The Bayou City Outdoors Equipment SWAP & Yardsale

January 28, 2012
Talento Beilingue De Houston
333 S Jensen Dr, Houston, TX 77003
9:00AM – 3:00PM

Before You Shop – Try THE Swap! The BCO Outdoor Equipment Swap & Yardsale on January 28, 2012. Got a bunch of new gear for the Holidays? Trade your old stuff in! ALL types of outdoor (and indoor) equipment will be available – camping, kayaking, diving, hiking, backpacking, biking, indoor exercise equipment, clothes, dirty tennis shoes, you name it – we’ll have it or you can bring it!
If you have equipment you would like to swap or sell, come early (8:00 – 8:30am) to pick a good table. If you are with another outdoor/fitness group and would like your own table please call 713 524 3567.
There is no fee for a table or entry to the event. However, we are taking donations for Workshop Houston which provides resources and support for young people such as the Third Ward Bike Shop – a do-it-yourself bike repair. They are in need of all kinds of bike equipment except helmets, footwear and clothing.

9:00AM – 3:00PM. Talento Beilingue De Houston, 333 S Jensen Dr, Houston, TX 77003. For directions please see TBH website at: www.talentobilingue.org/about-us/location
Details and RSVP at www.BayouCityOutdoors.com or call 713-524-3567

 

Bayou City Outdoors Meet & Greet

January 27, 2012
Christian’s Tailgate (New Heights Location)
2820 White Oak Houston, TX 77007
6:30 – 9:00PM

New Year, new friends, new adventures! Come join BCO at the new Christian’s Tailgate location in the Heights. We’ll have our own area and Tailgate has some yummy food and drink specials. Here’s your chance to connect with new people with similar interests. BCO makes it easy to make new friends in a laid back atmosphere or just say hello to your old buddies.

Christian’s Tailgate (Heights Location), 2820 White Oak Houston, TX 77007
Parking in lot across the street. Please note the signage of where and where not to park. Details and RSVP at www.BayouCityOutdoors.com or call 713-524-3567

 

Bayou City Outdoors Farmer’s Market Ride

January 21, 2012
Onion Creek, 3106 White Oak Dr, Houston, TX 77007
8:00 AM – Noon

Come out and stretch your legs after the holidays by biking to the Farmer’s Markets of Houston. Is this the year you start stocking your cabinets with organic groceries? This is the way to go! Hop on your bike and let’s take a ride through the side streets, trails, and residential areas in the heart of Houston. This is a very social ride and all levels of riders are welcome. We will start the morning off with coffee at Onion Creek and then cruise through 2-3 markets to shop for fresh produce, sauces, jams, and bread. This is a 12-15 mile ride that lasts about three hours so bring plenty of water and a backpack to carry your goodies! If you’d like to join us but don’t own a bike, West End Bicycles rents bikes for $25 per day at 713/861-2271 or www.westendbikes.com.

If you are a member of Bayou City Outdoors and do not have a bike, we can loan you a bike for the ride. But you MUST call the office one week in advance to arrange for the loaner bike. Meet at Onion Creek, 3106 White Oak Dr, Houston, TX 77007. Please DO NOT park in the Onion Creek lot – there is parking on the surrounding streets but look out for ‘no parking’ signs. Meet at 8:00AM – leave at 8:30AM – Noon. Free for Members and Non-Members alike. RSVP 713-524-3567 or www.BayouCityOutdoors.com

THE ONE PERCENT SOLUTION

            THE CLUB – Ah, there you are. We’ve been expecting you. Take a seat here by the fireplace with its burning Merrill Lynch bonds. Waiter, bring this new member a drink. Now, might I welcome you to the Club One, obviously made up of that select group, the top 1 percent of the richest Americans.

            You were approved for membership by making a billion on Bernie Madoff bobble-head dolls – the kind of heads you can rip off. I made my fortune selling picket signs and bullhorns to those Occupy Wall Street folks. My branch offices in Atlanta, Denver, Houston, Oakland — they all did well, especially Oakland, where fire bombs and gas masks were selling like crack pipes. Unfortunately, my efforts to peddle deodorants and razors didn’t work. 

            Good, the waiter has brought your drink. Thank you, Newt. No doubt you’ve heard about the recession. But not here. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office says we top 1 percent of earners more than doubled our share of the nation’s income over the last three decades. Actually, the after-tax income of the top 20 percent now exceeds the income of the bottom 80 percent of Americans, which seems only proper. Incidentally, our “after tax income” is about the same as our “before tax income,” if you get my drift.

Our members are the usual suspects: movie stars, top athletes, drug lords. They made it on their own. Then there are the Wall Street money handlers who don’t actually contribute anything to society, like making shoe-strings or growing corn, but they make a fortune. Oh, there’s Eugene Isenberg, outgoing CEO of Houston’s Nabors Industries. He just received a $100 million golden parachute. This was on top of his $176 million in compensation between 2006 and 2010 during which the company’s stock fell 38 percent. It’s dropped another 20 percent this year. Don’t you just love it?

