2024 Mr. Steptember
Raising more than $750,000, the event took place at the Royal Sonesta and drew a fun crowd, the largest group to date for the fundraiser. Alan and Elizabeth Stein, founders of the event, served as chairs.
“We can declare this is our biggest year yet and we are still counting,” said a rep for the event’s organizers.
Per the Steins: “With the community’s support, we have continued to raise money, purchase equipment, provide additional training, and address the needs of firefighters and their families facing extraordinary hardships. With your support, we have raised more than $4 million in six years.”
As ever, the most memorable moment of the night came when the firefighters featured in the new hunky-firemen calendar strutted the stage, bare pecs glistening under spotlights thanks to a fresh coat of baby oil!
But there were touching moments, too, as in the opening presentation of the flags by the Houston Firefighter Honor Guard and Pipes and Drums, followed by firefighter Joe Rice’s stirring acapella rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner acapella. Also, videos were played highlighting the first responders’ dangerous, life-saving work. And Hallie Vanderhider and Bobbie Nau were honored for their longstanding support of the Red Hot mission.
Auction items included a fabulous necklace from IW Marks and a stay at a villa in Puerto Vallarta. As ever, a raucous country band played at both the cocktail hour before dinner and again after — a unique Red Hot touch. The shirtless hunks milling around, happily posing for pics, was also notable.
VIP guests included Brigitte Kalai, Van and David Greenberg, Bill Baldwin, Fady Armanious, Patti and Don Murphy, Beth Muecke, mayoral candidate John Whitmire, Robin and Alex Brennan-Martin, Frances and Tony Buzbee, Gary Petersen, Leisa Holland Nelson Bowman and Joanna Marks.
Alex Ochoa, Julie Chen, and Joanna Marks
Cheryl & Bill King
Ben Berg
Dee Darby, Elizabeth Stein, Laura Elizabeth Stein, and Scarlett Tyler
Bobbie Nau & Sr. Captain Robert Clark
Gaye Lynn & Stuart Zarrow
Maria Bassa & Beth Muecke
2024 Mr. January
Lesha & Tom Elsenbrook with Elyse & Drew Tolson
Marty Lancton and Hallie Vanderhider
Nellie & Lux K-9 AFT Arson Dogs
Tammy & Kim Norman
Maria Moncada Alaoui & Captain Christopher Garcia
The new Fernando Botero sculpture in front of La Colombe d'Or, facing Montrose Boulevard
“The Fondren Mansion has been an iconic landmark for Texas for 100 years and beckons to an architectural style rarely persevered in our community,” said Steve Zimmerman, owner of La Colombe d’Or, which underwent a massive renovation and expansion a couple years ago. “My family is humbled to be stewards of this historic landmark and to celebrate its centennial with a collection of unique and exciting activities and events that open our hotel’s doors to locals and out-of-town visitors, alike.”
To kick-off the year-long celebration of the milestone, a collection of indulgent offerings will be available at the hotel, bar and restaurant. As gratitude to the neighborhood, a monumental public sculpture installation of the late Fernando Botero’s Bird has been installed in front of the Mansion driveway facing Montrose Boulevard.
In collaboration with Art of the World Gallery, the sculpture dubbed ‘Botero’s Dove,’ is an iconic symbol for peace, unity, and prosperity. The famous bronze sculpture made its most prominent appearance in Medellin, Colombia, during the aggressive struggles with cartels and guerilla fighters between the 1980s and 1990s.
Additional 100-year celebrations are many. The “1923 Staycation” package includes a two-night stay in a Mansion suite, a generous food and beverage credit, sparkling wine at check-in, and complimentary valet.
Even bigger, its “100-Year Food & Art Staycation” includes a one-night stay in a Mansion suite, a four-course chef-hosted dinner for two with hotel owner Steve Zimmerman, wine pairings from Steve’s private cellar, an art tour of the Mansion and Tower, a private art tour of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston with transportation, a nightcap at Bar No.3, and breakfast for two in bed, plus complimentary valet. Prepare to be wowed!
Hungry for more? The restaurant’s Extravagance Menu showcases specialty entrée items available at Tonight & Tomorrow featuring a selection of premium ingredients including rare cuts of meat, white alba truffles, caviar, and other hard to acquire ingredients. Each menu item featuring these ingredients is available for $100.
“Giving-Back Art Philanthropy Cocktails” includes two craft cocktails available at both Tonight & Tomorrow and Bar No.3, through Oct. 2024. A percentage of proceeds raised from each of these cocktails will be donated to a variety of art-based Houston philanthropies.
“We are thrilled to celebrate 100 years of the Mansion at La Colombe d’Or and are excited to unveil many more exciting activities to commemorate a unique Houston gem over the next year,” said Dan Zimmerman, principal of La Colombe d’Or. “By completing the restoration and renovation of the Mansion and expanding our room offerings to include the Tower and Garden Bungalows in 2021, we’ve been able to preserve the history and grandeur of the mansion while modernizing the overall experience to meet the demands of our discerning clientele for another century to come.”
Originally designed by noted Texas architect Alfred C. Finn and built in 1923 as a personal residence for Walter W. Fondren, the Mansion was a fine study of exemplary architecture. Fondren was one of the founders of Humble Oil & Refining Company. The Mansion’s styling is characterized by elements including the original roof with Ludowici tiles, window bays, chimneys, Sullivanesque stone friezes, as well as original windows, and a mosaic tile porch with an adjacent hundred-year-old magnolia tree.
The Mansion was acquired in 1979 by Steve Zimmerman, who transformed it into an artful boutique hotel featuring suites, a restaurant and bar, an art gallery and notorious Le Grand Salon de la Comtesse. The hotel has since been a draw for politicians, celebrities, artists, and international travelers seeking a unique experience.
Located a few minutes’ drive from Downtown, the Texas Medical Center, and world-renowned art institutions, La Colombe d’Or hotel drops you at the doorsteps of Houston’s most coveted destinations.
The library of La Colombe d'Or
Tonight & Tomorrow
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