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    Shelby's Social Diary

    Party girls pull out all the stops for their birthdays, while a sophisticatedkeg party rocks EaDo

    Shelby Hodge
    Feb 1, 2012 | 4:02 pm
    • The birthday boy and his musical charms were on display.
      Courtesy photo
    • The party at Hudson Lounge featured a shadow dancer in pink wig.
      Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
    • Turning 50 never looked so good as it does on this lady.
      Photo by Dave Rossman
    • Crisp & Raw was the unusual party setting for this 40th birthday bash.
      Courtesy Photo
    • Babes in bar land — the birthday trio had a blast at Hudson Lounge.
      Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
    • That's a whole lot of candles, but who knew.
      Photo by Dave Rossman
    • Party girls at the Tropoli birthday bash at Crisp & Raw.
      Courtesy Photo

    Milestone birthdays present the best of excuses for blowout parties and over the weekend a handful of party girls and guys turning 38, 39, 40 and 50 blew out the candles in high style in three separate soirées.

    We wager that no birthday bash could be more memorable than that of Trish Morille, who celebrated her 50th at the home of Sue and Lester Smith. That generous duo and their house manager Jennifer Huber pulled out the stops for the lavish party for 75 of Trish's nearest and dearest, including her son Luke, who was celebrating his 14th on the very same day.

    Doing the diva at 50

    The party began in the grand foyer of the Smith's fashionable mansion in the Memorial area where cocktails were served and spirits raised in anticipation of the seated dinner by Tony's. Escorted by her husband, Rock Morille, Trish ascended the spiral staircase that led to the Smiths' second-floor ballroom where dinner would be served, glasses raised in champagne toasts and where the dancing to a live band would go on into the wee hours.

    Trish, who helped Lester write his book and now works with the Lester and Sue Smith Foundation, couldn't decide on which of three outfits to wear for the party, so in true diva fashion she made three dress changes.

    For the record, the entrance to the ballroom was decorated in a garland of rose-colored balloons. Rose-hued lights (a 50-year-old's dream) decorated the space where tables were dressed in pink linens and centered with bouquets of roses. The lights were dimmed for the delivery of two cakes and tears were shed as Rock toasted the birthday girl and their 18-year-old daughter, Katherine, sang "Happy Birthday."

    Her party pals included Lisa and Dr. Roy Sheinbaum, Sarah and Ken Fisher, Tammy and Kirk Eyring, Jennifer Huber, Carol and Tom Sawyer, Cherri Carbonara, Ellen Wagnon, Nancy Levicki, Annie Cater, Clifford Pugh, Tom Becker and J.R. Rosenfeld and Karen and Dr. Seth Lerner.

    The Three Musketeers

    Loved the Pura Vida skinny margaritas. Loved the bites from Jackson & Co. LovedDJ Rich from Austin. That was the resounding chorus of the crowd at Hudson Lounge where Marcy de Luna, Laura Greenberg and Mauney Mafrige celebrated their mumblesomething birthdays as only BFFs could.

    As many as 200 poured into the private patio and back lounge of Hudson where the dance party featured laser lights, a big screen and shadow dancer. The prefect setting for tony schmoozing.

    Party animals included Evan Greenberg, Stuart Rosenberg, Kara Howes, Monsour Taghdisi, Henry Richardson, Milton Townsend, Natacha and Saverio La Francesca, Melissa and Michael Mithoff, Joyce Echols, Ali Ansari, Hilda and Greg Curran and Sabiha Rehmatulla.

    The big 4-0

    It was an '80s-themed concert event at Crisp & Raw's EaDo studio space Saturday night when Sarah Pennington Tropoli hosted a rocking 40th party for hubby Peter Tropoli, Luby's/Fuddruckers COO. It was something of a Kinkaid and UT reunion as close to 200 revelers channeled their college days in a sophisticated version of a keg party.

    Entertainment included "garage band" performances by Peter's two groups — Trout Dog and Major 7. The eats — gourmet burgers and fries grilled on site — were from the Fuddruckers mobile kitchen. Don't forget the rainbow of jello shots.

