It seems that spring is the awards season and a time for celebrations of personal success. First on our radar is the much-admired trial lawyer Robin Gibbs, who has been honored by Texas Appleseed at its annual Visionary Society Reception.
Carol and Mark Glasser opened their River Oaks home for the salute to Gibbs, a long-term Texas Appleseed board member. He was recognized for his continuing dedication to public interest work that helps protect and aid vulnerable Texans.
Applauding his contributions was an impressive coterie that included State Sen. Sylvia Garcia, Nancy McGregor and Neal Manne, Judge Bonnie Crane Hellums, Karen and Scott Rozzell, Judge Michael Massengale, Sherry and Gerald Merfish and Judge Keith Ellison.
Heavy-hitters in heels
Realtor Beth Wolff pulled together a powerhouse collection of femmes at Ouisie's Table for a luncheon celebrating Women's History Month as well as H-Town's women of accomplishment. Headlining the guest list were Federal Judge Vanessa Gilmore, diplomat and author Joanne King Herring and award-winning architect Carrie Glassman Shoemake.
The women to be reckoned with included City Councilwoman Ellen Cohen, Harris County District Judge Katherine Cabaniss, interior designer Jane Page Crump and community/philanthropic leaders Dr. Kelli Cohen-Fein and Evelyn Lightman.
Piano great bunks in River Oaks
Barbara Hines rolled out the red carpet for Alexander Beridze, Gold Medalist of the World Piano Competition, in Aspen last summer when he performed at the Aspen Music Festival. Next week, she will put out the welcome mat at her River Oaks abode when Beridze arrives in Houston.
He will perform in recital at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music on April 3 and will be staying at the Hines home.
Educator loved by all
Since his return from a missionary assignment in Africa in early January, Father T.J. Martinez has been busy, busy in his role as president and founder of Cristo Rey Jesuit College Prepatory.
In addition preparing for the opening of Cristo Rey Jesuit Center for Mission and Ministry (a residence for Jesuits working at Cristo Rey Jesuit as well as a center for holding small conferences and events), recruiting a freshman class of 160 students and securing more corporate work-study sponsors (now more than 130) to ensure that every single student has a job. He is also raising funds to build a new education center for the rapidly growing student body, which began with 80 students five years ago and today has close to 450.
Certainly all of that and other accomplishments have contributed to his selection to receive the Sorin Award for Service to Catholic Schools, sponsored by the University of Notre Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education.
Sight em's
State Rep. Gene Wu and wife Miya Shay celebrating his birthday at Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette on San Felipe, where dinner hosts were Cindy Clifford and Jason Fuller. Across the dining room, CultureMap spotted Tony Chase and Dina Alsowayel and former Police Chief Harry Caldwell.
Susan Vick, left, and Clare Jackson at Ouisie's luncheon.
