Full Hearts, Can’t Lose: AHA Raises Astounding $2.3 Mil at Heart Ball

Daniel Ortiz and Wilson Parish
Full Hearts, Can’t Lose: AHA Raises Astounding $2.3 Mil at Heart Ball

Robert and Lisa Hearn

THE BALLROOM AT the Hilton Americas has sat rather empty for the past couple of years, only occasionally hosting a luncheon or VIP event. But this year’s Heart Ball had hundreds of black-tie-clad Houstonians bursting through the double-doors, eager to party and raise funds for the American Heart Association.


The ‘Journeys of the Heart’ gala took on a theme of travel, something many have missed out on since the dawn of the pandemic. A Champagne reception preceded the main program, which took flight as emcee — or Captain — Khambrel Marshall welcomed guests along with honorees Ann and Peter Fluor and Lacey and Matt Goossen.

Dinner included a main course of stout-braised beef short rib with seared Chilean seabass, and a raucous live auction touted items like trips to Hawaii and Istanbul, and a 100-point case of wine. The energy remained high as the Taylor Pace Orchestra took to the stage, compelling everyone to hit the dance floor.

April and Jorge Salazar

Molly and Jim Crownover

Marcelo Saenz and Adrian Duenas

Ann and Peter Fluor

Lacey and Matt Goossen

Chairs Joanne Houck and Tim Singletary

Rachel and Tim Dash

Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell models Valobra ring

Lydia Davis and Andrew Johnson

American Heart Association's Mel Edwards

Amber Baker, Doug Lawson, John King and Suzie Kupiec

John Schlosser

Khambrel Marshall

Parties
Chlorophyll Water, Special Spa Treatments, More: Tips for Mom Bods Emerging from Long Winter’s Nap

The author suggests Pilates as part of her plan for ‘mom bods’ to renew for spring.

AS WE SWAP out our warm comfy PJs for swimsuits, the thought of showing off our bodies can stir up all kinds of emotions, especially for us moms. Here are a few strategic steps to stride into the spring and summer months with confidence and feeling your best.

Keep Reading Show less

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.”)

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

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.

Keep Reading Show less