Hermann Park Conservancy executive director Doreen Stoller received the surprise of her life on Thursday when the monthly midday board meeting erupted into a celebration of her 10 years at the helm of the non-profit — and it was led by Mayor Annise Parker.
The mayor, carrying one end of a large banner saluting Doreen on her 10th anniversary, marched in with a lively group of well-wishers all blowing on noise-makers. Board members pulled out their own concealed noise-makers and party hats to join the fray while oversized helium-filled balloons filled the meeting space at the Old Clubhouse in Hermann Park.
Leading the champagne toasts was Mayor Parker, joined by former City Councilwoman Ada Edwards, Houston Parks director Joe Turner, Jay Baker, Sanford Criner and Terrylin Neale on behalf of Ann Hamilton.
Among the 80 well-wishers were Doreen's husband Dan Piette, Minnette Boesel, Y. Ping Sun, Katherine McGovern, Franci Crane and Lea Weingarten. Conservancy leadership saluting her included Ann Kennedy, David Benson, Phoebe Tudor, Jana Arnoldy, Judy Nyquist, Cece Fowler and Gary Tinterow.
He said yes, and so did he!
Although it's been rumored for months, it's official as of Wednesday — salon stylist Cerón and event planner Todd Fiscus of Dallas are engaged. "He asked. I said yes," Todd emailed. Cerón popped the question at the couple's Dallas home where they were surrounded by friends.
No wedding plans finalized as yet. But the nuptials will take place in either New York or D.C. In the meantime, Trinity rings from Cartier are sealing the deal.
Celebrating a 50th
Italian Embassy minister Cristiano Maggipinto, who made many friends here during his tenure as Italian Consul General, returned from his post in Washington D.C. to H-Town this week to celebrate his 50th birthday among Texas friends.
The party was held at Barbara Davis Gallery where Maggipinto was joined by his wife, Tamara Hardikar Maggipinto.
Fans included Karen and Byron Hood, Barbara Davis, Melanie Seim, Giorgio Borlenghi, Luciano Topi, Noga and Steve Tobias, Joann and Bill Crassas and Fabrizio Nava, Cristiano's successor as Italian Consul General.
They dined on fare from Arcodoro and swayed to the tunes of DJ Tuzzo Martini, aka Francesco Tuzzolino, who was taking a break from his MBA studies at the University of Michigan.
Tampalooza 2012
It's never an ordinary birthday celebration for publicist Tammy Dowe and this year's day-into-night adventure was no exception. The party began at Roots Bistro, where chef Chandler Rothbard pulled out the stops for the family-style feast.
The restaurant opened specially for the birthday girl and 30 friends who included Tricia Dewhurst, Nancy Marcus Golden, Amy Matkins, Gabriela Dror, Marco Camacho, Dana and Taft McWhorter, Beth Wolff, Dana Kervin, Chris Silkwood and Jim Veal. State Sen. Rodney Ellis stopped by to offer birthday best wishes.
And that was just the start for the birthday girl who began the evening with hubby Kelly Dowe at a holiday gathering at the home of Mayor Annise Parker then it was on to the Continental Club.
Sight 'ems
Lyle Boudreaux, LJB Wealth Partners founder, celebrating the launch of his new investment firm with family, friends and colleagues at RDG + Bar Annie where notables included Nic Phillips, Renea Menzies, Gretchen Davis, award-winning Mixed Martial Arts guru Sam Hoger and Ignite Energy founders Desiree and Miles McKellar.
