Shelby About Town

Natalie Portman, Vince Young and George Clooney are making connections inHouston

Susan and Michael Plank, among key Houston investors in "Black Swan," are readyfor the Oscars.
Photo by Gary Fountain
Natalie Portman's Golden Globe win sent the Plank party into tequila-inspiredcelebration.
Joining forces at the Heart Ball underwriter party were Dan and Kim Tutcher,from left, Willie Wood and hosts Sue and Lester Smith.
Vince Young checked out Benjy's in advance of doing his own restaurant/bar thingin Austin.
Sheryl Ralph Lee was spotted at La Griglia.

It was frosted tequila toasts for all their friends when Susan and Mike Plank raised their glasses Sunday night in celebration of Natalie Portman’s slam dunk win as Best Actress at the Golden Globes.

The Planks are among key investors in Cross Creek Pictures, which footed the bill for the dark psychological thriller that has garnered gallons of ink and beaucoup webspace. When the curtain went up on the Golden Globes, the Planks were joined at home by co-investors Laurie and Tracy Krohn and Suzanne and Bill O’Donnell and several close friends.

The otherwise quiet evening began with a little lasagne and Caesar salad dinner, whipped up by Susan, and then continued upstairs at the Planks' Hedwig Village swankienda in the "adult playroom," as Mike describes it. With eyes on the flat-screen TV, the film buffs challenged one another to a few rounds of pool and table shuffleboard until the moment came, late in the evening, for Natalie Portman.

Following the first tequila toast to the Black Swan win, the celebrants raised their glasses again — the second time in hopes of Academy Award nominations and wins. (Just in case, Susan has already selected her dress for that big night in Los Angeles — a smashing Kaufman Franco.)

More to come

With investors in Houston and Louisiana, Cross Creek Pictures is poised for more excitement with three films on tap. Shooting wrapped in London last month on The Woman in Black, starring Daniel Radcliffe, aka Harry Potter.

But even more tantalizing, particularly for the females in the partnership, is The Ides of March, which begins filming in February. That political drama stars the dreamy George Clooney, who is also directing. It's a rich cast that includes Paul Giamatti, who took home a Golden Globe on Sunday, plus Ryan Gossling, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Marisa Tomei.

And coming down the pike is Black Mass, a story of the Irish mob on the East Coast. Mike quips that there is something dark about the word "black" in the title of three of their films.

Heartfelt thanks

Who knew that Lester Smith has a near-addiction to doughnuts? Sharing that insight was just part of the fun at Lester and Sue Smith's Memorial-area home when they hosted the cocktail reception honoring chairs and underwriters of the American Heart Association's Heart Ball.

The swank gathering of 125 Heart Ball supporters began with cocktails and light bites on the ground floor of the expansive home then moved up to the second-floor ballroom for remarks, the doughnut revelation and a spin around the dance floor by the beyond-talented Smiths.

Key players on this night included Heart Ball chairs Kim and Dan Tutcher, honoree Margaret Williams, Jim Daniel, Kathy and Kirk Hatchigan, Roxann Neumann, Susan and Dick Hansen, Andrea and Bill White and Philamena and Arthur Baird.

Something in the air

Word on the street is that Julia Frankel, Rosemary Schatzman, Sheridan Williams, Melissa Mithoff, Elizabeth Petersen, Kelli Blanton and Gracie Cavnar all have something in common to celebrate. Confirmation on that tomorrow.

Sight 'ems

Tennessee Titan and hometown talent Vince Young sampling the menu at Benjy's on Washington with a group of friends. The popular quarterback ordered rounds of Patron margaritas for a group of gals, who were likewise sending him cocktails and shots. We hear that Young was doing a little restaurant research, visiting various hot spots in H-town in advance of opening a restaurant/bar in Austin . . .

