Fort Bend Lifestyles and Homes Magazine Feb 2010: Socials, Galas, Parties, Fort Bend and Sugar Land

Feb. 4: Girlfriend’s Giggle - Fifth annual big girl’s pajama party held at Fluor Corporation; fortbendwomenscenter.org.

Feb. 5: Heart’s & Hammers Ball - Held at Safari Texas and benefits CORPS, which helps with home repairs for the needy in Fort Bend; fbcorps.org.

Feb. 6: Pancakes & Pajamas Children’s Festival - Third annual pajama party presented by the Fort Bend Junior Service League and Texas Children ’s Hospital; fbjsl.com.

Feb. 6: Fort Bend Boy’s Choir Gala Dinner - Great evening of food and music at Safari Texas; fbbctx.org.

Feb. 21: Book & Author Dinner - 10th annual event benefiting the Literacy Council; ftbendliteracy.org.

AROUND THE BEND

1) Lizz Sansone, Literacy Council board member, and her husband, Chris, were “wheeling and dealing” as they helped register riders for Bike the Bend, an annual bike ride benefiting the Council.

2) Ringing in the New Year at Amici’s are friends Karen Mawyer, Jacqueline Chaumette, Michael Schiff and Lee Duggan, former mayor of Sugar Land.

3) Ray Aguilar and Victoria Sandoval “geared up” to learn about fighting flames at the Missouri City Fire Station during a Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce leadership session.

4) Dee Koch was honored by The Rotary Club of Fort Bend County as 2009 Humanitarian of the Year, amidst a ballroom filled with friends and community members. Celebrating the evening ’s festivities are Al Bartolo, honoree Dee Koch, and honorary chairs Carole and Bob Brown.

5) Kelly Metzger, Linda Riddle, Kelly Ditta and Melissa Hayslip had a ball at a shindig celebrating a wonderful year. The bash was held at a beautiful estate home by Fairmont Homes in Sienna Plantation.

TEXANA CENTER

Texana Center marked a milestone with the groundbreaking of the new $8.5 million West Campus, a modern one-story Learning Center for people with developmental disabilities, and a new two-story Service Center to be located on a three-acre site, close to the existing location in Rosenberg. When completed, the campus will serve close to 1,000 people with developmental disabilities each year —most living in or around the underserved areas in west Fort Bend County.

6) Frank Gracely, AT&T; George Patterson and Dianne Wilson, Texana Center; Anita Najar, representative from the office of Dora Olivo, District 27; and Rep. John Zerwas, District 28

7) Celebrating Texana’s milestone are Carolyn Banfield and Jim Shaw.

8) Texana board member Angela Waligura, Teresa Reading and Sharon Wallingford

CASA HOME TOUR CELEBRATION

Photos by Mary Favre

Child Advocates of Fort Bend held a party at the home of Drs. Shelena and Ayeez Lalji to honor the many generous sponsors for its 18th Annual CASA Christmas Home Tour. Guests enjoyed a fantastic array of food prepared by Frederick Perrier of Aura and Chef Dillon Kao of Sweetwater Country Club. The tour, which has become a Fort Bend County tradition, raised more than $211,000 to support Child Advocates of Fort Bend in its efforts on behalf of abused and neglected children.

9) Sponsor party chair Joan Soland, Child Advocates of Fort Bend board member Betty Baitland and Development Director Kelli Metzenthin

10) Dr. Shel with Michelle Perrier of Aura

11) Designer Teena Caldwell and her husband, Dr. Larry Caldwell

12) Designer Lucas Chavez with Ruthanne Mefford, director Child Advocates of Fort Bend

“BON APPETIT” IMPERIAL

PERFORMING ARTS

The Imperial Performing Arts presented Bon Appetit, three short one-acts with a comic appeal. Held at the Houstonian Golf & Country Club in Richmond, more than 100 guests gathered to see the performances and enjoy a delicious dinner. The Imperial Performing Arts is Fort Bend County ’s first and only resident professional performing arts organization.

13) Congressman Pete Olson and wife, Nancy

14) Board of directors member Yvonne Crowell, David and Gail Sager, and Margarite Lutts

15) Jay and Stephanie White

16) Charlie and Jo Howard with their son, Chad Howard, and girlfriend, Lindsay Rosen

17) Rosemary and Keith Kogler, Tenor Danny Sigmon and June Brown

FORT BEND COUNTY WOMEN’S CENTER STARS PARTY

STARS members celebrated a get-together at the beautiful home of Victoria Collins, to donate gifts to the Fort Bend County Women ’s Center residents. Gifts were donated so children in the shelter could “shop” for holiday gifts for their moms. STARS is an auxiliary branch of the Fort Bend County Women ’s Center, comprised of women in the Fort Bend community who exhibit the strong will to lead and serve through volunteerism and fundraising.

18) Host Victoria Collins and Sara Solo

19) Stefani Fitzgerald and Adrienne Banks, who received the STARS’ Super Star Award for outstanding volunteer service.

HOUSTON JUNIOR WOMEN’S CLUB

Photos by Alexander’s Fine Portraits

John and Brenda Werner of Sienna Plantation welcomed over 600 guests, many from Fort Bend, to the Houston Junior Woman ’s Club’s 26th Annual Holiday Happening. Guests were treated to a delightful luncheon and fabulous fashion show