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    Birthday Bonanza

    A magical night to remember: Blow-out birthday party salutes Gerald Hines on his 90th

    Shelby Hodge
    Sep 23, 2015 | 1:03 pm

    Part Las Vegas-glitz, part Broadway-up-in-lights, the transformation of the Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture building on the University of Houston campus on Saturday was a glamorous repurposing of the education facility into magical party palace.

    How could it be anything less for the celebration of Gerald Hines' 90th birthday, a milestone for the renowned developer who has made a lasting mark on commercial real estate design throughout the world. With his namesake firm, Hines, at work and a generous budget at play, the evening soared in every aspect.

    The 440 guests' arrival at the Philip Johnson-designed building was heralded by klieg lights with Hines' initials emblazoned above each side of the entrance. Stepping through the college doors was not unlike stepping through Alice's looking glass as partygoers were greeted by a sea of pink, lavender and yellow lighting, speckled with bubbles of white light.

    The party began at ground level in the college atrium where Staging Solutions created a chic lounge affair with the focal point being a dramatic stage set comprised of soaring models of some of Hines' iconic buildings, the structures glimmering in fantastical lighting. Here, Sara Niemietz sang with several back-up musicians, before catching the red-eye back to Los Angeles where she performed at one of the Emmy parties Sunday night.

    Heavy hitter crowd

    Cocktail-attired leaders of architecture, education and business quickly filled the atrium as Hines and his wife, Barbara, circulated through greeting UH president Renu Khator and husband Suresh Khator; famed architects Robert A.M. Stern, John Burgee and Cesar Pelli; former Houston Mayor Bill White and wife Andrea; and Central Houston Inc. president Bob Eury and Gayle, among the numerous notables from Houston and around the world. (These starchitects and several others had been featured the day before at the Hines Architectural Forum at the Hobby Center.)

    Act two of the spectacular evening took place on the college's fourth floor where desks, storage bins and detritus of student life were removed to make way for a spectacular dinner setting where again lavender and rose-hued lighting set the stage. It was a transformation that Architecture Dean and Hines friend Patricia Oliver could hardly believe. More than a dozen flat screen TVs assured that guests from any vantage point could see the program of video tributes and the welcome led by Hines' son Jeff Hines, who now heads the company, and by Barbara and Gerald Hines' daughter, Serena.

    Frank Gehry dessert

    One particular tribute came from world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, who was supposed to have attended but doctor's orders following a recent back surgery prevented him from boarding an airplane. Via video he sent words of praise and congratulations and in artistic spirit he created the sculptural chocolate shavings that topped the Indiana Hoosier pie dessert.

    That pie, saluting Hines's birthplace, was the finale of a stunning five-course meal overseen by Tony Vallone. Each course represented some aspect of Hines' life ranging from the "Nova Scotia Salmon Tower" to the "Colorado Short Rib of Beef/Texas Gulf Snapper" entree. The food, service and staff excelled on every level as would be expected of both Hines and Vallone.

    The party continued after dinner, kicking into high gear back in the atrium where Leslie Uggams sang "Happy Birthday" before she and jazz singer Peter Cincotti revved up the dance tunes.

    The heavy-hitter crowd, almost half of whom were from out of town, included Yvonne and Scott Zeigler, Brenda and John Duncan, Anne and Dr. John Mendelsohn, Eleanor and Dan Gilbane, Sis and Hasty Johnson, Diane and Charles Ofner, Anne and Charles Duncan, Carolyn Farb, Charles Ward, Marley Lott, Jo and Jim Furr, Dee Osborne and Joan Schnitzer-Levy.

    Gerald Hines surrounded by volunteers from the University of Houston College of Architecture.

    News, Shelby, Gerald Hines 90th birthday, Sept. 2015, Gerald Hines and architecture students
      
    Photo by Fulton Davenport/PWL Studio
    Gerald Hines surrounded by volunteers from the University of Houston College of Architecture.
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    news/society

    Hearts of Gold

    Celebrity hunting trip powers Houston kids charity’s record-breaking night

    Joel Luks
    Apr 30, 2025 | 6:00 pm
    Sky High for Kids Better in Boots 2025
    Photo by Quy Tran
    Brittany Franklin, Iris Shaftel, Payton Angelle, Laura Angelle, and Danny Shaftel.

    Sky High for Kids soared to new heights at its annual Sporting Clay Tournament and Better in Boots Gala, raising a record-breaking $1.6 million over two days of festivities dedicated to children battling cancer and other life-threatening conditions.

    The action kicked off on March 27 at the Greater Houston Sports Club, where participants took aim at sporting clays in a lively tournament. Held in honor of the late Gary Price, whose passion helped launch Sky High's first Houston clay shoot in 2008, the day culminated in an awards ceremony featuring live music and Texas-worthy eats.

    On March 28, the boots got shinier and the cause even closer to the heart as more than 500 guests donned Texan Cocktail attire and gathered at The Revaire for the Better in Boots Gala. Under twinkling lights and rustic-chic decor, the evening unfolded with a silent auction showcasing 49 enticing packages, followed by a seated dinner curated by A Fare Extraordinaire. A live auction offer 12 premium packages, including a hunting trip with Conroe-based country music star Parker McCollum that generated $300,000. Presenting sponsor JD Fields, honored as the Giavanna Sponsor, led the charge for the evening named in tribute to young cancer warriors.

    Co-chairs Erica Parker and Lindsey Boatman were celebrated with a touching painting gifted by young fighter Payton. Emcee Taylor Sass kept emotions higher as he recognized guests of honor Iris and Danny Shaftel, with an address from Danny's father, Keith, "the original diamond man." The emotional centerpiece came when Kaelan Brennan, father of cancer warrior Hadley, shared a raw, personal story of their pediatric cancer journey, followed by a stirring Q&A between Sass and young fighter Demy.

    The event also made history with the largest gathering of cancer warriors yet, as 10 families joined the celebration, putting faces and stories to the mission that fuels Sky High for Kids.

    Among those in the crowd were Jay Fields, Leonard and Abbie Botello, Lolo Lester, Iris and Danny Shaftel, Keith Shaftel, Texas Mattress Makers owner Youval Meicler, and former Houston Texans running back David Johnson.

    Sky High for Kids Better in Boots 2025
      

    Photo by Quy Tran

    Brittany Franklin, Iris Shaftel, Payton Angelle, Laura Angelle, and Danny Shaftel.

    fundraiserssky high for kids
    news/society
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