Ashley Wehrly the center of attention at Ouisie's where Cindi Rose, Jennifer LeGrand, Shelley Daly and Erin Elmore hosted a baby shower brunch in her honor. Wehrly and Jared Kearney II are expecting their first image at the end of March. Among the 40 gals filling "Ashley's Nest" were Melissa Mithoff, Mauney Mafrige, Marcy DeLuna, Erin Florescu, Elizabeth Petersen, Elizabeth Dorsey and Guyla Pircher . . .

Barbara and George H.W. Bush lunching at a table for two at La Griglia where that night Fred Zeidman, Eduardo Aguirre and Eric Andell chewed over dinner and their tenures in D.C. during 43's years in office . . .

"Cabaret for a Cure" chair Lora Clemmons hosting "Cabaret for a Cure" star Sheryl Lee Ralph for a tasty repast at La Griglia . . .

David McKeithan hosting the "Lunch Bunch" of pals at the Briar Club. In the all-male pack — Jodie Hoffer, Dr. Tom Sawyer, Ulyesse LeGrange, Dr. Del Delery, Bill Crassas, Bill McNamara and John Sullivan.

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Barbara’s Legacy

Tom Selleck headlines Houston literacy luncheon, helps raise $775K

Barbara Bush Foundation literacy luncheon 2025

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Lina Lorelle and Tom Selleck.

Tom Selleck may have played many roles throughout his decades-long career — private investigator, cowboy, police commissioner — but at an event in Houston, the Hollywood icon stepped into a new one: literacy advocate.

The Emmy and Golden Globe winner headlined the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s 10th Annual Power of Literacy Luncheon: Opening Doors to Literacy, bringing personal anecdotes, quiet wisdom, and his signature mustache to the sold-out crowd at The Post Oak Hotel.

“I first met Barbara Bush in Hawaii, when I was doing Magnum P.I.,” he shared from the stage. “She hosted a small reception, and I have to say we really hit it off.”

That connection made his participation all the more thoughtful.

Selleck reflected on stories from his 2024 memoir You Never Know, keeping the audience rapt with his tales of humor and humility. When asked what he hopes readers take away from his book, he offered an introspective insight.

“Getting there isn’t such a big deal, because there is always somewhere else to go,” he said. “The real value is in the journey.”

That sentiment struck a chord with the 800 attendees, who helped the Ladies for Literacy Guild raise a record-breaking $775,000 to fund literacy programs across Houston.

Co-chaired by Sidney Faust and Betty Hrncir, the luncheon honored the guild’s 10th anniversary and the 100th birthday of Barbara Bush. The event began with an invocation from students at Barbara Bush Elementary, followed by a rousing performance from the Saint Thomas’ Episcopal Pipe Band. Emmy Award-winning journalist Linda Lorelle emceed the afternoon.

Guests were also treated to a pearl-themed raffle courtesy of Tenenbaum Jewelers—a nod to Barbara Bush’s signature style—along with florals donated by H-E-B. Phillips 66 led the charge as Title Sponsor, joined by Literacy Champion Sponsor ExxonMobil.

Showing their literary love were Sarahbeth and Pierce Bush, John Hrncir, Nancy Ames and Danny Ward, Maggie Austin, Jamie Barrere, Tony Bradfield, Cheryl Byington, Cathy and Joe Cleary, Amy Chronis, Sue Conway, Patricia Cornelius, Tammy Genovese Davis, Stick Delaup, Deborah Dunkum, Lesha Elsenbrook, Tena and Tyson Faust, Julie Finck, Gail Garland, Rhonda Graff, Katy Hays, Maureen Higdon, Leslie Hix, Courtney Hopson, Lisa Jakel, Jenny Joy, Patti Kroll, Laurie Lashier, Julie Little, Tama Lundquist, Cora Sue Mach, Martha Adger Madget, Anne McClellan, Mary Hale, Lovett McLean, Marsha Montemayor, Trish Morille, Barbie Prusak, Tenley E. Raj, Regina Rogers, Mary Sage, Sandra Shenkir, Tharen Simpson, Rhonda Smith, Deborah Stavis, Andrea Suarez, Suzi and William Dore, and Jacqueline Hamilton Taylor.

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Lina Lorelle and Tom Selleck.

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