            Even though we own most members of Congress, many already qualify for our club. There are currently 245 millionaires — 66 in the Senate and 179 in the House. The richest of all is a Texan: Rep. Michael McCaul, Republican of Austin, worth over $294 million. He married it. Most candidates for president, including Obama, are in the top 1 percent. We don’t have exact figures, but experts say Michele Bachmann and Ron Paul probably don’t make the cut. Rick Perry’s net worth is estimated at just over $1 million, which is not bad for someone who has been a Texas state employee most of his adult life.

Yes, Warren Buffet and Bill Gates qualify for our club, technically, but they were drummed out as heretics. You know their screed: keep the death tax, spread the wealth, philanthropy. Traitors to their class. How does one qualify for Club One? Your worthiness can be measured in two ways: wealth or income. By household wealth, the cutoff point was $9 million in 2010, according to the Federal Reserve. The cutoff for annual household income is about $700,000. However, the Congressional Budget Office put the 1 percent earnings cutoff at $350,000 in 2007.  

            The bottom 99 percent deserve to be at the bottom. As Herman Cain said, “I don’t have facts to back this up, but I happen to believe that these demonstrations are planned and orchestrated, to distract from the failed policies of the Obama administration. Don’t blame Wall Street, don’t blame the big banks — if you don’t have a job and you are not rich, blame yourself!” He’s absolutely right, although I don’t have the facts to back it up.

I see through the window the great unwashed are stoning our club. Looks like an Athens come-as- you-are party. We here at the club believe in the Trickle Down Theory, or as the 99 percent call it, the Trickle On Theory. So? What’s their point? We believe in the redistribution of wealth – upwards, because we are job creators, although lately we haven’t been creating many jobs. So the gap between America’s rich and poor is widening. In the 30-nation Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, only Turkey and Mexico have more economically unequal societies than the United States.

            Look at that mob. If it’s class warfare, then we’ve got the class, and we’ll give them the warfare. We should call out the Army, speaking of which, apparently not a single son or daughter of Club One members is serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. However, two generals of my acquaintance feel they are doing their part for the war effort – Generals Dynamics and Electric.  

If you paid one dollar in federal income tax from 2008 till last year, you paid more than General Electric, DuPont, Verizon, Boeing, Wells Fargo and Honeywell. A new report from Citizens for Tax Justice – a commie front obviously — looked at 280 of the Fortune 500 companies and found, while the federal corporate tax code ostensibly requires big corporations to pay at a 35 percent corporate income tax rate, on average the 280 corporations paid only about half that amount. Or as Leona Helmsley told her housekeeper, “We don’t pay taxes. Only the little people pay taxes.” Helmsley later went to prison for federal tax evasion.

This 35 percent corporate tax rate is often cited as being second only to Japan’s rate, and should be lowered. As we can see, it already has been. This is like the oft-heard canard: “Half of Americans don’t pay income taxes.” Keep saying it long enough and people will believe it. Actually, the figure is not 50 percent but 43 percent, and they pay lots of taxes directly or indirectly: fees and fines, property taxes, school taxes, sales taxes, taxes on gasoline, pitchforks and torches. Individual income taxes only contribute 45 percent to the fed’s budget. Everybody pays the remaining 55 percent. Just remember, Texas doesn’t have an income tax, but Austin still wrings billions out of us.

Here’s to bailouts and TARP. Cheers. We’ll have another round, Mitt. 

 

                        Ashby is taxed at ashby2@comcast.net

Houston West Chamber to Host Zest Fest

Zest in the West, presented by Kroger, is a food, wine, and craft beer “Zestival” hosted by the Houston West Chamber of Commerce.  Held on Thursday through Sunday, October 20-23, Zest in the West anticipates more than 5,000 west Houston business professionals and residents to attend.

Zest in the West kicks off with a “Grand Zesting” event on Thursday, October 20 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Hilton Houston Westchase located at 9999 Westheimer Rd., Houston, 77042.  The “Grand Zesting” will showcase 150 wines and culinary fare from West Houston’s finest culinary talent.  A live and silent auction with extraordinary offerings will generate scholarship funds for the West Houston Leadership Institute.  Tickets are $45 for general admission and $75 for a VIP ticket.

Joining the line up for the weekend festivities Saturday and Sunday, October 22-23, the outdoor “Zestival” comes alive in front of The Great Indoors, 10496 Katy Freeway at Beltway 8, Houston, 77024, with artists, food trucks, wine and beer sampling tents and live music. Open Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m., guests will enjoy interactive art displays with a glass of wine at “Connoisseurs and Canvas Art & Wine Cove” where over 150 wine selections will be available for tasting as guests can buy great eats from participating west Houston restaurants and Houston’s hottest food trucks.

