The scene was beyond special at Haven when Austin Hanson and his mother, Belinda Hillhouse, presented a check for $150,000 to the Arc of Greater Houston, proceeds earned from sale of their cookbook Green Beans and Guacamole.

As he was growing up, Hanson benefited the programs for special needs children offered at the Arc. He was inspiration for the cookbook filled with recipes from local chefs.

City Councilman Stephen Costello surprised most in the gathering by presenting the young man with a mayoral proclamation declaring it "Austin Hanson Day in Houston."

Applauding the happenings were Laurie McNay, Corky Hillhouse, Abbas Hussein, Elaine Roberts, Kim Padgett and Soren Pedersen.

Rocking good times

Well in advance of the Society for the Performing Arts gala in April, chairs Rosemary Schatzman and Vanessa Sendukas stirred up the "Red Hot in Rio" fun with a warm-up at the home of gala kick-off chairs Beverly and Jim Postl.

The party crowd sampling fare from City Kitchen included SPA exec June Christensen, Leticia and Steve Trauber, Liz and Tom Glanville, Mary Lou Swift and Joanne and Bill Crassas.

High-profile nuptials

It was a who's who of Democratic politics that were among witnesses to the Sunday afternoon nuptials between Erica S. Lee, newly elected trustee to the Harris County School Board, Dr. Roy L. Carter. They said their "I do's" at Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ and celebrated their marriage with a reception at the Hilton Houston-Post Oak.

Headlining the heavy-hitter crowd toasting the newlyweds were the bride's parents, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee and Elwyn Lee. Among guests were U.S. Rep Al Green, Arthur Schechter, State Rep. Sylvester Turner, City Controller Ronald Green and wife Judge Hillary Green, Judge Zinetta Burney, Carolyn and John Guess, Jewell McGowen, Licia Green Ellis, Dr. Wanda Mott and husband Bill Russell, Algenita Scott Davis and husband Ardie Segars and Rufus Cormier.

Sight 'ems

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas returning to Tony's for dinner after having lunched at the award-winning restaurant that same day with Harris County Commissioner Steve Radack . . .

Historian and acclaimed journalist Tony Perrottet, author of Napoleon’s Privates, bunking at the Royal Sonesta while exploring Houston . . .

L’Olivier chef de cuisine Kevin Bryant treating his pals Sunday afternoon to a tempting tailgate feast of grilled lobster and other goodies at longtime River Oaks area dive McElroy, the food off just in time for the Houston Texans pouncing of the Jacksonville Jaguars.