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.
Top Attorney Lauren Varnado Says Networking Is Key: ‘Relationships Are Everything’
Growing with great mentors, such as Travis Torrence, Global Litigation Bankruptcy & Credit Team Lead at Shell, has enabled me to have more confidence in myself, foster meaningful relationships in the community, and sharpen my business acumen. He recruited me to my original firm, Fulbright, and has stuck with me on my journey. He has helped me keep in touch with former colleagues, contacts and friends, which has helped me translate those connections into working opportunities. We both mutually support each other.
And… let’s not forget hard work.
Whom do you credit? Mentors, business partners, my friends. I have a really close group of girlfriends who are in town. Women support women. We always lift each other up, provide contacts, share war stories, and encourage each other.
Also Judge Patricia Kerrigan, Texas State Judge of the Year, provided a lot of insight to me at a young stage in my career. She always encouraged me to stay the course and would continually affirm my natural skills in trial and in the courtroom.
What lessons have you learned that might enlighten and inspire others? Don’t listen to the haters! No one can tell you that you can’t do something. Where there is a will, there is a way; if you really want something, go for it! Don’t let people make you afraid of taking the next step.
Relationships are really everything! Making the effort, staying in touch with former clients, colleagues, introductions, connections are always valuable. Even if they don’t lead to business, you need network support in this industry. Even if that person can’t give you work, they can introduce you to someone who can, write a letter of recommendation, or just provide you with guidance or additional resources.
What’s new in your life or work that you’re excited about? Opening the Houston office of Michelman & Robinson is a huge honor, it is such an amazing opportunity. I have a vision; I am one of those people. You are always vested better in yourself. It’s not a risk because I have the support, and I am happy to charge the new generation of leaders as a “shaleinnelial.”
IS A HEALTHY, balanced real estate market finally here? Per HAR data, the answer is ... kind of? Inventory is at the highest level since 2011, prices are holding steady, and the city and metro area continue to grow in population. Having lost population after Harvey and Covid, the city welcomes significant yet sustainable growth — and a housing market that can handle it.
Modernized older homes on large lots, like this recently sold home at 6266 Cedar Creek, draw buyers.
Family-friendly and boasting a prime location just west of the Galleria, Briargrove is having a moment: The average sales price of a single-family home here during the 12 months ending in July 2024 was $1.23 million — a whopping 20 percent increase over the previous year. Homes are selling faster, too, averaging just 25 days on the market.
Suburban Sprawl
23454 Millbrook Dr. in New Caney is listed for $416K.
With a mix of “affordability, modern amenities and customizable options,” new-construction homes in suburban areas like New Caney, due east of The Woodlands, are in high demand. The Montgomery County community — twice ranked No. 1 by HAR in its quarterly list of Hottest Communities — boasts an average sales price of around $240K, and sold 140 percent more homes during the second quarter of 2024 compared to that of 2023.
Oaks With The Most
Listed for $998K, 1054 Gardenia in Garden Oaks sold in July after just seven days on the market.
Beloved for its Heights-adjacent location and charm, Garden Oaks is movin’ on up ... almost to the million-dollar mark. The average sales price of a single-family home here is more than $925K — and the number of transactions over the past 12 months ending in June increased by around 50 percent compared to the year prior. In neighboring Oak Forest, home prices jumped 20 percent, to an impressive $811K. Meanwhile, in the Heights proper, both sales price and the number of transactions remain relatively flat year-over-year.
Land Down Under?
Brian Spack lists 4934 Dumfries Dr. for $1.3M.
It seems like flood-prone Meyerland has learned a thing or two after all these years — and now it’s the rest of Houston that’s reeling from natural disasters. So while home prices across the city remain relatively flat, those in Meyerland are up 10 percent year-over-year, and houses — like this raised new build complete with a car lift in the garage — are sitting on the market for 25 percent fewer days.
West Side Story
Listed by Kim Perdomo with the Perdomo Group, 290 Knipp was under contract after just five days.
The Memorial area is often thought to primarily consist of the Villages. But go toward and beyond the Beltway and you’ll find scores of tight-knit comunities that make up the Memorial West market area — where home prices are up by 7 percent and days-on-market is down by about the same. It was named HAR’s Hottest Luxury Community of Q1 2024, with transactions up 33.3% year over year.
Explore the real estate report by-the-numbers here or the top real estate trends here.
TWO OF HOUSTON'S greatest strengths — medicine and the arts — have once again been united in a moving display.
The Health Museum launched its new Healing Arts program to "bridge the gap between the arts and health sectors," and showcase ways in which art can be integrated into health education and practice. Rose Tylinski has been named the museum's Healing Arts Manager, and will spearhead initiatives such as Paint & Process workshops for those interested in blending creativity with psychological and medical insights; and Hearts of Hope, to support those struggling with mental health challenges.
Healing Hands is also new, a space within the museum to display works by community members who are caregivers. Through Feb. 2025, the gallery will feature art that tells stories about what it means to care for others, and the various pathways to healing.
The museum hosted a private opening reception for Healing Hands, attended by gallerists, artists and health advocates including Mathieu JN Baptiste, Carla Bisong and Anson Koshy.
Anson Koshy, Lori Raijman and Nader Adeeb
Ashura Bayya Lovelady
Carla Bisong, Crsytal Baptiste
Anson Koshy, Katie Scott, Mathieu JN Baptiste, Rose Tylinski, Gabriela Magana.
Michelle Vo
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