Also on tap, “GreatBrewers Foam on the Range,” a craft beer tasting zone and educational experience held for beer-lovers.  Patrons can partake in exotic craft and specialty beers from around the world available for the tasting. Musical entertainment provided by the Robert Hartye Band and host of live musical talent on stage for two full days.
For the adventurous foodie, Haute Wheels West will roll in with food trucks galore providing some of the most cutting edge cuisine in Houston.

For the kids, a special “Kidz-Chen” area sponsored by Denis’ Seafood will be open for the younger set to experience a hands-on cooking lesson with Executive Chef Vernell Powe.  In addition, an entire kids fun zone with Bubble Runner, bounce houses, face painting, games and more.  Kids get into the action with the Kroger cookie station with Halloween cookie decorating for the kids.

Proceeds benefit the West Houston Leadership Institute, providing scholarship funds for participants of a ten month program that is coordinated by the Houston West Chamber of Commerce. The West Houston leadership Institute’s purpose is to train and develop leaders in the West Houston community to care for the future of West Houston.

Sponsors of this zesty event also include presenting partner Kroger, Absolutely! Magazine, Westchase District, Spring Branch Management District, Republic National Distributing Company, GreatBrewers, Kwik Copy, Yellow Cab, Denis’ Seafood House, Sarah’s Florist, Carmelo’s, Ristorante Italiano, Josephine’s Day Spa and Salon, Lawn Management Company, Inc, PJS Services, Office Depot and WHERE Magazine.

Tickets to the weekend “Zestival” are $15 for general admission and $35 for VIP entry with kids 12 and under entering free.   Parking is free in the surrounding Great Indoors parking lot.

Zest in the West, presented by Kroger, is a “Zestival” designed and dedicated to the residents and employees in the prestigious West Houston Area and is produced by Food & Vine Time Productions, producers of Wine & Food Week, Haute Wheels Houston Food Truck Festival, Red Hot Block Parties, BrewMasters Craft Beer Festival, and the Katy Sip n Stroll.  Food & Vine Time Productions has raised over $400,000 for benefiting charity partners since its inception.  For more information on the Zest in the West, visit www.zestinthewest.com or call 713-557-5732.

Houston West Chamber of Commerce is a business advocacy organization dedicated to enhancing the economic growth and vitality of the West Houston business community through leadership and business  development. The Chamber currently has more than 600 business members representing 45,000 employees. For more information, visit www.hwcoc.org  or call 713-785-4922.

Bayou Bend Hosts Opera Under the Stars

A Night of Edgar Allan Poe

What: The gorgeous Diana Garden is the magical backdrop for Bayou Bend¹s annual fall tradition of Opera Under the Stars. Bring your
folding chair or blanket and enjoy another fabulous Opera Vista production, the fifth such collaboration between the two organizations
in as many years. This year, American literary genius Edgar Allan Poe, best known for his spooky tales of mystery and the macabre, is the
inspiration for a captivating evening of music and song. Join us as the company presents The Fall of the House of Usher composed by Philip
Glass (1988) and first commissioned by the American Repertory Theater, Cambridge, MA and the Kentucky Opera. You might not want to come alone ‹ the gothic plotlines suggest frightening moments and dastardly deeds aplenty!

When: Saturday, September 24, 2011 (rain date September 25)

Gates open at 7:15 p.m.

Central hall of the house will be open until 7:45p.m.

Performance begins at 8:00 p.m.

Please note the Lora Jean Kilroy Visitor and Education Center will be
closed.

Where: 6003 Memorial Drive at Westcott Street

Details: Tickets purchased before September 19 are $25 for regular admission and $20 for MFAH members. Tickets purchased on or after
September 19 are $35 for regular admission and $30 for MFAH members. Tickets available at www.mfah.org/bayoubend or at door the night of the event, space permitting. No refunds.

No outside food or drink (except water) permitted; wine, beer, sodas, and bottled water will be available for purchase. Please refrain from
bringing guests under the age of 13.

Parking is FREE. Call in advance to make special arrangements for wheelchair access: 713-639-7759.

Background: Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, Houston¹s home for America¹s treasures, features one of the world¹s great collections
of American decorative arts and paintings. The objects are displayed in the home of legendary Houston philanthropist and collector Ima Hogg (1882-1975), who gave her estate to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, in 1957. More than 20 room settings reveal the evolution of American style and taste from 1620 to 1876. The mansion is situated on 14 acres of formal gardens and lush woodlands. Bayou Bend is open year-round to visitors, and offers many programs for children, families, and adults. Visitors are also invited to enjoy the new Lora Jean Kilroy Visitor and Education Center that showcases the cultural, civic and philanthropic legacy of the Hogg family; a public research library
that houses 6,000 volumes dedicated to American art, culture, history and gardening, and two meeting rooms, an education garden and a retail shop.

Information: For more information, call Bayou Bend 713-639-7759 or visit www.mfah.org/bayoubend or www.operavista.org.

Contacts: Kim Stinebaker, DPW PR; kim@dpwpr.com or 713-224-9115

Hula Hoop for Houston

On Sunday, August 28 from 9:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M.

