parties

‘Houston Sweethearts’ Gather at Saks, Raise a Glass to Serving to Others

‘Houston Sweethearts’ Gather at Saks, Raise a Glass to Serving to Others

Chris Kase, Roz Pactor, Joyce Frassanito

“SAKS FIFTH AVENUE was awash in red and pink as guests arrived for the 12th Annual Houston Sweetheart Tea on Monday to celebrate seven outstanding ‘Houston Sweethearts’ who share much of their time, expertise and ‘heart’ in community service,” said the premier Houston Sweetheart, Warner Roberts, one of the hostesses of the event. Her fellow hostesses Sylvia Forsythe, Deborah Duncan, Alicia Smith, Kim Moody and Anne Carl welcomed almost 100 guests, who sipped wine and Champagne and noshed on beautiful delight bites “with very little tea in sight,” Roberts laughed.

The purpose of the Valentine’s-season event is unique and simple — “to provide an informal setting whereby guests can tell each other how much they are appreciated and loved for the work they do to improve the lives of other,” said Roberts. Funds are also raised for The Mission of Yahweh homeless shelter.

Honorees this year included Maria Moncada Alaoui, Nini Hale, Melissa Murphy, Saula Valente, Beth Wolff, Leticia Trauber and Laura Ward. Saks’ new GM Heidi Parkhurst, who earlier in her career was the assistant store manager before being reassigned to San Antonio, was also on hand.

Other guests at the event, which has become a who’s-who, included Sidney Faust, Cheryl Byington, Scott Evans, Lilly Andress, Ursaline Hamilton, Jacquie Baly-Craig, Trish Morille, Lara Bell, Kim Padgett, Sherri Zucker, Vicki West and Roz Pactor.

Cheryl Byington, Elsie Eckert, Mady Kades

Omar Alaoui and honoree Maria Moncada Alaoui

Warner Roberts, Barbara Biel, Angie Roberts

Cindy Bendy, Alicia Smith, Lisa Baldon

Tammie Anne Johnson, Leila Perrin, Gayla Gardner

Sylvia Forsythe, Saks GM Heidi Parkhurst, Alicia Smith, Kim Moody, Warner Roberts, Deborah Duncan

Cindy Bendy, Kim Moody

Kim Padgett, Dr. Susan Osterberg, Cheryl Byington

Parties
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Cool for ‘Schools’! CIS Wants to Transport You to a Whimsical ‘Wonderland’ at Milestone Gala

Cool for ‘Schools’! CIS Wants to Transport You to a Whimsical ‘Wonderland’ at Milestone Gala

CIS 2024 Gala Honorary Co-Chair Judy Tate, Co-Chair Lauren Brollier, Co-Chair Cassie Milam, Honorary Co-Chair Kirby McCool

WHETHER YOU PREFER Alice, the Mad Hatter or the Queen of Hearts, Communities In Schools of Houston’s A Night in Wonderland 45th Anniversary GalaA Night in Wonderland 45th Anniversary Gala is not to be missed! Join in the celebration for a whimsical good time on Thursday, April 4th, at the luxurious Post Oak Hotel.

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music

With New Concept Album, Jacob Hilton Processes Mental-Health Struggles

Dakota Garrett

Jacob Hilton, a.k.a. Travid Halton, at home in his kitchen, where he enjoys cooking as a form of therapy.

PINK FLOYD'S THE Wall. Sinatra’s In the Wee Small Hours. Beyonce’s Lemonade. Three divergent examples of the album as a cathartic, psychological, conceptual work, meant to be experienced in a single sitting. Houston singer-songwriter Jacob Hilton, 37, who records as Travid Halton, a portmanteau of his mother and father’s names, might balk at being mentioned in such company. (This is a thoroughly unpretentious man, who describes himself as an “archaeologist turned singer-songwriter.”)

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Art + Entertainment
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Leadership in Action: ‘Family, Community and Spiritual Connection’ Drives Success for Henry Richardson

Al Torres

How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.

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