Party Watch
Legendary mountain climber sticks up for nature in Houston, helps raise $480,000
What: The Nature Conservancy of Texas annual conservation luncheon.
Where: Hyatt Regency
The 411: Having reached the summit of Mount Everest five times, explorer Peter Hillary, son of renowned mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary, mesmerized Nature Conservancy supporters with tales of his experiences and a chronicle of his conservation efforts, which, he said, go hand in hand with his explorations. Nature Conservancy state director Laura Huffman introduced Hillary at the luncheon chaired by Maggie and Rob Vermillion and Lillie and J.P. Hutcheson. Serving as honorary chairs were Angela and Albert Myres.
Who: Among those helping raise $480,000 were Ann and Don Short, chairs of the 50th Golden Jubilee, set for October 2014, and co-chairs Allison and Troy Thacker. Add to the conservationist-minded mix Mayor Annise Parker, Chevron's Joni Baird, Todd Frazier, Gene Dewhurst, Anne Duncan and Scotty Arnoldy.