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    Shelby's Social Diary

    Becca Cason Thrash receives high French honors in Paris and becomes "TheHonorable"

    Shelby Hodge
    May 1, 2011 | 4:30 pm
    • Photo by Michel Dufour
    • The single table in the Amassador's residence was set for 64 tres notableguests, all honoring Becca Cason Thrash.
      Photo by Michel Dufour
    • Photo by Michel Dufour
    • Photo by Michel Dufour
    • Ambassdor Charles Rivikin addresses guests in the main salon where thepresentation took place.
      Photo by Michel Dufour
    • Photo by Michel Dufour
    • Photo by Michel Dufour

    Typically, when the U.S. Ambassador to France hosts a formal dinner in the official Paris residence, Hotel de Pontalba, tables of 10 are placed around the historic dining room. But not so when Becca Cason Thrash was feted at a black-tie dinner celebrating her decoration as a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor.

    "You know me," she quipped, while still on a very real high from the excitement of the ceremonies in Paris.

    Known for her exquisite dinner parties in Houston, Becca had her own ideas of how she wanted the once-in-a-lifetime evening to unfold. Happily for all, Ambassador Charles Rivkin and wife Susan Tolson were perfectly amenable to the vision of this Texan in Paris. A very proud John Thrash co-hosted the elegant soirée along with the Rivkins.

    The evening began with cocktails in the garden on what turned out to be a prefect spring night on which Becca greeted Christian Louboutin (wearing a velvet jacket in his signature red), Pucci designer Peter Dundas, Carolyne Roehmand a host of European notables. The dashing Monsour Taghdisi was the only other Houstonian to join the fete.

    As the sun began to set, guests moved into the grand salon for presentation of the medal by Chevalier Maryvonne Pinault. Becca was recognized for her philanthropy at home and abroad, her unprecedented fundraising for the Louvre and her championing of Franco-American relations.We are told that Becca's acceptance speech was flawless — part French (she's been studying ardently for two years) and part English.

    Becca chose a beige, beautifully-beaded cocktail dress by Marchesa for the evening. While tradition holds that the Legion of Honor medal is pinned on the honoree's clothing, the fabric of this dress was just too fragile for the heavy pins of the medal so Madame Pinault ceremoniously handed the Maltese cross medal to the beaming recipient.

    "It was absolutely by far one of the most exciting things that's ever happened in my life," Becca said. "Now, I'm The Honorable!" she added, laughing deliciously.

    The 64 illustrious guests, who had come to see this high-fashion Texan receive the high French honor, then adjourned to the candlelit dining salon for a multi-course feast and spirited conversation. Perhaps the most interesting man at the table was French luxury goods titan Francois Pinault, whose PPR brands include Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Alexander McQueen. Although there was much speculation, he never revealed that McQueen's Sarah Burton was designing Kate Middleton's wedding gown.

    The guest list included a heady collection of Hennessys, an Hermes and a Picasso and from the U.S. Christopher Forbes, Blaine Trump and Cece Cord.

    The party continued on at the exclusive private club Mathis where Veuve Cliquot's Stephane Gerschel and Mary Ellen and Roberto Marziale of London hosted a bash for Becca that went on until 3 a.m.

    In the end, the glowing Becca headed off to bed with the honor that places her in such vaunted company as French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld and Estée Lauder.

    "It's remarkable that they've given me this honor," she said. "It was really, really fun."

    unspecified
    news/society

    Medics on the Keys

    Houston doctors play a Steinway to support pediatric burn program

    Joel Luks
    Jun 16, 2025 | 6:00 pm
    Doctors in Recital 2025
    Courtesy of Doctors in Recital
    Dr. Michael Yafi and Amanda Watson.

    What happens when scalpel-wielding professionals swap the OR for a Steinway? Something pretty magical. For the third annual Doctors in Recital, Houston’s Steinway Piano Gallery orchestrated a night where medicine met music — and heartbeats gave way to half notes — all in support of the city’s only Pediatric Burn Program.

    Held at the newly renovated River Oaks Theatre, the performers welcomed a crowd of friends, family, supporters, and members of the medical community for a musicale. The program spotlighted 12 multi-talented physicians, whose day jobs span cardiology to pediatric surgery, as they played their hearts out on two exquisite Steinway grands.

    The performance piano: A gleaming Model B-Spirio in ebony, digitally recording each performance. Its show-stealing counterpart? A limited edition Steinway X Disney: Mickey Mouse piano — one of just 25 in the world — designed by Italian artist Elena Salmistraro in honor of Disney’s 100th anniversary.

    Amanda Watson, chair of the event and rep for Steinway Piano Gallery of Houston, welcomed the audience, setting the tone for an evening of artful giving. Then came Dr. Michael Yafi, co-chair and performer, who riffed on art history and the legendary Viennese surgeon-musician Billroth. A nod to the storied connection between music and medicine, his remarks underscored the tenor of the evening: Compassion, creativity, and care.

    The performances were a blend of classical favorites — think Beethoven, Chopin, and Rachmaninoff — with a dash of good-humored flair. There may have been a few lighthearted shenanigans (it’s not every day you hear a doctor sneak in a playful glissando mid-Rachmaninoff), but the audience loved it. These weren’t just notes on a page — they were love letters to both music and medicine.

    Rounding out the evening was Dr. Kevin Lally, who offered insight into the cause behind the concert: The Burn Program in the Department of Pediatric Surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. As the city’s only pediatric burn unit, it treats more than 400 children annually, provides $50,000 in free burn care supplies, and serves a community of 2.3 million.

    Among the doctor performers were Neale Clark, Ryan Dickey, Natalie Drucker, Liliane Hay, Khashayar Hematpour, Maria Matuszczak, Aki Nishikawa, Marc Rhoads, Allison Speer, Tony Tran,and Pansy Tung, joined by guest performer Chaden Yafi, who teaches five of the participating doctors.

    Doctors in Recital 2025
      

    Courtesy of Doctors in Recital

    Dr. Michael Yafi and Amanda Watson.

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