Before the social swells depart for their summers in cooler climes, the non-profits are filling the May calendar with kickoffs for their fall fundraisers and retailers are inviting others to shop for a worthy cause. Case in point: the March of Dimes Signature Chefs kickoff event at Del Frisco's Grille.
Grille GM Scott Sieck and Del Frisco's regional manager Arthur Mooradian hosted 45 guests to a feast of ahi tuna tacos, cheese steak egg rolls, wild mushroom flatbread, roasted tomato and mozzarella flatbread and mini crabcakes.
Welcoming guests were dinner chairs Gina and Dr. Devinder Bhatia and Susan and Michael Plank. Taking bows in advance of the Oct. 25 gourmet extravaganza were community honorees Rosemary Schatzman and Vanessa Sendukas and corporate honoree Franco Valobra.
Gearing up for the fall season even before the spring season has closed were Katie and Todd Borland, Perry Sendukas, Cathy Cagle, Amanda Hance and Deon Dillard.
Across town in the Galleria, Fendi opened its doors for a shopping evening to supporters of the Center for Hearing and Speech. Kimberly DeLape and Michelle Smith chaired the evening that saw 10 percent of sales go to CHS. Fendi store manager Karen Tentori reports that close $23,000 in sales took place that night and that the charitable offering will be extended through Monday.
Amber Bretches and daughter Lamar Bretches were among the guests, these two having come on board to chair next year's gala for the non-profit. Add Brian Cordes, Andrew Teichman and Kim Freeman to the party mix.
Taylor Swift close up
We're sure that loads of fans have concert stories to tell but we doubt that many were as lucky as Jane Howze and John Lamar and friends who not only had perfect seats at Toyota Center but also were able to go backstage for a meet-and-greet with Taylor Swift.
Swift's aunt, Alison Finlay, works at the Alexander Group where Howze and Lamar are managing directors and she was able to arrange the magic moments with the singing sensation. This was not their first visit with Swift. “We remember when Taylor performed at our office in 2003,” Howze emailed. “She was unbelievably talented, even though she was only 13 years old.”
Prior to the concert, the firm hosted a cocktail party for clients and friends at Lamar's high-rise digs near the Toyota Center.
Sight 'ems
Handbag designer Cornelia Guest, in town for personal appearances at Tootsies, dining in the bar at Tony's where Joan Schnitzer-Levy hosted an intimate dinner for a handful of ladies — Mary Elizabeth Mecom Hahnfeld, Linda McReynolds, Courtney Hobson and Donna Vallone . . .
Dan Pastorini and Pam Morse at Del Frisco’s Grille sampling the new Dan Pastorini Burger . . .
Houston Texans fan favorite and wide receiver Andre Johnson and three pals in the Owner's Box private suite at the Houston Texans Grille, taking in some of the NBA playoffs. On the menu: caesar salad with mahi mahi and firecracker popcorn shrimp.
Former Houston Astros president George Postolos with another gent attempting a low profile at a side table La Griglia ,where the power forces lunching including Roxann Neumann, the Rev. T.J. Martinez and David Langworthy discussing Cristo Rey Jesuit, Vidal Martinez and Jay Guerrero head huddling, and at various other tables Sharon Adams, Leisa Holland-Nelson, Michael Gamson, Keith Spickelmier and more.
Vanessa Sendukas, from left, Franco Valobra and Rosemary Schatzman at Del Frisco's Grille for Signature Chefs event.
