By the way, in the world of animals, one of its rock stars will be handling the welcome duties — The Humane Society of the United States President/CEO Wayne Pacelle. Among his many accomplishments, this Yalie grad was named “Executive of the Year” by The NonProfit Times for the HSUS’s response during the Hurricane Katrina crisis.

Personal note: Having witnessed the animal rescue operation in the New Orleans area during the Katrina aftermath, it was truly amazing, painful, and gratifying to see the work being done.

If you haven’t got tickets for tonight, you can always sit and beg, but word is it’s sold out.

The two-legged critters who are responsible for the event are:

Event Chairs: Kristina Bowman, Catharine Flagg, and Holly Forsythe

Honorary Chairs:  Peggy and Jacquelin Sewell

Host Committee: Gina Betts, Darla and Fred Brodsky, Donna Casey, Natalie Chu, Patricia Deason, Nicole Stewart Ganger and Rob Ganger, Elisabeth Grant, Candice and Robert Haas, Nancy Harte, Sally and Forrest Hoglund, Molly and Charles Kitch, Stacey and Don Kivowitz, Jack Knox, Molly and Mike Mayes, Lynn and Allan McBee, Jan Miller, Niven Morgan, Paige Nash, Joanie Nasher, Joe Pacetti, Madeleine and T. Boone Pickens,Gigi Potter, Nancy C. and Richard R. Rogers,Robin Sugg, Anne and Steve Stodghill,Mary and Skip Trimble, Jocelyn White, and Cheryl and Sam Wyly

Executive Committee: Jane Arrington, Sarah Davis, Pam Greenberg, Jeanne Mitchell, Kate Watts, and Brycie Wynne

But first, let’s review her Dallas visit.

Having just arrived Sunday night (thank heaven, she missed snowy Saturday) after a PA at Lake Austin Spa Resort, Pamela was the main course of the “Feather Your Nest Speakers Series” (FYN) luncheon at the Ritz. Since seating at Dean Fearing’s was limited to 60, Dallas authoress/FYN co-founder Kimberly Schlegel Whitman asked her mom Myrna Schegel if she would host a book signing reception in the evening for T&C‘s legendary editor-in-chief. Despite a nasty twist of the ankle suffered in Toronto last week — and being forced to wear flats — Myrna opened the Schlegel manor with the graciousness and elegance befitting a T&C event.

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves, aren’t we?

According to Pamela, her stay at Lake Austin was really quite excellent, despite the fact that it meant her missing what was “supposed to be the most perfect weekend of weather” in New York City. But it was well worth it. She was fascinated by the women at the spa just walking around in terry cloth robes and wearing no makeup. . . just being themselves.

Then it was a quick trip to Dallas Sunday and the FYN luncheon, which was “perfection,” according to Pamela, who is a true-blue fan of Chef Dean Fearing. “The fish was prepared just perfectly,” Pamela reported. “Everyone was so very nice. What a simply gorgeous place.”

Ah, but that was just a warm-up of the hospitality in store for the 28-year veteran of the country’s leading media expert on class, style and taste. The Schlegels somehow manage to combine mega-amazing (their mansion, of course) with personal charm and gentility. With Myrna in ballet slipper-like flats at the front door, guests were warmly greeted. If you were lucky enough to get there when the doors opened at 5, you might have missed Pam as she stood in the hallway catching up with old friends like Courtney Sinelli (pictured). It seems that 30 years ago Pamela was Courtney’s babysitter.

FYN co-founder Chris Kleinert (pictured) had to leave co-hosting duties to wife Ashlee and get back to work. By the way, Ashlee and Chris are also the driving force behind Executives in Action.

Yes, this gathering was made up of people who wear out passports with trips to India, Brazil, Europe, and all points in between. Their shopping sprees take place in foreign ports of call as opposed to Sam Moon’s. “You do know that bargains can be had overseas because of the dollar situation?” is heard more than once. They wonder aloud what others only fantasize about — a month-long-rental of a house in Tuscany  this summer, perhaps?

Even the serving staff took note that this crowd was not your typical wine and champagne group. When a waiter placed an order for a “Negroni,” he admitted none of the staff had ever heard of such a concoction. “Only the bartender knew what it was” —  equal parts gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth. Like the guests in attendance, the drink is a classic for the well-traveled set.

