The 7th Annual Gala benefiting Gaston Le Notre Scholarship/ Culinary Institute Le Notre, which supports high quality education in the culinary arts by providing financial assistance to culinary students, was an overwhelming success.  Entitled “An Evening of Romance”, this year’s Champagne and Chocolat Gala was perfectly timed for Valentines Day Weekend. Houston Dining “Sweetheart”, Cleverley Stone was the 2010 Honoree and graced the stage with fabulous auction items in hand, such as $100 gift cards from over 50 restaurants in town--dining for ever week of the year.

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Sponsored by the Assistance League of Houston, “Books and Brunch” is designed to showcase Texas authors from different literary genres. Members and guests enjoy brunch while listening to authors share experiences from their writing careers. Books are available for purchase and signing, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Assistance League of Houston.  This month, the league brought Lester Smith, Katherine Center and Merrill Bonarrigo to the beautiful Junior League Ballroom for a breakfast discussion of their journeys as writers and a compelling presentation of their work.

Merrill Bonarrigo began the morning.  She and her husband, Paul, founded Messina Hof Winery & Resort in 1977. Her newest cookbook, “Vineyard Cuisine”, offers recipes featuring wine, food and years of love at Messina Hof.

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Chaired by Deborah and Stephen J.J. Letwin and Enbridge Energy Company, the American Heart Association continued to “Keep the Beat” with the 2010 Heart Ball. With more than 400 guests and $1.2M raised, the event featured red-frocked Houstonians dining, dancing and bidding (Audi A5 Cabriolet/vacations to Riviera Maya and Napa Valley) at a fabulous black tie event perfectly timed for Valentine's Day weekend.  The evening honored Lilly and Thurmon Andress, Noble Energy, Inc. and James C. Grotta, M.D., and was catered by celeb event producer Paul David Van Atta.  Darryl Murchison of Darryl & Co. designs created a fabulous décor of magnificent golden sheer table linens with rose buds and matching chair liners making the room feel like a magical garden. Before the event, there was a glamorous underwriters reception on the 24th floor, Skyline room of the Hilton Americas.  Sponsors seen at the reception were from Marathon Oil and Texas Children's Hospital, as well as notable guests:  Debbie and Steve Letwin, Dr. James C. Grotta and Kathy Dreyfus, Chuck Davidson, Philamena and Arthur Baird, Roz and Alan Pactor, Margaret Alkek Williams and Jim Daniels, Laura Davenport, Leisa Holland-Nelson, Jan Carson and Tim Connolly, David and Mary Ann McKeithan, Nancy and Chuck Davidson, Laura Zehl, Judy and Wayne McConnell, Brittany Cassin,  JoAnne and Bill Crassas.

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The Bar-B-Que cook-off, just got started last night…which means RODEO SEASON IS HERE!!!  LET the crazy TEXAS traditions begin. 

Nearly 300 tents/teams are competing for top prizes this year.  

To get into the main camp grounds at Reliant Park (right by the Rodeo Carnival), it’s $10 a person (which includes a basic BBQ sandwich, chips and a drink).  There is also food in private catered tents, but you need an invitation.  So, if you have friends who work for big companies (TV stations, Radio stations, ad agencies, temp agencies, food companies, restaurants, etc)….now is the time to call in favors and ask for passes.  Parking was a bit of a challenge (very crowded and costs about $12-$15); so I’d suggest showing up early, carpooling or taking a taxi.   

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Spring is coming and to kick off the excitement I hope you can join us for Sunset Fundae at The District off Washington this Sunday, February 28th.  In line with rodeo season, the theme is Wild Wild West so kick up your boots, put on your favorite hat, and boot scoot to our party.

Food is provided by Beavers until it runs out, then there will be an American Wingman stand serving up fresh wings on the spot!

Activities include a mechanical bull ride and a lasso contest.  Ride ‘em cowboy!

Tunes provided by DJ Senega.

