party watch

Artful Houstonians pack River Oaks District gallery for beloved autism group's big opening

KnowAutism River Oaks District 2021 As I Am Lilac Guzman, Stephanie Perkins , Jennifer Rousth

Lilac Guzman, Stephanie Perkins, and Jennifer Roosth.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

What: “As I Am” opening exhibition

Where:KNOWAutism’s at River Oaks District

The scoop: The tony River Oaks District now has a colorful new resident with a mission to assist families impacted by autism. Beloved nonprofit organization KNOWAutism unveiled its first-ever art exhibition, a curated collection of pieces from its recently launched “As I Am” art project.

For the works, KNOWAutism provided client families, local schools, and nonprofit partners with art kits throughout the pandemic.

Artful and community-minded visitors can catch the free exhibit — housed in the district’s central plaza adjacent to luxury retailer, Dior — through September 12.

At the opening, the foundation’s supporters and leaders gathered for a stylish evening filled with live music performances, decadent catering, and remarks from KNOWAutism board members Sherri Zucker, Amy Pierce, and Marian McClendon.

A big draw was a limited edition print by famed autistic artist, Stephen Wiltshire, who donated a piece from his London gallery. Meanwhile, guests enjoyed a musical medley featuring a piano concert from Julia Nguyen, daughter of Wayne and Tammy Nguyen; a violin solo from Vivian Ye; and a lively number from Baylor College of Medicine’s, “Docapella.”

Guests noshed on bites from upscale district French eatery, Toulouse Café & Bar, including hand-passed canapés including tempura shrimp in a spicy toasted pepper sauce; chicken skewers with apple caramel chutney; New York strip with baked artichokes, and ahi tuna tacos with avocado and passion fruit mousse. Meanwhile, champagne sips came courtesy of posh district restaurant Ouzo Bay.

Proceeds from the gallery will benefit KNOWAutism’s mission of helping families navigate the process of diagnostics, treatment, intervention, and education.

Who:Sherri Zucker, Amy Pierce, Marian McClendon, Dr. Alice Mao Brams, Ruchi Mukerjee, Tammy Ngyuen, Paul-David Van Atta, Jennifer Roosth, Kelly Anzilotti, Keri Jo McCrory, Anna Regar, and Stephanie Perkins.

openings galleries

Make that paper

A $100k salary goes farther in Houston than other top Texas cities, a study finds

FPhoto by Alexander Mils on Unsplash

Seven Texan cities appear in the study’s top 10 where a six-figure salary goes the furthest.

Many people daydream about making six figures in their career before they enter the workforce. But the rising cost of living certainly throws a wrench in the works. Luckily for Texans, a six-figure salary still goes pretty far in the state.

In a new report from SmartAsset, a $100,000 salary in Texas is worth an average of $77,885 after taxes and adjusted for the cost of living. The financial technology company analyzed income in 76 United States cities, and adjusted them for the cost of living in each location.

Seven Texan cities appear in the study’s top 10 where a six-figure salary goes the furthest. Houston ranked No. 6 as the fourth Texas city on the list, after El Paso (No. 2), Corpus Christi (No. 4), and Lubbock (No. 5). A Houstonian's six-figure salary is reduced to $74,515 after taxes, but is technically worth $81,350 when adjusted for the cost of living.

In a three-way tie with San Antonio for No. 7, a person who makes $100,000 a year in Fort Worth and Arlington takes home about $74,515 after taxes. When adjusted for the cost of living, which is seven percent lower than the national average, that money is worth $80,124.

Dallas appears at No. 34 on the list, with the average six-figure earner bringing home $72,345 after taxes. That salary shrinks in the northern Dallas suburb of Plano (No. 59), where the worker brings home $59,422.

The place where $100,000 goes the furthest is Memphis, Tennessee. Much like Texas, Tennessee doesn’t have a state income tax and has a lower cost of living in comparison to the national average.

After Memphis is El Paso, followed by Oklahoma City (No. 3), then Corpus Christi, Lubbock, and Houston. After the Texan three-way tie for No. 7, St. Louis, Missouri rounds out the top 10.

The 10 total Texas cities that appear in SmartAsset’s study include:

No. 2 – El Paso
No. 4 – Corpus Christi
No. 5 – Lubbock
No. 6 – Houston
No. 7 – Fort Worth, Arlington, San Antonio (tied)
No. 24 – Austin
No. 34 – Dallas
No. 59 – Plano

The report and its methodology can be found on SmartAsset’s website.

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