The All-Nighters
Some of the season’s hottest looks are inspired by work clothes with an edgy ’80s vibe. Suit up sexy, work late if you have to, and, by all means, take care of business.
Sep. 19, 2017

The 50th Annual Spindletop Holiday Ball, Seas and Greetings, will be held on Thursday, December 12. Tables and sponsorship opportunities are available now.
What is your mission? Spindletop Community Impact Partners, Inc. enhances the lives of at-risk youth through funding and volunteering from the energy industry, while promoting fellowship and networking among its participants.
What are you most proud of? Spindletop is proud to support 35 non-profit organizations in Houston, all aligned with our four pillars: Educate, Empower, Protect, and Nurture. Together, we work to create brighter, healthier, and more fulfilling futures for Houston’s at-risk children.
At the heart of our success are more than 60 corporate sponsors and supporters from the energy industry, who provide both financial support and volunteer time. Since 2018, the Spindletop Army has grown to more than 500 dedicated volunteers, ensuring impactful projects for Houston’s youth are executed with great care, enthusiasm and precision.
How have you impacted the community? At Spindletop, we strive to make a lasting impact on the greater Houston community by connecting at-risk youth with programs that educate, empower, protect, and nurture them throughout their lives.
Our four giving pillars guide this mission:
1. Educate: Bolstering foundational educational resources to ensure success at all levels of schooling.
2. Empower: Fostering confidence and life skills that support social and emotional development.
3. Protect: Advocating for children’s safety and overall well-being in the community.
4. Nurture: Providing support for healthcare and wellness to individuals facing illness or special needs.
Spindletop provides critical funding to worthy causes that span across these pillars, including Bo’s Place, BridgeYear, Camp For All, Kids’ Meals, Texas Center for the Missing and more. For the full list, please visit our website: https://bit.ly/SCIPWWD24
Tell us about your big event. The Spindletop Holiday Ball is the premier holiday event in the energy industry, capturing the merriment of the holiday season all the while raising more than $1 million annually to support Houston’s at-risk children.
This year, we will celebrate the 50th Annual Spindletop Holiday Ball, Seas and Greetings, on Thursday, December 12. Guests will enjoy a fun-filled evening under the sea as we honor industry leaders and their contributions to the community as a whole. Highlights of the evening include a dance performance by Ensemble Theatre, a Holiday Toy Drive with toys collected by our holiday “elves” from Girls Inc. of Greater Houston and a beautiful poinsettia tree cultivated by citizens of The Brookwood Community - all Spindletop non-profit partners. The evening is capped off with dancing to the musical stylings of Password.
If you or your corporation are interested in supporting this year’s Spindletop Holiday Ball, please contact Spindletop Executive Director Lia Vallone at info@spindletophouston.org.
Salted Coconut Latik Ice Cream Sandwich at Lil' Koffeteria
THERE'S SOME INTERESTING news coming out of The Quad at Britmoore, the adaptive, mixed-use development fashioned of repurposed industrial warehouses in Spring Branch near Memorial.
The Houston-based developers, Pagewood and Wile Interests, have announced that Lil’ Koffeteria will be among the eateries.
“We’re thrilled to add locally owned Lil’ Koffeteria to our office community who will serve fresh and local eats and build upon the energy we’ve created at our campus,” said Randolph Wile, President of Wile Interests.
For its part, Lil’ Koffeteria is a bit of a phenom. With its original location east of Downtown, its risen to considerable acclaim for its Cambodian-inspired café and bakery goods. “Led by chef-owner Vanarin Kuch, who recently landed a second James Beard award nomination in the Outstanding Bakery category, Lil’ Koffeteria will serve a variety of their award-winning pastries, kolaches and tacos,” said a rep for The Quad.
In addition to the Beard accolades, The New York Times recently cited Lil’ Koffeteria as of the 22 best bakeries in the country now.
The new outpost is expected to open in the spring.
Vanarin Kuch (photo by Niel Burger)
Ham and Cheese Croissants
Chocolate Cake Croissant
Crab Rangoon Croissant
Thai Om Croissantwich
Christine Johnson and Jody Merritt
A LOVELY AND truly heart-felt tradition continued, when Saks Fifth Avenue and its 5115 restaurant hosted the 14th annual Houston Sweethearts tea.
“Creators Anne Carl, Deborah Duncan, Sylvia Forsythe, Kim Moody, Warner Roberts and Alicia Smith welcomed over 100 guests,” said a rep for the event’s organizers, noting that the function is held each year around Valentine’s Day “simply to tell each other that they are loved and appreciated for all the time, energy, creativity and heart-felt love they give in service to the community.”
This year’s Sweethearts honorees include Lesha Elsenbrook, Tena Faust, Marilu Garza, Tama Lundquist, Elizabeth Stein and Heidi Turney. Other VIP guests included Sidney Faust, Phoebe Tudor, Hallie Vanderhider, Bobby Dees, Brigitte Kalai, Beth Wolff, Cheryl Byington, Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman, Ellie Francisco, Kim Padgett, Sherri Zucker, Brittany Zucker, Kirk Kveton and Anna Dean.
The annual tea raises awareness for the Mission of Yahweh, a shelter for homeless women and children.
Tena Faust
Brigitte Kalai, Anne Carl and Alicia Smith
Sandra Porter, Marilu Garza, Leila Perrin and Charity Yarborough Cox
Heidi Rockecharlie and Alice Mao Brams
Deborah Duncan and Beth Wolff