Shelby About Town

It's mid-July and it seems that everyone still in town is still partying

Photo by Shelby Hodge
Photo by Shelby Hodge
Dave Walden, from left, Elyse Lanier, Mayor Bob Lanier and Rusty Hardin at BobStein's 60th birthday party.
Courtesy photo
Carolyn Lacye, from left, Licia Green-Ellis and Rodney Ellis at Bob Stein's 60thsurprise party.
It's back to Armando's where the Thursday-night dance floor was packed most ofthe night.
Photo by Shelby Hodge
Photo by Shelby Hodge
Photo by Shelby Hodge
Photo by Shelby Hodge
Photo by Shelby Hodge
Photo by Shelby Hodge
Photo by Shelby Hodge
Photo by Shelby Hodge
Armando Palacios' portrait hangs in the foyer of the popular Mexican restaurant,now part-time disco.
Photo by Shelby Hodge

Oh, how the naughty boys of summer and the July party girls have been itching for an excuse to release their pent-up party fever. Why, not since the Fourth of July has there been such a good reason to let it all hang out as there was Thursday night when Neal Hamil, Kalon McMahon and company took over Armandos.

It was the first of a series of Thursday disco nights at the iconic Mexican restaurant, where merely dining gives one a certain social cachet. But to disco there, with the sweat flowing as if from faucets — it was sublime summer madness. We're not sure what happened to the AC. It was churning but simply couldn't keep up with the body heat generated by all the gyrating on the improvised dance floor.

Gregory Fourticq, Mark Sullivan, Becca Cason Thrash, Monsour Taghdisi, Ashley Wehrly, Sandra Gunn and Bubba McNeely were among those jiving to the DJ sounds.

"Don't get close to me, I'm sweaty," was the resounding chorus of both men and women who had worked up a fierce perspiration flow while on the dance floor.

Overall, the energy level was high, the restaurant packed and the margaritas flowing as a load of usual Armandos suspects made the most of a summer night — including Debbie and Rudy Festari, Andrew Echols, Marcy de Luna, John Kuhl, Stuart Rosenberg, Jeff Shell, Beth Muecke, Kelly Anzilotti, Cara Morales and Jared Lang and a host of late-arriving cute young things who were probably in hopes of gaining a little schmooze time with the Dynamos who were expected to arrive after their soccer match.

Surprise!

That's what is was for Christie Sullivan when friends Millette Sherman, Megan Sutton-Reed, Bethany Hughes, Jill Faucetta and Leigh Williams pulled off a surprise birthday luncheon for her at Tony's. The midday repast was billed on the invitation as "the birthday of which we do not speak." That would be her 29th!

Twenty summer swans gathered for the fete and bubbly and Tony's signature cinnamon soufflés to celebrate and reminisce with the birthday girl. Among those making the scene between summer getaways were Courtney Hopson, Greggory Burk, Laurel Blando, Shanna Linbeck and Ryland Holmes Peveto. Proud mom of the birthday girl, Joan Parsons, beamed throughout the entire afternoon!

Sight 'ems

Rice University political scientist Bob Stein celebrating his 60th birthday at a surprise dinner at Vincent's where the well-wishers included his wife Marty Stein, former Mayor Bob Lanier and Port Commissioner Elyse Lanier, Licia Green-Ellis and State Sen. Rodney Ellis, political consultant Dave Walden, Andrea White, Tim Fleck and Rusty Hardin . . .

Greggory Burk and brother Jay Fields celebrating their July birthdays at Bar Annie with their spouses, Pat Burk and Allie Fields, and other family members . . .

A host of notables lunching at La Griglia even on a Friday in mid-July. At various tables were City Councilman James Rodriguez, Maggi Jones and Sandy Parkerson, Nandy and Michael Berry, Rice University's director of Public Art Programs Molly Hubbard and a happy group of lunching ladies sipping Skinny Lemon Drops — SPA's June Christensen and Priscilla Larson with Laura Spalding discussing the annual Yelloween fete . . .

Mayor Annise Parker lunching at Tony's with Nancy Kinder, Sharon Adams, Donna Vallone and Waynette Chan, the mayor's chief of staff.

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Barbara’s Legacy

Tom Selleck headlines Houston literacy luncheon, helps raise $775K

Barbara Bush Foundation literacy luncheon 2025

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Lina Lorelle and Tom Selleck.

Tom Selleck may have played many roles throughout his decades-long career — private investigator, cowboy, police commissioner — but at an event in Houston, the Hollywood icon stepped into a new one: literacy advocate.

The Emmy and Golden Globe winner headlined the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s 10th Annual Power of Literacy Luncheon: Opening Doors to Literacy, bringing personal anecdotes, quiet wisdom, and his signature mustache to the sold-out crowd at The Post Oak Hotel.

“I first met Barbara Bush in Hawaii, when I was doing Magnum P.I.,” he shared from the stage. “She hosted a small reception, and I have to say we really hit it off.”

That connection made his participation all the more thoughtful.

Selleck reflected on stories from his 2024 memoir You Never Know, keeping the audience rapt with his tales of humor and humility. When asked what he hopes readers take away from his book, he offered an introspective insight.

“Getting there isn’t such a big deal, because there is always somewhere else to go,” he said. “The real value is in the journey.”

That sentiment struck a chord with the 800 attendees, who helped the Ladies for Literacy Guild raise a record-breaking $775,000 to fund literacy programs across Houston.

Co-chaired by Sidney Faust and Betty Hrncir, the luncheon honored the guild’s 10th anniversary and the 100th birthday of Barbara Bush. The event began with an invocation from students at Barbara Bush Elementary, followed by a rousing performance from the Saint Thomas’ Episcopal Pipe Band. Emmy Award-winning journalist Linda Lorelle emceed the afternoon.

Guests were also treated to a pearl-themed raffle courtesy of Tenenbaum Jewelers—a nod to Barbara Bush’s signature style—along with florals donated by H-E-B. Phillips 66 led the charge as Title Sponsor, joined by Literacy Champion Sponsor ExxonMobil.

Showing their literary love were Sarahbeth and Pierce Bush, John Hrncir, Nancy Ames and Danny Ward, Maggie Austin, Jamie Barrere, Tony Bradfield, Cheryl Byington, Cathy and Joe Cleary, Amy Chronis, Sue Conway, Patricia Cornelius, Tammy Genovese Davis, Stick Delaup, Deborah Dunkum, Lesha Elsenbrook, Tena and Tyson Faust, Julie Finck, Gail Garland, Rhonda Graff, Katy Hays, Maureen Higdon, Leslie Hix, Courtney Hopson, Lisa Jakel, Jenny Joy, Patti Kroll, Laurie Lashier, Julie Little, Tama Lundquist, Cora Sue Mach, Martha Adger Madget, Anne McClellan, Mary Hale, Lovett McLean, Marsha Montemayor, Trish Morille, Barbie Prusak, Tenley E. Raj, Regina Rogers, Mary Sage, Sandra Shenkir, Tharen Simpson, Rhonda Smith, Deborah Stavis, Andrea Suarez, Suzi and William Dore, and Jacqueline Hamilton Taylor.

Photo by Priscilla Dickson

Lina Lorelle and Tom Selleck.

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