Tootsies was, for once, more about baseball fans than fashionistas, as a fab crowd of Astro lovers gathered at the shopping mecca to hobnob with some of their favorite players. Beloved pitcher Lance McCullers Jr., MVP second baseman José Altuve, and three-time Golden Glove winner Dallas Keuchel hosted the event to raise money for a variety of causes close to their hearts, including The Sunshine Kids and McCuller’s own foundation, which promotes pet rescue and adoptions. Other ’Stros in attendance included Carlos Correa, George Springer and Justin Verlander, along with Hall of Famer Craig Biggio. In the end, the sluggers and their supporters — like Judge Ed Emmett, Terri and John Havens and Vivian Wise — raised $360, 000. Now that’s a homerun!
Leadership in Action: ‘Family, Community and Spiritual Connection’ Drives Success for Henry Richardson
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.
Who do you credit? I credit my family, my community, and my spiritual connection. Houston is a place where opportunities exist. I did my MBA at Rice University and my Master’s in Applied Positive Psychology at UPenn. I am so grateful for the enriching communities of Rice and UPenn where they genuinely want to see their students thrive. These institutions have become my springboard from which I feel I could jump with the knowledge and confidence to launch the concept of Define Living. And, without any doubt, I give credit to my family and friends. I used to get a lot of inquisitive looks when I would talk about launching a fitness brand or a franchise brand. However, I now feel very loved and supported by the people closest to me when I tell them about a new project that I am focusing on. They can sense my passion, and that is contagious.
What lessons have you learned that might enlighten and inspire others?
Here are several:
1) Swim in your own lane.
2) Learn as much as you can about your industry while getting paid by someone else.
3) Starting your own business is risky, time-consuming, and challenging, but your passion will take you far.
4) It’s okay to be skeptical, but avoid becoming cynical.
5) As Mother Theresa stated, “What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; build anyway.”
What’s new in your life or work that you’re excited about? I am so happy with how well our first Define Living has been received. I worked hard to build a program that was transforming and accessible. To know that we are attracting a group of people who are diverse in every sense of the word while elevating their wellbeing is incredibly motivating for me each day. This inspires me to bring this concept nationwide and add more health and wellbeing to communities across the globe!
Festaris Feted at River Oaks Country Club’s Chic ‘Bela Roma’ Lunch for ICCC
A STYLISH CROWD of more than 350 gathered at a River Oaks Country Club luncheon to celebrate Italian culture in Houston and take in a bright fall fashion show from Saks Fifth avenue.
The event, dubbed “Bella Roma” and chaired by Karen Remington and Saula Centa Valente, raised more than $200,000 — a record! — for the Italian Cultural & Community Center. Honorees for the day were longtime Houston clothiers Debbie and Rudy Festari. Debbie teared up discussing her husband’s journey from a childhood in Rome to becoming one of H-Town’s most iconic fashion merchants; Astros royalty Jeff Bagwell also honored Rudy with remarks.
“Speaking in his native Italian, Rudy spoke of his love of fashion and family, thanking his many friends and supporters,” said a rep for organizers of the event. “Rudy and Debbie’s proud son Valentino was there and shared in the applause and standing ovation for him.”
A lunch of caprese salad and stuff chicken — with a splash of Pinot Grigio, naturally — provided fuel for a fun afternoon. Guests not only enjoyed the sophisticated ladies’ styles on the runway but also perused an extensive silent auction and wine pull.
VIPs in the crowd included emcee Owen Conflenti, Nicole Lassiter, Brigitte Kalai, Sippi Khurana, Lesha Elsenbrook and Donna Lewis, Daniel Irion and Kirk Kveton, Melissa Juneau, Ally Shell, Courtney Hopson, Melissa Mithoff, Mauney Mafrige, Roland Maldonado, Jessica Rossman, Kristen Cannon, Jessica Meyer, Debbie Clemens, Rachel Bagwell, Gary Petersen, Victor Costa, Roz Pactor, Brian Ching and Lindsay Yates.
Brian Ching and Lindsey Yates
Courtney Hopson and Melissa Mithoff
Sippi Khurana and Felicia Stone
Roz Pactor and Victor Costa
Ally Shell and Michelle Reyna
Marla Hurley and Jennifer Grigsby
Farida Abjani, Brigitte Kalai and Alex Blair
Lorena Gomez and Jessica Gomez
Mauney Mafridge and Travis Torrence
Kristy Phillips and Jennifer Pinkerton
Kirk Kventon, Debbie and Rudy Festari and Daniel Iron
Karen Remington, Saula Valente, Roberta Bentley and Holly Dean
Jody Merritt, Edna Meyer Nelson and Christine Johnson
Jessica Rossman and Ronald Maldonado
Gary Petersen and Rachel and Jeff Bagwell
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Contemporary Clout: Rousing Modern-Day-Set ‘Il Trovatore’ and Posh Tented Dinner Open HGO Season
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.
“Stephen Wadsworth’s brand-new production of Verdi’s perennially popular tragedy sets the story in modern Spain,” notes a rep for the company, “where old and new worlds coexist, cathedrals comingling with street art.”
The elaborate sets — with graffiti-style accents by 26-year-old Houston street artist Floyd Mendoza — and engaging contemporary costuming awed the audience, to say nothing of the singing by worldwide opera luminaries Raehann Bryce-Davis, Ailyn Pérez, Michael Spyres, Lucas Meachem, and Morris Robinson. One of Houston’s most beloved arts leaders, Artistic and Musical Director Patrick Summers, who recently announced a shift to an emeritus role in 2026, conducted the orchestra.
After the opera, Janet Gurwitch and Ron Franklin, chairs of the evening, welcomed some 425 guests to Fish Plaza, where “décor by The Events Company blended old-world charm with a modern edge, the dramatic yet elegant ambiance accentuated by rich hues of burgundy, teal, navy blue, and gold,” said the HGO rep. Dinner included a raved-over beet salad with frisee followed by beef short ribs with butternut squash and mushrooms. For dessert: dark chocolate torte.
Boldface names seen schmoozing about incude HGO General Director and CEO Khori Dastoor, Margaret Alkek Williams, Molly and Jim Crownover, Isabel and Danny David, Tracy and Valerie Dieterich, Carey Kirkpatrick, Franci Neely, Duyen and Marc Nguyen, Cynthia and Tony Petrello, Lindy and John Rydman, Anita and Gerald Smith, Phoebe and Bobby Tudor, Betty and Jesse Tutor, Hallie Vanderhider and famed opera composer Jake Heggie.
More than $600,000 was raised to support HGO’s community-engagement programs.
Omar and Maria Alaoui (photo by Michelle Watson)
Alecia Harris and Eivind Moen (photo by Emily Jaschke)
Lucas and Irina Meachem, and Tracy Maddox and John Serpe (photo by Emily Jaschke)
Janet Gurwitch, Raehann Bryce-Davis and Michelle Hevrdejs (photo by Michelle Watson)
Emily Bivona and Ryan Manser (photo by Emily Jaschke)
Nico Roussel and Teresa Procter (photo by Emily Jaschke)
Bobby and Phoebe Tudor (photo by Emily Jaschke)
Khori Dastoor and William and Huda Zoghbi (photo by Michelle Watson)
Melanie Smith and Michelle Klinger (photo by Michelle Watson)
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