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    an LBJ for W

    Former president George W. Bush honored with prestigious LBJ award in Houston

    Steven Devadanam
    May 31, 2018 | 6:45 pm

    Holocaust Museum Houston celebrated its 23rd Lyndon Baines Johnson Moral Courage Award Dinner by honoring former president George W. Bush. One of Houston’s largest philanthropic events boasting 1,150 guests at Hilton Americas-Houston, the annual dinner chaired by Lester and Sue Smith, Shelly and Brian Hendry and Limor and Stuart Smith raised a record-breaking $4.2 million to support the worldwide educational programs of the museum. (The prior record was $2.1 million raised at the 2005 dinner.)

    Holocaust Museum Houston presents the Lyndon Baines Johnson Moral Courage Award to individuals who have taken a stand against injustice, hatred and prejudice, and used their skills and influence to make a better world for all people. During his tenure, President Bush provided leadership to keep Americans safe after the September 11 attacks. Additionally, he used this same resolve to launch humanitarian initiatives to provide more than $3.3 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.

    Today, President Bush’s attention is on the Bush Institute, the nonpartisan, public policy arm of the Bush Center, which engages communities in the United States and around the world by developing leaders, advancing policy, and taking action to solve today’s pressing challenges. President Bush’s focus on our military servicemen and women, veterans, and their families was most notably recognized in his recent book New York Times bestseller, Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief’s Tribute to America’s Warriors.

    The evening was chaired by Lester and Sue Smith and Lester’s children and their spouses, Shelly and Brian Hendry and Limor and Stuart Smith. Honorary chairs included The Bush Family, Senator Joe Lieberman, Margaret Alkek Williams, and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. Mady and Ken Kades served as host committee chairs.

    In lieu of a keynote speech, The Honorable Fred Zeidman, chairman emeritus of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, facilitated an engaging conversation with President Bush discussing key events during his time as President and his life since leaving office.

    The kosher menu included a salad of baby lettuces, poached red and yellow beets with sweet grape tomatoes, pumpkin seeds and balsamic vinaigrette. The entrée was a scrumptious seared filet of Scottish salmon with ancient grain pilaf, dried cranberries, sautéed kale, asparagus tips and sweet potato puree. Guests enjoyed swapping desserts of flourless chocolate cake with mascarpone cream and strawberries, and lemon trifle garnished with blueberries.

    The decorations and flowers were managed by The Events Company. Flowers were repurposed via Flower Power to nursing homes and shelters, while Second Helpings utilized additional meals for people in need. Dinner Chairs Lester and Sue Smith hosted President George W. Bush at their table along with Shelly and Brian Hendry, Limor and Stuart Smith, Holocaust Museum Houston CEO Dr. Kelly J. Zúñiga and Luis Zúñiga, Mayor Sylvester Turner, and The Honorable Fred Zeidman and Kay Zeidman.

    VIPs seen in the crowd included County Attorney Vince Ryan, Houston City Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem Ellen Cohen, Harris Texas State Judge Ken Wise, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China Qiangmin Li, Consul General of Israel Gilad Katz, Honorary Consul General of Denmark Anna Holliday, Honorary Consul General to Thailand and vice dean of the Consular Corps of Houston Charles Foster, Deputy Consul General of Israel Omer ChechekKatz, and Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission members Peter Berkowitz and Martin Fein.

    Also on hand were Ginger Blanton, Laurie and Milton Boniuk, Polly and Murry Bowden, Bruce and Rhona Caress, Twila Carter, Becca Cason Thrash and Dr. John Thrash, Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein and Martin Fein, Dr. Riva Collins and Ira Mitzner, Julie Baker Finck and Ron Finck, Heidi Gerger, Lainie Gordon and David Mincberg, Barbara and Charles Hurwitz, Jerry Martin, Katherine McGovern, Martha and Peter Mims, Trish and Rock Morille, Jeri and Marc Shapiro, Marcia and David Solomon, Nancy Li-Tarim, Benjamin Warren, Beth Wolff, and Anat and Jay Zeidman.

    Dinner chairs Sue and Lester Smith, President George W. Bush, and HMH chairman Gary Markowitz.

