Super Bowl Parties

Best Super Bowl parties ever! Politicos and heavy hitters revel at gridiron celebrations

We thought Houston was rocking in 2003 when the city hosted Super Bowl XXXVIII. But no. Sunday night's rollicking gridiron celebrations topped it all, belying any tanking oil prices.

MetroNational started the party early with a buffet feast at Vallone's that began mid-afternoon. And with the political clout that the major westside development company enjoys, the turnout was impressive.

Liberty Kitchen's Lee Ellis was there revealing secrets of the team's new outpost in MetroNational's Treehouse.

Mayor Annise Parker, mayoral contenders State Rep. Sylvester Turner and City Councilman Stephen Costello along with City Councilwoman Brenda Stardig were among the heavy-hitters savoring the bountiful buffet.

MetroNational president Loc McNew, MetroNational's senior vice president Jason Johnson and MetroNational honcho Jim Jard welcomed more than 100 high-profile guests to the second floor special events room of the popular Memorial area steakhouse.

Four mega flat-screen TVs, two full bars and delish buffet stations tempted guests such as KPRC Channel 2 GM Jerry Martin, political player Billy Burge, Channel 13 KTRK reporter Deborah Wrigley and former Texas Governor Mark White.

Liberty Kitchen's Lee Ellis was there revealing secrets of the team's new outpost in MetroNational's Treehouse.

"Every Liberty Kitchen is imagined to be a little different," Ellis said. "A different menu. The whole thing is designed for the neighborhood."

The new restaurant will feature a full open kitchen and oyster bar, according to Ellis. Every seat will have a view to the open kitchen. The restaurant is expected to open in November.

VIP Central

Across town at another location the best Super Bowl party ever was taking place with 600 or so VIPs. Think top CEOs, trust fund babies, self-made multi-millionaires. In short, Houston's creme de la creme.

This party was so fantastic that many among the 600 guests were clamoring for a repeat in 2017 when Houston hosts the Super Bowl.

I was invited as a friend and asked not to write about the party. But I figure as long as no names and no location are revealed, no penalty flags will fall.

This party was so fantastic that many among the 600 guests were clamoring for a repeat in 2017 when Houston hosts the Super Bowl. Indeed, with two dozen flat-screen TVs, two practically as large as those in NRG Stadium, and killer service and food, thank you Reef and Bryan Caswell and Bill Floyd, and a football environ created by Richard Flowers and The Events Co., we have seldom seen a more incredible party.

An ice sculpture tempted guests to the cold seafood station that included caviar, shrimp, lobster, raw oysters and sushi seafood. Barbecue and Tex-Mex stations, offered endless supplies of sustenance while service was over the top.

Suffice it to say that despite the tanking price of oil, the Houston economy and the bank accounts of big players remain robust enough to handle extraordinary celebrations.

Best Super Bowl party ever. Better than Vegas. Guests clamor for a repeat in 2017. Better than Reliant Stadium!!

News, Shelby, Super Bowl parties, Feb. 2015

Photo by Shelby Hodge

Best Super Bowl party ever. Better than Vegas. Guests clamor for a repeat in 2017. Better than Reliant Stadium!!

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Cupid approved

Houston baseball legend Roger Clemens pitches in at 15th Sweetheart Tea

Mission of Yahweh Houston Sweetheart Tea 2026

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Deborah Duncan, Roger Clemens, and Brittany Hebert Franklin.

Red heart-shaped balloons hovered overhead, champagne flutes clinked, and racks of designer finery were on display.

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Deborah Duncan, Roger Clemens, and Brittany Hebert Franklin.

Cupid would certainly have approved of the 15th annual Houston Sweetheart Tea benefiting the Mission of Yahweh. What began as a simple, heartfelt thank-you among friends has over the years blossomed into a pink-and-red parade of do-gooders.

Hosts Anne Carl, Deborah Duncan, Sylvia Forsythe, Kim Moody, Warner Roberts, and Alicia Smith welcomed 100 guests who took the sweetheart attire seriously. After a warm greeting from Roberts, vice president and general manager of Saks Fifth Avenue and last year’s honoree, Heidi Turney, shared Saks’ pride in sponsoring the fête for much of its 15-year run.

Co-host and KHOU-TV Great Day Houston’s Deborah Duncan offered a moving snapshot of the Mission of Yahweh, describing its commitment to sheltering and rehabilitating homeless women and children into self-sufficient futures. She then introduced new development director Marilu Garza, who announced the upcoming Leaders and Legends Gala slated for September.

The 2026 Houston Sweethearts were introduced, which included Farida Abjani, Debbie and Roger Clemens, Caroline Esses, Brittney Herbert Franklin, Jordan Seff, and Michelle Verbois Wasaff. Though Debbie was in Florida welcoming a grandbaby, Roger brought down the house with remarks that sparked applause and laughter.

Guests lingered over champagne and bites from 5115 Restaurant, savoring the fellowship as much as the fare.

Spotted in sweet style were Sidney Faust, Elsie Eckert, Hallie Vanderhider, Brigitte Kalai, Saula Valenti, Nini Hale, Tena Faust, Leila Perrin, Beth Wolff, Angie Roberts, Cheryl Byington, Laurette Veres, Leisa Holland-Nelson Bowman, Heidi Rockecharlie, Cindy Bendy, Gayla Gardner, Chris Kase, Sandra Porter, Sherri Zucker, Charity Yarborough Cox, Sonia Soto, Merele Yarborough, Kathy Herr, Alex Blair, Raquel Lewis, Linda Lorelle, Melisa Murphy, Jerre Williams, Kim Padgett, Angela Poujol, Phyllis Williams, George Crawford, Laura Wald, Melissa Clann, Mary Ellen Verbois, Steve Smith, Jamie Sparacino, Anita Wilson, Cindi Proler, Courtney Adame, Mary Jo Hunt, Jody Martin, Becky Wheeler, Margret Pinkston, Samantha Stewart, Gaye Mayeux, Connie Kwan Wong, Teresa Reading, Dana Collins, Alce Kwan, Ritu Nadkami, Stephanie Nelson, Jacquie Baley, Marian McClendon, Shawntell McWilliams, and Tammie Anne Johnson.

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