Move over Placido Domingo, Barbra Streisand and Clint Eastwood and make way for Becca Cason Thrash, who will soon be joining the heady ranks of the Chevalier of the Legion d'honneur of France. Houston's international social star just received notice of the honor, the highest decoration founded after the French Revolution, for her work raising millions of dollars for the Louvre.

You will remember as chair of Liaisons au Louvre, she orchestrated three spectacular days and nights of parties in Paris in 2008, a fundraising extravaganza that brought in $2.7 million for the museum. Her second Liaisons au Louvre jaunt into Europe's social scene is scheduled for June, 2011. The citation from the French government also included her work at fostering positive Franco-American relations and imparting American-style fundraising methods.

La Becca will be presented the beribboned Maltese cross in ceremonies in the spring. While numerous military figures have received the honor, international leaders in the arts, fashion and science have also been tapped. Among them are designer Karl Lagerfeld, chef Alice Waters, Estée Lauder and French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

All of which makes John Thrash one very proud husband.

Operatic high note

Houston Grand Opera life trustee and long-time board member Lynn Wyatt has been named a recipient of the prestigious 2011 National Opera Trustee Recognition Award, presented to trustees of U.S. opera companies, who have excelled in leadership, philanthropy and audience building.

In a prepared statement, HGO general director and CEO Anthony Freud said, "Over many years, Lynn Wyatt's contribution to Houston Grand Opera has been immeasurable. Her inspirational passion, generosity and commitment have made her the most exemplary of board members. I couldn't be more thrilled . . . Lynn is a priceless and irreplaceable treasure."

Wyatt and the other 2011 honorees will be feted in a gala dinner in February in New York City. The award is sponsored by OPERA America, a national service organization for opera companies, in partnership with Bank of America.

Donald Judd book a hit

Marianne Stockebrand, former Chinati director and author of Chinati: The Vision of Donald Judd, has to be on Cloud Nine this week after a major endorsement of her tome by Tyler Green's must-read art blog out of Washington D.C. — Modern Art Notes.

Her book topped his list of best art books of 2010 with this glowing endorsement: "The most beautiful art book of the year is the Chinati Foundation’s catalogue of its collection and detailing of its history. If you’ve never been to west Texas, 15 minutes with this book will have you clicking to southwest.com for plane tickets."

Stockebrand was center of attention at the Menil Collection recently during an author signing at the museum's bookstore. That was followed by a celebratory dinner in the art-filled home of Cece and Mack Fowler, where the guest list included Marion Barthelme and Jeff Fort, Texas Gallery's Fredericka Hunter and Ian Glennie, Michael Landrum, Mimi Kilgore, Menil director Josef Helfenstein, MFAH curator Barry Walker, Sissy and Denny Kempner, Marti Finger, Clare Casademonte and Michael Metz.

A 40th bash

It's publicistTammy Dowe's birthday month and the celebrations (set to continue in Austin, Los Angeles and New York) began in earnest at Shoeshine Charlie's Big Top Lounge where hosts were hubby Kelly Dowe, Bellaire City Councilman Corbett Parker, artist Hanh Tran and Catarina Cron.

The rocking well-wishers included James Glassman, Caroline Starry LeBlanc and Jared LeBlanc, Brad Hensler, Mark Horn with James Blair, Heather Rasmussen, Mary Ann and Bob Wilkins, Amy and Dado Matkins, Erinn and John McMahon and Carlos Meltzer.

Sight 'ems

Former Secretary of State James A. Baker III loading up on holiday flowers at River Oaks Plant House where he purchased a massive bouquet of peonies and several robust poinsettias.