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Giddy up Houston, cause Rodeo season is BACK.  To kick off this years festivities, last Sunday was the Rodeo Best Bites Food and Wine Competition, otherwise known as “Rodeo Uncorked”. (Pictured: Valentino Vin Bar at Hotel Derek)

This event brings 60 of Houston's best restaurants, and 1761 wines from 16 countries for tasting and competing, under one great big Reliant Center roof.  Most of the wine competition took place before the Sunday event…so guests got to sample only the winners.
In terms of food.  We were there for the live competition, of which there were two going on.   There was a judges vote, that took place with a blind taste test with foods sorted into categories.  And a popular vote, not sorted in categories (non-blind), in which guests of the event went around to the restaurant booths with beads, and chose their favorites.  The judges in the blind taste test included Houston Chronicle's Greg Morago, Houston Chowhounds founder Jenny Wang, My Table editor-publisher Teresa Byrne-Dodge, KTRH's John Demers, and Rodeo Chairman of the Board Butch Robinson.

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February 4th-6th The Junior League of Houston hosted their 62nd Annual charity ball entertaining 1000 guests and raising an impressive $750,000.  The theme was "Abracadabra" making for three magical evenings to remember. (Pictured: Trey & Julie Comiskey, Kristen & David Buck).

 Junior League of Houston, Inc. tradition continued as the Charity Ball guests were treated to a full scale singing and dancing production produced solely by Junior League members.  Performers included provisional, active and sustaining League members along with four League husbands.  The Charity Ball Show committee was comprised of Chairman, Sara Litton, assistant chairman, Kay Edwards, Bonnie Inamdar and sustaining advisor, Allison McClanahan.  The committee was assisted by Musical Director Bill Bartlett and Mistie Porter, a professional choreographer.  Each night after dinner and the show, the guests danced the night away to the musical stylings of Eclipse.
 
Guests of Thursday night’s preview party enjoyed an elaborate cocktail buffet prior to the show.  Friday and Saturday nights’ guests enjoyed a three-course meal designed and prepared by the Junior League Tearoom under the direction of Malcolm Rowland.
 
All net proceeds benefit the 33 charitable programs of the Junior League of Houston, Inc., which boosts a membership of approximately 5000 volunteers and will, this year, contribute an estimated 1.9 million dollars in direct volunteer and financial support to the Greater Houston community.

(Check out more event photos at End of this story and in our Picture Gallery)

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January 22nd, George Clooney, Wyclef Jean, and Anderson Cooper all joined forces to host a telethon event “Hope for Haiti Now” to raise funds for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.  The final tally of money raised was $57 Million!

The event started with a performance by Alicia Keys as images of the victims of the earthquake flashed a background screen. George Clooney then explained details of the catastrophe that took place in the Caribbean island on January 12. At the same time, rapper Wyclef Jean (Haitian born) joined the event live from New York and recounted his experiences in the disaster hit nation. CNN’s Anderson Cooper participated in the telethon live from the city of Port-au-Prince, which is reeling under the onslaught of devastation.

Other performers included Madonna, Rihanna, Bono, Sting, Beyonce and Coldplay; and an album of the event is available.  The “Hope for Haiti Now” album has become the biggest one-day album pre-order in iTunes history, and currently sits at No. 1 on iTunes' album chart in 18 countries.

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“Sashay”  A Western Fashion Show & Sale and Texas Party Featuring Designs by Pat Dahnke!

Help kick off Rodeo season by attending the Boots, Buckles, & Babes "Sashay" fashion show at Goode's Armadillo Palace Sunday Jan 31st at 4:00 p.m.  Local celebrities will model the designs by Pat Dahnke, plus there will be live music and plenty of rodeo fun!  Funds raised will help promote Friends of West University Place Parks Fund, Inc.'s upcoming 19th annual Park Lovers' Crystal Ball in February. RSVP Social is a proud media sponsor.  Entry is a $10.00 minimum donation.  Dress in your rodeo finest western wear and we hope to see you there!

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Social Book turns 15! Happy Birthday.

Thursday night, “The Social Book” invited the Houston Social Set to an Aztec Party Tent Emerald City in downtown’s Discovery Green for a WICKED GOOD TIME and celebration of its 15th edition in 2010! The drinks were flowing; the entertainment—movies (The Wizard of Oz), presentations (the 10 “Houston Treasures”), live performances (Yvonne Washington, Songs from Broadway’s “Wicked”)—were non-stop. Food from vendors around town (Benjy’s, *17 at The Alden, Who Made the Cake?, Neiman Marcus Cookies, 360 Vodka, Barefooot Wines, Chivas Regal, The Sushi Company, Popadoodle Desserts, Finale by Glenna desserts, General Cigar) were being showcased.

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