2,500 people will come together at Discovery Green Park to beat the Guinness World Record for simultaneous hula hooping, as a pre-cursor to the Care2Spin™ event in September, both benefiting Easter Seals Greater Houston, presented by John Eagle Honda of Houston.

We have slashed the required $100 donation to participate, and are now opening this up to any Houstonian that loves to hoop and wants to be a part of something BIG. Donations to Easter Seals Greater Houston will be appreciated, but not required.

We encourage you to join us for hooping, and would also love help getting the word out about the challenge as well. 1 in 6 Houstonians is living with a disability, and is going without necessary services due to recent state budget cuts.

Register here at http://www.give2gether.com/projects/easter-seals-of-greater-houston-1/ to prevent waiting in line, and get ready to join Easter Seals Greater Houston for the largest hula-hoop event Houston has ever seen.

 

St. Jude “Evening of Hope” Gala

Date: Saturday, April 28, 2012
Location: Westin Oaks Hotel – Houston, TX
Media Contact Person: Carolina Masri-Hamdan

The St. Jude is a first-rate, non-profit pediatric treatment and research facility that treats children with cancer and other catastrophic diseases. St. Jude freely shares its discoveries with scientific and medical communities around the country and the world. It is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance.  No child is ever denied treatment because of a family’s inability to pay.

Your contribution in highlighting the image and activities that the St. Jude does, is in advance greatly appreciated.

SMG With a Twist

TO CATCH A DOLLAR
The story of Muhammud Yanus’s microloan program…

Where commercial banks see insolvency, economist Muhammad sees opportunity. His Grameen Bank was built on the radical notion that if you loan poor women money within the context of peer support, not only will they repay bank, but they’ll elevate their communities in the process.

DATE: March 31 at 7:30pm
BUY TICKETS FOR CITYCENTRE, COPPERFIELD

KIDTOONS: THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD

Climb aboard as toys and trains come to life in the enchanting, fully-animated film of this heart warming children’s classic! On her way to deliver a cargo of magical toys to eagerly waiting children, Georgia, the engine, suddenly breaks down. But a little switch engine named Tillie thinks she can do it!
$2 FOR EVERYONE

DATE: On Weekends & School Holidays at 11:00am
BUY TICKETS FOR CITYCENTRE, COPPERFIELD

Reverie Meets Reality: “Dreaming in Color”

The warmth and glow of desert dreams come to life when the artwork of Maria Hughes <http://mariahughesart.com/index.html> is put on display in the exhibition opening “Dreaming in Color” from March 31 to April 28 at Canal Street Gallery <http://www.canalstreetgallery.com/> . The opening reception with the artist is Friday, April 8 from 6 to 9 p.m. Valet parking will be available.

From the imagination and innovative mind of Hughes, “Dreaming in Color” is a distinctive interpretation of deserts, landscapes and the natural world.

Colors blend in agreement with her unique and intricate process of creating a monotype. Monotypes are formed by painting with water-based paints on a plexiglass plate. For visual texture, several layers of colors are applied to the plate followed by an elaborate print process. Similar to leaves on a tree, no two prints are alike.

Hughes was born in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, a city that was founded in 1848 by families that were originally living in what is now Laredo, Texas. It is a city connected to the U.S. by the Río Grande River, three international bridges and a rail bridge. To the west of Nuevo Laredo is the vast expanse of the Chihuahuan Desert. To the south and west soar the Sierra Madre Oriental Mountains, and to the east lie the depths of the Gulf of Mexico. She grew up immersed in the colors, textures and lines of this vast landscape filled with Technicolor sunsets. Intensity of color, movement, line, and visual texture portray the energy Hughes imagined it took for the world to come into being and expresses the beauty she sees in nature. It is Hughes’ hope to evoke joy in the onlooker— the same joy she experienced in creating this series.

Hughes studied art at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and decided to incorporate her love of art with her passion for teaching. She graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Art Education at the University of Houston and became an art teacher for the Houston Independent School District. After several years of teaching art, she received a Masters of Education in Guidance and Counseling from Texas A & M University and worked as a counselor in various HISD Schools until her retirement.

Canal Street Gallery <http://www.canalstreetgallery.com/homepage.htm> is located on the corner of Navigation St. and Canal <http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Houston&state=TX&address=2219+Canal+Street&zipcode=77003SafariHTML\Shell\Open\CommandSafariHTML\Shell\Open\Command> . The gallery features the original works of artists in a beautifully refurbished space that was once a neighborhood blood bank. The gallery features rotating work from resident and visiting artists. The gallery is open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information, call Valentina Atkinson at 713-724-0709 or visit www.canalstreetgallery.com.

