Houston Lifestyles and Homes Magazine Dec 2009: Jan Carson, Houston Galas, Charity Balls, Socials, Parties, and Luncheons in the Houston areas 1

Houston Lifestyles & Homes December 2009

Please e-mail your event news and photos to jan@jancarson.com or mail to Jan Carson: 109 North Post Oak Lane, Ste. 422, Houston, TX 77024.

Check out my Web site at www.jancarson.com.

Parties, parties, parties! The holiday calendar is filling up fast, often with two and three events per night. And where there are parties, there are sure to be those tempting buffets, mouthwatering appetizers and impossible to resist Christmas cookies, cakes and candies! Not to mention the cocktails, the wine and the eggnog. Is it any wonder that the average person supposedly gains at least five pounds during this season of celebration? What ’s a person to do? Every hostess wants guests to enjoy the spread, so follow the “Bird Bite Diet”—don’t deny yourself, but take little bites, taste what you want and move on.

And…double the exercise. Enjoy!

Highlighting some of the events that will fill you with the warmth of the holiday spirit:

Joyful Toyful Fiesta XIX – collecting toys for children with a Dec. 1 party at Gigi’s Asian Bistro. 713-899-3316.

Home Sweet Home Gingerbread Bash for Children’s Museum Houston on
Dec. 5.

“Very Beary” Market & Luncheon honoring Dorace Allais for The Women’s Club of Houston on Dec. 6.

Rockin’ Through the Holidays – the Houston Symphony’s family musical celebration on Dec. 12. 713-334-5617.

Not to be Missed! On Thursday, Dec. 3, baseball legend Hank Aaron—with 3.771 hits, 755 home runs, 25 All-Star squads and 3 Gold Gloves—will be interviewed by Bob Schieffer of CBS News at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center fundraiser, “A Conversation with a Living Legend.” A Houston family touched by cancer is chairing this important event—Ginger and Jack Blanton, Kelli and Eddy Blanton, and Leslie and Jack Blanton Jr. Always a sellout, act fast if you want tickets; call 866-262-9029.

Always a holiday happening with the ladies who lunch, the Angels of Hope Luncheon & Neiman Marcus Fashion Show Presentation will roll down the runway on Dec. 8. Chairs Kathy Galt and Pat Osborne have enlisted honoree Janice McNair to help make this important fundraiser for Child Advocates a smashing success. Call 713-529-1396, ext. 236 for more information.

Let the Sunshine In. You’ve got to hand it to Hilton Americas Houston Catering Exec Paul-David Van Atta…he sets the bar for fundraising events. Headlining his Cabaret for a Cure on Jan. 15, eight-time Grammy Award winning Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. formerly of the Fifth Dimension! It’s a blast from the past—with Up, Up & Away, Wedding Bell Blues, One Less Bell to Answer and on and on. Gala co-chairs Gerald and Anita Smith join honorary co-chairs Debra and Mark Grierson and honorees Trini Mendenhall Sosa and Frank Sosa in knocking this one out of the park for Legacy Community Health Services HIV/AIDS programs.

Because the social set is always on the move, “On The Town with Jan Carson” is now online. In addition to getting the social scoop every month here in Houston Lifestyles & Homes magazine, you can check in with what’s happening 24/7 at www.OnTheTownHouston.com. We’re on Facebook too so be sure to become a “Fan” at www.Facebook.com/OnTheTownHouston. Be sure to send us your news, event information and party photos!

(1) 2010 CCFA Women of Distinction

SAKS Fifth Avenue hosted the Announcement Party for the ABC/13 CCFA 2010 Winter Ball, introducing the Women of Distinction honorees for the Jan. 23 Gala. From left: Melissa King, Joan Dunlap, Patti Murphy, Laura Spalding, Linda Lorelle, Jan Carson, Donna Vallone, Helen Shaffer, Carmen Marie Montiel-Lechin, Traci Lee and Harriet Gertner.

(2) Lunch with a Houston Icon

Looking eery inch the international social star that she is, Lynn Wyatt dons sunglasses as she heads into the Society for Performing Arts event “Lunch with a Houston Icon.” Co-chairs Vanessa Sendukas and Rosemary Schatzman created a sell-out event.

(3) Houston Police Foundation Gala

Showing their solid support for the True Blue Gala benefiting the Houston Police Foundation, John Jamail and Astrid and Gene Van Dyke (l-r) sampled a smorgasbord of culinary treats on Paige and Tilman Fertitta ’s vast outdoor party patio.

(4) Yellow Rose of Texas HGO Gala Kick Off

Denise and Philip Bahr, chairs of the April 10 Opera Ball “The Yellow Rose of Texas,” which honors Lynn Wyatt, with longtime Houston Grand Opera supporters Donna and Bob Bruni at a kick off event at Tootsies

(5) Houston Children’s Charity Gala

Helping to raise more than $1 million for Houston Children’s Charity programs, Beth and Jess Moore, and Mary Beth Aspromonte joined a sold out ballroom that rocked to the music of blue-eyed soul sensation Michael McDonald.

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