0 CommentsFashion, food, paintings, politics, society and sports were in the air at the Art of Conversation lunch that benefited City ArtWorks, a non-profit that provides after-school art programs for 85 schools, 14 community centers and Texas Children’s Hospital. Socializing with Skip Wagner, CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Spring Branch schools superintendent Duncan Klussmann, sportscaster Bob Allen, fashionistas Elaine Turner and Chloe Dao, and authors Mickey Herskowitz and Betty Trapp Chapman were co-chairs Mia Bering and Jana Stiffel. Also there were City ArtWorks prez Tom Wolff and wife Karen Wolff, Augie Bering, Scott Stiffel, Spring Valley mayor Mike Andrews and wife Patsy Andrews, Christine and Robert Bruce, Nidhika and Pershant Mehta, Jody and Allan Sommers, Barbara and LaRoy Hammer, Mark Ruggles, Debra Fischer, Debby Posso, Cindy Soefer, Kelly Provine, Aron and Amy Grenader, and Barbara Maidenberg. There was plenty to talk about!
Co-chairs Jana Stiffel and Mia Bering had plenty to talk about for months while preparing for the Art of Conversation, which benefited City ArtWorks. Supporters joined 31 local celebs for lunch at the Junior League.
Aged to perfection. Eight years ago, wine specialist Randi Patel was eating at a sushi bar when three handsome guys came in. Who-noticed-whom first doesn’t matter anymore. She and one of the trio, John Steinmetz, talked for hours over a glass or two. Their meritage was on Oct. 23 at Rainbow Lodge, where Randi looked elegant in a platinum dress, purple shoes and red and purple flowers, perhaps symbolic of the red and purple grapes used in wine making. Together, Randi and John will make a perfect blend.
It wasn’t just a bunch of buffalo. There was also shrimp, lump crab meat and duck, all paired with just the perfect Rodney Strong vino at the Soiree de Cru 7th annual Vintner Dinner benefiting Cancer Counseling. The delicious buffalo tenderloin was also served as short ribs. Kristin McKinna, Barbara Abramowitz, Merrie and Laif Afseth, Lee Ann and Mark Elvig, Angelica and Ed Chapman, and Cindy and Ignacio Pujol admired a Lhasa Apso puppy, “Zin-fandel,” won by high bidders Sherry and Al Deavers.
Laughter filled Merrill Hafner’s home where 30 women gathered to share a festive champagne lunch with the first lady of Houston, Andrea Ferguson White, benefiting Writers in the Schools. Ginya Trier, Sheri Henriksen, Mary Hughes, Jina David, Kim Trimble, Lisa Spier and Andrea Mason rolled at the hilarious stories that Andrea read from her memoirs, titled P.S.: Political Spouse and Passionate Supporter.
Luxury in the bush is how Michele Stacy Dienna describes her trip to South Africa that began at the Royal Malewane Lodge. Her heart pounded when a bull elephant charged out of the brush toward her vehicle. The game ranger diverted the animal in time for the welcome African happy hour, known as a sundowner.
It was an intimate private wedding ceremony for Summer Qaddumi and Bob Vriend at the home of Thora and Mater Qaddumi. A multi-cultural reception held at The Gallery blended Hispanic and Dutch-Arabic traditions for friends and family. Guests danced to a mariachi band while belly dancers added extra spice to the Mexican food. For a smoky dream finale, everyone was invited to puff flavored tobacco from a hookah. The couple will honeymoon in Israel.
With more than 350 participants, Team Kinkaid, led by co-captains Morgan Beeler and Caroline Hafner, surpassed its fundraising goal and raised $36,495 at the Susan G. Komen Race.
Super Woman! April and Joe Gauss visited the white beaches of Panama City, Florida, to cheer on their daughter, Sarah Gauss, a competitor at the 2009 Ironman Florida. Sarah aced a 2.4-mile swim in the choppy waters with four-foot swells in the Gulf of Mexico before she biked 112 miles in 15 mph head winds, saving enough extra energy to complete a 26.2-mile marathon run. She crossed the finish line in 14 hours. The Gauss family and Team Rah Rah, which included Monica Robinson, Jane Buchanan and Patrick Scales, celebrated with champagne and pizza.
The Fourth Annual Good Neighbor Dinner, hosted by Spring Branch ISD, recognized Patty Peeples Busmire, Mallory and Jim Shaddix, Mary and Gary Card, Barry Abrams and Leslie and Byrd Larberg among many others.
Randall Sorrels was named the 2009 Distinguished Alumnus for Houston Baptist University. The former NCAA academic all-American was also honored when HBU named its soccer field Sorrels Field. Wife Cheryl and children Ashley and Stephanie and twins Darby and Garrett are beaming with pride.
Action! The Country Playhouse Theatre and pubs around town were the scenes for filmmaking of writer/director Travis Ammons’ comedic film, Suicide Notes. You may have spotted various cast extras, including the film’s executive producer, Tedd Dicus, as well as Joshua Garcia, Jordan Hand, Sam Malone and Bardia Mattin.
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