Shelby About Town
Kudos to a city visionary, partying in New York and restaurant hopping in H-Town
In his wildest dreams, architect and urban designer Guy Hagstettesurely never imaged being saluted in song by "The Planner Sisters," a playful trio comprised of Claudia Williamson, Theola Petteway and Minnette Boesel, who warbled to their version of "My Guy," reworded as "Our Guy."
The unusual entertainment was just part of the scene when Blueprint Houston honored Hagstette, FAIA, at the opening of the "We Built This City" exhibition on the second floor of One Allen Center. The exhibit, on display through July 5, highlights his efforts and noteworthy projects that have contributed to the transformation of downtown during the past 25 years.
Blueprint Houston board chair Joe Douglas Webb and event co-chairs, Bob Eury and the aforementioned Williamson, welcomed more than 250 city leaders, planners, architects and philanthropists for the cocktail reception during which it was declared "Guy Hagstette Day" in Houston. The event, which served as a fundraiser, brought in $99,000 for Blueprint Houston's efforts to assure a general plan for the city.
Among notables saluting the urban designer were Blueprint executive director Martha Murphree, board members Rogene Calvert and Robert Muhammad, exhibit underwriters Nancy and Rich Kinder, City Councilman Stephen Costello, Andy Icken, Joe Turner, Anne Duncan, Ed Wulfe, Scott Ziegler and Anne Olsen.
Partying in NYC with Bobbi Brown
Strategic marketing and public relations specialistCindy Clifford and best pal Jason Fuller are just back from New York where they attended a swank fundraising party for NYC mayoral candidate Christine Quinn, NY City Council speaker, whom Clifford began supporting several years ago. The two met when Quinn was in Houston for an event supporting Mayor Annise Parker.
The party was held in the Manhattan home of cosmetics whiz Bobbi Brown, who visited at length with our guys and referenced many friends back in H-Town.
The heavy-hitter crowd included designer Rachel Roy; Jo Malone & La Mer president Maureen Case; Glamour magazine editor-in-chief Cindi Lieve and her husband, film producer Howard Bernstein; Quinn's executive veep of external affairs Sally Susman; and Brown's husband Steven Plofker.
Even in summer
Yep, La Griglia remains the scene of power lunching despite the rush among the movers and shakers to head for the shore or the mountains. One hundred degrees outside simply means a not time inside where at lunch on Thursday, the crush included City Councilman Dave Martin, Mayor parker's external affairs director Jenn Char, political consultant Suzanne Feather and engineering bigwig Wayne Klotz.
Add to the mix Graci Garces, City Councilman James Rodriguez' chief of staff, who is running for his seat as he is term limited.