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    One helluva party

    Surprise 50th birthday bash is one for the record books as swank restaurant transformed

    Shelby Hodge
    shelby hodge
    Aug 22, 2014 | 10:02 am

    You simply would not have recognized Tony's on Saturday night. In a 17-hour transformation, the already-swank restaurant blossomed into a sophisticated dinner club for a 50th birthday bash that will have guests talking for months to come.

    Citigroup investment banker Steve Traubercompletelysurprised his wife, Leticia, with the party for 190 and surprised those guests with the elaborate decor and planning.

    Steve gave event planner Lisa Newburn carte blanche with only a few instructions — the color pink should prevail as that is Leticia's favorite; the valet court in front of Tony's had to be enclosed, air-conditioned and outfitted like a very classy cocktail lounge; and a top-notch band was requested as was a memorable dessert presentation. And he wanted a video tribute.

    "I wanted to create something incredible and special for her and something that Houston had not seen before."

    The team of more than 60 workmen started the transformation at midnight Friday, after the Restaurant Weeks crowd had cleared. Out went all furnishings other than the dining tables. In came acrylic "ghost" chairs, miles of sparkling table linens, special china and monogramed napkins. Austin-based florist David Kurio worked his magic with phalaenopsis and cataleya orchids, all in shades of fuschia, a visual riff on the birthday girl's pink fettish. In all, Kurio brought in more than 4,700 orchids to create the rich tableau.

    "Leticia is probably one of the kindest people I've ever met," Newburn said after the party. "I wanted to create something incredible and special for her and something that Houston had not seen before." This was the third party that she had done for the couple. Her first was Leticia's 40th birthday in Napa Valley.

    The biggest challenge was transforming the valet area into a sleek nightclub. The roof was covered, Lucite walls installed and 85 tons of air-conditioning was pumped in to the space where over-stuffed banquettes, chairs and ottomans and banks of ferns and orchids created the sophisticated setting that Steve had commanded.

    Guests sat down at the elaborately dressed tables that spread throughout the restaurant including the bar and wine room. Tony's team served a spectacular four-course dinner that concluded with the restaurant's traditional and dynamite ice cream bombe and individual chocolate birthday cakes by Who Made the Cake — the ultimate ice cream and cake combo.

    The 30-minute video of friends from around the country was another surprise for the birthday girl. "Steve put together a beautiful tribute video that left everyone in tears," Leticia said, "and culminated the evening with the best dance band (Starlight Experience of New York) in the country. We didn't leave Tony's until 1:09 a.m."

    Revelers included Leslie and Tom Hix, Clayton and Shel Erikson, Mindy and Jeff Hildebrand, Beverly and Jim Postl, Paula and Jeff Hayes of Dallas, Terri and John Havens, Andrea and former Mayor Bill White, Yava and Milton Scott and Penny and Paul Loyd.

    Both graduates and supporters of Rice University, the Traubers included Y. Ping Sun and David Leebron, Rice president, on the guest list. Their son, JT Trauber, starts Rice as a freshman this year. Their daughter, Lexi Trauber, flew in from Los Angeles for the party. Serious basketball fans, the Traubers also welcomed to the party Clyde Drexler and his wife, Tonya, and Dikembe Mutombo and wife, Rose.

    The valet parking at Tony's morphs into a beautiful party space.

      
    unspecified
    news/society

    Horns Up High

    Burnt orange spirit lights up Houston at Texas Exes scholarship gala

    Joel Luks
    May 16, 2025 | 5:45 pm
    Texas Exes Scholarship Gala 2025
    Photo by Jacob Power
    Kisha and Jason Itkin, Sallie Alcorn, and Kurt and Tara Arnold.

    It was an elevated burnt orange night at River Oaks Country Club as more than 300 Longhorn faithful gathered for the Texas Exes Houston Chapter’s Longhorn Legacy Scholarship Gala on April 10. The evening’s honorees, Kisha Itkin, Jason Itkin, Tara Arnold, and Kurt Arnold, were celebrated for their generosity and spirited support of The University of Texas at Austin.

    Texas Exes Scholarship Gala 2025
      

    Photo by Jacob Power

    Kisha and Jason Itkin, Sallie Alcorn, and Kurt and Tara Arnold.

    Greeting guests at valet was none other than Bevo, the famed Longhorn steer and unofficial mascot. Inside, a sculpted ice bar featuring the honorees' names and the Longhorn logo in vibrant burnt orange wowed the crowd. Underwritten by Mike Lowenberg of Lowenberg Law Firm, the frosty centerpiece offered a fitting nod to the honorees’ indelible mark on UT’s legacy. Meanwhile, a UT Tower ice sculpture, framed by a festive balloon wall by Topped Off Co., provided yet another irresistible photo op.

    Leading the evening’s program was Cyndy Garza Roberts, who kicked off festivities with a stirring video. Athletics director Chris Del Conte praised Jason Itkin and Kurt Arnoldfor their invaluable ideas and steadfast support, reinforcing the honorees’ impact beyond just philanthropy. Texas Exes Houston Chapter president Kyle Griffin and event chair Tawnya Bell also shared personal stories, with Bell's emotional scholarship journey underscoring the night’s purpose.

    Personal testimonies from UT grads and scholarship recipients Janelle Chavez and Will Florer inspired more generosity, culminating in a $330,000 fundraising triumph. Houston City Council Member Sallie Alcorn capped off the tributes with a mayoral proclamation from Mayor John Whitmire, officially declaring April 10 as Kisha and Jason Itkin and Tara and Kurt Arnold Day in Houston.

    In true Longhorn tradition, the evening closed with all guests standing, horns up, singing "The Eyes of Texas, a fitting finale to a night brimming with spirit.

    Spotted were Chuck Harris, Brien Smith, Rick Harsch, June Deadrick, Brock Niezgoda and Meg Hayward, Jackie and Scott Freeman, Luisa and Dr. Lucky Chopra, Ginger Cearley, Erin and Nathan Phelps, Kristen Griffin, Adam Pulaski, Stephanie Wilcox, Catherine Campbell, Al Riddle, Lauren Riddle, Michele Leal and George Farah, Winell and Doug Herron, Kristen Cannon, Niki and James Lassiter, and Amy and Segev Zadok.

    news/society
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