Shelby's Social Diary

The best private party of the summer? Santa Barbara polo a sweet diversion forHouston expats

His team won the Bombardier Pacific Coast Open and she co-hosted a lavish partyfor the polo teams.
Photo by Baron Spafford
Houstonians Sandi and Bill Nicholson spun Texas magic at their Solana estate inMontecito, Calif., where two Ferrari FFs greeted guests.
Photo by Baron Spafford
Guests at the Bombardier table at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet club seasonfinale.
Photo by David Lominska
Photo by Baron Spafford
Photo by Baron Spafford
Photo by Baron Spafford
Photo by Baron Spafford

And you thought that Aspen, Nantucket and Pebble Beach had the lock on the hearts of well-heeled Houstonians. Say hello to the luxe environs of Santa Barbara/Montecito where more than a few of our seasonal expats pass much of the summer.

As the Santa Barbara polo season came to an end over the holiday weekend, the Lone Star influence was clearly felt during the Bombardier Pacific Coast Open Finals at the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club. Texans on the whole prevailed as John Muse of Dallas led his Team Lucchese to tournament victory, beating out the Andy Busch team that included Houston seven-goal player Jeff Hall. (Busch is great-grandson of Anheuser-Busch founder Adolphus Busch.) That victory was the third in a row for Team Lucchese and the first time for a threepeat in the 103-year history of the tournament.

Sandi and Bill Nicholson gave "the best private party of the summer at their fabulous Solona estate," an evening honoring Santa Barbara polo players and Montecito friends.

Among Houstonians taking in the excitement of this final round of polo, as guests of Bombardier, the luxury private jet manufacturer, were Bombardier jet owner John Eddie Williams and wife Sheridan plus Carol and Mike Linn, Karen and Mike Mayell and Carolyn Farb.

Front and center throughout the polo season was former Houstonian, Dallas resident Charles Ward, managing partner of Idea Works, Inc. Ward summers in this swank California playland, where he exercises his renowned talents as wealth marketing guru. That debonnaire gent maintains an occasional presence on the Houston scene, often accompanying Carolyn Farb.

Ward reports that earlier in the polo-centered activities, Houstonians Sandi and Bill Nicholson gave "the best private party of the summer at their fabulous Solona estate," an evening honoring Santa Barbara polo players and Montecito friends. Ward adds that the season ended with a spectacular party hosted by Houstonian Scott Wood, who heads ERG Team and is president of ERG Resources. Look for this event to become a highly-touted tradition across the polo-infused landscape.

(You might recall that the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club hosted British royals last summer. Shortly after their marriage in 2011, Prince William and Kate were guests at the club, where the prince played in the Foundation Polo Challenge.)

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festive giving

Nutcracker Market preview rings in $1.22M for Houston Ballet

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Devon Furl, Joey Goana, and Jessica Mercado.

The Houston Ballet Nutcracker Market Wells Fargo Preview Party brought Houston’s holiday spirit to the forefront, transforming NRG Center into a winter shopping, giving, and mingling party. This year’s preview social on November 13 raised $1.22 million to support the Houston Ballet, its Academy, and scholarship programs — helping set the stage for another magical season. Market chairmen Megan Kessler and Tracey Williford, along with Preview Party chairmen Cecilia Campbell, Ann Graham, and Blair Kessler, pulled out all the stops to make this night one for the holiday books.

Shoppers strolled through a treasure trove of unique finds from more than 270 merchants, including 25 first-time vendors. Market mainstays like The Royal Standard with their iconic Nutcracker tote bags, The Roundtop Collection, and Paul Michael Company delighted longtime fans with seasonal decor and holiday gifts.

The evening sparkled with live tunes by the David Caceres Orchestra, keeping the mood merry and bright as gusts sipped on cocktails. Balletomanes turned up in their best holiday attire, ready to browse, buy, and be dazzled by the one-of-a-kind offerings. David Chambers, a former fixture in Houston’s fundraising scene, flew in to join dance aficionados from the Pennsylvania Ballet, where he now serves as chief advancement officer.

Wells Fargo took center stage with its ongoing Small Business Diversity Program, launched in 2023 to support minority-owned businesses. This year’s Market spotlighted returning favorites like Africa on My Back and Qué Bonito Mexican and Fashion, along with new arrivals Twilight Candle Co. and Tori Artis Planners, who brought fresh perspectives and products to this festive Houston tradition.

Sporting holiday sass were Ann Chao, Carolyn Sabat, Nina Jackson, Rose Harshfield, Twana Griffith Faykus, Patrick Benge, Melissa Reihle, Susan Binney, Jennifer Kushner, Sunday Shepherd, Jo Furr, Mignon Gill, Kristy Bradshaw, Stanton Welch, Carey Kirkpatrick, Julie Kent, Deb Koehler, Rose Cullen, Shawn Stevens, Lauren Anderson, Amy Pincu, Michelle Iversen Jeffery, Beth Muecke, and Patti Murphy.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Devon Furl, Joey Goana, and Jessica Mercado.

fundraisers shopping nutcracker market

Shelby's Social Diary

The best private party of the summer? Santa Barbara polo a sweet diversion forHouston expats

festive giving

Nutcracker Market preview rings in $1.22M for Houston Ballet

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