It was quite a few weeks for Fran Fawcett Peterson and Pamela Baker who are just now reporting in on their recent European adventures, the highlight of which had to be the swell dinner at Simpson's on the Strand where they and others celebrated her cousin, Dr. Michael Crawford, being named Brain of the Year.

That's a very heady title that originates with the London-based Brain Trust. Crawford is an expert in the chemistry of the human brain with special emphasis on fetal brain development. He is the founder of the Mother and Child Foundation, an international charity improving brain capacity of newborns by getting proper nutrition to poor mothers.

Fran and Pamela joined the table where the honoree was seated with London Mayor Lady Frances Stinton, Prince Moshin Ali Kahn, Sir Steve Redgrave (five-time Olympic rowing champion), Tony Buzan of Mind Mapping fame and Aboriginal artist Lorraine Gill. The Houstonians livened up the auction action by purchasing two of her works.

From London, the Houston duo headed to the Netherlands where they visited pal Lucy Bosscher, who works with The Hague, and viewed the birthday celebration and abdication of Queen Beatrix.

Honors to be bestowed

The American Leadership Forum will recognize two outstanding Houstonians at its annual awards dinner scheduled for Wednesday at the Royal Sonesta Hotel. Attorney Bill King, president of Southwest Airport Services and a public policy columnist, will be recognized with the Joseph Jaworski Leadership Award and Dorothy Gibbons, CEO of The Rose will receive the Public Service Award.

Planning ahead

Susan Krohn and Mary Yenik, founders of Knowledge Arts Foundation, would like for you to save the date — Nov. 13. That's when NFL super dad Archie Manning, father of Super Bowl winning quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, will take the stage at a fundraiser dinner for KAF at Hotel ZaZa where he will be interviewed by CBS sports commentator Spencer Tillman.

The senior Manning played quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, Houston Oilers and Minnesota Vikings and was a broadcaster for the Saints before hitting the field as a motivational speaker. First in line to greet manning will be dinner chairs Deedee and Wallis Marsh.