For the first time, the cancer-fighting Alcides E. Rosaura Diniz Foundation hosted a gala at the Astorian. Ana Paola Diniz, who lost her father Alcides to Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2006, praised MD Anderson, the night’s beneficiary, for its dedication. … Meanwhile, Catholic Charities’ “happy”-themed 75th annual Spirit of Charity event did indeed bring smiles to many faces. The evening, held at the Marriott Marquis, raised $1 million. … This year’s Lyndon Baines Johnson Moral Courage Award dinner honored President George W. Bush for his lifelong commitment to service and country. The total till doubled the previous record, coming in at $4.2 million. … In addition to celebrating the induction of five new members of the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame, the Lone Star Flight Museum’s Flights of Fancy event garnered $700K for the museum. … And the 30th annual Goodwill Gala was the organization’s most successful ever, with more than 400 black-tie-clad guests — including Simone Biles and her family, guests of board member Leisa Holland Nelson — partying for a cause at the River Oaks Country Club.
Thrive & Inspire: Creating ’Something Bigger Than Ourselves’ Drives Gooch and Pappas of RYDE
WHAT INSPIRES YOU as you grow RYDE? The RYDE community and our team inspire us every day. The goal from the start was to create something that is bigger than ourselves — our community is just that. We want to push the limits of what a fitness experience can be. Our new Heights studio is a testament to that commitment, offering a high-energy indoor cycling experience in a stunning space. RYDE Heights opens in April, exactly eight years after our first location opened on West Gray in River Oaks.
What’s special about your team? The RYDE team is the core spirit of who we are and what we do. Our instructors, studio team and management are constantly raising the bar, and are passionate about building authentic relationships with clients inside and outside the studio. We have the best team in the city — and it is a privilege to work with such a talented and hardworking group of people.
RYDE has taught more than 20,000 spin classes since opening in 2015. To what do you attribute the success of your brand? Every aspect of RYDE is crafted with purpose, and our core principles remain steadfast as we grow. First is quality and consistency: Our team strives to earn and retain our clients’ trust and loyalty every day.
Second, we put people first: We invest in our team through comprehensive training programs and dedicated management support to ensure that our most valuable assets are always put first.
Third, we embrace uniqueness: We invest in our product and talent to ensure it is the best in the industry, while constantly innovating. Our athletic edge appeals to men and women equally, and we’ve paid close attention to this balance from the start.
Fourth, we cherish the details: Every physical and digital detail has been carefully considered and refined by our team, and is an integral part of the RYDE identity.
And the final core principle is giving back: The RYDE team and community are deeply committed to making a difference, and are proud to have donated over $160,000 for local and national philanthropic causes.
Levy Park's Giant New Restaurant Is Casual-Chic with Something for Everyone (Kids and Pups, Too!)
SOON WE WILL be thinking about alfresco dining, taking our kids or pups to the park, and generally being outdoors in crisper weather. Enter Hearsay, the new oasis in Levy Park, which replaces the shuttered Woodshed Smokehouse.
At this family-friendly gathering spot from Landmark Houston Hospitality Group, guests can linger on the lovely patio with park views while kids devour soft-serve ice cream (your furry friends are invited, too). The glossy, wood-paved space, which dangles with multiple chandeliers, is huge, with lots of elbow room — and a separate bar, which stays open until midnight on the weekends. Dishing up eclectic American cuisine, this is the seventh Houston-area location from the restaurant group.
“We chose Levy Park for its rich history, aiming to honor Hearsay’s legacy, which began with our first restaurant in the historic W.L. Foley building in 2008,” said Joseph Natale, CEO of Hearsay. “Hearsay Levy Park marks our brand’s evolution. It features elevated design elements, and our largest bar with views, high ceilings, and garage doors that open outdoors. We’ve also included two private dining rooms, expanded our culinary menu, and our diverse selection of handcrafted cocktails.”
Chef Carlos Bautista’s vast lunch, brunch and dinner menus offer shareable plates like the charcuterie board and the spicy Kung Pao shrimp and calamari. Anticipate about ten handmade pizzas, as well as salads, burgers, tacos, and a Chicago-style hot dog. Main plates range from an espresso-rubbed pork chop and beef short-rib braised in Shiner Bock with cheddar-cheese grits, to crab-crusted redfish with red-pepper coulis.
Vegetarians are not left out of the fun: Choose from the plant-based burger, pesto pasta primavera, and watermelon "poke" tostados. Besides cocktails, mocktails, wine and beer to sip, specially priced Houston Restaurant Weeks multi-course menus are on tap through September!
JUST IN TIME for a long weekend — and a teeny reprieve from triple-digit temps — Hermann Park Conservancy has announced it will offer free train rides from Aug. 31-Sept. 6 to celebrate a pair of new locomotives.
For the first time, the historic Hermann Park Railroad has an electric train — make that two! “The introduction of the electric trains to the Park represents a leap forward in our commitment to environmental stewardship and visitor experience,” said Conservancy president and CEO Cara Lambright. “We are deeply grateful to ExxonMobil and the McGovern Foundation for their generous support, which not only preserves but elevates the Hermann Park Railroad as a premier attraction for visitors of all ages.”
Each of the major donors named a train: The ExxonMobil Express and the Dr. Jack Express, modeled after 1863 C.P. Hunting locomotives, begin servicing passengers tomorrow, Aug. 31. Dr. Jack is a tip of the hat to John P. McGovern, one of the park's biggest stewards; the train that began service in 2008 is also named the Dr. Jack Express.
The scenic railroad loop at Hermann Park has been a popular attraction for almost 70 years, and brings in an estimated $1.2 million each year, with funds going right back into park maintenance and improvements.
The Hermann Park Railroad has been a beloved Houston attraction for nearly 70 years. Since the Conservancy took over its operations in March 2008, more than 5 million riders have experienced a scenic loop around the Park. In addition to providing a unique visitor experience in the Park, Railroad operations bring in more than $1.2 million annually to support the Conservancy’s mission to maintain and improve Hermann Park. The new Commons, with an epic playground, splashpad and carousel, is a must-see — so hop on a train asap!
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