2011 Treasures of Texas Gala – A Salute to Military

Tuesday, May 24, 2011 – River Oaks Country Club
6:30 pm – Reception
7:00 pm – Dinner
Business Attire

IMA HOGG AWARD HONOREES
Dr. and Mrs. Robert (Marianne) Ivany Mental Health America of Greater Houston is pleased to announce the recipients of MHA Houston’s prestigious Ima Hogg Award, Dr. Robert Ivany, Major General, U.S. Army, (Ret.) and Marianne Ivany. Dr. Ivany is President of the University of St. Thomas and the former Board Chairman of MHA. He also held a prestigious 34-year career in the U.S. Army, serving in a number of unique positions including Commandant of the U.S. Army War College, Army Aide to the President of the United States, and Commanding General of the Military District of Washington. Bob has provided invaluable leadership in the effort to improve access to services for veterans and their families and in raising the visibility of this urgent community need.

Marianne is active in the Military Child Education Coalition, a world-wide non profit organization focused on ensuring quality educational opportunities for all military children affected by mobility, family separation, and transition. Marianne served on the MCEC’s Board of Directors from 2002-2008. Bob and Marianne’s four children have all served in the Army. Together the Ivany family represents decades of service to our nation and our community.

PORTRAITS OF IRAQ WAR HEROES
The Treasures of Texas Gala will also feature returning veterans and/or their family members. Mental Health America of Greater Houston is proud to include the story of Lance Corporal Jeremy Williams, USMC (ret.) Jeremy Williams served six and a half years in the U. S. Marine Corps. He was wounded by an improvised explosive device in the city of Ar Ramadi, Iraq in 2006 and was retired as a result of his wounds. Since returning to Houston, Jeremy has been actively involved in advocating for the rights and services of wounded warriors now returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2008 Jeremy was a team member in the Wounded Warrior Project’s “Operation Outreach.” He has been recognized by the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans as a National Military Scholar and was awarded the Distinguished Citizen Award by the Marine Corps League for Veterans Service.

Jeremy currently serves as MHA Houston’s Veterans Behavioral Health Program Coordinator. This program works in collaboration with the City of Houston and Harris County to help connect veterans and their families to mental health treatment and other support services that they need. Our efforts include expanding peer-to-peer mentoring and outreach services for veterans and their families, training law enforcement personnel on responding to veterans in crisis, providing veteran-specific trauma training for non-military healthcare providers, and a multi-faceted public awareness campaign to direct veterans and families to available services.

The 2011 gala chairs are MHA Houston board members Julie B. Crosswell and Emily Burguières Dalicandro; honorary chairs are Maureen and Jim Hackett; and Miki Hebl and David Harvey.

For tickets and sponsorships or to sponsor a veteran, contact: Nathan Cernosek at gala@mhahouston.org or 713-523-8963.

Does My Rug Need a Pad?

By Mehdi Abedi and Lisa Slappy,
Rice University educators and owners of the Pride of Persia

For more than a decade, Mehdi Abedi and Lisa Slappey have taught “The World of Persian Rugs” through Rice University’s Glasscock School of Continuing Studies. They are the owners of Pride of Persia Rug Co., which specializes in older Persian rugs along with high-quality newer rugs from around the world.

Does My Rug Need a Pad?
Most often we do recommend using a pad under rugs.  A proper pad keeps your rug from sliding out of place.  It can also help prevent the rug from stretching and getting out of shape.  However, a bad pad fulfills neither function and may damage your floor by interacting with sealant.  Cheap is not necessarily good in this case, and a good pad is relatively inexpensive:  expect to pay about $1 per square foot for good pad.  All hard floors (wood, tile, stone, etc.) require a single type of pad.  Our preference is a thin, flat waffle-weave 100% natural pad of jute covered with rubber.

Keeping a rug on wall-to-wall carpeting in place is a different matter.  You may not need a pad if the carpet has a low, dense pile and is in a low traffic area.  Shaggy carpet, though, can present a problem. No matter which pad you use, the rugs will slide, usually in one direction, and frustrate you.  Try the adhesive carpet on carpet pad (think of double stick tape) and then give up if this does not work.  Rugs just do not stay put on certain surfaces.

Pride of Persia Rug Co.
7026 Old Katy Road, Ste. 164
Houston, TX 77024
(713) 522-7870
www.prideofpersia.com

Discovery Green Gala leaves other galas green with envy

The popular downtown Houston park has been getting rave reviews since opening in spring 2008. The 12-acre park designed by Hargreaves Associates with design team PageSoutherlandPage and Lauren Griffith Associates features natural green spaces, dynamic programming, and a one-of-a-kind destination restaurant, The Grove. In 2009, the park marked its one millionth visitor, achieved LEED gold certification, and added helium-filled balloon rides to its seasonal menu including outdoor ice skating.

Proceeds from the biennial Gala on the Green benefit the non-profit Discovery Green Conservancy to support the operations of the downtown park as well as the 400+ free events per year. Co-chairs Carolyn and Matt Khourie and Bobbie and John Nau and the Discovery Green Conservancy Board  hosted VIP guests for a 7 p.m. cocktail reception on the Grace Event Lawn and then join more than 1,000 guests for an 8 p.m. dinner feast prepared by Jackson & Company and dancing to the tunes of Fried Ice Cream under the magnificent tent set up on the Jones Lawn of the park.

|

Dr. Rossman’s Birthday

Dr. Lucho Rossman celebrated his 40th birthday at Bombay Pizza Co. 914 Main tonight. The highlight of the evening was the karaoke machine. Dr. Franklin Rose got the party started by performing to Lady Ga Ga. He was outdone by sister of the birthday boy Jessica Rossman who serenaded her brother with her own rendition of “Hopelessly Devoted to You.”

