Previously untapped resources

A fresh contingent climbs on board the Bill White bandwagon

Fran Ellisor and Herman Jones of Montgomery County visited with gubernatorialcandidate Bill White at the Continental Club.
Photo by Shelby Hodge
Chris Brown, from left, Elin Jackson, Caroline Starry LeBlanc and Jared LeBlancat the New Leaders of Texas event.
Photo by Shelby Hodge
The Light Rock Express entertained with the soft sounds of the '70s and '80s.
Photo by Shelby Hodge

Gov. Rick Perry, watch your back. The Bill White for Texas campaign is gathering momentum with a fresh-faced coalition of supporters that call themselves New Leaders of Texas and they mean business.

More than 100 of these young and not-so-young professionals and interested parties schmoozed with the would-be governor Tuesday night at the hipster Continental Club. Unlike most hit-and-run political appearances, White was in place when the doors opened at 7 and was still there after addressing the group more than an hour later. He even took time to snack on bites from Tacos A Go-Go and have a beer while spreading the gospel.

Good news for the former Houston mayor on this night — financial goal for the meet-and-greet was $50,000. When the doors opened, the kitty was over-flowing with $70,000 and people were writing checks as they entered. As New Leaders of Houston event organizer Caroline Starry LeBlanc said, "We are very, very, very pleased."

The New Leaders group, inaugurated in Austin earlier this summer, is comprised of voters in their 20s, 30s and early 40s, new faces that have not necessarily participated in politics previously. A statewide leadership retreat is planned for this weekend at a ranch in Brenham. "This is something that has really taken off," White said.

Matt Ellis, statewide associate finance director of White's campaign, commented, "Don't call us 'young' professionals. That's an excuse for not giving money. We're not young anymore. We are rising into positions of authority in our various professions. It's time for us step up and take responsibility for our state."

As White explained the concept, "These are young leaders who just want new leadership in our state that is forward thinking."

And who are those that embraced the New Leadership concept? In the mix were Jared LeBlanc, Chris Brown, Elin Jackson, Cali Alvarado and Peter Pettigrew, Joey Romano, Nicole Laurent, Olin Boudreaux, Diedra Fontaine, Linda and Mike Breslin and Katherine and Mark Yzaguirre

Stay tuned for similar rallies in Dallas and San Antonio.

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This Week's Hot Headlines

Houston restaurant serves Beyoncé a Southern feast and more top stories

Courtesy of Taste Kitchen + Bar

Legendary rapper Jay-Z with Taste Kitchen + Bar chef-owner Don Bowie.

Editor's note: t's time to look back at the hottest Houston news of the week, starting with a Southern feast fit for Queen Bey. Plus, new bar openings from some big names. Get the details on our most popular stories below, then head to this guide for 4th of July weekend fun.

1. Houston restaurant served Beyoncé a Southern feast for her first meal in H-Town. One of Houston’s most prominent Black-owned restaurants gave Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and her family their first taste of the Bayou City. On June 27, the party ordered an extensive spread from Taste Kitchen + Bar, the restaurant in downtown known for its chicken and waffles and other Southern-inspired fare.

2. Exclusive: New cocktail bar from Houston hospitality stars coming to the Heights. The Heights’ growing bar scene will soon welcome a new addition with serious cocktail cred. Anvil owner Bobby Heugel has partnered with bartender Jacki Schromm to open a new cocktail bar in the former Ready Room space.

3. Country star Koe Wetzel opens new location of his lively bar in Houston. One of Texas country’s rising stars has brought his lively bar to Houston. Koe Wetzel's Riot Room opened in Midtown in June.

Koe Wetzel Riot Room Houston The pickup truck on the front of the building makes it easy to spot. Photo by Motion Theory Media

4. Houston will have vivid sunsets and air quality issues from Saharan dust. An annual meteorological phenomenon has blown in to make Houston's sunsets a little more spectacular. A huge Sahara Desert dust cloud made its way to the Houston area on June 29, bringing hazy skies. The bad news is that air quality might worsen; the good news is that locals can expect a week of Technicolor twilights.

5. Houston CEO's art-filled River Oaks mansion listed at $6.2 million. Art lovers seeking a home that’s a perfect showcase for their collection will be very interested in 1069 Kirby Drive, currently on the market for $6.2 million. The home is owned by Pete Bell, the CEO of Cotton Holdings.