Dish-Houston

Photo Credit Marianne Rafter

Dr. Ruth Westheimer, an internationally known authority on human sociology and sexuality and author of the book The Art of Arousal: A Celebration of Erotic Art throughout History, will be in conversation with MFAH director Gary Tinterow on the evening of Tuesday, June 4, 2013 at 6:30 with a reception will follow the conversation. This discussion marks the second in the series Conversations with the Director, a new public program at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, that brings an eclectic mix of cultural figures to the Museum’s Brown Auditorium three times a year. 

Tickets for the Conversations with the Director series are $15 for students, $25 for MFAH members and $35 for the general public. Tickets for the June 4 event with Dr. Ruth Westheimer are available online www.mfah.org by phone at 713.639.7771; or at any MFAH admissions desk.

On April 23, the Conversations with the Director series launched with a conversation between MFAH director Gary Tinterow and artist Jeff Koons. Additional guests for the series will be announced later in the year. The series is presented by Louis Vuitton. 

This series is presented by Louis Vuitton. A symbol of elegance and style throughout the world, Louis Vuitton has cultivated a close relationship with the world of art since its founding in 1854. Consistent with the creativity and craftsmanship that have inspired the brand, Louis Vuitton is dedicated to sharing its creative passion in each community it serves.

So just how much is having a "name brand" logo on your person worth to you?? Is it the savings your after or the social climbing? Is there a status that you feel necessary or some how makes you more worthy?? Well wearing fakes can only make you worthy of wearing an orange jumpsuit and a jail sentence!

According to the Houston Police Department, one of the largest counterfeit goods raids in recent history went down this week where tthousands of fake Louis Vuitton, Coach and Jimmy Choo purses were boxed up and confiscated. The HPD Major Offenders Division said it also took in hundreds of fake name-brand shoes.

The allegations are that they were all sold by a small businesses located inside the Armadillo Flea Market on Airtex near Interstate 45 North.

“We had support from ICE and also the Harris County District Attorney’s office. We are such a small squad that, to do something of this magnitude, we do turn to other agencies that enforce it also and they help us. Without them we obviously couldn't do it,” said Sgt. Frank Quinn.

For more than a month, HPD said it sent undercover officers into the stores with cash.

Eight people were arrested and charged with trademark counterfeiting -- a felony in the State of Texas!

Others who weren't targeted by police sure didn't want to hang around.  As soon as investigators moved in Sunday afternoon, they quickly locked up their stores and took off running.

That doesn't mean they are safe from the long arm of the law however,

“I did notice it, and really you have to select a target that you can live with at the time,” Quinn said.

Approximately 281 boxes of counterfeit goods containing 11,000 pieces were gathered up with police saying the manufacturers suggested retail price of the goods was approximately $5 million.

See DISHIES...it doesn't pay to be fake!

P.S....Who in the world would knock of Coach?? It's cheap and ugly enough isn't it??