Notables in the crowd: Gordon Bethune, Channel 11’s Courtney, Channel 13′s Miya Shay, Cindi Rose

Roseann Rogers

1. Cadeaux means “gift” in French, and that’s exactly how to describe this adorable shop with the same name. Owned and operated by one of my former colleagues, Paola Furber, who recently opened up her own advertising and PR agency called Furber Villarreal, Cadeaux offers handbags, jewelry, candles and more. Pictured (l to r) are: Cadeaux co-owners Paola Furber and Jonathan Stup

2. The sixth annual luncheon for the Society for the Performing Arts was a huge success at Houston Country Club. The authors of the best-selling novel “The Nanny Diaries” were the guest speakers for the event. Hollywood is in the process of turning the popular book into a motion picture. Pictured (l to r) are: Chair Marcy Taub Wessel, authors Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus and SPA’s Toby Mattox.

3. Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar at West Alabama and Kirby is buzzing with business. The California-based restaurant officially opened its doors with a benefit for Child Advocates, Inc. One hundred percent of the proceeds went to the nonprofit group that provides a voice for abused children. Fleming’s also offers 100 wines by the glass. Pictured (l to r) are: Lisa Lin, Fleming’s operating partner Maeve Pesquera and Mike Mangum

4. Halliburton’s Professional Women’s Group has sponsored an event benefiting Dress for Success Houston for the past two years. Recently, Ocean Energy came on board as another sponsor. More than 200 women attended the event that raised $10,000 – enough to purchase 200 suits. Pictured (l to r) are: Halliburton community relations manager Ellie Francisco, Dress for Success co-founder Nancy Levicki and Ocean Energy vice president of communications Janice White

5. The Stanford Group USPA Silver Cup was celebrated in grand style at the Houston Polo Club. Top players from around the world, including actor Tommy Lee Jones, joined the best local talent for a match. The three days of activities even included a dinner at The Palm restaurant and a huge “Bayou Bash” at John and Leigh Anne Hall’s polo ranch. Pictured (l to r) are: Stanford Group’s Jay Comeaux, Dawn Laurel Jones along with her husband, Tommy Lee Jones

6. The future is big for the Alley Theatre. Its new, innovative Center for Theatre Production, covering 75,000 square feet, includes five floors devoted to the workshops, rehearsal halls and offices for artistic, production and administrative personnel, making it one of the largest contiguous theater support spaces in the country. Pictured (l to r) are: Composer and songwriter Frank Wildhorn and the Alley’s Gregory Boyd.

7. St. Joseph Hospital Foundation’s 36th annual gala, “Imprints of Paris,” was held at the Westin Galleria. The gala raised a record $375,000. The foundation presented Dr. James and Mary Barden Keegan with the first-ever Bishop Claude M. Dubois award. The Keegans have been a part of the Christus St. Joseph Hospital family for more than 40 years. Pictured (l to r) are: Michelle and Greg Elliott and Larry and Lyn Jones

Roseann Rogers

1. The Houston Polo Club and The Children’s Assessment Center Foundation hosted the 3rd Annual Polo Italia & Risotto Festival. First place in the risotto competition went to Melange Catering & Special Events. More than 500 guests attended the event, which raised $96,000 for the organization that helps sexually abused children. Pictured (l to r) are: Stephanie Millika and Dasha Scherfarberg. 2. One of Houston’s leading businessmen and philanthropists received the Ethical Leadership in Action Award from the University of St. Thomas during a special luncheon at the Four Seasons Hotel. Pictured (l to r) are: University of St. Thomas president the Rev. J. Michael Miller, honoree Jack Blanton and chair of the Greater Houston Partnership, Jim Kollaer. 3. There’s a new boutique in town that?s all the buzz! Tracy Huffor and Michael Todd Smith design timeless dresses and evening gowns. Neiman Marcus is picking up their collection for several of its stores. Plus, one of their designs will be featured in the upcoming April edition Neiman Marcus catalog. If they were alive today, you?d probably see Audrey Hepburn or Grace Kelly shopping there. Pictured is Atelier Tracy & Michael located at 2015-B West Gray. 4. After having a $14 million face-lift, The Sam Houston re-opens its doors as a modern, luxury boutique hotel. The hotel offers 100 guest rooms, nine suites and a new home for chef John Shelly’s acclaimed Riviera Grill. Pictured (l to r) are: General manager Sam Schorr, VP and CEO of Spire Realty, Bill Franks, Mayor Lee Brown and owner Barbara Smith. 5. Houston Grand Opera supporters were transported to France and the Reign of Louis XIV to kick off the Opera’s annual white-tie gala, which will be held April 5. Pictured (l to r) are: Host Robert Taylor and gala chairs Shelly Anne and Irv Marks. 6. Treviso is open in the Texas Medical Center. The new restaurant, by the same folks who created Zula, hosted its grand opening with some 1,000 guests. Treviso is open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. It?s located in the new John P. McGovern Texas Medical Center Commons Building. Picture (l to r) are: Mandy and George Ciotti, restaurateur David Edwards and Jennifer Ashkinazo. 7. A new sports newspaper hits Houston in February. Sports Scene will feature personal interviews with professional and amateur athletes, including high school. Sports personality Craig Roberts is a contributing editor. A launch party is set for Jan. 16 at 5:30 p.m. at Frankie Mandola’s on Kirby. Admission is $10, and proceeds benefit the Touchdown Club of Houston. For more information, give them a buzz at (713) 523-4499. Pictured (l to r) are: Publisher Nolan Ackman and Frankie Mandola.

