby, Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub enjoyed a romantic Valentine's dinner with wife Laurie.

     Kristine Mills' New York debut

    If you're in Manhattan tonight, you might want to pop over to the Metropolitan Room, the jazz club on West 22nd Street, to catch this Houston talent's performance with pianist Tommy "T.J." James, conductor and arranger for the Duke Ellington Orchestra.

     Kristine is a popular jazz singer on the Houston club scene, named by Houston Press as Best Songwriter in 2010 and Best Female Vocalist in 2009.

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    Spritzed With Style

    Houston charity’s Pearls of Wisdom gala is a real gem of a night

    Joel Luks
    Jul 14, 2025 | 3:02 pm
    Vita Living Pearls of Wisdom gala 2025
    Photo by Andy Phan
    Brian Crawmer, Sarah Crawmer, Marilyn and David Guion.

    Some came for the Aperol Spritz, others for the cause, and all left a little more hopeful.

    Vita Living Pearls of Wisdom gala 2025
      

    Photo by Andy Phan

    Brian Crawmer, Sarah Crawmer, Marilyn and David Guion.

    On a lively evening at River Oaks Country Club, guests gathered for Vita Living’s annual Pearls of Wisdom gala, where community, compassion, and a splash of Italian flair came together for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

    Chaired by Kristen Perrin, Pamela Perilloux, and Bryan P. Smith, the evening began with a color-splashed cocktail hour, where attendees mingled in vibrant attire, sipping spritzes and eyeing a meticulously curated silent auction. Among the standout items were a six-night escape to a riverfront condo near Beaver Creek (courtesy of Doug Dawson), a luxury three-night getaway to Chablé Yucatán Chocholá (thank you, Chablé), and a striking aluminum-mounted photograph, Golden Koi by Joe C. Aker, gleaming with texture and motion.

    Emcee Kip Altstaetter opened the program with warmth and wit. Joseph Cooper, Vita Living CEO, delivered the invocation before passing the mic to the evening’s co-chairs for special remarks. Guests then watched a moving video introduced by Myrla Menn and Beth and John Hoffman, which offered an intimate look at the lives changed by Vita Living’s services.

    The live auction helmed with high energy by Johnny Bravo Entertainment brought gala-goers to their feet, paddles flying in support of the nonprofit’s essential work. But the night didn’t end with dinner and donations. Supporters lingered and celebrated with a late-night gelato bar and warm camaraderie.

    Founded in 1982, Vita Living has grown from a single home created by founder Renée Wallace for her son to a network of 20 group homes across Houston. The organization’s case management program serves more than 300 children and adults across seven counties.

    This year’s record-breaking total — $207,000 raised — underscores the community’s growing commitment to supporting inclusive care and lifelong dignity.

    Among the 300 present were Kara Willis, Charcole Santiago, Peter and Krystyna Cawthorne, Jim Roberts, David Payne, Clint Fritts, Andrew Campbell, Eddie and Kim Perdomo, Brian and Sarah Crawmer, David and Marilyn Guion, Larry and Christina O’Donnell, Chris Mehling, Lorraine Olah, Bella McNeill, Jonathan Puig, Ellie Rotan, Juliana Workman, Forrest and Katie Wynn, Louis and Ashley Pearce, Chandos Dodson Epley, Evans and Theresa Attwell, Mariquita Masterson, and Andy and Ashley Mejia.

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