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This month's column has metamorphosed into an insider guide to ArtHouston, the summer citywide gallery open house, established in 1979, that always interjects sizzle and a sense of importance into the first and second weeks of July. Why be anywhere else? Harris Gallery leads the charge as organizer, and works shown from Gallery Row to Isabella Court have often been propelled to the Whitney's hallowed walls. It seems like just a few years ago, during an ArtHouston 1998, that I first encountered Core Fellow Julie Mehretu's mappish paintings, which were molded by globalism and her unique bi-continental background; Mehretu debuted at Barbara Davis Gallery then for a few thousand; now the MacArthur winner's works soar into an incredible seven figures. My own career began at Meredith Long & Company; during a 1990 Introductions show (then the moniker for the July art banquet, which originally served as a debut of emerging talents), I spied a Yun-Fei Ji and intercepted it before the artist carried it to the dumpster, deeming it not good enough for the show. It's been hanging in my house every since — and what a pleasant surprise to read about the Beijing turned Brooklyn artist a decade later in a New York Times profile, and to see his work at the Whitney Biennial 2002. Here are our picks for the top views of this summer's extravaganza: Joel Sampson's idiosyncratic sound contraptions at D. M. Allison (July 5 – 26); the timeless landscape group show at Harris Gallery (opening July 12); Core Fellow Demetrius Oliver and Studio Museum pals Titus Kaphar and Wardell Milan of the surreal fantasy photos at Inman Gallery (July 11 – August 16); the color-saturated pairing of painter Graciela Hasper with sculptor Marta Chilindron at Sicardi Gallery (July 10 – August 30); Scott Rosenberg's ceramics in "Snail Trail" (don't you love the title?) at Zoya Tommy Contemporary (July 11 – August 9); Shayne Murphy's smart architectural abstracts at Anya Tish Gallery (July 11 – August 23); hot L.A. talent Martin Durazo paired with rising Texan Owen Drysdale at Barbara Davis Gallery (July 11 – August 30); landscape master Larry Horowitz at Meredith Long & Company (opening July 12); Gil Bruvel's chess-informed sculpture at Laura Rathe Fine Art (July 12 – August 30); the refreshing "Love American Style" at Raven Grill, curated by Franny Koelsch (open house July 12 – August 26); an engaging "Summertime Blues" roundup at McClain Gallery (July 12 – August 16); the annual "Affordable Australian Aboriginal" lineup at Booker-Lowe Gallery (July 12 – September 6); sensitive leafy collages by Rice U architecture prof emeritus, centenarian Elinor Evans at Moody Gallery (July 12 – August 9); and yours truly's curation of a drawing show at G Gallery with a PA by my 96-year-old dad, Harry D. Anspon, and his signature cats (July 5 – 27) … Finally, investigate Hiram Butler Gallery's museum-worthy Jasper Johns and Cy Twombly very special editions, an independent offering … Head to arthouston.com and follow on social media. Catherine D. Anspon Oops: Due to a technical error, our June issue included rather dated information about Vallone's steak house. Here's the updated story: Tony Vallone's revived steak- house concept opened last fall to rave reviews at Gateway Memorial City on Gessner at I-10. Manager Scott Sulma does double duty at both Vallone's and Tony's, while GM Chuck Criswell makes Vallone's his territory. The long, glamorous glass-fronted fireplace is center stage; we love the 55-day dry-aged steak, but new this month, Vallone's welcomes back fan fave The Tex: two classic enchiladas with a center- cut, house-aged filet. Finish American- style with baked Alaska or house-made cotton candy … The Carrabba family — specifically, daughter Jessica, wife Janice, mother Mary Ann and John Marion Carrabba — has moved their Italian eatery Piatto Ristorante from Royal Oaks to Studewood in the Heights. Some of the Sicilian recipes at this home-style neighborhood concept have been in the family for generations, and Mama Mary Ann still oversees the catering division … The healthy takeaway hot spot Snap Kitchen has opened a new location, this one downtown at The Shop at Houston Center. Look for seasonally changing offerings of healthful, dietitian-approved breakfast, lunch and juice options at this outpost, which is open 7 am to 4 pm weekdays … Also downtown, the second location of Hearsay Gastro Lounge opens in Discovery Green at Embassy Suites Hotel later this fall. This version, much like the first on Travis, will feature a menu of new American cuisine by chef Edwin Chanas and craft cocktails in a vintage-inspired setting. The spot, owned by Landmark Hospitality Group, will serve lunch and dinner as well as late-night dining … Deborah Morris' Juicy in the Sky has moved to 4720 Washington Avenue (next to Max's Wine Dive). Relocating from the Heights' West 19th corridor, Juicy continues its emphasis on the art of juicing but has amped up its square footage, adding a dine-in component and rolling out an expanded menu of vegan salads, sandwiches, wraps, soups, desserts and other healthy, local and organic options. Laurann Claridge Restaurant Buzz Longoria Collection in Uptown Park has long been the place to procure fine linens, china, silver flatware, candles and all things chic for the home. Owner Sylvia Longoria Dorsey is upping the ante, renovating the store and bringing in the big guns: namely, Aerin Lauder's new collection of furnishings fabrics, lighting and rugs called Aerin (accessories in stock now), as well as Ralph Lauren Home furnishings, fabrics and lighting. All should be in place mid- September, and Miz Lauder will be making a personal appearance in December … In Highland Village news, owner Haidar Barbouti keeps the hits coming. Vineyard Vines, an ode to all things Martha's Vineyard for men and women, opens later this year ... Joseph Was (vintage-inspired tees, jeans and more for the free-spirited woman) opens in September near Kate Spade in Highland Village ... Galleria happenings: Chanel is undergoing a redo but remains open (Galleria 1, next to Neiman Marcus); its mall entrance is barricaded, but the exterior door (near valet) is ready to dash through for camellias and double C's … German athletic brand Puma pounces on Galleria 1, Level 2, later this year … Neiman Marcus debuts Akris Punto's fall collection on Level 2 on July 15. Neiman's adds the designs of Band of Outsiders, as well as handbags by local bauble maven Emily Armenta … Italian lingerie majordomo La Perla will open a boutique in Houston in January 2015 … Bridal haven Casa de Novia hosts a Vera Wang Spring 2015 trunk show July 10 – 12 and welcomes the Canadian mother-and-daughter design duo behind Ines di Santo July 17 – 19 … Uptown Park adds The Custom Shop Clothiers to its mix — a NYC-based business since 1937 edged in prep for women and men … The former Koelsch Gallery (703 Yale in the Heights) owned by Franny Koelsch will now be home to jeweler Rebecca Lankford under the moniker Studio 703 by Rebecca Lankford; expect many collaborations between the two. The gallery space, Koelsch Haus launches this fall at 801 Richmond Avenue … Mia Bridal Couture says "I do" to a new exclusive: Persian/NYC designer Sareh Nouri (sneak peek August 15 – 16) … Josephine's Day Spa & Salon owner Vivian Yeh expands her hair empire with next month's opening of Posh Salon in BLVD Place at Post Oak and San Felipe … Azuz women's boutique in Rice Village teams up with Barrio Dogs July 19 for a night of philanthropic shopping. But first, join L.A.'s Michelle Jonas and shop her hand-dyed beach frocks, June 26. Megan Pruitt Winder The Heights River Oaks - PENDING Extraordinary residential real estate service and knowledge. Every time. 713.553.4255 m a r y h a l e m c l e a n . c o m Operated by Sotheby's International Realty, Inc. Art Notes = ArtHouston Harry D. Anspon's Big Ears (Siamese), 2014, at G Gallery Marta Chilindron's Trapezoid, 2014, at Sicardi Gallery Wardell Milan's Sunday, sitting on the back of butterfly meadow, 2013, at Inman Gallery BRENT BRUNI COMISKEY JULIE SOEFER G et a handle on this Salvatore Ferragamo handbag collection. Named after the late great founder and designer's eldest daughter, Fiamma Ferragamo, the Fiamma collection is destined to be a signature notable for the Italian fashion house — witness the bowler bag, available in five sizes (mini to mega) with a padlock and ample style iterations ranging from classic black leather to rare violet python. Our personal fave is the brown python and fox-fur number. Ferragamo creative director Massimiliano Giornetti designed the pieces to commemorate the influence of the Ferragamo dames on the brand — with special emphasis on Fiamma, the brains behind the house's handbag collection that debuted circa 1970. The collection also borrows elements from Fiamma's coveted 1990s design. Fiamma collection, from $1,690, at the Salvatore Ferragamo boutique. Anna Schuster Fiamma for the Win Taste the Rainbow Brown python and fox fur Fiamma handbag $4,900 Tiffany & Co. has dispatched gemologists to scour the earth for the rarest colored gemstones — pink tourmalines, fire opals, yellow diamonds, aquamarines, rubellite and garnet — for the 2014 Blue Book, a collection of the apogee of the 177-year-old jeweler's art. Here you'll find the most exquisite creations celebrating nature's vivid awakening, from sea to sky, with an abundance of floral and graceful winged-insect motifs, many inspired by the Tiffany archives. $30,000 to $3.8 million, at Tiffany & Co. Megan Pruitt Winder Tiffany & Co. 18K gold bracelet with pink tourmalines, fire opals, yellow diamonds and garnet, $115,000