    The rollicking crowd included City Councilman Oliver Pennington and wife Beverley, Kim and J.J. Klevenhagen, Katie and A.J. Brass, Chris and Maria Pappas, Tee and Charles Wickman, Raquel and Andrew Segal, Luisa Feagin, Allison and David Ash and Katherine and Harry Masterson.

    unspecified
    news/society

    Power and Style

    Fashion show and tequila toasts light up Latin Women’s Initiative lunch

    Joel Luks
    Jun 13, 2025 | 4:30 pm
    Latin Women's Initiative gala luncheon 2025
    Photo by Dave Rossman
    Jessica Perez, Vicky Nehme, Raquel Thomas, and Alejandra Elizondo.

    Houtson's Latin Women’s Initiative pulled off a tres chic triple threat — style, celebration, and serious giving — during its 30th anniversary luncheon and fashion show, drawing more than 850 supporters to the Hilton Americas-Houston ballroom. The event blended culture, community, and catwalks into one spectacular midday affair.

    Event chairs April Ramirez Fabre and Julie Garza, alongside board president Jovanny Orellana, welcomed guests to a ballroom teeming with fashionistas, philanthropists, and a whole lot of Latin sass. The annual luncheon, show, and bustling marketplace marked a major milestone for the nonprofit, which has supported Houston’s Latin community for more than two decades. This year’s honorees, Lisset Garza and Naimeh Salem, were recognized for their years of dedicated support to the organization and beyond.

    Festivities kicked off early with a shopping marketplace that opened in the morning and quickly became standing room only. Stylish attendees sipped tequila samples from local brand Titanium Tequila while browsing vendors. A specialty cocktail bar and music from DJ Freddy B kept the energy festive. Event designer Johanna Terry delivered an elegant setting, infusing the ballroom with rich emerald green tones, a nod to the organization’s 30th anniversary, paired with lush florals.

    The program began with Orellana welcoming the crowd from a dramatic Y-shaped runway, as Mariachi Reyes de Mexico filled the room with music that hushed the crowd for a heartfelt invocation.

    Then came the moment every fashion lover waited for: Lo Mejor de Saks Primavera 2025 (The Best of Spring Saks 2025), a luxe runway show presented in partnership with Saks Fifth Avenue, led by Heidi Turney and Hasina Starks. Applause echoed as models and a few brave Houston firefighters showed off the season’s must-haves. But the true showstopper? Actor and TV host Julián Gil, who surprised the audience by strutting the runway himself, earning whoops and cheers from the crowd. His appearance was generously sponsored by Salem.

    The catwalk came alive with Latin beats and massive LED screens flashing colorful visuals, thanks to a production team led by Lenny Matuszewski and Tamara Bonar. Behind-the-scenes storytelling and videos, created by exclusive media partner Telemundo Houston, added a poignant layer to the spectacle.

    As guests settled in for lunch, anticipation built for the raffle, which included a dazzling diamond tennis necklace from Zadok Jewelers. Helene Zadok herself took the stage to crown the lucky winner. All that excitement translated into impact: the event raised more than $500,000 to benefit Justice Forward, Rebuilding Together Houston, Segundo Barrio Children's Chorus, El Centro de Corazon, and Naba Shoes for Kids.

    And what’s a Latin party without a proper toast?

    Guests clinked glasses in a tequila-fueled cheers to three decades of fashion for a cause, then danced the afternoon away to live music from Grupo Kache. The grand finale included more marketplace shopping and lite bites, with plans already announced for next year’s fête on May 1, 2026.

    Houston’s Latin glitterati showed up, including Ceron, Patricia Herrera, Leticia Fallick, Rosi Hernandez, Gloria Luna Bounds, Trini Mendenhall-Royalty, Vicky Dominguez, Becky Reyes, Maritza Gonzales, Vicki Luna, Chree Boydstun, David Cordua, Frances Castañeda Dyess, Patricia Garcia, Alba Huerta, Daisy Mendoza, Arcy Muñoz Marshall, Jolene Treviño, Mari Salazar, Leanne Schneider, Hoda Sana, Xochitl Ljuboja, Jackie Garcia, Cathryn Martinez, Mariangeles Orti, Vanessa Ramirez, Matty Restivo, Lisa Flores, Susan Dray, Marilu Garza, Conchita Reyes, Lorena Gomez, Lucia and Michael Cordua, and Leisa Holland-Nelson.

    Latin Women's Initiative gala luncheon 2025
      

    Photo by Dave Rossman

    Jessica Perez, Vicky Nehme, Raquel Thomas, and Alejandra Elizondo.

    fundraiserslatin women’s initiative
    news/society
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