Still there was something about Pamela that set her apart from this Black Card set. Was it her diminutive size? Was it her emerald-green jacket? Her necklace of multi-strands of jade? Or, perhaps it was her smile that highlighted each introduction?

But then the hallway started filling with guests, and it was time for Pamela to take her place at a desk in the two-story library with its elegant curtains. To her right were a stack of her books that quickly dwindled as guests queued up for a personal signing. Some wanted a book for themselves. Others wanted them as gifts. Don’t tell anyone, but there is one mother whose Mother’s Day gift is already a done deal.

For those who live for the itty-bittiest of details, Pamela is a southpaw and claims that her “excellent” inscriptions (pictured) are due to “Sharpies.”

What you soon learned about Pamela was her ease at making others feel comfortable. She was fascinated in all who approached her. With amazing eye contact, she made you feel as if there was no one else in the room. How she did it time after time is a wonder. But then again it was a pretty heady crowd. For instance,

• Former Crystal Charity Ball Chair Sara Martineau (pictured) with her daughter Maria Plankinton discussed Swiss fashion house of Akris’s Albert Kriemler‘s being the featured designer at this fall’s Best Dressed Luncheon with Pamela. “You’ll love him. He’s adorable,” Pamela smiled.
• Fashionista First Lady Heidi Dillon in a softer-than-legal white leather jacket exchanged business cards with Pamela with the latter saying, “Everyone loves to talk about fashion.”
• While waiting her turn to chat with Pamela, Barbara Daseke in luscious black lamb leather jacket admitted that she had been so impressed with the Lauren Bacall talk recently at the Nasher that she had bought Lauren’s book and was amazed at her diverse life.
• Barbara Buzzell complimented Pamela on one of her staff with whom BB had just worked with on a story. Without hesitation, Pamela knew the staffer and noted that she was a Dallas gal and very good.
• Shelle Sills (pictured right hugging Billie Leigh Rippey) got a big hug from Pamela saying, “I’m here because it’s you!” Then Shelle reported that  husband Michael was on his way just to see Pamela, too. In a flash, Michael not only showed up but presented Pamela with a drink refresher. That man knows just what the doctor orders. By the way, don’t think that NM Downtown Non-stop Head Lady Shelle spends her life entirely in four-inch stilettos. “When I’m home, it’s strictly flip flops.” Why, oh why, do we suspect that hers are so much classier than the rest of ours?

But it wasn’t all pleasantries among the book-buying guests. Pamela also shared some thoughts on the publishing industry and the various rumors swirling about.

• Shelter magazines — “The entire shelter industry went . . . (she motioned with her hand hitting the desk).”
• Print vs. online — ” So many women tell me how they like holding paper in their hands when they read.”
• Advertising — “Advertisers are so eager to think they can cut costs by advertising on the web. But a little ad online just cannot compare to a wonderfully produced ad in a magazine.”
• Social media trends — “We going through a period when people are flirting with things like Facebook.”
• Publications adjusting their standards to survive — “I’ve told them (her staff and publisher) that we’re not going to do that.”
• Blogging — “Someone just recently told about blogging and that it can be fun.”
• The Devil Wears Prada: “My doorman said, ‘Ms. Fiori, you’re not like that woman in The Devil Wears Prada.’ I sure hope I’m not.”
• Her publisher Jim Taylor — “I have the world’s best publisher. We don’t always agree but we respect each other.”
• Her next book — “It’s on St. Bart’s.”

And that rumor that’s been making the rounds. Well, it seems the NY Post’s Keith Kelly reported this past Friday that HEARST Magazines President Cathie Black has quietly been searching for Pamela’s replacement. When confronted with the Post‘s latest item, in typical T&C style, Pamela just smiled and said, “There are always rumors about Anna Wintour, me and all of us. If it happens, it happens. I have a life. . .  my husband (Colt Givner) of 28 years, my relatives, my friends. You truly realize their importance when times get difficult.”

In parting, someone asked, “Will you be back in September for the Best Dressed luncheon?”

“I hope so,” Pamela replied.

