T'was the night before New Year's, when all through the town
The populace celebrated, t'was nary a frown.
With oil prices sinking, we keep spirits high
As construction cranes everywhere soar to the sky.
Borlenghi and Hines, Trammell Crow and Martin Fein —
They expand across the city with topnotch design.
Then, in a twinkling, on to fashion we move
Alex Knight, David Peck, Chloe Dao in their groove.
Elaine Turner, Katie Decker, Wayne Smith, Kendra Scott —
Their creations exciting, their sales are red hot.
The movers and shakers, they come and they go
But H-Town philanthropists seem to seldom say no.
Laura and John Arnold, Nancy Kinder and Rich
their giving is generous with never a glitch.
Thank you John Eddie and Sheridan Williams,
the Havens, the Tudors —their gifts total billions.
The Machs, the Cockrells, Lester Smith and wife Sue,
They give so generously, we must cheer woo-hoo!
All across town, the players do good
while whooping it up as only they could.
Becca and John Thrash, Lucinda Loya and Javier,
Lynn Wyatt, Tilman Fertitta, and, yes, my dear,
The parties they give are a visitor's delight
With good causes celebrated well into the night.
The only problem here is getting across town
as the holes in the streets will slow your car down.
The potholes are growing at ridiculous speed
those running for mayor had better take heed.
But sure to make it to each evening's delight
is a host of Houstonians with auras so bright.
Shepherd Ross, Erin Hicks and Claire Cormier-Thielke,
Jeff Shell, Jared Lang and Joshua Willoughby.
Bruce Padilla, Katy Caldwell, Cal and Hannah McNair,
Mandy Kao, Michael Mithoff, Roz Pactor, Alex Blair.
We love how they party with spirits so high
From weddings to birthdays to heartfelt good-byes.
Ceron and Todd Fiscus, they showed us the way
To marriages blissful for both straight and for gay.
The Mayor and her partner shared their vows as well
As did Scott Sawyer and Barry Mandel.
Add to the lovebirds Kevin Bryant and Lily Jang.
For soon enough, their wedding bells will clang.
Now our hip young professionals, they partied each night
Working hard to keep H-town very merry and bright.
Rosemarie Johnson, Divya Brown and her husband Chris,
Mark Sullivan, Jacquie Baly — they party with bliss.
Lisa Gochman, Stuart Rosenberg and Montrice Malone,
Francine Ballard, Joyce Echols and Lia Vallone,
Jared LeBlanc, Luba Bigman, Jonathan Zadok and Michelle,
Maidie Ryan, Magen Pastor, Reyne Hirsch — they're all really swell.
And as this year ends and a new one begins,
We cannot forget our myriad friends.
Audrey Cochran, Ting Bresnahan and her husband John,
The Mafriges — Rocky, Mauney and Don.
Pierce Bush, Vivian Wise and Bethany Buchanan,
Kristi Schiller, Kristy Bradshaw and Elizabeth Allen.
Neal Hamil, Hiram Butler and Fady Armanious.
How they all get along, how all so harmonious.
Beth Muecke, Amy Lee, Chris Shepherd, Lindsey Brown,
Jessica Rossman, Gordon Bethune, they all get around.
Randy Powers, Roseanne Rogers and Megan Sutton-Reed
Shelley Reeves, Robin Reimer — all running at high speed.
And so as each year, I run out of steam,
Though the names could be coming in a long, steady stream.
But this party isn't over so hang on, my dear,
For there's still a chance you'll be named here next year.
Out with the old and in with the new,
Happy New Year from the CultureMap team to you!
Gordon Bethune and Jessica Rossman know a thing or two about living large.
