party watch

Fierce and fab Houstonians party like animals for four-legged friends

Houston Pet Set Princess Tatiana, Tama Lundquist, Dan and Susan Boggio, Tena Lundquist Faust.jpg

Princess Tatiana, Tama Lundquist, Dan and Susan Boggio, and Tena Lundquist Faust.

Photo by Fulton Davenport

What: Houston PetSet's Fierce & Fabulous Soiree

The scoop: More than 400 Houstonians came out in full force to support Houston Pet Set, where Fierce and Fabulous co-chairs Tena Lundquist Faust, Tama Lundquist, and Princess Tatiana Sierra called upon Houston’s top philanthropists to help raise money for our voiceless furry friends. The record-setting event honored Susan and Dan Boggio.

“There's nothing more important in the world one can ever do than to improve the quality of life and relieve the suffering of others – whether human or animal,” Susan Boggio told the crowd. Dan Boggio offered up a tear-jerking acceptance speech as he gushed over his wife’s passion and giving heart. Meanwhile, Deborah Duncan, mistress of ceremonies, kept the night moving along with her trademark wit and charm.

Partygoers packed the Post Oak Hotel's glowing ballroom as they enjoyed dinner and an exciting auction, which included a Rolex donated by Deutsch & Deutsch. A massive after party followed, hosted by Club PetSet Young Professionals; the guests danced to DJ Senega until 2 am.

The evening proved to be a huge success, with $500,000 raised to aid animal care in the coming year. Thanks to the donations, thousands of animals can be transported to homes and vet care. Monies will also go to spaying and neutering, to the Emancipet Clinc, Texas Humane Legislation Network, and the Harris County Animal Cruelty Task Force. The goal of Houston PetSet is to help those who are in the trenches on a daily basis rescuing, spaying, neutering, fostering, adopting, and protecting Houston’s animals.

Who: Rachel and Jeff Bagwell, Joanne King Herring, Tracy and Harry Faulkner, Courtney Cohn Hopson, Judy Nichols, Sidney Faust, Tammie and Dr. Charles Johnson, Ellen and Dan Cartwright, Sue and Lester Smith, Paul-David Van Atta, Cindi and Dr. Franklin Rose, Jan Duncan, Becky Cooke, Roz and Alan Pactor, Gene Wu and Miya Shay, Neal Hamil, Jennifer Roosth, Jennifer Pinkerton, Dr. Teri Alani, Lina Matar, Stephanie Olmstead, Souad Malouf Bejjani, Ella Markovsky, Cody Soutar, and Judy McGee.

Princess Tatiana, Tama Lundquist, Dan and Susan Boggio, and Tena Lundquist Faust.

Photo by Fulton Davenport

Princess Tatiana, Tama Lundquist, Dan and Susan Boggio, and Tena Lundquist Faust.

pets charity fundraisers

Water Works

Buffalo Bayou gala unveils major trail expansion to honor $100M gift

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Representative Christina Morales, Council Member Mario Castillo, and Representative Gina Hinojosa.

Houston’s beloved waterway had its moment in the moonlight.

The Water Works in Buffalo Bayou Park was the backdrop for the 2025 Buffalo Bayou Partnership Gala. Held in November, the Milestones in Motion soirée evinced that progress looks especially good under twinkling lights and driftwood chandeliers

Chaired by Richard Dawson and Lynn and Ty Kelly, the classy and chill party took full advantage of Houston’s rare perfect fall weather. Upon arrival, attendees sipped cocktails from Giant Texas Distillers and nibbled on City Kitchen Catering hors d’oeuvres while soaking in smooth jazz from Houston Groove Society. Those who arrived early scored exclusive twilight tours of the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern, a haunting underground space that feels part art gallery, part time capsule.

Guests then ascended to a tented dinner on the Brown Foundation Lawn, styled by Bergner & Johnson with gauzy fabric and organic textures that nodded to the bayou’s earthy charm. As the sun set and the three-course dinner landed on tables, Collin Cox, BBP chair emeritus, welcomed guests and introduced Mayor John Whitmire, who reflected on the city’s ongoing transformation.

Then came the big news.

In honor of a landmark $100 million gift from the Kinder Foundation, BBP unveiled the new Kinder Trail, a vital connector from US 59 to Lockwood Drive, and Kinder Bridge, which will link Japhet Creek Park to Tony Marron Park. Both projects are centerpieces of the nonprofit’s eastward expansion plan.

BBP board members Gaynell Floyd Drexler, Mary Hinojosa Kelly, and Bo Fraga closed the program by sharing personal reflections on Buffalo Bayou’s history and future as a space that has shaped their lives and the city itself — regardless of the way one might pronounce “bayou” or “bayoh.”

Showing their love partnerships matters were Judy Nyquist, Nancy and Rich Kinder, Sis Johnson, Kenneth and Delaina Allen, Meg and Dick Weekley, Lisa Helfman and Lee Haverman, Emily Keeton, Jay Jones and Terry Wayne Jones, Charlie Jenkins, Carrie and Al Pepi, Christian Menefee, Sallie and Bob Wright, Christina and Matt Altenau, Iris Tian and Tim Latimer, and Anne and Tom Olson.

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Representative Christina Morales, Council Member Mario Castillo, and Representative Gina Hinojosa.

parks fundraisers