While the event was jammed with 800 in attendance at the Sheraton, some notables of interest were Lee Jackson trying to avoid questions about the recent departure of UNT’s president Gretchen Bataille. . . . Sarah Dodd chatting about husband Police Chief David Kunkle‘s retirement plans. Seems Sarah bought David a nice camera because he’s shown an interest in becoming a photographer. . . .Dallas Chamber of Commerce President Jim Oberwetter (pictured) arriving just at the last minute to observe his college roomie Wick conduct the panel discussion. . . . Dallas Morning News real estate authority Steve Brown (pictured) suggesting that things were going to start looking up for certain segments of real estate and that the North Texas region had missed the big bullet that has decimated so many other regions. . . . Shelle Sills, as usual, being gracious to one and all. Thank heaven, Neiman’s sales numbers are looking better.

FRIDAY (7 p.m.): Those fashionable Fashionistas are at it again. They’ve been busily opening their new digs  at South Side on Lamar and plotting an innovative way of “runway warming.” That’s a housewarming for a fashionable institute.

Photo provided by The Fashionistas

What better way than to have Project Runway‘s designer/UNT grad Shirin Askari (pictured) and model Kayln Hemphill presenting Shirin’s collection on the catwalk?

“Shirin’s silhouettes are bold and modern with a nod to femininity creating the perfect balance for risk-takers like those in my group,” said The Fashionistas’ Founder Heidi Dillon.

With Jan (as in Strimple) producing the show, which benefits The Fashionistas Two, it will be the perfect showcase for Shirin’s spring collection.

Title sponsor is Janet Fresquez of Ayres Financial Group, Blank Hair Studio, Jan Strimple Productions, and Modern Luxury Dallas.

SATURDAY (10 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and SUNDAY (7:30 p.m.): Our gal Jan is going to be one of the celebrities at Terry Costa’s Red Carpet event on Saturday. She’ll be joined by Kidd Kraddick‘s co-host  J.Si, and other paparazzi magnets. What fun! But you know there will be more than just the beautiful faces and colorful personalities. There will be all the newest gowns and glam that are Basic 101 for the Dallas look. A percentage of the day’s sales will go to Kidd’s Kids, the nonprofit that takes a group of terminally-ill children and their families to Disney World each year.

And it doesn’t end on Saturday. Sunday evening Terry Costa Teen Board‘s annual Prom Fashion Show will feature the board members “strutting their stuff on the Red Carpet” in the latest and most trendy gowns. Ah, just in time for prom season!

You do remember the last time a Terry Costa fashion (pictured) shook up the fashionable types, don’t you?

You didn’t really think we were going to talk about Tiger W. . . Nah! You know us so much better than that.

Provided by The Crow Collection

Back to the New Year’s festivities. Starting at 6, The Crow Collection After Dark: Chinese New Year Celebration — 2010 Year of the Tiger will have an incredible number of activities including a glow-in-the-dark dragon and lion dance parade (pictured). Then there are the music, arts, and crafts including Chinese lanterns and paper cutting. If you want to have your fortune told or face painted, then you’re going to be in seventh heaven. Did we forget to mention food tastings?

And, it’s all free. That’s our very, very favorite four-letter word. A breakdown of the evening follows the jump.

• 6 p.m. — Four Seasons Choral Society and Chinese Orchestra concert (Gallery III)
• 6 – 8 p.m. — Crafts including Chinese red envelopes, lanterns, paper cutting and face painting (Gallery III)
• 6 – 11:30 p.m. — Chinese calligraphy demonstrations with artist Thomas Yu (Jade Room)
• 7 p.m. — Chinese Zodiac Tour (Gallery I)
• 8 p.m. — Luminous Dragon and Lion Dance Parade and Kung Fu Showcase (Flora St.)
• 9 p.m. — Chinese New Year Food Tasting with Royal China Restaurant
• 9 and 11 p.m. — Chinese harp performances by Anita Hu during Seizing the New World: Recent Paintings by Yang Jin Long exhibition (Gallery I)
• 10 – 11:30 p.m. — Chinese astrology readings and complimentary Tiger Beer

Happy New Year!

Photo provided by Cantoni

But not to worry. The crowd of boldfaced names who were on the scene at Cantoni made up for the loss of Magic. Hosts Kenyon and Cantoni Founder and Chief Energizer Officer Michael Wilkov (pictured left with Kenyon) were  extremely pleased that the weather had cleared up for the turnout. As mentioned the event benefited The Kenyon Martin Foundation that “provides support, including parenting and career guidance to teenagers who become parents as well as assisting families without father figures, and to provide life changing opportunities to under-served youth with an emphasis on helping youth in Dallas, Denver, and Cincinnati realize their unlimited potential.