    Holocaust Museum LBJ award Dinner chairs Dinner Chairs Sue and Lester Smith_President George W. Bush_HMH Chairman Gary Markowitz
      
    Photo by Wilson Parish
    Dinner chairs Sue and Lester Smith, President George W. Bush, and HMH chairman Gary Markowitz.
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    Roman Reverie

    Top Houston chef and Michelin sommelier help symphony raise $900,000

    Eric Sandler
    May 14, 2025 | 2:03 pm
    Houston Symphony wine dinner and auction 2025
    Photo by Priscilla Dickson
    Houston Symphony executive director and CEO Gary Ginstling, Margaret Ginstling; chairs Elia and Michael Gabbanelli.

    When spring gala season reaches full crescendo, few evenings deliver the kind of multisensory bacchanal as the Houston Symphony’s Wine Dinner and Collector’s Auction. On May 2, a sold-out crowd of 365 stylish guests made a grand entrance at Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, where fine wine, lavish décor, and a five-course feast awaited.

    Houston Symphony wine dinner and auction 2025
      

    Photo by Priscilla Dickson

    Houston Symphony executive director and CEO Gary Ginstling, Margaret Ginstling; chairs Elia and Michael Gabbanelli.

    A revelry worthy of Dionysus himself. In black-tie, of course.

    Leading the charge were Elia and Michael Gabbanelli, gala chairs and proud heirs of the famed Gabbanelli accordion family — a fitting touch of musical lineage. They were joined by Jack Matzer, whose stewardship of the collector’s auction helped orchestrate the evening’s finale: More than $900,000 raised for the symphony’s Education and Community Engagement initiatives, which bring music to schools, hospitals, and underserved venues.

    The foyer buzzed with energy as guests in all their finery sipped champagne and circled the silent auction, eyes gleaming at the fabulousness of oenophilic riches. Standout lots included six vintage bottles of Red Bordeaux, two bottles of 1982 Château Margaux (yes, the unicorn vintage), and a week-long Tuscan getaway for those dreaming of vineyard vistas and sun-drenched serenity. Bidding was brisk and focused — more than one guest looked ready to conduct their own blind tasting right on the spot.

    At the dinner hour, the scene shifted dramatically as guests were ushered onto the Jones Hall stage, transformed by The Events Company into a sumptuous Roman mirage. Towering candelabras crowned with coral and ruby blooms stood sentry over lace-red linens strewn with votives, pomegranates, and overflowing grapes. Four statues, wreathed in greenery, added a mythic flair—as if Bacchus himself might pop out to pour the next glass. And the next.

    But it wasn’t just about the wine. Culinary star chef Danny Trace of Potente crafted an ambitious five-course menu that married elegance and indulgence. A standout starter of heirloom tomato and whipped burrata with cucumber ribbons gave way to Potente’s signature black truffle pasta, then diver scallops with sweet corn risotto and a show-stealing veal perigeux with goat cheese polenta. Dessert? A double chocolate cake kissed with Chambord and crowned with caramel crunch pearls.

    Wine pairings, curated by John and Lindy Rydman and Lisa Rydman Lindsey of Spec’s Wines, were introduced by master sommelier Steven McDonald, the Pappas Bros. Steakhouse wine expert who earned the sommelier award at the 2024 Michelin Guide Texas ceremony. Guests clinked, tasted, nodded in approval — oenophiles united in appreciation.

    Among those spotted in the stylish crowd were Ann and Jonathan Ayre, Betty and Jesse Tutor, Janet Clark, Gary Ginstling and Margaret Lederer, Joan and Robert Duff, Margaret Alkek Williams, Barbara Burger, Lydia Gold, Quentin and Aerin Smith, Hallie Vanderhider and Bobby Dees, Vicki West and Ralph Burch, Mary Lynn Marks, Bob Weiner, Robert Sakowitz, David Peavy and Stephen McCauley, Aggie Foster and Steve Simon, Virginia Clark, Brigette Kalai, Farida Abjani, Jennifer and Scott Allison, Carey Kirkpatrick, Ken and Mady Kades, and Sippi and Ajay Khurana.

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