"Gambling Fools?"......Not! Most people visit Las Vegas to do a bit of gambling. So did this couple, except, they took the biggest gamble yet. Yes, I'm talking big stakes here, and we call it marriage. The odds are pretty good however, considering the happy couple dated for about twelve years, became engaged in December of 1998, and on Valentine's Day, Year 2000 finally closed the deal. Tua Smith and Brian Burke became the new and improved Mr. and Mrs. Brian Burke. Mrs. Burke will remain Tua Smith for business purposes, she is a real estate agent with Greenwood King and for all the other occasions, she will be Mrs. Tua Smith-Burke, Brian will remain Mr. Burke. The ceremony took place in the Chapel of the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, followed by an exquisite dinner, catered by Le Cirque at the Hotel's private dining room. On the day of the wedding, the future Mrs. Burke decided to have one last fling and take a walk on the wild side, so she trekked over to the New York New York Hotel and rode the roller coaster all by her little'o self. She described it as a fun and scary experience, sort of like marriage maybe? but, let's not get Freudian about it. Tua's two gorgeous daughters (like their mama) Nina and Natalie stood by her, each holding a single red rose. Earl Burke, Brian's father stood by him and Tua and Brian's Moms, Tua Smith and Fay Burke both lit the unity candles together. How sweet. True Texans that they are, the newlyweds will proceed with the honeymoon, but not until after the Houston Rodeo. Naturally! Shake Your Hair Darling ! This famous line of course belongs to the equally famous Jose' Eber, the hair guru to the rich, famous and status conscious. There was a whole lot of shaking going on in Dallas recently, and the hair thing had nothing to do with it. Instead, it was a celebration, actually two of them. First, Jose' turned fifty-something, so his friends, Rich and Chris Coats hosted an intimate forty guest soiree at the home of Jan Miller-Rich and Jeff Rich. The, no doubt eclectic guest list featured literary agents, People Magazine writers, industry moguls, assorted models and overall beautiful people, and nobody had a bad hair day to be sure. But a few of the guests from in and out of town included Jay Branson with Cynthia Murray, Jan-Marcq and Juliett (they have no last names). The second celebration was to toast Jose's recent sale of his business, but, don't look for Jose' to disappear, he will continue with his fingers in your hair and on the pulse of the operations. So let the shampoo bubble and the champagne flow. Happy Birthday and congratulations. Tease on Jose'! "Year of the Dragon" You don't have to be Chinese to know that this is the Year of the Dragon. Seems that there are celebrations all over the place to commemorate the occasion. What a better motif for a party, than this colorful and exotic theme. And so, the Houston Grand Opera Guild decided to use the occasion as a perfect draw for one of their many forthcoming fundraisers benefiting their education and outreach department. This was the perfect affair for this Guild event because the Dragon Year is perceived as very lucky and this year is especially auspicious because it's the Millenium, or Qian Xi, the "Year of a Thousand Happinesses" (good to know!). The Lunar New Year Celebration transported the guests to the Orient with a profusion of treats. If your cultural appetites were not satisfied with a variety of native, graceful and beautiful Chinese entertainment, which continued throughout the evening, then surely the nine course Chinese dinner feast prepared by the head dragon himself, Kim Son filled all your hunger of body and soul. The darling Shern-Min Chow, of KHOU, Channel 11, served as Mistress of Ceremonies, and addressed the guests in Chinese, Cantonese and one other dialect, and be assured, it wasn't Welcome y'all . The best dressed award of the evening goes to the Grand Dame herself, the fabulous and flamboyant Eleanor McCollum, attired in an authentic Chinese ensemble and matching to the theme jewelry. To recall but a few of "them'all" distinguished guests partaking in the festivities were; Consul General of the People's Republic of China Zhang Chunxiang, Deputy Consul General Ren Gongping, Consul Yan Fenglan, Mrs. Gao Shuping. Linda and Dr. Fabian Worthing, Susan and Ward Pennenbaker, Lara Bell, Roseann Rogers, Mary Hairston, Mary and Marty Ambrose, Deanne Doane, Marjorie and Tom Capshaw, Cindi and Dr. Franklin Rose, Rollin Glaser and Janet Allison, Cathryn and Doug Selman, Kathryn Blissard, Austin O'Toole, Valerie Sherlock, Sylvia Carroll, Dee Murtaugh and John Douglass, Derrick and Heather Parker, Jessica Jones, Paula Arceneaux, Jessie Cox and Adelma Graham. Whew! What a crowd! Ball Lovers Rejoice! Hello you Ball lovers out there! Is the Ballgown Brigade ready? It's time to clean, press or steam the ol' ballgown or maybe take the trip to your alteration lady to let it out a bit at the waist. Regardless of the chores to be overcome, get ready, for the Galas are upon us to be sure. Case and point, the 2000 Symphony Ball, themed "An Evening at Giverny" held a cocktail reception to thank and honor the silent auction donors. Our Lady of the Jewels, Harriet Gertner and the business star bright Jan Sparks were in the roles of perfect hostesses for the evening as they greeted the many guests arriving at Hunan's restaurant (affectionately called Gigi's place) which underwrote the event with spectacular food and adult beverages. Ball chairman Betty Tudor, with her co-chairs Diane Gendel and Mary Ann McKeithan were just buzzing around with excitement, bragging how successful the forthcoming gala is to date. It appears that they have already met their goals for the extravaganza, which will take place on March 10th. The best dressed of the evening award goes to Hershey Grace, who wore a recent issue of a navy blue and white St. John suit. Sharing in the delight of the evening were; Maureen Boyd, Lucy Lewis, Tom Becker, Gil Gertner, Jeffrey Newport, Linda Vanergrift, Donna Engeretson, Susanna Brundrette, Nancy and Hans Strohmer, John Moritz, Joanne and Bill Crassas, Mary Kay Freeman, Karen Semiao, Margaret Alkek Williams and Eleanor McCollum. A Date with a General It was a Five star evening, as the Holocaust Museum Houston honored Four Star General Colin Powell (retired), with the Lyndon Baines Johnson Moral Courage Award for his exemplary leadership throughout his illustrious 35- year military career and for his current philanthropy. The evening began with a reception and a press conference at the American General headquarters building, followed by a dramatic and stately evening held under an enormous and beautifully adorned tent, with the most dignified decor. More than 1,400 guest were in attendance, culminating in making this event the most successful to date, and raising an unprecedented $1.7 million. The Holocaust Museum Houston is a living testimonial to those who perished during one of the darkest chapters in the history of humankind. Through photographs, artifacts and films, the Museum educates young and old of the dangers of prejudice, hatred and violence. Some the guests attending this very dignified evening were: Kate and Bob Devlin, chairman and CEO of American General, served as chairs. Ed Wulfe the Museum's board chairman. Honorary chairs; Linda and Ken Lay, chairman and CEO of Enron, Joan and Stanford Alexander chairman and CEO of Weingarten Realty Investors; Ann and Cuba Waddlington Jr. president and CEO of Williams Gas Pipeline, Mayor Lee Brown and his wife Frances. Honorary chairs; former President George Bush and James Baker III addressed the guests via video. Other impressive attendees were: B.A. and Senator Lloyd Bentsen, Macey and Harry Reasoner, Charles and Barbara Hurwitz, Carolyn and Anthony Hall, the Rev. Bill Lawson, Judge Eric Andell, Nancy and Jack Dinerstein, Diane and Harry Gendel, John Capizzi, Glenn Riddell, Lynn and Hershel Maltz, Carolyn Farb, Julie Lambert, Beverly and Jack Loftis, Bob and Alene Allen, Sharon Bush, Bobbie and Stanley Weinstein, Chris and Walter Kase and too many impressive guests to mention.
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