Photo provided by Cantoni

Showing their support were adorable Regina King (pictured), who at 5’3″ was probably the shortest adult in the place;

future adults Eddie and Robert Mantz with Ethan Irushalmi; New Jersey Nets’ coach Kiki Vandeweghe with wife Peggy and eight-year-old son Maurice; and

Photo provided by Cantoni

TV’s Big Tigger, boxer Bernard Hopkins and NBA legend Alonzo Mourning (pictured right with, from the left Big Tigger and Bernard). BTW, Alonzo makes even Kenyon look short.

Raising the $30,000 was a silent auction that included a $5,000 Cantoni shopping spree, DiBur diamond watch, Viceroy Snowmass get-a-way package, Diamonds & Denim by Tai diamond bracelet and signed memorabilia from Brandon Roy, Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Deron Williams and Kenyon Martin.

Sponsors of the event included Cantoni, Kenyon’s foundation, Grey Goose, Nuvo Sparkling Liqueur, and Miele.

If you’ll recall, Thursday morning Dallas was showing the first ripple of the blizzard of Sno-10 as snow and more snow fell (pictured). But it was not enough to deter the 800 Ladies Who Limo from helping to raise funds in the battle for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of North Texas.

First challenge of the day was making it to the event. Smart ones entouraged. Brynn Bagot hitched a ride with her former step-mom Shelle Sills. Amy Stainback and Cathy McKnight had no troubles navigating the route because they “came with a friend Boston who had no problem.” Clever ones carpooled ala limousines ranging the color spectrum from black (pictured) to white. Hummer limos were MIA. Guess they’re just not that fashionable nowadays.

As the guests arrived at the Anatole’s Chantilly Ballroom’s covered walkway, they were greeted by a sea of black bumbershoot-toting valets. The guests were rewarded with major handholding for their trek efforts. Hardly a toe touched slush or a follicle was christened with a snowflake.

While the guests arrived and chit-chatted about their mushing to the luncheon, Runway General Jan Stimple had all her legions of models, stylists, and dressers (pictured) nestled warmly backstage preparing for the show. Yes, it would be delayed a bit, but that was to be expected. Only unexpected news was word of Alexander McQueen‘s suicide in London. Such a loss to the fashion world.

But back to the gathering out front. Once inside the hotel, many of the fur-bearing ladies opted to keep their coats on even though the temperature was not too toasty, not too chilly, but just right. Unlike the traditional colored limos, the furs came in all colors — brown, black, pink (pictured), red, white, you name it. For NBA-visiting guests at the Anatole (aka NBA Home Away From Home), it may have appeared that a convention of meerkats was sharing their digs.

Then it was time for lunch. Much to the relief of Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of North Texas’ Tina Garcia and Michelle Northcutt, nearly all the tables were filled. They were amazed at the turnout. . . Janie Condon table hit-and-ran despite surgery on her arm just a day before. . . Amy Turner (pictured right with, from the left, Kathy Klingaman and Christine Handy) was also on the mend with a hard-to-see band aid on her forehead covering a little surgery to remove an old scar . . . Rob Sumner of Park Place Dealerships laughed when asked about potential body work resulting from the pending blizzard. . . Winnie Anderson (pictured) was having fun scene-snatching in her black and white. Think Carnaby Street meets Harley-Davidson . . . All in white, Marilyn Klepak chuckled that even at 76, she’s still lunching around. . . Doris Jacobs looked all nice and warm in her coat with matching muff, while daughter Teffy (pictured left with Doris) was in a colorful coat of fabrics and fur. The gals could take the day off from real estating. It’s doubtful anyone would want to see an estate in this snowstorm. . . Past luncheon chairs DeeDee Lee and Claire Emanuelson looked terrific. DeeDee was probably grateful that when she chaired last year’s luncheon the AC had to be turned on.

As lights dimmed, FOX Channel 4′s Clarice Tinsley brought the group to order. She’s an old hand at it since this year is her eighth and according to organizers, “all she gets is a free lunch.” First on the agenda was a fashion show with volunteers and special friends including the likes of Denise Wolford (pictured) accompanied by a Cavalier Spaniel, that looked a tad bit nervous with all the furs in the room.

Then it was time for co-chairs Rainey and her daughter Natalie to enthusiastically thank the gathering for being there. Special thanks went to Crawford Brock (Stanley Korshak provided the clothes), committee members, underwriters and especially Nancy C. Rogers.

