Are you over the bug yet? And I don't mean the flu. I am referring to the Y2K, the Millennium thing, the big New Year's Eve, blah, blah, blah. Well, it's over, gone and almost forgotten. Its time to put away all the Year 2000 paraphernalia, cutesy props and decorations and get back to the proverbial salt mines. Of course we can still reminisce and remember the highlights of those festivities, commemorations and the big New Year bash and in fact, some folks are still getting over the jet lag and recuperating from that ordeal. Take Cheryl Moody and husband Christopher Gongolas, who are still unpacking from their trip. Cheryl and Christopher, not exactly newlyweds (but think and act as if they are), decided to do three celebrations with one destination, so they loaded up Dexter the dog (more like their child, really), Cheryl's designer duds and Christopher's laptop and off they jetted to Paris, France. They celebrated Christmas, New Year's Eve and Cheryl's birthdays there, each occasion occurring within one week of the other (just enough time to sober up in between). They had a grand time doing whatever one does in Paris, but Cheryl was especially proud of Dexter (the aforementioned Maltese). She said that he was a perfect gentleman and went everywhere with them, restaurants, clubs, shopping and even the New Year's Black Tie party, where of course he wore a tuxedo, doggie style no doubt. Dexter, who is a canine clothes horse, had an appropriate outfit for every occasion. After all, it was Paris. And if you think that Dexter-dog is more of a jet setter that you are, you're probably correct. Close second however, is Gretta-Anne and Inga-Marie Doane, two beautiful, sleek, well dressed, albeit middle age bitches. Gotchya! They are two Dachshunds, and their mamma DeAnne Doane, who is a big time exec with Fidelity National Title Company is forever on the go, and she never leaves town without the "girls". These pups have more frequent flyer miles than most humans. DeAnne, who is actually from Houston, but spends half her time in New York City, where she has an apartment, recently returned to Texas, purchased a townhouse and chose the fab and famous Beau Theriot as her interior designer. He did a magnificent job, so the only thing to do was to have a party to show off the new digs and Beau's talent. Nearly one hundred of DeAnne's closest friends congregated to ohhs and ahs over the new décor, including many out of town best buds and budettes. From Laguna Beach, DeAnne's dearest friend, the lovely and talented Alexandra Linden, who is a trader with Sanwa Bank, Pat Steele from México and Lucia Brown, who lived just about everywhere, but presently resides in Brazil and of course her long time Houston chums: John Mecom, Jr. Cynthia Martin and Johnny Lester, Richard Kennel, Marti Shlenker, Micki McClelland, Harry Bishop, Nancy Raichek, Barbara VanPostman, Sherri Zucker, Edna Mayer-Nelson, Harriett and Gil Gertner, BJ Walker, Tom and Shana Fatjo, Babs Veyna, Bobby Earthman, Randy Gerson, Dianna Curren, Cynthia and Steven Christ, Jim DeGeorge, Glenda Blum, David and Melissa Nini and many more, too many to mention. Little House on the Prairie it ain't Speaking of new diggs, Jim and Diane Masucci and their two cats recently purchased a home in York Harbor, Maine. They have been vacationing near Kennebunkport for thirty years, so they finally decided to do it up right. The house is designed in a traditional "Downeast" New England style and sits on a small neck that was once an island in itself. There is a spectacular view of the Atlantic Ocean, the York tidal pool and York Harbor itself and is within walking distance of the charming and famous Stage Neck Inn. Rough life, No? And, what, might you ask, has Jim been doing since his retirement as the numero uno at Houston's, TV Channel 13, well, he has been very busy, playing golf mostly. But did you know that he is also soon to be published author? He recently finished Anchorman a comedy-drama about what really happens behind the scenes of TV news room (he should know) and the guarded inner-workings of TV stations. The anchorpeople and their sometimes ruthless drive to attain their positions and relentless struggle to retain them. The jealousies, dirty tricks, and sometimes down right sabotage to gain control of the