Shelby's Social Diary

How suite it can be for the well connected at RodeoHouston

Photo by Shelby Hodge
Photo by Shelby Hodge
The Alan Jackson concert kicked-off the three-week ridin', ropin' and musicextravaganza that is RodeoHouston.
Photo by Shelby Hodge
Photo by Shelby Hodge
Photo by Shelby Hodge
Photo by Shelby Hodge

So we didn't arrive in one of the scores of stretch limos or stretch Hummers that RodeoHouston fat cats hired Monday night for transport to Reliant Stadium. We saw almost as many of those as we saw F150s and Silverados.

But we did watch the opening night calf scramble, bull riders and Alan Jackson from one of the swell suites where the high-falutin' party is invitation-only. Schmoozing with top rodeo officials in their cushy cocoons gives the rodeo experience the same elan that a Lear Jet gives air travel. There isn't anything better.

We were the guests of Paul Somerville, past Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo board chairman, a gracious man who belies the misguided stereotype of blustering rodeo regular. (And he would never go anywhere in a stretch Hummer.) Somerville invited a mix of guests that ranged from rancher and former Houston Oiler Ray Childress and wife Kara to Methodist Hospital gastroenterologist Dr. Gulchin Ergun.

Even Joanne King Herring, recently returned from attending Charlie Wilson's burial service at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, was there in her interpretation of Western chic. Requisite dress for women in the suites is some tony combo of suede, fringe, denim, embroidery and buckets of silver and turquoise. Herring dressed up her basic black with a leopard-spotted western-style hat and yards and yards of matching beads.

Grazing through the buffet offerings in the suites is a far more elegant culinary experience than chowing down on fried White Castle burgers in the midway or the chili dogs and nachos served at Reliant food stations. On this night, Barry Silverman was the first to go for the fried chicken legs and biscuits. Jana Arnoldy raved about the mac 'n cheese dish. Somerville's executive assistant Miriam Westmoreland had selected the menu that included savory barbecued sausage, ribs, brisket and pork.

For those risking the calories, brownies, lemon squares and ice cream sundaes beckoned. The sundaes are offered on a rolling cart that trolls the hallways of the suites tempting everyone with the array of toppings and ice cream flavors.

Socializing back and forth between the suites is part of the rodeo action which explains the constant flow of notables in and out of Suite 274. Former rodeo board chairman Don Jordan and wife Barbara passed through as did executive board member Ed McMahon and venerable rodeo honcho Louis Pierce Jr., the 93-year-old HLS&R board veteran. Somerville's guests included John Scott "Scotty" Arnoldy, Shara Fryer, Robin King and Marilyn Lummis.

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Safety First

Houston spirit shines as Crime Stoppers gala raises $2 million

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Event and strategy chairs Vanessa Ames, Kristen Collins, Dana Barton, Brooke Lee, and Jordan Seff.

Big hats met big-hearted giving at The Revaire as Crime Stoppers of Houston hosted its Second Annual “Raise ’Em Up for Texas” Gala, presented by Glenda and Russell Gordy and the C. James and Carole Walter Looke Family Fund

The evening unfolded like a Texas-sized toast guided by gala chairs Brooke Lee, Dana Barton, and Kristen Collins, and lifted further by strategic chairs Vanessa Ames and Jordan Seff.

More than 460 guests filled the sprawling venue, welcomed first by a festive happy hour and a bustling silent auction. Master of ceremonies Johnny Bravo kicked things into gear as guests settled in, followed by remarks from Crime Stoppers CEO Rania Mankarious, who championed the crowd’s shared commitment to keeping Houston safe.

Speaker Maurine Molak, co-founder of the David’s Legacy Foundation shared the story of her son, whose life was cut short at 16 after enduring relentless cyberbullying. She illuminated the gap in resources available to families at the time and the sweeping efforts that eventually led to David’s Law. Her partnership with Crime Stoppers through The John M. O’Quinn Foundation Million for Million campaign has already reached more than two million students, continuing David’s legacy by empowering young Texans to seek safety, support, and hope.

A surprise presentation of the Second McIngvale Family Humanitarian Award honored Chris Shepherd and Lindsey Brown of Southern Smoke Foundation for their community-wide compassion. Accepting on their behalf was Catarina Bill.

Then came a major announcement: The creation of a new Crime Stoppers Women’s Collective, a group of 50 women stepping into a leadership role for 2026, along with an ambitious push to educate 10 million Texas students and the launch of SafeSpace Student Hub, a digital platform designed to give students a confidential place to seek guidance.

Nobody’s Fool closed out the night with plenty of two-stepping as supporters lingered, celebrating a mission-driven evening that raised a record-breaking $2 million.

Showing up in full Texas spirit were Brigitte Kalai, Alicia Smith, Hallie Vanderhider, Sippy and Ajay Khurana, Tom Ramsey, Noe Diaz, Ben Katrib, Twila Carter, Willie Davis, Fred Flickinger, Mary Nan Huffman, Julian Ramirez, Alan Rosen, Terry Allbritton, Emily DeToto, Lori DeAngelo, Peyton Peebles, Aaron Burdette, Lance Long, Dan Simons, Carolyn Dozier, Ken Wise, Tiffany Herd, Eric and Lisa Elder, Alex and Tammy Janos, Kari Lynd, Natalie and Steve Mohtashami, Kyle and Erin Cummings, Snehal Amin and Adrienne Amin, Jessica Leeke, Carla and Tony Maarraoui, Karen and Lohn Zylicz, Frank and Jill Stagg, Robert and Dana Clay, Catherine and Peter Badger, Pam Connealy, Mayes and Macy Middleton, Megan and Walker Weston, Meredith and Ben Marshall, Seth and Hannah Siegel-Gardner, Anna Reger, Sheri Zucker, Trini Mendenhall, Phillip Royalty, Jeff Nadalo, Farida Abjani, Maria Moncada Alaoui and Omar Alaoui, Susan Boggio, Deborah Duncan, and Laura Ward.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Event and strategy chairs Vanessa Ames, Kristen Collins, Dana Barton, Brooke Lee, and Jordan Seff.

fundraisers crime stoppers houston