Applause, applause for recipients of the Mayor's Hispanic Heritage Awards who were recognized at a cocktail/award presentation event at the Downtown Aquarium as party of the city's Hispanic Heritage month celebrations.

A record crowd of more than 400, including numerous city leaders, packed the party space to witness Mayor Annise Parker present the awards. Richard Farias received the Lifetime Achievement Award, Edward Sanchez the Community Activist Award, Luis Cano the Education Award, Gerardo De Leon the Public Safety Award and Sonia Lopez the Youth Activist Award.

The Mayor's Hispanic Advisory Board, chaired by Greenberg Traurig's Roland Garcia, hosted the evening that included a bountiful buffet, music by Mango Punch and heavy-duty schmoozing. Liz Lara-Carreno and Lauren Soliz chaired the evening.

In the mix were advisory board co-chair Yolanda Black Navarro; Shell Oil's Jesse Saldivar, Mariloli Odum and Jani Lopez; State Sen. Mario Gallegos; State Rep. Anna Hernandez Luna; State Rep. Carol Alvarado; City Council members James Rodriguez, Ed Gonzalez, Melissa Noriega and Brenda Stardig.

Diamonds & Diplomacy

The ever-ebullient Joanne King Herring almost stole the show at the Fund for Teachers luncheon held Monday at Hotel ZaZa, even though Washington D.C.-based educator and author Sam Chaltain was the mesmerizing keynote speaker. The buzz surrounding Joanne was publication of her book Diamonds & Diplomacy.

Luncheon chair Dr. Kelli Cohen Fein and honorary chair Danielle Ellis applauded both speakers and gave special thanks to presenting sponsor Apache, represented by Vicky and Steve Farris, Apache chairman and CEO. Apache has been a long-time supporter of the non-profit that provides fellowships to teachers for professional growth experiences.

Supporters included Collier and Richard Blades, Sheridan Williams, John Ellis, Diane Lokey Farb, Shelley Taylor Ludwick, Shirley Dannenbaum, Susan Boggio, Phoebe Tudor, Mary Ann Reynolds and Mary Lou Smith.

A shining star

Well-known philanthropist Jeanie Kilroy took bows as honoree at the Assistance League of Houston's 20th annual Mary Jo Peckham Award Luncheon where 270 guests helped raise $108,000 for various league programs serving the needs of local children.

As is tradition, the late Mary Jo Peckham's three daughters — Liz Jameson, Ann Berry and Leila Gilbert — served as honorary chairs of the luncheon that was chaired by Pat Sedwick and Louise Nuttall.

Style favorite Lenny Matuszewski orchestrated the traditional runway show of fashions from Elizabeth Anthony-Esther Wolf that had the likes of Dianne Reeves, Carol Limbacher, Lane Pearson, Maxianne Collins, Maria McEvoy and Debbie Moore applauding their approval.