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Condi Rice and Peyton Manning Headline $1 Million Dinner ‘Salute’ to George H.W. Bush

Condi Rice and Peyton Manning Headline $1 Million Dinner ‘Salute’ to George H.W. Bush

Len Cannon, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Peyton Manning

THOSE WISHING TO honor the lives and legacies of George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush gathered for a special, all-star dinner at the Post Oak Hotel. Celebs from politics, sports and music were among them, with former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice taking the stage to make remarks.

Two-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Peyton Manning was also on hand. Country music legend Lee Greenwood performed his iconic song, “Proud to Be an American.”

The celebration of Bush’s “selfless service, kindness, and civility, which serves as an inspiration for the leaders of tomorrow” was the largest so-called Presidential Salute yet, said a rep for the George & Barbara Bush Foundation. Some 600 guests were in attendance, helping raise a whopping $1 million.

In her remarks to the crowd as part of a panel moderated by KHOU anchor Len Cannon, “Rice reflected on the Bushes’ legacy, noting that people love the Bushes because they loved people and that they treated others with respect and honor,” said the foundation rep. “Manning said mentors like President and Mrs. Bush, who give back to the community and ‘walk the walk,’ make it easy to follow in their footsteps.”

Another memorable moment came when Pierce Bush, grandson of the former president and first lady, toasted his grandparents, reading from a handwritten note to him from his granddad. The note referenced going fishing on one of the president’s boats, which was auctioned off as part of the evening’s fundraising efforts. An anonymous buyer picked up the 2011 speed boat for $435,000.

Dinner was fit for a president, too. Maine lobster bisque was followed by hibiscus-glazed short rib, with Mastro’s famous butter cake as the wow-factor dessert. Fabulous wine pairings included Cellier des Chartreux Sauvignon Blanc “Blue” 2022 and Smith Devereux “IBEX” Merlot 2019.

Andrea Gaston, Mary Carrida, Mary Kate Cary, Rob Cary

Betty Welsh, Christi Voelkel, Neil Bush, Mark Welsh, Tyson Voelkel

Brenda Mahoney, Jason Mahoney, Jayton Rainey, Melanie Toler

Brenda Robinson, Jean Becker, Neil Bush, Becky Russell, Elizabeth Russell Latham, Garrett Latham

Bush Foundation CEO, Honorable Andrew H. Card, Jr.

Evan Lee, Lisa Lee, Pierce Bush

Garrett Latham, Elizabeth-Russell Latham

Harriet McClure, Dr. Frank B. Ashley III, Fred McClure

Hunter Goodwin, Harriet McClure, Amber Goodwin

Irina Borovaya, Andrey Drozdov, Pierce Bush, Richard Zientek, Leslie Zientek

Tyson Voelkel, Christi Voelkel, Dr. Frank B. Ashley III, Janice Ashley

Lee Greenwood

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

Al Torres
Leadership in Action: ‘Family, Community and Spiritual Connection’ Drives Success for Henry Richardson

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Lady Stephanie Kimbrell, Cory McGee, and Butler Studio artists, Ani Kushyan, Alissa Goretsky and Elizabeth Hanje (photo by Michelle Watson)

ALL OF THE top performing arts organizations in Houston have now officially opened their 2024-2015 seasons, now that Houston Grand Opera has bowed with a stirring performance of Verdi’s Il trovatore at The Wortham followed by a lavish al fresco dinner in a tent on the plaza out front.The Houston Ballet and the Houston Symphony held their own grand opening night festivities earlier in the fall.

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HGO's First-Ever 'Family Day' Features a Production of 'Cinderella' and More!

Photo by Lynn Lane

HOUSTON GRAND OPERA’S second fall repertoire production is Gioachino Rossini’s Cinderella. The colorful, commedia dell'arte-inspired production opens Friday, Oct. 25, and stars Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard — a breathtaking brunette beauty, even when doused in soot — in bel canto role of Angelina, known to her mean step-sisters as “Cenerentola.”

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