Rainey didn’t tell the audience (but sent word to SweetCharity via email) that Nancy, who helped provide $100,000 underwriting for the event. . .

“. . . woke up yesterday (ed. note: Thursday) money and felt so bad and worried that we would not make our numbers as we do raise quite a bit of money thru raffle and selling those 130 beautiful flowers crystal leaded bowls. She told herself that she was going to give us an additional 25K over what she had originally pledged. What a Saint!! When she told me that. I was floored but I had the presence of mind to ask her if she would also throw in that beautiful necklace that she was wearing!! She looked at me and thought about it for 2 split seconds and gave me a big NO!!!!”

They then announced that the “Heart of Gold Award” was being made in the name of the late Lynda Adleta, who died this past September after a battle with blood cancer. Her longtime friend Ellen Terry made the presentation with a moving introduction for this year’s recipient Gigi Potter (pictured left with Ellen), who had chaired the luncheon in the past but also is celebrating her tenth year of being cancer free of lymphoma.

Then Clarice introduced Alicia Landry for the presentation of the “Spirit of Tom Landry Character Award.” Now, Alicia knows how to make an entrance — on the arm of former Dallas Cowboy Randy White, who still looks mighty powerful. Named after Alicia’s late husband, the award was given to Zach Rigby (pictured right with Randy and Alicia), who is an adorable version of Jake Gyllenhaal. Zach’s story of being diagnosed with Adult Hodgkin’s Lymphoma on March 8, 2007 (his 16th birthday) and his treatments were almost as remarkable as his understanding of the challenges facing him. It’s a story worth reading time and time again about this University of Texas freshman. Attention, class: Be very nice to this young man. He’s going to be very important in the years ahead.

The final award of the day went to the Rapp group, which had donated all the creative elements (invitations, website, etc.) to the event. All of their work was rather gangbusters.

It was now time for the show of Korshak finery finishing the parade of lovelies with the spring line (pictured) from hometown sweetheart Lela Rose, who videotaped a message to the crowd. As usual, it was a stellar show, but then what else would you expect when Jan and Korshak get together? Only challenge in the whole procession of clothes was one model who almost let one of the highly-platformed shoes throw her off balance. But like a pro, she regained her footing and carried on with that model glare.

As soon as the lights came up, the raffle items were announced. The Fogiel family did well and not so well. Son Patrick (pictured), who wore his Troy Dungan tie (we thought he looked more like Tucker Carlson), bought a ticket and won a $1,000 gift certificate to HP Village. Mom Rainey bought ten tickets and got “nada.” Well, that’s not exactly right. Seems that big-spending Patrick treated the Fogiel clan to dinner at Mia Cocina in HPV that night. The moment the dinner was on the table, the lights went out, and the family enjoyed dinner in the dark. Thank heaven for Patrick’s gift certificate, because none of the Fogiels had any cash and the credit card machines were dead.

At this point, most event descriptions would end happily-ever-after, but there was a hiccup that needs to be mentioned. As the 800 snow angels scurried to the valets for their modes of transportation home, they were directed to the Anatole Tower’s porte-cochere. It was much more protected from the elements than the original drop off walkway. But even so, the wait times ended up varying from a few minutes to more than a half hour. The Pampered Patrons now looked like a casting call for March of the Penguins as they huddled together for warmth. They couldn’t go inside for fear of missing their cars.

One bundled-up committee member muttered, “I left the lunch early, so I could make a 1 p.m. meeting. I was one of the first ones here and I’m still waiting 30 minutes later.”

A professional in the valet business shook his head saying that not enough parkers had been hired to “handle the 200 cars.” While SweetCharity was not running a tab on the number of vehicles, it is highly suspect that there were only 200 vehicles for the 800 guests. From our vantage point, it appeared that one of the problems was the mega limos trying to do-si-do with the luxury SUV’s into the two available lanes, as well as confusion on locating vehicles in the snow. On the lighter side, it was rather humorous seeing a little SmartCar sneak in among the mega-wheels.

One Nike salesman in town for the NBA All-Star weekend waiting for his car marveled at the long-legged beauties getting into their limousines and proclaimed, “This is beautiful, just beautiful.” (Did he really think this activity was part of the “Welcome to Dallas” program?)

