How was it that the planets aligned so that in the past two days, three national news anchors headlined significant charity luncheons here? Cokie Roberts, Brit Hume and Norah O'Donnell each held audiences mesmerized with talk on everything from politics to the Bible and Tiger Woods to nutrition.

ABC political commentator Cokie Roberts combined humorous family reminiscences (hers is one influential Louisiana family) with political observations and praise for the work of the Salvation Army at the charity's annual luncheon held at the Hilton Americas-Houston.

More than 550 business and social leaders turned out for the event that posthumously honored James A. Elkins III with the first annual Lone Star Award. Elkins, who died unexpectedly this summer, had served on the Salvation Army board for more than 19 years. His wife, Jenny Elkins, accepted the award.

Maria and Neil Bush chaired the luncheon and were accompanied by his son, Pierce Bush and his daughter, Lauren Bush, toting one of her signature FEED bags.

The heavy-hitter crowd included Salvation Army advisory board chair Chales Roff, Linda McReynolds, Margaret Love, Jim Wise, Katherine McGovern, Cathy and Joe Cleary, Lilly and Thurmon Andress, Jim Crownover, Jack Blanton Jr. and Kathy Goossen.

Faith forward

Speaking to 350 supporters of The Bible in 90 Days, Fox News senior political analyst Brit Hume revealed that he keeps a Bible open on his desk at his office and he is trying to read it through in a year.

That strong faith was behind the response Hume made last year to Tiger Wood's infidelity scandal in which he said on the air that Woods should become a Christian in order to receive the "forgiveness and redemption that is offered by the Christian faith." Hume said he remains true to that statement today.

He told the River Oaks Country Club gathering that after the loss of his son, he turned more strongly to his faith and struggles everyday to live his life as a better Christian.

Karen Payne chaired the luncheon that was attended by The Bible in 90 Days founder, Houstonian Ted Cooper Jr. Applauding the news anchor were fans including Mel Payne, Beth Muecke, Nancy and Joe McDermott, Roxann Neumann, Pam Cohan, Carolyn Hufstetler, Carol and Mark Glasser, Cabrina and Steven Owsley, Elizabeth and Peter Wareing and Marcia and Jack Modesett.

Battle of the young bulge

The national crisis of childhood obesity was at the forefront of discussion at the Recipe for Success annual fall harvest market and luncheon held at the Hilton Americas-Houston where the guest speaker was MSNBC's chief Washington correspondent Norah O'Donnell.

When not reporting on the foibles of American politicians, O'Donnell and her husband, chef Geoff Tracy, are raising their 3-year-old twins and 2-year-old daughter. With that growing family, the couple started making their own baby food several years ago and soon a book was born — Baby Love, filled with recipes for homemade baby food.

Both O'Donnell, coincidentally a native of San Antonio, and Recipe for Success founder Gracie Cavnar spoke on childhood obesity as "the crisis that endangers our future." Recipe for Success is a leader in the battle with its school programs headed by local chefs. One of those chefs, T'afia's Monica Pope, who was on board from the non-profit's inception, was recognized with the first annual Blue Plate Special Award that salutes national leaders in the fight against childhood obesity.

Joining chairs Karen and Frank Steininger in organizing the event were co-chairs Georgene Brandon, Guyla Pircher, Ashley Wehrly and Cavnar. Supporters included Phoebe Tudor, Sheridan Williams, Franci Crane, Randa Weiner, Bob Cavnar, Todd Waite, Phyllis Childrens, Cathy Brock and Roland Garcia.