It's hard to surprise an investigative reporter, but Dr. Eric Haas did just that on Friday when he presented his long-time squeeze, Channel 11 news ace Courtney Zubowski with a proposal and a brilliant-cut diamond ring — in a hospital parking lot.
Courtney's cohort at KHOU Jeff McShan orchestrated the ruse that had her heading to Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital for a breaking news story. When she and her photographer arrived, there was no story, but, surprise, there was the good doctor. He escorted Courtney to the parking lot where, on bended knee, he asked for her hand. He had picked up the ring only an hour before from Zadok Jewelers, where he had ordered the diamond dazzler from Courtney's childhood friend Segev Zadok.
No date yet set for the wedding, but the target is next spring. The couple spent the weekend celebrating with friends.
Miya and Gene's last bash
After their wedding in Puerto Vallarta, Channel 13 reporter Miya Shay and State Representative candidate Gene Wu celebrated one more time with a rollicking bash in the grand foyer the Hobby Center where close to 300 celebrants— a colorful mix of political, media and social friends — wished them well.
Lion dancers got things off to a roaring start, the lively pace continuing to the sounds of Radio London. Among guests grazing through the Asian-inspired menu designed by chef David Cordua were former Mayor Bill White and Andrea, Arthur Schechter, U.S. District Judge David Hittner (who legally married the couple), City Councilwoman Melissa Noriega, State Rep. Carol Alvarado and loads of Miya's TV family.
A special birthday bash
It was a week for celebrating birthdays and no one did it better than Cora Sue Mach, who welcomed her seventh decade with a bash for close to 300 family and friends at River Oaks Country Club. The surprise party — a complete surprise to the birthday girl — was orchestrated by hubby Harry Mach and their sons and daughters-in-law, Joelle and Steve Mach and Carmen and Butch Mach.
Guests dined on a superb dinner (the ROCC chef outdid himself), danced to the retro tunes of the Richard Brown Orchestra and gobbled up the birthday cake that was a king-sized replica of the family's antique fire truck.
The party crowd included Sidney and Don Faust, Margaret Williams and Jim Daniel, Marianne and Bob Ivany, Jan Duncan, Mary and Tony Gracely, Rae White, Tena and Tyson Faust, Denise Bush Bahr and Philip Bahr, Olga and Gerald Bush and Margaret and Dr. Jeff Lanier. And let's not forget the charming young coterie of Mach grandchildren who kept the dance floor hopping, even before dinner.
A Churrasco's fete
Heavy hitters for certain — that would be the group of two dozen politicos and friends that gathered at the South American eatery on Monday to celebrate the big 6-0 for engineering guru Wayne Klotz. Klotz Associates senior veeps Tom Ramsey and Billy Cooke and marketing specialist Cindy Clifford orchestrated the lively luncheon that featured 8-inch chocolate layer cakes as party favors for each guest.
The power lunch crowd included Mayor Annise Parker, Harris County Judge Ed Emmett and wife Gwen, the birthday boy's wife Karen Klotz, Pasadena Mayor Johnny Isbell, Mayor Parker's chief of staff Waynette Chan, City Councilman Steve Costello and wife Debbie, Port Commissioner Janiece Longoria, State Rep. Carol Alvarado and Jason Fuller, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's regional director.
Turkish Consul General Cemalettin Aydin and wife Burcu opened their Tanglewood home for a cocktail reception in honor of Dr. Atilla Ertan in his position as professor of medicine and medical director of the Gastroenterology Center of Excellence at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center.
An internationally-renowned physician, Ertan is a native of Turkey and received his medical degree from Ankara University Medical School.
Turning in support of Ertan and the Atila Ertan Research and Education Fund were Lynn and Oscar Wyatt, City Councilman Jack Christie, Melinda and Dr. Norman Berkman, Neda Ladjevardian, Arthur Bair, Mahin Forrest, Alexander Forrest, Liliane Haddad and Suzanne and Jack McCrary.
Sight 'ems
Birthday girl Chris Goins taking over the community table at Sparrow Bar + Cookshop Saturday night to celebrate with a fun loving group that included boyfriend Josh Pazda, Hiram Butler, Sarah Atwood, Alex Rosa, Rogelio Rendon, Claudia Solis, Michael Mandola, Casey Clay and Brian Neal Sensabaugh. And on the patio, a dinner gathering for visiting actress Leisha Hailey, of Showtime’s popular series The L Word . . .
Dr. Gary Brock celebrating his birthday at Houston Country Club where wife Cathy Brock surprised with a Mexican fiesta for several dozen friends. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and wife Tricia were in the mix as were Sharon Adams, David Langworthy, Jeanie Kilroy, Martha and Richard Finger, Terrie and Mike Turner, Phyllis Childress and more . . .
A house of notables making the Friday night scene at Brasserie 19 including Amy Lee, DeeDee Guggenheim, Mary and Tony Gracely, Karen and Mike Mayell, Jennifer Roosth, Sheridan and John Eddie Williams, Rob Rutherford, John Evatz, Tama Lundquist, Charlotte Hill and more . . .
Among Friday night diners at Sparrow Bar + Cookshop Julie Soefer, Channel 11 reporter Katherine Whaley, Jeff Shell, Fady Armanious plus Caroline and Jared LeBlanc.
