Social Planner

5 great reasons Houstonians should attend the next CultureMap Social

CultureMap Social, March 2016, Sheila Shtepani, I. Maria Calderon, Gresa Baboci, Christine Shtepani

Look how much fun these women are having at CultureMap Social.

Our CultureMap Social series returns Thursday, October 6, and we agree, it’s been too long since we’ve hosted a young professionals happy hour — the last one was so sizzling that the Houston Fire Department showed up!

This one takes place at West Ave, and honors the Top Texans Under 30, an exciting group of Houstonians who are making thing happen.

Tickets are normally $25, but if you use the code SOCIAL5, you can save $5 (and 100 percent of sales will be donated to non-profits). Read on for five reasons to attend the CultureMap Social.

1. You get to meet the Top Texans Under 30.
This is the first year for our Top Texans Under 30 program, in which we celebrate the twentysomething trailblazers making stuff happen across the state — and, in some cases, the world. We can’t wait to introduce you to Houstonians —Andyshea Saberioon, Ricky Johnson, Dakota Carter, Kathleen Perley, Mariame Aana, and Mohamad Maarouf — six of the 26 winners. Worth noting: You don’t have to be under 30 to attend this shindig. Which is a good thing, because I’m not.

2. You can partake in fancy food and drink.
Sample great fare from West Ave restaurants Cru, Eddie V’s, Del Frisco’s Grille as well as light bites from Caswell Catering. For dessert, Ann Sacks is hosting champagne and cake balls while Dr. Roth is sponsoring treats from Petite Sweets. And wet your whistle with beer from Alaska Brewing Co. and a Woodford Reserve whisky tasting hosted by Suitsupply.

3. You get to experience our famous party tricks.
We could just dial it in, serve some good food and drink, and call it an evening. But that is not our style. We like to keep our guests entertained and engaged. This round, that means a succulent bar from Pop Shop America, numerology readings, and a pop-up performance by Red Bull Flying Bach.

4. You could win a cool gift card.
One lucky guest will win a $100 gift card from all participating West Ave retailers, including Ann Sacks, Azur West, Bang & Olufsen, Cru, Del Frisco's Grille, Dr. Roth, Eddie V's, Flor, Ligne Roset, Milk + Honey Spa, Moroso, Q Custom Clothier & Rye 51, Revolution Studio, Tootsies, and Suitsupply. Register while you're at the party at Tootsies.

5. You contribute to charity just by attending.
All ticket sales go to charities selected by our Top Texans Under 30. So you get all of the above, and the following nonprofits reap the rewards:

PledgeCents, selected by Andyshea Saberioon and Ricky Johnson
Live Consortium, selected by Dakota Carter
Girls Inc. Houston, selected by Kathleen Perley
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, selected by Mariame Aana
KIPP Houston High School, selected by Mohamad Maarouf

Round up your friends, and RSVP now. We’ll see you there.

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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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