Roseann Rogers

1. The 2002 National Cancer Survivors Day Luncheon celebration was hosted by the Friends of CanCare. The annual luncheon is more of a spirit raiser than a fund-raiser for those who’ve been affected by cancer. The event raised more than $10,000 for the cancer support network. This year’s guest speaker was actress and cancer survivor Barbara Barrie, who starred in the NBC sitcom “Suddenly Susan.” Pictured (l to r) are: CanCare board member Jane Lehto, CanCare president Nancy Tucker, Barbara Barrie and luncheon chair Cathy Harris.

2. The Covenant House Texas Guild put on another record-breaking event at the Westin Galleria Ballroom with this year’s spring gala, “Mosaics and Mirrors.” A crowd of more than 700 attended the big event, which brought in more than $420,000 for Covenant House Texas, an emergency crisis shelter for homeless and runaway teens. Pictured (l to r) are: Dana Strake, CHT board chairman George W. “Trey” Strake III and CHT executive director Ronda G. Robinson.

3. She’s making her way to the top of the charts and all over the country. Latin singing sensation Shakira sported a ripped “Led Zepplin” T-shirt when she stopped by the 104 KRBE studios to visit the morning show. She chatted about fame, fortune, her new single, as well as her U.S. tour that included a concert in Houston. Pictured (l to r) are: KRBE’s Lesley Brotamante, Tracy Austin, Shakira, Leslie Whittle, Epic Records’ Mark Neiderhouser and promotions coordinator Tony Bracy.

4. Close to 500 guests gathered in the garden at Sally and Nathan Avery’s home to honor Josephine Powell Smith and to help raise money for Teach For America. Smith has worked hard to help children growing up in low-income communities get a good education. Teach For America founder and president Wendy Knopp came in from New York to recognize Smith’s contributions in the Houston area. Pictured (l to r) are: Kara and Ray Childress. Photo by: Jeff Fitlow
5. It was an action-packed grand opening for Community National Bank in Bellaire. Highlights included performances by cheerleading squads, a flag ceremony and dance routines by the Bellaire Belles. Bellaire City Council member Cynthia Siegel presented a proclamation declaring “Community National Bank Day.” Pictured (l to r) are: bank president Randy Dobbs, Channel 13 consumer reporter Marvin Zindler and CNB CEO Frank G. Cook.

6. The National Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners awarded Houston’s own Page Parkes-Eveleth from the Page Parkes Corp. with its highest honor. Parkes-Eveleth was named 2002 Business Owner of the Year. For 21 years, the Page Parkes Center of Modeling and Acting has been a household name both locally and nationally in the fashion and commercial industry. Pictured (l to r) are: Todd Ramos, Shannon Fergason, Tabitha Pagel, Page Parkes-Eveleth, Michelle Rogers, Myrna Phillips and Rachel Duran.