What especially made this $400,000+ day for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society especially beautiful were the generous underwriters and donors including:

Hope Diamond Valentine ($50,000–$99,999) – Richard and Nancy C. Rogers

Diamond Valentine ($25,000–$49,999) – Rapp

Pink Diamond Valentines ($10,000–$24,999) – American Airlines, Park Place Motorcars Dallas,  Ruth Robinson in memory of Edgar A. Robinson, Stanley Korshak, Becca Cason Thrash, Jack Turpin, Billie Thomas, Jack Turpin in memory of Sally Turpin, and Gloria Somerville Wagner

Sapphire Valentines ($5,000–$9,999) – Claire Emanuelson and Muffin Lemak, Mr. & Mrs. Stanford C. Finney Jr., Modern Luxury, Cindy Rachofsky and Meghan Looney, Michelle and Tim Brookshire, Inette Brown, Rosann Gutman and Ruthie Pack, Maura Costello in memory of Ollie Belle Patrick, The Robert and Nancy Dedman Foundation Fund of Communities Foundation of Texas, Al G. Hill Jr., Tavia and Clark Hunt, Gene Jones, Diane Scovell, Dannye Thomas, and Denise and Larry Wolford

Ruby Valentines ($3,000–$4,999) – Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine,
Cordelia and Tom Boone of The Boone Foundation, The Trammell & Margaret Crow Collection of Asian Art, Holly Pellham Davis, Ann and John Delatour, Neva Hall and Shelle Sills of Neiman Marcus, Francis Ryburn of The Moss Foundation, Mac, Lisa and Taylor Tichenor,
Tracy Castleman and Ellen Terry in memory of Lynda Adleta, Elbit Systems of America,
Jill Goldberg and Janet Nylund, Kayla Roughton, Jane Sparks and Maria Stafford, and
Christine and Stephanie Schuepbach

Pearl Valentines ($1,650–$2,999) – Rebecca, Anne and Molly Bruder, Mrs. Michael A. Cagle and Mrs. J. Bruce Martindale, Mona Carlton & Grey Stogner,Sally and Tom Dunning Advised Fund of The Dallas Foundation in honor of Gigi Potter, Rusty and Bill Duvall and Janet Evans,
Linda Perrin, A. L. Chilton Foundation, Baker Botts LLP, Mike and Susie Barnett/Benchmark Bank and Title, Tricia Besing, Ann Carruth, Heather Cooper, Lissie Donosky, Lynn Lemon, Rebecca Lutz, Debra Miller, Sara Sands, Carolyn Toledo and Tamareh Tuma, Kym Comer,
Leah Davis of Right Angle Interiors, Friends of Gigi Potter, Debbie and Lauren Gilmore and Loyd and Jennifer Zisk, Lista and Hayley Hightower, Investigators Club, Gigi Potter, Sandra Roberdeau, Kathi and Scott Shuford of Dallas Auction Gallery, and Tom Thumb

Patron Tickets ($500 and above) – Janet Cobb, Janie Condon, Ola Fojtasek, Tricia George, Natalie and Dr. Edwin Ornish, Barbara Sanger, and Laurie-Jo Straty

Donations ($1,000 and above) – Marguerite Hoffman in memory of Robert K. Hoffman, DeeDee Lee in honor of Rainey and Natalie Fogiel, Mr. and Mrs. Ross Perot, in memory of Henry Jamison Jr., Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Fronterhouse in honor of Gigi Potter, Heather Furniss, and Deedie Rose

Donations – Naomi Aberly, Heather Balestri in honor of Gigi Potter, Kerry and Lewis Brown Jr. in memory of Lewis E. Brown Sr., Nancy Carter in honor of Nancy Rogers, Robyn Conlon, Juli Harrison in honor or Crawford Brock, Jennifer Karol in memory of Lynda Adleta, Kathy Mattai,
Cynthia Miller in honor of Lisa Kopecky, Mollie Pin in memory of Sara Foxworth and in honor of Christine Schuepbach, Dorothy Singhal, Dolores & Jeff Staffin in memory of Bruce Staffin,
Vera Thornton in honor of Gigi Potter, Diane Butler, Chris and Becky Carroll in honor of Debbie and Hayley Evans, Mark and Martha Crites in honor of Paul May, Barbara Hunt Crow in honor of Gigi Potter, Leeanne Hunt in honor of Gigi Potter, Max and Betty Anne Hunter, Dorothy Lay,
Becky McCamey, Elaine Notestine, Carol Seay in honor of Gigi Potter, Vicki Stensrud, Charlotte and Alexis Claire Tripplehorn, and Susan Ware

