parties

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

Parties
promoted

Top Realtor Beth Wolff Says Her Career Took Off ‘When I Focused on Others’

Top Realtor Beth Wolff Says Her Career Took Off ‘When I Focused on Others’
How did you get where you are today? “Life is what happens while you’re making plans.” After graduating with a BBA from the University of Texas, I married, and was a stay-at-home mom. Divorcing when my children were just four and six, I became their sole supporter, and I chose real estate for the time flexibility and income potential. After four years working for another Broker, I founded my own company with one sales associate and 375 square feet. Little did I imagine this journey. Houston offers amazing opportunities for those who are willing to work hard and persevere! I have watched the city mature with the addition of all the wonderful, talented people from around the country and around the world who have made Houston their home. It was once said that Houston had a “can do, cowboy capitalism attitude.”
Keep Reading Show less
giving back

Houston Restaurant Group Writes Big Check to Benefit Workers Affected by Beryl

Dandelion Cafe owners Sarah Lieberman and J.C. Ricks with Mireya Villarreal of GMA, Chris Shepherd and Lindsey Brown of Southern Smoke Foundation (photo by Shane Dante Photography)

THE SOUTHERN SMOKE Foundation, established by chef Chris Shepherd, has only been around for seven years — but that's long enough to have helped hospitality workers through hurricanes, freezes, a pandemic, and countless other personal situations requiring emergency relief.

Keep Reading Show less
Food
art

MFAH's Summer Show Will Have You Meditating on the Many Meanings of 'Modern'

A detail of Konoshima Okoku's 'Tigers,' 1902

THROUGHOUT THE HOT — and hopefully hurricane-free — months of summer, visitors to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston can step through a portal and experience another era with Meiji Modern: Fifty Years of New Japan, on view through Sept. 15.

Keep Reading Show less