It's doubtful that the Hobby Center has ever been more energized than it was Friday night when CAMAC pulled out the stops for a 25th anniversary bash, a corporate party of such proportions that only a robustly successful international energy company could manage.

Combine a stunning cocktail hour and lavish City Kitchen dinner for 350, toasts with fine wines, an after-dinner concert for 1,500 starring The O'Jays and a backstage after-party for VIPs. It was quite a celebration.

You simply could not get the smile off the face of the beaming Kase Lawal, chairman and CEO of the international energy company, who presided over the evening and the program that included a host of notables from Houston and Nigeria, his homeland. Lawal was praised not only for his business acumen but also for his philanthropy, often done quietly, including establishment of a cancer clinic in Nigeria that works with M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

A who's who of Houston leadership sat down for dinner in the Hobby Center Grand Foyer, including former Mayor Lee Brown, former Mayor Bob Lanier and Port Commissioner Elyse Lanier, Port Commissioner Janiece Longoria (Kase also sits on the port board), Kamoru Lawal, Cheryl and Percy Creuzot, Anthony Hall, Cynthia Perry, Sonny Messiah-Jiles and Jody Jiles, Cora and Judson Robinson III to name a few.

Headliners included Dikembe Mutombo, Arthur Schechter, Cynthia Perry, Lora and Dr. John Clemmons, Anita and Gerald Smith, Rufus Cormier, Debbie and Rudy Festari, Renee Logans, Argentina James and Cindy Clifford.

Later in the evening, the O'Jays had the crowd dancing in the aisles of Sarofim Hall as they performed their favorites, including the popular Back Stabbers.

Who's in charge?

What will Hermés do now that Sissy Davis, who managed the Galleria-area store for almost two decades, has insisted on retiring, to the chagrin of Hermés USA president and CEO Robert Chavez. Davis had wanted to retire last summer but the powers-that-be convinced her to stay on until the end of 2010.

Currently, she is enjoying the good life of the ladies who lunch. But those close to this professional dynamo wager that she won't be able to stay out of the retail business for long.

Sweets and swigs

It was not your typical gathering at Anvil Bar & Refuge on Sunday afternoon when Team Liverstrong (one of the more creative MS 150 teams) hosted a "Keg & Cake" fundraiser at the popular watering hole. Team captains Sunny Bogden and Jonathan Platon were joined by riders Sheri Davidson, Jason Evans, Maidie Ryan, Josh Mica, Thomica James and loads more.

The team name, says Ryan, is something of a pun on Lance Armstrong's Team Livestrong and is based on the fact that the original team members met and socialized at Anvil, which is the team's founding sponsor. The bar donated all proceeds to the event.

The calorie count of all the goodies offered for sale could have supported all the energy needed for the team's Houston-Austin run. Red velvet and chocolate cupcakes from Becky Mason and FluffBakeBar.com, cinnamon rolls, Rice Krispie treats, chocolate pretzel tart and fudge brownies. Liverstrong boasts 35 riders and 10 volunteers.

Contributing to the array of yummy baked goodies were Michael O'Conner and Carlos Rodriguez of Vic & Anthony's, Kristin Miller, Lamika Iruke, Dragana Harris, Mike Kane, Terri Towers and Kelsey Hughes.

Sight 'ems

The Champagne Cowgirls buying group of Steer Auction renown puting their heads together over lunch at Tony's to work on bidding strategy for the auction in March. Head-huddling, sans western wear, were Ellie Francisco, Donna Bruni, Guyla Pircher, Lesha Elsenbrook, DeeDee Marsh, Gaye Lynn Zarrow, Elizabeth Stein, Darlene Bisso, Kim Tutcher and Trish Whitcomb. With 18 ladies in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo group, they have serious buying power and last year snagged the Reserve Grand Champion Steer . . .

The ever-glam Dallas Hill celebrating her mumblesomething birthday in the wine room at Tony's where close friend Warner Roberts decorated the room in red, white and blue in honor of Hill's love of the American flag. U.S. flags hung from the wine bottles and a giant portrait of the birthday girl was flanked by portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Flowers by Nino created red, white and blue centerpieces and Sousa marches blasted from the boom box. Joining in the celebration were Helen Perry, Walter Sheffield, Philamena Martin, Mary Alice Martin, Linda Dale Raun and more.