Lauren Bacall will be the Nasher Salon featured speaker at the Nasher Sculpture Center for lunch and evening chats. Married to Humphrey Bogart and Jason Robards, Bacall at 85 has appeared in over 60 films including The Big Sleep, Dark Passage, Key Largo, How To Marry A Millionaire, Written on the Wind, Murder on the Orient Express, The Shootist, and Dogville to name just a few. Known as “Betty” to her friends, she made famous the line, “You know how to whistle, don’t you? You just put your lips together and blow” (To Have and Have Not). Sorry, but the evening segment is sold out and there are only a handful of tickets available to lunch with Lauren.

Across North Olive at the Belo Mansion, Henry “The Fonz” Winkler (pictured) will be part of the St. Philip’s School and Community Center‘s 2010 Destiny Awards Luncheon.  Besides being the legendary “Fonzie” of Happy Days, Henry is a producer, director, and best-selling author of over a dozen children’s books. You probably know Henry majored in drama and studied child psychology at Emerson College, and earned his Masters of Fine Arts from Yale School of Drama. But did you know that he didn’t realize that he suffered from dyslexia until he was in his 30′s? Heavily involved in various children’s projects, he co-founded the Children’s Action Network in 1990, which provides free immunizations to children. For additional info, call Anyika McMillian-Herod at 214-421-5221, Ext. 238.

Folks, get your autograph books out and give them a real work out on March 11.

UPDATE: Henry has just been added to the cast of “Royal Pains.”

“Tre Amici began ‘Savor the Arts’ because we wanted to be more involved in the community and this quarterly event allows us to consistently give back to local charities as well as support the local arts.”

This quarter the beneficiary will be St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital with specially-commissioned art from such talents as Mike Ledoux, Mikki Mallow, Shane Pennington, Bob Poe, and Rene Vandevere. To help raise funds for St. Jude, the art will be available for purchase.

During the 5 to 7 p.m. reception, guests will be able to visit with the artists, bid on silent auction items, and chat with Tre Amici Chef de Cuisine Chris Hughes. Perhaps Chris will go into detail about the prix fixe dinner that he has prepared including:

Salads: Choice of Steakhouse Chopped Salad or Lobster Bisque

Main Course: Choice of 8 oz USDA Prime Filet, 16oz USDA Prime New York Strip, or Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass

Dessert: Choice of Mixed Berries with Pama Zabaglione or  Lemoncello Cheesecake

And if that isn’t to you liking, Chris will no doubt understand and you can order right off the regular menu.

Like we said, “Change can be good.”

In recent years Dandy has been ensconced in his Santa Fe home with wonderful wife Susan. (Check out Brad Townsend‘s excellent article on the Merediths. While it’s lengthy, it’s also a must read!) So it’s quite a coup that Don will return to Dallas to be honored at the A.W.A.R.E luncheon in April.

To officially kick off things off, organizers gathered at Bailey’s Prime @ Park Lane Wednesday night with Meredith’s teammates Lee Roy Jordan and Walt Garrison (pictured), who are still show-stoppers themselves.

In his cowboy hat and boots, Walt ambled over to the far side of the room, but the crowd soon found him. On the other hand, Lee Roy (pictured) sans wife Biddie could barely get away from the folks thanking him for talking his old roomie into participating. He beamed that the lunch is going to the best ever.

One person whispered to another guest, “He looks like he could take the field today.” To which the other guest replied, “He looks like a young version of Charlton Heston.”

In typical Jordan fashion, he smiled off all compliments and made his way to Walt. By the way, if you want to try a firm handshake, try out Lee Roy.

Other non-football types at the event included Carmelita Whiteley chatting it up with Bill Armstrong. . . Alzheimer Association head guy John Gilchrist (pictured) looking down on everyone. What else would you expect? He’s way over 6’2″. Oh, thought we meant something else? Sit in the corner. . . . Billie Leigh Rippey in drop-dead Cowboy silver fashions arriving and a little disappointed that Dandy wasn’t on hand. . . . Barbara Sypult sporting a cast on her arm from a nasty fall.

Get your tickets now because this event is going to be truly unforgettable.