Cloris Leachman is a riot about to happen. Consider her appearance Thursday at the Alzheimer's Association luncheon at River Oaks Country Club.

She took over the start of the annual Family Portrait luncheon from CEO Richard Elbein and insisted that the ballroom full of women and a sprinkling of men stand and sing the national anthem. They did as the former Broadway star led the a cappella moment.

When asked for a photo with one of the taller guests, Leachman obliged but not before she took off her shoes, stood on a chair and playfully tugged at the woman's hair. Apparently, it's no holds barred when Leachman is around. The Oscar winner and nine-time Emmy winner had the audience under her spell, even after a full hour of non-stop discourse. And the woman is 83 and counting. They were still asking for more when her son and manager, George Englund Jr., gave her the ax sign.

Leachman first talked about her mother-in-law, actress Mabel Albertson (Darren's mother on Bewitched), who died of Alzheimer's in 1982. Then she launched into tales of her truly amazing career. She could've talked on forever, it seemed.

Ka-ching!

They're truly dancing on their toes at Houston Ballet with the final tally in from last week's Nutcracker Market. The mega holiday shopping event reaped a whopping $13,703,628.73 — 10.3 percent more in sales than last year. Forgive us, but we have to ask "What recession?"

It's a hallelujah chorus from Houston Ballet managing director C.C. Connor, director of individual giving and special events Patsy Chapman and market chair Gaylon Gullquist. No question, they had had their fingers crossed with worries of a poor economy and lower luncheon turnouts. But in the end, overall attendance was up by more than 10,000 for a total of 84,551. And last Friday set a one-day attendance record — 25,100 shoppers passed through the turnstiles. This baby just keeps on growing and growing. And the Houston Ballet Foundation, its academy and scholarship program coffers expand in tandem.

Taste buds

Everybody wants to be new best friends with the charming Gaia Gaja, daughter of celebrated Italian winemaker Angelo Gaja. Who wouldn't want to be at the table when she is presenting several of her family's fine wines? Jerry Lasco and Jonathan Horowitz, owners of The Tasting Room Uptown Park, invited 35 oenophiles to a dinner on Monday with Gaja. Eight of the family's award winning wines were featured including four bottles listed at $500 each.

Executive chefs from the Tasting Room and from Max's Wine Dive prepared the dinner for guests that included Walter Christopherson, Don Eastveld, Dale Robertson and Steve Ford.

This was one of only four events in North America that Gaja hosts. Her 2009 four-city tour includes Dallas, Boston and Los Angeles. She stayed on after dinner to autograph wine bottles and the book, The Vines of San Lorenzo, a history of Gaja wine making.

Sight 'ems

Democratic political consultant and political commentator Paul Begala making the scene at a private dinner hosted by long-time friends Tani and Tony Sanchez at the West University home of their son, Pat Sanchez. The Washington insider and former advisor to President Bill Clinton mesmerized the gathering of three dozen by looking into his studied crystal ball for insights on Sarah Palin, the economy and health care . . .

Actor Jonathan Goldsmith, the silver-haired-and-bearded charmer of Dos Equis' Most Interesting Man in the World fame, and his wife, Barbara, the center of attention at Mo's . . . A Place for Steaks, where they joined owner Johnny "V" Vassallo for his first-year anniversary week. Mo's namesake, Maureen Vassallo, Johnny "V"s mom, flew in from Milwaukee Thursday to join the festivities . . .

Terrie and Mike Turner supping at a table for two a RDG + Bar Annie.