coveted anchor chair. Gee! It sounds like what the Ladies Who Lunch do at Anthony's restaurant. Here is a thought, do you suppose that the real reason he bought a place in Maine, is so that, after the book is published he may need a place to retreat to. Guess we have to wait for the book signing party. CELEBRAZIONE!!! Just as tuxedos were taken to the cleaners after all the New Year's spills and chills, it was time to put them on again. And good thing that Neiman-Marcus had its Last Call sale, for it afforded the femmes to pick up a gown or three and wear them to the galas which have already began. The most recent opportunity to dress up and look fab was The Guild of Baylor College of Medicine and Festari For Men 7th annual "Celebrazione" Men's Fashion Event, a black tie fund-raiser for the Baylor College of Medicine and The Methodist Hospital's new Breast Care Center. For a change it was the ladies turn to hoot, holler and admire the male celebrity models. Some of Houston's finest notables strutted their stuff presenting fashions from a notable himself, Rudi Festari. Some of the "Uomini Belli" that's Italian for beautiful men were: Giorgio Borlenghi, Jim Thorpe, Carl Lewis, Joey Vallone, Lamar Lathon and Rob Mosbacher, Luke McConn and Graham McKernan to name a few. But as usual, the real fashion show was not on the runway, but to be seen throughout the gala's evening. It was the ladies that put on a show, for they all looked extra glammed out, wearing lots of cleavage, jewels and fur. The best dressed award for the evening goes to Melinda Berkman, who looked drop dead gorgeous in a evening white pantsuit with a three layer scrumptious white fox tail wrap, her long tresses held back with a Chanel camellia headband. Other eye poppers were: Terry Wichelhous, Lori Zagorski, who opted out for a short Thierry Mugler cocktail suit, the always dressed to kill Barbara and Ulyesse LaGrange, Anna Williams, Angela Schroeder, Debbie Festari wearing lots of attitude and a Badgley Mischka gown. Always gorgeous, but unusually subdued Amanda Mills, bejeweled Sylvia Sullivan, Claudette Hilliard wearing a ball skirt with a diamond-looking Chanel belt, Elizabeth Moore in a stunning Badgley Mischka plus lots of cleavage, and the list goes on. If I missed anyone, I'm sure I'll catch them at the next gala. Other VIP's looking fabu were: Greg and Laura Davis, Gigi Huang, Roseanne Rogers, Terri and Joel Wehner, Melissa and Doug Schnitzer, Becca and John Thrash, Mary Lee and Ron Merrett, Cathy Borlenghi, Lara Bell, Karen and Mel Payne, Dr. Del and Andy Delery Gala Chairman, Kate and Cary McNair, honorees Suzanne and Jack McCrary, Guild's president Barbara Schneidler, Dr. Bill Kalchoff, Isla and Tommy Reckling, Judy Florence, Beth and Jess Moore, Cynthia McKernan, Reda Martin, Mercedes Terry and Henry Brown, Charles and Patti Phillips, Kelly Elston, Chari Vandever, Carrie Jones, Ed Ciarini, Beth and Brian Muecke and many, many more. The evening netted over $100,000. Grazie to everyone! THE STARS are BIG and BRIGHT DEEP in the HEART of TEXAS When I said "catch you at the next gala" I was not kidding, for the next evening after the aforementioned event, it was time to do it again. This time the evening gowns got a breather, because this was The Texas-style Black Tie event, and I am here to tell you it was right out of the "Dallas" TV movie set, but better. The hearts of Texas are big when it comes to brightening the lives of children, for when the dust cleared, the evening benefiting the Arbor School netted $250,000. I do declare, you'all should've been there. A gigantic tent was constructed on the Houston Polo Club grounds, complete with carpeted floors, a dance floor and a sound stage to feature the evening's entertainment, who, by the way was none other than C&W star Robert Earl Keen. The evening was full of surprises. First, Robert Earl, apparently at a spur of the moment, decided to auction off his guitar, which naturally brought in big bucks. The next surprise was that this town's criers can actually keep a secret. Laura Rowe, Houston's Children Charity Executive Director was the honoree of the event, and everyone knew it except her, until the moment it was announced. Surprise! Laura, of course was in total shock and disbelief. After all she was in charge of the event, and