Pop the champagne corks! Toss the confetti! Channel 13 news ace Miya Shay and her steady squeeze, assistant district attorney Gene Wu, are engaged. He made it official Sunday night, just after her return from covering Mayor Annise Parker's trade mission to Brazil, with presentation of an engagement ring — quietly in her loft, just the two of them.

Shame on Miya's friends who thought that, perhaps because it was April Fools' Day, the posting on her Facebook page was a spoof. Not so.

No wedding date set as yet, though they are planning a small affair in the Carribean in late summer or early fall, to be followed by a big blowout in Houston. Miya reports that, in an altruistic mindset, the couple will ask the entire wedding party to participate in a volunteer project together.

About the ring — it's a cushion-cut chocolate diamond. "We had a very specific reason for choosing it," Miya e-mailed. "Gene is very socially conscious and did not want to contribute to the Africa diamond trade. To ensure an ethically-sourced stone, we went with a chocolate diamond since 95 percent of them come from Australia."

Also, they wanted a ring was unique, "So that fit the bill well." Danny Shaftel of Shaftel Diamonds put it all together for them.

The engagement has put Gene's campaign for state representative on the back burner for at least a moment as the town buzzes over the news.

Film frolic a mountainous success

Shushana and Jack Castle are kicking up their heels over the success of their inaugural "Mountainfilm on Tour in Houston" film festival that took over Rice University Media Center over the weekend.

The Houston effort is based on Mountainfilm in Telluride, a festival featuring films about issues that matter. The Castles have been part of that Telluride scene for 15 years.

In the mix were Mountainfilm on Tour director Henry Lystad and filmmakers Pete McBride (Chasing Water), Ben Stookesberry (Kadoma) and Roko Belic (Happy) as were many of the festival’s major supporters.

Totally star struck

That would be Astrid and Gene Van Dyke, who were guests of the dreamy actor Kyle MacLachlan at a recent UNICEF benefit in LA. The fundraiser featured A-list stars performing karaoke numbers including Rita Wilson, applaused by hubby Tom Hanks. Joining McLachlan at his table were also Carol Stearns and newly-single Heidi Klum.

The next day, the Van Dykes were Kyle's guests on the set of Desperate Housewives and that evening dined at the McLahlan home with Kyle and wife Desiree.

It's not like they're best friends, although Astrid reports Kyle was beyond charming and friendly. The Van Dykes had been high bidders on the LA package last fall at a benefit for President George H.W. Bush's presidential library. And the film star pulled out the stops for them.

Thinking waaaaaayyyyy ahead

That would be the powers that be at Discovery Green. They've already named chairs for the 2014 Gala on the Green fundraiser, the biennial event that Phoebe and Bobby Tudor chaired in February.

Soraya and Scott McClelland, president of H-E-B Houston, have signed on to head the effort in raising funds for programming for the downtown park.