Roseann Rogers

1. The Palm celebrated its 75th birthday with its loyal customers. Guests feasted on the Palm?s signature Surf ?n Turf, also with all the trimmings. The highlight of the evening was the birthday cake and a champagne toast by general manager Jim Martin. Server Joe Malheiro, who?s been with the Palm for nearly 25 years, entertained everyone by telling stories about the restaurant and its many celebrity visitors. Pictured (l to r) are: Jennifer Knobloch, executive chef Everardo Aviles, general manager Jim Martin and Mark La Rue.
2. Wells Fargo takes “center stage” at this year?s Ballunar Liftoff Festival. It?s 100 feet tall, 90 feet from the front wheel to the back wheel. It weighs 850 pounds without air and without the basket. It takes a crew of 25 just to inflate the balloon, and it can carry two passengers plus the pilot. But guess what, ladies? They actually ask your weight! This was the second year the financial service company participated in the festival. Pictured: Wells Fargo?s balloon “Cent?r Stage”
3. A.D. Players premiered the new Tony-winning Broadway musical “You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.” It?s, of course, based on one of America?s all-time favorite comic strips. A.D. Players is a professional company made up of about 40 members. The adult theater performs four major productions throughout the year. This month you can check out a new work created by the company?s artistic director, Jeannette Cliftgeorge, called “Christmas at Grace.” For ticket information call the box office at (713) 526-2721. Pictured (l to r) are: actors Adam Estes and Rebekah Dahl.
4. The Houston BMW Group, which includes Advantage BMW Clear Lake and Downtown, BMW of Houston North and Momentum BMW, honored local heroes for their outstanding efforts in the fight against breast cancer. Nine Houston-area groups and individuals were honored at the Fifth Annual BMW Ultimate Drive Breakfast at the River Oaks Country Club benefiting the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Pictured (l to r) are: previous honoree Linda Grayson, North Houston BMW?s Joe Irpino and previous honoree Carolyn Farb.
5. Rice Bar?s grand opening celebration was a one-hit wonder with a packed house. The event also was a fundraiser for the Downtown Houston Historic District Association. The night began with a ribbon cutting with proprietor Jeffery Yarbrough and general manager Raul Herrea. Rice Bar is located at 909 Texas Ave. in the historic Rice Lofts next door to Liberty Noodles. It offers specialty drinks and cocktails. Pictured (l to r) are: Guy Mahaffey, Temy Johnson, Jessica Marquez and Marie Myers.
6. The Spay-Neuter Assistance Program’s project to help control animal overpopulation on the Navajo Nation was profiled in the documentary film “Desert Dogs.” SNAP held the premiere of the film by Austin filmmaker Julia Hilder with a special event at Studios at the Lakes. The Navajo Nation spans 18 million acres across three states. With poverty and unemployment at all-time highs, the lack of funding for veterinary programs has created a dog and cat overpopulation crisis on the Nation. Pictured is a member of the Navajo Nation bringing in her cat for wellness care.

The Buzz by Roseann Rogers

1. Wining and dining with a national food writer. John Mariani, food and travel columnist for Esquire magazine, restaurant columnist for Wine Spectator magazine and author of several food-related books, was the special guest at the Remington Grill at the St. Regis Hotel. The evening was inspired by his latest cookbook, “The Italian-American Cookbook: A Feast of Food From a Great American Cooking Tradition.” Remington Grill executive chef Toby Joseph created a multi-course menu from the book for all the guests to enjoy. Pictured (l to r) are: St. Regis’ Susan Ward and John Mariani. Photo by: Kim Coffman.
2. Former WWF superstar takes over the Houston airwaves. Shawn Michaels is big and bulky, but he’s also a really nice guy. Better known to wrestling fans as “The Heartbreak Kid,” he?s no longer in the WWF ring but is still wrestling. Actually, he’s formed his own wrestling school in Texas. As busy as he might be, he came by KRBE to talk on the radio about his new ventures. Pictured (l to r) are: KRBE’s Maria Todd and Shawn Michaels.
3. The Society of the Performing Arts hosted its 2001 Ball, “An Enchanting Evening,” at the Double Tree Hotel on Post Oak Boulevard. All the proceeds from the annual gala benefited the SPA. Cartier not only provided gifts for all the guests, but stunning models strutted their stuff during the cocktail reception wearing an array of Cartier jewels. The event raised more than $450,000, a new record for the fundraiser. Pictured (l to r) are: Honorees Dick and Belle Johnson and chairpersons Steve and Leticia Trauber.
4. Local little girl hits the big time! Skye McCole Bartusiak has three feature films and two television movies to her credit. Her latest release will be “The Affair of the Necklace,” featuring Academy award-winning actress Hillary Swank, Jonathan Pryce and Christopher Walken. The other two feature films are “Riding in Cars With Boys” with Drew Barrymore and “Don’t Say a Word” with Michael Douglas. The two television movies are “Beyond The Prairie II,” which was shot in Austin, and “Firestarter Part 2.” I first met Skye a couple of years ago after she worked with Mel Gibson on “The Patriot.” This talented 10-year-old definitely is on her way to becoming a big star. Pictured (l to r) are: Skye McCole Bartusiak and Pat Richardson on the set of the made-for-television movie “Blonde.”
5. Gotta have the shoes! Velvet Slipper, a new specialty boutique in Uptown Park, opened its doors with a fun and festive fashion show. Owner Vivian Wise cleverly created a runway where you could only see the models from their knees down. Wise is a native Texan who recently closed her store of the same name in Boulder, Colo., to relocate to Houston, where her family resides. Among the lines she features are Badgley Mischka, Moshino, Graye and Dolce Gabbana. Pictured (l to r) are: Cathy Borlenghi and Vivian Wise.
6. The Sweetwater Country Club celebrated the sport of golf at a recent meeting of the National Association of Catering. To get into the spirit of things, the director of catering decided to really dress the part. She sported a costume made out of fake grass with golf balls. Pictured is: Sweetwater Country Club Director of Catering Amber Fraser.