When is a trip to China so much more than just a trip to China? When your tour guide and translator is KTRK Ch. 13 news ace Miya Shay. Just ask PR guru Kim Padgett and Bridal Extravangaza's Laurette Veres, who are just back from a jaunt with Miya that included climbing the Great Wall in Beijing, visiting the Terra Cotta Warriors in Xi'an and taking in the sights of Shanghai.

While in Shanghai, the trio met up with world-renowned architect Marshall Strabala, who designed Houston Ballet's Center for Dance when he was with Gensler. Today, he heads his own firm, 2Define Architecture based in Shanghai. He moved to China to serve as director of design for the 128-story Shanghai Tower, which will be the second tallest building in the world when completed in 2014.

But it was bargains, not architecture, that these women were pursuing. With Strabala's wife, Joan Mills, as their guide, the ladies loaded up their suitcases with fab purchases. After a full day of shopping, the famed architect treated all to dinner at Din Tai Fung in the city's hip Xintiandi development.

A little night partying

Jessica Rossman and Gordon Bethune opened their River Oaks oasis last week for an invitation-only "Supper in the Garden" benefiting Planned Parenthood. Along with dinner co-chairs Nancy McGregor Manne and Neal Manne, they welcomed close to 60 friends, business luminaries and movers and shakers.

Larry Kellner, former chairman and CEO of Continental Airlines and current president of Emerald Creek Group, a private equity firm based in Houston, was speaker and he talked not on the airline industry but on the value of Planned Parenthood. The non-profit should be beyond political games, he said, as it provides vital medical services to many. He added that 97 percent of those services are cancer screenings, medical check-ups and prenatal care for expectant families.

Candlelight glimmered on the tables as Jackson & Co.'s staff presented its signature delectable fare to the applause of guests that included U.S. District Judge Nancy Atlas, Scott Atlas, Ginni and Richard Mithoff, Nancy and George Peterkin, Kathryn and Jim Ketelsen, United executive veep Nene Foxhall, Dr. Lucho Rossman, Catherine and Dr. Cenk Ozdogan, Katherine and Carlos Treistman and United Airlines senior veep Dave Hilfman.

The big 75th

Looking at David McKeithan, we say that 75 is the new 65. Other than the load of grandchildren (10 in all, ranging in age from 1 to 15)) turning out for his birthday bash at the Briar Club on Sunday, his age would have been hard to guess.

It was a tropical fete that included a steel band, lighted palm trees, tropical flowers, leis for all and a feast of tropical-inspired dishes including a whole roasted pig. Clearly, David's bride, Mary Ann McKeithan, had been working on this event for some time.

Heading up the guest list were the couple's three daughters and their husbands — Missy and David Burke, Mary Lynn and Ferdy Khater and Megan and Armando Rossell, who came in from Oklahoma City. Special friends Mary Lee Merritt and Suzanne McCrary presented the birthday with Hawaiian leis made from orchids.

Among the more than 200 celebrants were Andy and Del Delery, Maryann and Jodie Hoffer, Joann and Bill Crassas, Cappy and Darlene Bisso, Ed McMahon, Cora Sue and Harry Mach, Sydney and Don Faust, Julia and Russell Frankel, Lilly and Thurmon Andress, Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein and Martin Fein, Barbara and Ulyesse LeGrange and on and on.

Film notes

The audience at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston sat spellbound Monday night as the final credits rolled on Andy Bellin's film Trust. MFAH curator of film and video Marian Luntz introduced screenwriter Bellin to the riveted group that included proud family members — his wife Kate Criner Bellin; her parents, Susie and Sanford Criner; and her sisters, Annie and Mary Criner.

With the tough subject matter (an online predator who rapes a young girl), the audience was said to have sat stunned at the film's end. But Bellin quickly warmed the audience with his smart style and intelligent handling of questions from the floor.

The crowd included Muffet Blake, Michael Zilkha, Fredericka Hunter, Vance Muse, Carl Palazzolo, Molly Hubbard, Patty Hubbard, Sally and Philip Edmundson, Marita Fairbanks and Cece and Mack Fowler.

A diploma and big rocks

That was the combination at Tootsies when long-time best friends jewelry designer Kathy Bracewell and Kathy McCord took over for a combo trunk show/ graduation celebration/fundraiser for the Monarch School. Kathy's daughter, Jennifer McCord, just graduated.

Invited guests poured over the agate jewelry in Kathy Bracewell's Agate Ranch + Marfa collection while sipping cocktails and admiring dresses by Lela Rose. The afternoon partygoers, cosseted by Tootsies' Shelley Ludwick and Fady Armanious, included proud pappa Jody McCord, Carol Fondren, Deborah Friedkin, Susie Friedkin, Brad Bracewell, Kim Moody, Kathy Cire, Katie Cullen, Sandy Eckles and Jeanie Janke.

Sight 'ems

Bill Boyar, BoyarMiller chairman, taking over a corner of El Tiempo on Richmond for a graduation party for several newly-minted professionals including his son, Justin Boyer, celebrating completion of his MBA at the University of Houston. Other UH MBA grads tipping the margarita glasses were Andrew Cobos, David Stewart, Jeffrei Clifton and Brandon Ferguson. Also in the mix were Michelle Kolcun, Hallie Kuntz and John Daugherty III.

Melinda and Dr. Norman Berkman hosting a birthday dinner for friends at El Tiempo on Richmond where birthday girl Melinda blew out the candles along with birthday boys John Eddie Williams, Mike Mayell and Shafik Rifaat. Joining the party were Diane and John Connally, Karen and Mark Johnson, Sheridan Williams and Karen Mayell . . .

The touring cast of Mamma Mia commandeering the recently-debuted Vue Nightclub for a midnight cabaret performance benefiting AIDS Foundation Houston. For this special performance, something the cast does in each city where they perform, Vue's vast dance floor was transformed into a performance space with rows of chairs surrounding the stage. Organized by AFH's Nathan Kasselder, the party lasted into the wee morning hours.