It is a very cool thing when the Mayor arrives to declare a specific day in the year your personal day in the City of Houston. So it was when Annise Parker joined the throng at The Grove to honor Discovery Green founding president and park director Guy Hagstette.

The surprise announcement and plaque presentation was highlight of the reception honoring Hagstette for his leadership in getting the downtown park off the ground and into the ranks of superlative urban green spaces. Parker sang Hagstette's praises for his contributions in making the park successful beyond expectations. He is moving on to serve as a consultant with the Buffalo Bayou Partnership.

In appreciation of Hagstette's work, Discovery Green Conservancy commissioned artist Kermit Eisenhut to create a painting of the park that incorporates memories of those associated with the project. A number of the 75 conservancy supporters attending provided Eisenhut with their memories of the parks evolution, perhaps to be included in the final painting.

In addition the park's staff, close friends of Discovery Green in the mix included Nancy and Rich Kinder, Sharon Adams, Joe Turner, Minnette Boesel, Susan Bennett, Leslie and Shannon Sasser, Dawn Ullrich, Lonnie and Candice Schiller, Robert Del Grande, Susan Christian, Doug Lawing, Gayle and Bob Eury and Elaine and Marvy Finger.

Smooches for the pooches

Houston PetSet fans got things going early in support of the Sept. 11 Pet Set Soirée with a dog-friendly bash at Muse, the whimsical fashion boutique in the Centre at River Oaks. Soirée chairs Tim Moloney, Andrew Seerden and Moniczka Latigo welcomed animals and animal-lovers and encourage shopping amid the fancy threads from New York and Los Angeles. Fifteen percent of proceeds from the summer shopping party went to the non-profit.

Mixing and mingling in summer mode were Cindy Griffin, Rebecca McElroy, Bob Nowak, Jillian Rotler, Kim Padgett, Claire Cormier Thielke, Courtney Hopson, Kara Howes and so many more.

Tables for 10

Summer travels have not completely put the hiatus on entertaining at home. Just ask Lynn and Oscar Wyatt, who opened their swell digs for Chanel honchos in from New York. Chanel fashion division president Barbara Cirvka and Angela Dotson were guests of honor at the small dinner party.

Lynn reigned at one table and Oscar hosted another where guests chatted about everything from summer travels to art and the daily news. In the sophisticated group were Michelle and Frank Hevrdejs ( just in from Paris that afternoon), Susie and Sanford Criner (reporting on their recent splash at the Spoleto Arts Festival in Charleston, S.C.), Courtney and Christopher Sarofim, The Menil Collection's Vance Muse, Menil biographer William Middleton and Rose and Harry Cullen.

Eleanor Connan, director of the Galleria Chanel boutique, and hubby André Connan rounded out the group. The New York fashionistas were in town on business.

Partying at Fleming's Prime Steakhouse

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is shaking up the summer scene with yet another hot night out. This time it was something of a throw-down party hosted by Maeve Pesquera and Beth Bryant and more than 120 turned out.

The partygoers sipped on Fleming's new summer cocktail, the bikinitini, and schmoozed the night away. Stepping out despite the hot and humid weather were Mary Rambin, Kelly Anzilotti, Ashley Wehrly, Tod Eason, Kim Padgett, Miya Shay, Dr. Roland Maldonado, Joel Bickley, Claire Cormier Thielke and Charles Reimer.

Sight 'ems

Karen and Mike Mayell having a swell summer supper at Ibiza.