Opera Ball 2000...Goes Techno-Color Leave it to Francie Willis and Richard Flowers to give us a bit of a visual shock. The Opera Ball regulars were certainly, albeit momentarily taken aback with the event's décor. There were no angels, cherubs, chandeliers nor velvet draperies, instead, slick, modern and futuristic images of black and white and techno-color intrigue. Centerpieces featured a massive bowl with white tulips and goldfish swimming about. I could have sworn one of them was staring at me with those bulbous fish eyes allthrough dinner.And speaking of dinner, presented by Tony's at home it was to die for, even if it was served a wee bit late in the evening. Several guests remarked that they were getting famished, and the aforementioned goldfish were beginning to look pretty good to them. For the fashion appetites, there was certainly no lack of dishes. This was probably one of the few occasions, when one said "dahling! you look mahvelous" it was actually sincere. The ladies looked nothing short of smashing and sensational, no doubt making their couturiers puffed up with pride. All guests, in keeping with the design theme wore black and/or white, and the parade of gowns, designer orotherwise was equally stimulating as the event itself. Pity to one who would have to select the evening's best dressed. So I won't. Clearly, the event was a raging success. Congrats and applause to ball chairs Francie and Michael Willis. The Opera Ball 2000 honored long time supporters and native Houstonians Pat and Fred Burns, and The Houston Grand Opera Millenium Award was presentedposthumously to developer Kenneth Schnitzer Sr., which was accepted by Quinlan Schnitzer on behalf of her late husband. More than 600 glamour guests attended the gala, with net proceedsexpected to reach $800,000. But a few of the 600 radiant people attending were: Lynn Wyatt in Givenchy (naturally), escorted by Houston Grand Opera general director David Gockley. Denise and Philip Bahr, she in a stunning Randolph Duke ensemble, Karen Winston in San Carlin. Harriet and Gil Gertner, she in Oscar de LaRenta and a tiara (naturally). Gigi Huang in Thierry Mugler , Beverly Loftis in Reem Acra with hubby Jack. Barbara and Ulyesse LeGrange, she in Mary McFadden . Lynn Mathre in a shimmering Badgley Mishka Margaret Alkek Williams in Donald Deal with Margaret Alkek and Jim Daniels, Pat and Dan Breen, she in Bill Blass. Also making a grand entrance were Jerry and Tom Noel, Dr. Ronada Davis and Eric Johnson, John and Carol Howenstein, Andrew and Delight Zacharias, Milton and Cynthia Caroll, Maureen and Jim Hackett, Dr.Fabian and Linda Worthing, Dr. Franklin and Cindi Rose, Karen and Mike Mayell, Jeffrey Newport, Lara Bell with Dan Nockolls, Roseann Rogers with John Neslage. Philemina and Arthur Baird, Ed McMahon with Mac Rozelle, Hershey Grace and hubby John Moritz, Ceron, stunning Sylvia Sullivan, Lance Rosmarin, Donatella and Fred Benkenstein, John Capizzi,jewelry designing diva Cynthia Bach sporting black diamonds about her neck, Barbara and Don Jordan,Joanne and Bill Crassas, Sharon Adams, Ernie Manouse, Kathryn and Jim Ketelsen. OK OK, I can't go on any more. Slaloming Blondes Spring break is here and it doesn't matter how long ago we did the college thing, some higher education habits just can't be broken. No beach party bingo this time however, the Texas Blonde Brigade, namely DeAnne Doane, Micki McClelland, B.J. Walker and Joan Stewart (who now resides in New York) decided to terrorize the slopes instead. They jetted off to Steamboat, Colorado, where they houseguested at the "On Golden Pond" getaway home of Hart Peebles, and spent a fantastic week of fun and frolic in the valley of the cowboy skiers. Now, we don't really know how much actual skiing took place, but who cares. The ladies were escorted through the snowy peaks and valleys by a horde of gorgeous men. There was Jim "Moose" Barrows (the "Agony of Defeat" skier on ABC's Wide Wide World of Sports). The legendary Brigadier General Robin Olds, ASAF Ret.-triple ace flier, who shot down 17 enemy aircraft in WW II and Vietnam. Former pilot John W. McHale and Houston's own dandy dapper and debonair Galen Redinbo. Some tour-guides, not bad girls! By the way, DeAnne and Micki did find a little time between slaloms to work on their forthcoming literary publication. They are collaborating on a story featuring "Godfrey and the Girls", a humorous tale of a misanthropic bullmastiff, who finds himself charmed by two globe-trotting, socialite dachshunds. One must wonder however, is this tale really about their canine companions, or could there be correlation to their human counterparts. At least dogs can't sue, can they?
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