Houston Lifestyles and Homes magazine Jul 2009: Jan Carson, Houston Galas, Charity Balls, Socials, Parties, and Luncheons in the Houston areas

Houston Lifestyles & Homes July 2009

t’s July…it’s hotter than a firecracker…and there are more reasons than ever to head to Galveston to celebrate the Fourth of July or just soak up the sun and kick around in the surf. The island city is coming back strong after the devastation of Hurricane Ike, and the beaches are crowded with visitors. Shops along the Strand are doing a brisk business, the Tremont Hotel (with its new raised lobby) is open again and longtime traditions continue, like sand building contests and Galveston Beach Band concerts. The 22-piece band, directed by 85-year-old Frank Incaprera, performs every Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. on the Sealy Pavilion. Patriotic, Big Band, Latin, Broadway, rock and classic tunes are guaranteed to keep toes tapping and children dancing in the sand.

Please e-mail your event news and photos to jan@jancarson.com. Or mail to Jan Carson: 109 North Post Oak Lane, Ste. 422, Houston, TX 77024.l

National Cancer Survivors Day

(1) National Cancer Survivors DayHundreds of cancer survivors gathered to celebrate life after a cancer diagnosis at CanCare ’s 15th Annual National Cancer Survivors Day Luncheon. Nancy Tucker and featured speaker Lynn Redgrave (both in pink) pose with luncheon honorees Donna Lewis, Rose Carrabba and Oceaneering President and CEO T. Jay Collins.

(2) Party in the Stacks

Rock and Roll in the library? Yep. Leigh Harris, chair Cathryn Selman and Andrea White didn ’t have to whisper at the annual cocktail party and library walkabout “Party in the Stacks” at the newly renovated Jesse H. Jones Central Library.

(3) Wine and Roses Gala

Toast & Jam was the name of the band, but Wine & Roses was the theme for the American Diabetes Association’s annual Wine Auction and Gala. Chairs Terrie and Mike Turner and Nancy and Dan Shank were pleased with the $250,000 haul for the night.

(4) Maestro Wine Dinner

The annual Houston Symphony Maestro Wine Dinner drew 150 guests and raised $125,000 for the Ima Hogg Young Artist Competition. Chair Greg Fourticq joined Nancy Willerson and Jess Tutor in the lobby of Jones Hall for a silent auction of collectible wines.

Going Green with a Heart

(5) Going Green with a Heart

Denis DeBakey, Lavonne Cox, Mayor Bill White and Dr. George P. Noon celebrate the fifth year anniversary of the American Heart Association ’s green building. Mayor Bill White commended AHA and its volunteers for their project, founded on the belief that an organization that promotes heart health should construct a building that is also “healthy.”

Enthusiastic Galveston booster Tom Becker decided to throw a Sunday afternoon “Tea Dance” at Evia Village Center to benefit the Galveston Historical Foundation, and rounded up Jim Rosenfeld, Patricia and Pat Harrison, Kelley Sullivan, V.J. Tramonte and others to co-host. More than 250 guests, including Diane and Harry Gendel, Joanne and Bill Crassas, Mignon and Al Heizer, Trish and Ty Whitcomb, Denise and Philip Bahr and Sherry and Mike Sutton turned out in “chic chapeaux” and “sizzling shades” to enjoy the balmy breezes, cocktails, Mosquito Café eats and gorgeous sunset. Perfect!

Linda Smuck and Todd Zucker opened their beautiful Tiki Island weekend home on Galveston Bay to host a fabulous lobster lunch they donate every year as an auction item for Citizens for Animal Protection. Close friends Jackie Behrendt and Jack Tucker purchased the party and invited carloads of friends from Houston to “Go Hawaiian” and join them at the “Tiki Lounge.” This was a fun time for a great cause!

Celebrity bowlers, including Glen Davis, Coach Rick Barnes and Shaun Rogers to name a few, will heat up the lanes for “Strikes for a Cause” … the 1st Annual T.J. Ford Celebrity Bowl-a-Thon for Houston Children’s Charity on Saturday, July 11. It’s air-conditioned fun so call 713-524-2878 to reserve your spot.

Baseball Hall of Famers Phil Niekro, Ozzie Smith and Nolan Ryan join former Houston Astros Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, Enos Cabell and many more stars to honor the late Joe Niekro at “The Knuckle Ball – A Pitch for Life” on July 31. Joe died of a brain aneurysm in 2006 and funds will benefit research and treatment.

You can also mix and mingle with Houston Astros star players, and help out a terrific cause, at the Houston Astros Wives 20th annual Black Ties and Baseball Caps Gala on the field at Minute Maid Park on Aug. 6. Michelle Quintero and Pamela Michaels are co-chairing, with beloved emcee Milo Hamilton, at the mic. Drayton and Elizabeth McLane are honorees. All proceeds once again benefit the Houston Area Women Center. 713-781-0053 is the number to call.

There may not be much happening on the party scene this time of year, but that doesn ’t mean that ball chairs and gala committees are taking the summer off. Chairs Connie Cooke and Phyllis Williams are hard at work on the CCFA Winter Ball, and the process of choosing the 10 Women of Distinction is under way. Rosemary Schatzman and Vanessa Sendukas are planning a fabulous luncheon for SPA, 2010 Opera Ball chairs Denise and Philip Bahr are gearing up for “The Yellow Rose Ball” honoring Lynn Wyatt, and countless other volunteers are organizing the numerous luncheons, fundraising dinners and other events that are quickly filling the fall social calendar.

Many of these big ticket events are staged at the Hilton-Americas Hotel where the “Grand Poobah of Party Planning” Paul-David Van Atta attends to every detail. P-D was recently named Catering Director of the Year for Hilton Corp.—an honor celebrated by friends at a cocktail party hosted by pals Philamena Baird, Judi McGee Holmes and Brian Teichman.

July 9-14: TUTS Free Summer Show 42nd Street, celebrating TUTS’ 42nd summer of free performances at Miller Outdoor Theatre. www.tuts.com.

July 31: The Knuckle Ball – A Pitch for Life at Minute Ball Park for the Joe Niekro Foundation. 832-667-5856.

Aug. 6: Houston Astros Wives Black Ties and Baseball Caps for the Houston Area Women’s Center. 713-781-0053.

Sept. 10: Bytes & Birdies Dinner & Golf Tournament benefiting TECH Corps Texas. 713-895-3775.

Sept. 12: Opening Night Gala for the Houston Symphony honoring Jess and Betty Tutor. 713-337-8526.

Sept. 17: Excellence in Nursing Awards for Good Samaritan Foundation. 713-529-4646.

Please e-mail your event news and photos to jan@jancarson.com or mail to Jan Carson: 109 North Post Oak Lane, Ste. 422, Houston, TX 77024. Check out my Web site at www.jancarson.com.

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