Photography by Daniel Ortiz
Styling by Todd Ramos
Models Brock Knighten and Samara Zuckerbod for Page Parkes Agency
Hair and makeup by Edward Sanchez for Arched Beauty
Special thanks to Chapman & Kirby
Dennis Quaid-autographed 'Gordo' guitar by Tra' Slaughter
These alarming statistics compelled the Houston nonprofit StellaNova Foundation, whose mission is to provide funding for local organizations that support mental health care, to partner with Guitars for Vets (G4V) as the beneficiary of the charity fundraising event “Operation: Stars, Stripes, and Strings.” The Foundation aims to raise $50,000 during “Operation: Stars, Stripes, and Strings” in support of activating G4V’s Houston chapter.
On Sept. 20, a collection of celebrity-autographed and artist-adorned guitars will be available online to purchase at three different donation levels. The donated instruments include autographed guitars from Alan Jackson, Paul Rodgers, Night Ranger, and The Fabulous Thunderbirds; a BuzzFest guitar signed by Bush, Godsmack, Live, Our Lady Peace and others; six guitars hand-painted with Houston artist Tra’ Slaughter’s interpretations of movie roles played by Houston Dennis Quaid, who autographed all of the guitars; and an acoustic guitar autographed by Latin Grammy winners Banda Los Recoditos.
Donors at other various levels can also purchase works by Houston artists Taft McWhorter, Joni Zavitsanos, and Deasa Turner. You can check out the guitars in person on Sept. 22 from 11-5pm at Christian’s Tailgate, and Sept. 28 at 1pm at Hardy & Nance Studios.
Founded in 2007, G4V provides veterans free in-person and online guitar instruction and a new acoustic guitar and guitar accessory kit through programs run by volunteers in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs health care systems and community-based outpatient clinics. The nonprofit organization operates more than 150 chapters across the nation with the help of over 1,000 volunteers. Thanks to the StellaNova Foundation, Houston veterans will soon benefit from these resources.
“The outpouring of support from the music industry and Houston’s arts community has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Doug Harris, Executive Director of the StellaNova Foundation. “It seems there are no ‘politics’ when it comes to helping our veterans and people have gone out of their way to get us what we need to engage donors.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Dennis Quaid-autographed 'Ronald Reagan' guitar by Tra' Slaughter
Deasa Turner's 'Barbie' guitar
Dennis Quaid-autographed 'Jerry Lee' guitar by Tra' Slaughter
Októ cocktails (photo by Becca Wright)
Artisans
Artisans celebrates social hour every Monday through Friday from 3pm-7pm with discounted cocktails, wines and French-inspired fare. Come hungry for charcuterie boards and salmon crudo, and thirsty for $10 glasses or $36 bottles of wine and cocktails. All small bites are $12 — or order all five starters for $50!
Aya Sushi
Sushi Sunday means all bottles of wine are 15 percent off all day! Whether you’re sipping a crisp sauvignon blanc with a fresh sashimi platter, or a smooth pinot noir with a savory roll, count on the wines to enhance every bite. Every other day of the week, all house cocktails are $10 from 5-6:30pm.
Balboa Surf Club
To celebrate its first anniversary, on weekdays this fall, Balboa is offering crispy house made French fries on the house with cocktails at the bar from 3-5pm. To sip, consider the frozen signature Bracco, Westside or the El Guero.
Doris burger (photo by Kirsten Gilliam)
You know you want it, and happy hour is the only time you can get it: the famous Doris burger! The masterpiece on an artisan challah bun includes smoked Gouda, lettuce, tomato, and aioli along with truffle fries. Happy hour runs Tues. through Sat. from 5-7pm, and on Mondays from 5-9pm at the bustling bar or the patio. Snag $10 house wines, $11 signature cocktails, and bites like tuna tartare, Israeli salad, kofta kebab, tenderloin or shrimp skewer, and more. Don’t miss out on the $12 half-dozen oysters.
Jethro's smashburger (photo by John Cantu)
The still-new Montrose area watering hole celebrates happy hour every Tuesday through Friday from 4pm-6pm with $8 cocktails and an Early Bird Special: a smashburger, fries, and a beer for $15. Also, every Tuesday, Jethro’s honors half-priced smashburgers all night.
Loro slushees
Grab a late lunch or early happy hour from 2-6pm at the new Asian smokehouse on Kirby. Pulled-pork tostada, smoked-shishito queso and crunchy cabbage salad are just a few of the oh-so-affordable small plates ($6-$9). Yummy boozy slushees are just five bucks!
Cocktails at Októ (photo by Becca Wright)
Montrose’s new Mediterranean spot already has one of the buzziest bars in the city. Weekday happy runs from 4pm-6pm with $10 wines by the glass and $12 cocktails like the espresso martini and Októ G&T. For specially priced food, check out the octopus bites, Greek salad, steak frites and more.
Salted watermelon cocktail
Grab happy-hour sips Monday through Friday from 2-6pm with discounted cocktails and wines. Choose the spacious patio or duck indoors in their revamped sunroom for $8 cocktails like the Height’s Pink Lemonade and the Salted Watermelon, as well as $8 wines by the glass and $1 off all beers. Weekend happy hour offers $10 bloody Marys & $5 mimosas by the glass from noon-1pm.
Dynamite Scallop Maki at Roka Akor
Feeling hangry? Get to this sushi shrine early, because happy hour ends at 6:30pm. The ambitious bar/lounge menu boasts almost 20 food options! Choose from sushi rolls, grilled scallops, wagyu and kimchi dumplings, a burger with truffle fries, Japanese fried chicken, and more. Beer, wines, cocktails and sake are also specially priced.
Among its many promotions, luxury rideshare Alto is offering discounts on rides to and from select restaurants, many of which have happy hours. Use codes ANDIRON, EUNICE, MONEYCAT and WOODROWS for 15 percent off Alto clean and safe rides in marked Alto SUVs. For rides to eateries in The Big Vibe Group (Flora, Graffiti Raw), use code TBVG15.