yet had no clue of all the preparations that went on to honor her. There was a retrospective of her life, her accomplishments and a video presentation complete with photos from baby until now. After her gracious thank you speech, she promised to find out how this "conspiracy" was possible. Sorry girlfriend, we're still not talking. And talk about a fashion show? Shoot sugar! Only in Texas can you see cowboy hats, karats, fur and fringes, boots and Bulgari, all in one ensemble. The best dressed award of the evening goes to the lady in red, Judy Nichols, who wore a red beaded fringed suit with whites rhinestones throughout, complete with a red cowboy hat with a tiara upon it as well as red cowboy boots trimmed in gold. What a vision, the lady obviously does not subscribe to the "less is more" theory. I couldn't agree more. (By the way, my theory is "more is not enough".) Enough said. But a few Texas shiny star guests in attendance were: Doug and Christi Drybeck, head honcho of TWR Telecom, George Jackson, VP of Houston Cellular Ken Fisher and his new bride Mimi, owner of Aztec Rental, Tod Johnson, Dave Ward, who emceed the event, Tiffany's John H. Dickinson and wife Paula, Christie Miller, Janet Wade, Warren White, Christina Wilson, Neil and Sharon Bush, Frank DiMaria, Beverly Wren, Greg Patrick, Greg and Sandria Germanis, Sal and Jackie Maida, Pat and Patricia Harrisson, Dr. Tom and Carol Sawyer, Grant Guthrie, Joanne and Bill Crassas, Annie Cater, John Rowe IV, Jacqueline Stoma, Marie and JB Stoma, Madeline and Mark Crawford, and Tricia and Larry Sinclaire, Renee Green, Manuel Mahre, and Tammy Roberts. Here is a splendid idea how to help others and yourself, all for one price of admission. Joanne and Bob Naponic wanted to do something special for her daughter, Julie Naponic's 25th birthday. They came up with the brilliant idea to purchase a $2,000 table for this event, invite Julie's friends and have a party within a party. For the price, she got her money's worth. What a deal!, a great dinner (Tony Rao of River Oaks Grill catered the affair), open bar, dancing and Robert Earl Keen as entertainment. Where else can you feed, water and entertain ten guests for such as price? And on top of that, it's tax deductible. Pure genius. Actually, Jeanette and Larry Ramming had the same idea. They also purchased a table for their son, Temple's 17th birthday-- sans the alcohol of course. Temple and his ladies and gentlemen friends had a blast grooving to the C&W tunes and feasting on scrumptious desert/birthday cake. What a fab idea. Do something nice for yourself and contribute to a worthy cause all with one check. You're welcome. Haute Health Attention all you CEO's, CIO's, COO's, Presidents, VP's and all you other very important people and pillar's of the corporate universe. Stress no more, for if it's a stress test you need, there is now a way to get one without the usual hassles and discomfort of having yourself health checked. Finally, The Executive Health Group came to town, adding Houston to its already long list of major cities. The idea is to pamper the corporate executive, where check-ups, tests, diagnoses and all that necessary stuff is done in one place and in surroundings, the likes of a five star hotel. The EHG recently held a grand opening of their manifique offices in the Marathon Building with a cocktail reception and tour of the facilities. EHG's CEO William Flatly and VP Jim Bonaventura and Dr. Jeff Litwin flew in from New York for the occasion, and Michael Norton of Gillespie Norton Advertising jetted in from Philadelphia (they handle EHG's pr there). deLaGarza Public Relations, Inc. organized the opening soiree, so of course its President, Henry deLaGarza and the company's exec. Julie Grayum were on hand to great the many guests. Recalling but a few of the corporate visitors enjoying the evening and previewing the facilities were Councilman Mark Goldberg, KILT and KIKK Radio (CBS Radio/Houston) Vice President and General Manager Owen Weber, Will Ulrich with Reliant Energy, Lillian Petty and Darrel Mitchum of Schlumberger and Tommy Hawthorne of Marathon Oil Company. So, Mr. Chairman, Madam Chairman, in the time it takes to have a martini lunch, you can have a "champagne" physical.
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