party watch

Tilman Fertitta backs Houston's blue with big bayou-themed bash

What: The Houston Police Foundation True Blue Gala

Where: The Fertitta Family Home

The scoop: More than 650 Houstonians donned in blue gathered at the Fertitta family home for the 12th annual Houston Police Foundation True Blue Gala. This sold out Cajun-themed, “We’ll have Big Fun on the Bayou” event was a huge success raising more than $750,000 to provide equipment and training for the Houston Police Department.

Upon arrival guests were blown away to see a live 10-foot alligator and two baby alligators small enough to hold and take photos with. Those too timid to hold the baby alligators could capture photos with friends in the hero-themed photo booth.

Throughout the event, hundreds participated in interactive training elements and high-risk drills such as taser weapon target demonstrations; shooting arcade with the SWAT team; try on riot gear with the Special Response Group; Bomb Squad, Dive Team and Air Support displays; and pet a real K-9 Crime Fighter station.

Keeping the dance floor alive and kicking was zydeco-playing, Grammy-award winner Wayne Toups, dubbed “The Cajun Springsteen” who played “Tupelo Honey”, “Two Step Mamou,” and more.

Dinner chair Laura Ward and Houston Police Foundation’s executive director Charlene Floyd oversaw all the details, along with event extraordinaire Richard Flowers who created the perfect outdoor setting for Houston’s community leaders and elite socials.

The night’s signature drink, “True Blue” aqua cocktails along with a complete whiskey bar helped guests warm up throughout the cooler evening. Ample food stations from Landry’s, Inc. concepts’ top chefs surrounded the backyard serving fresh tuna tartar; lobster tails; shrimp cocktail; hush puppies; cornbread; crawfish empanadas; grits and grillades; jambalaya; gumbo; build-your-own mac and cheese bar; fried shrimp; and quail. Those with a sweet tooth enjoyed red-velvet mini cupcakes, pralines, and two life-size armadillo replicated cakes.

The event concluded with a bang — literally. A 15-minute fireworks finale illuminated the sky marking a successful evening benefiting the Houston Police Foundation and honoring the Department’s dedication to the community.

Who: Tilman Fertitta; Houston Police Chief, Art Acevedo, and his wife, Tanya; Mayor Sylvester Turner; Senator John Whitmire; honorees Alice and Keith Mosing; Jim Crane; Kristina and Paul Somerville; Don and Laura Sanders; Michael Fertitta; Jim and Dancie Ware; Constable Alan Rosen; Blake Tartt; John Eddie Williams; Edna Meyer-Nelson; and Amy and Gary Becker.

Jody Merritt with HPD K-9 officer Roki.

Photo by Dave Rossman

Jody Merritt with HPD K-9 officer Roki.

RIP, Wally

Texan Wally Funk, oldest woman to travel into space, dies at 87

Wally Funk aboard Blue Origin New Shepard

Photo courtesy of Blue Origin

The 82-year-old Wally Funk became the oldest person to go to space on July 20, 2021.

GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) — Wally Funk, an aviation pioneer who was the oldest woman to launch into space, has died. She was 87.

Funk died Wednesday, July 8 at her apartment in an assisted living facility in Grapevine, Grapevine City Councilwoman Duff O'Dell said Thursday. O'Dell, who described herself as Funk's caregiver, said she was by Funk's side. Funk had fallen a couple of times recently and had an infection in her leg.

“It took its toll,” O'Dell said in a phone interview.

Wally Funk became a hometown hero in Grapevine. Facebook/Wally Funk's Space for Race

Funk was one of 13 female pilots who went through the same tests as NASA’s all-male astronaut corps in the early 1960s but never made it into space. In 2021, she got her chance aboard Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket. At the time, the 82-year-old was the oldest person to go into space, though the record was later broken by “Star Trek” actor William Shatner and Ed Dwight, America’s first Black astronaut candidate. They were both 90.

Bezos chose Funk as an “honored guest” to ride alongside him and two others on an up-and-down hop from West Texas aboard his Blue Origin rocket.

In interviews after the 11-minute flight, Funk enthusiastically told reporters, "I loved every minute of it. I just wish it had been longer.”

Wally Funk in her '20s as a flight instructor. Facebook/Wally Funk's Space for Race

She became a hometown hero when she returned home to Dallas-Fort Worth; the city of Grapevine threw a parade for her history-making experience.

“Wally Funk never stopped believing that one day she would reach space. Her passion for flight, perseverance, and love of exploration will continue to inspire generations of Americans. Godspeed, Wally,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman posted Thursday on X.

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This story contains material from CultureMap story archives.

obituary wally funk celebrities deaths

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RIP, Wally

Texan Wally Funk, oldest woman to travel into space, dies at 87