So many local politicians and those seeking the favor of local politicians gathered under one roof! The City of Houston's 174th birthday celebration was a networking dream.

The ballroom of the George R. Brown Convention Center fairly pulsated with the power players and power brokers starting with Mayor Annise Parker, Mayor Pro-Tem Anne Clutterbuck, who chaired the evening, and continuing on with the entire City Council.

Amid the giant schmooze we spotted Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia, University of Houston president Renu Khator, UH regent and honorary counsul to Iceland Mica Mosbacher, attorney Bill King, Metro board member Carrin Patman, Central Houston Inc. president Bob Eury, Port Commissioner Janiece Longoria, developer Ed Wulfe, businessman Marty McVey, Discovery Green honcho Barry Mandel and on and on. Even candidates for future city council seats such as Rob Jackson, who has tossed his hat in the ring for an at-large position, was front and center.

Special guest was former astronaut Walt Cunningham, who was recognized during the presentation of the Spirit of Houston Award to the NASA family.

The evening honored four Houston Hall of Fame Inductees — former Houston Astro Jose Cruz, NASA astronaut Dr. Bernard Harris Jr., Houston Texans owner Bob McNair and former Houston Mayor Kathy Whitmire, who now lives in Hawaii.

And because this event was all about seeing and being seen, we'll name a few more in the mix: director of the Convention & Entertainment Facilities Department Dawn Ullrich, parks director Joe Turner, policy advisor to James A. Baker John Williams, Silver Eagle's Roxann Neumann, the mayor's director of international affairs Terence O'Neill, corporate affairs director fo the Convention & Entertainmet Facilities Sharon Adams and Diedra and Terence Fontaine.