The Houston Zoo never looked so good as it did Tuesday night when the Gainer Donnelly & Desroches CPA firm opened the gates to 300 intrepid partygoers for the launch of the firm's 2010 calendar.

Guests were greeted by the sounds of the Koumankéle African drummers , a compelling beat that set the tone for the African-themed evening. In a nod to the vibrant sunset cover of the "Timeless Africa" calendar, the trees surrounding the zoo's reflection pool were washed in red. Costumed "animals" including giraffes on stilts (members of the Carver Aldine Dance Co.) prowled through the party scene interacting with guests. Soon the sounds of DJ's Dayta & Squincy Jones offered a different beat. Cordua Catering provided sustenance for the partying tribes with taste temptations that included lamb lollipops and the group's signature tres leches.

When Sam Gainer, GD&D partner, isn't crunching numbers, he's taking photographs at exotic locales. Seven years ago, the firm decided to make use of his talents behind the lens by creating calendars that would be given to clients. Tuesday night, everyone who walked through the gates of the zoo went home with one of the brilliantly-photographed monthly calendars. Gainer included artistic photographs from across the African continent ranging from the jungles of Rwanda to the dessert sands of Mali.

The celebration also marked the firm's partnership with the Zoo and its upcoming African Forest Project. Further enhancing GD&D's community profile, the firm auctioned off all of Gainer's prints on display with proceeds going to Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti. The CPA firm matched all dollars raised.

Welcoming the parade of casually-attired guests were GD&D partners Gainer, David Donnelly and Rod Desroches. In the mix were David Mincberg, Val Gibbs, John Hernandez, Ashley Allen with David Cordua, Meredith Riddle, Liz Riddle Anders, Susanna Kise with Jay Moore and Aletha and Jeff Harris.

So sari

SoVino recently looked more like a nightspot in Mombai than a hot spot on lower Westheimer. It was "Saris & Samosas" night, kick-off to the Houston Young People for the Arts Gala, "I Dream of Maharani" and more than a few young women followed the theme. Hosts Elizabeth Abraham, wearing a traditional sari from her closet, and Sophia Arabani, stunning in a pearl-drop Prashe original sari, set the fashion pace.

DJ Scoop added to the exotica by mixing Indian tunes with current hits — a blend that had this crowd of more than 300 whopping it up until 2 a.m. Including one inspired party-goer who danced on top of the banquettes.

An informal trunk show from Prashe Fusion, a Dallas-based design firm, provided fashion inspiration for those planning on attending the Feb. 6 HYPA party at the House of Blues Foundation Room and Bronze Peacock Room. Modeling the strikingly colorful fashions were Lauren Pray, Kristy Junco and Melissa Fitzgerald.

Who knew?

No one expected big-time modeling execs Neal Hamil and Page Parkes-Eveleth to be best buddies. But they are close friends, despite their highly-competitive world. The two were seen head-huddling for several hours recently in the Remington Bar at the St. Regis Hotel. We hear that they were talking cyber-space, software, TV programming and the future of the fashion and film industries in Houston. The city's night scene was said to be on the table as well.

Hamil is used to thinking big. He sold his Neal Hamil Agency and Mayo-Hill School of Modeling almost two decades ago when he headed to New York to run the internationally-renowned Ford and Elite modeling agencies. He's back and he just might be cooking up something with his chum of 15 years. Parkes-Eveleth runs Page Parkes Corp., billed as the largest modeling and talent agency in the Southwest. Stay tuned.

Big 10

Several days prior to her Harry Potter-themed birthday bash, Lexie Spalding celebrated her 10th on Tuesday night in a more grown-up fashion — at Tony's. It was her debut in the heady social swirl of the restaurant, where she was joined by her younger brother, Jeb; her parents, Laura and John Spalding; andbest friend Juliet Sweeney, daughter of Laura and Dr. Mike Sweeney..

The kiddos grooved on the experience, getting into everything except the soufflé. Instead, they devoured the cotton candy and strawberries for dessert.

The impending arrival of both young Spaldings was announced to Papa John on soufflé plates at Tony's, Laura always full of innocent mischief. Tony's also catered the kids' christenings so Laura thought it only fitting that Lexie celebrate her first milestone birthday on the actual date and in Tony's. While they loved it, Laura says the youngsters won't be back until Jeb's 10th.