Shelby's Social Diary

Hottie Elves and Sexy Santas rock this young professionals' swan song party

It might have been the swan song for the annual "Don't Stop Believin'" holiday bash but there were no signs of subdued nostalgia at the 10th and final jingle bell rock. Close to 700 revelers, a few elves and Santas among them, crowded into Jackson's Watering Hole and the adjacent party tent to send this fundraiser off in style.

While DJ Senega provided the tunes that kept them dancing all night long, the entertainment took this party to grand finale levels. The Houston Texans Bull Pen Pep Band drum line made a noisy appearance while Transformer Optimus Prime, Superhero the Incredible Hulk, a fire twirler and the Don't Stop Believin' dancers kept the party scene rocking into the wee morning hours. And as is tradition, the infamous Santa Claz photo couch was available with Buddy the Elf making the scene.

While DJ Senega provided tunes that kept them dancing all night long, the entertainment took this party to grand finale levels.

While this was curtains for "Don't Stop Believin'," the group's annual "A Night in Havana" will continue as the group of 14 young professionals who organize the charitable fundraiser are opting to continue the summer bash. Each year, the gents gather to select a charity as beneficiary of the party night and for 2013, Young Texans Against Cancer will reap the proceeds. Since its founding, the event has raised more than $200,000 for charity. Not bad when considering that the funds are entirely voluntary donations.

Santa hats off to philanthropic gents that are part of this team — John Andell, David de Roode, James Easterling, Tony Essalih, James Gietz, Matt Harris, Jon Paul Hull, Cory Krueger, Anil Mahendra, John McAleer, Curtis Willeford, Lee Willeford, Dusty Wilkerson and James Zafereo.

As Andell said in his email the morning after the party, "I have to say that it feels pretty surreal to look back on 10 years of Don't Stop Believin' Christmas parties to realize that the last party has been thrown! All of us have all had so many memories, have had so much fun, and have made so many (eh em) 'questionable' decisions over the years all in the name of charity."

He added, "The summer Event 'A Night in Havana' will continue on . . . but for the Christmas event? To all a good night . . . but remember . . . Don't ever Stop Believin'."

Kirstin Ericson, left, James Zafereo and Nicole Bertran at the final Don't Stop Believin' bash, held at Jackson's Watering Hole.

Don't Stop Believing_December 2013_Kirstin Ericson_James Zafereo,_Nicole Bertran

Photo by Chinh Phan FotoWerk Group

Kirstin Ericson, left, James Zafereo and Nicole Bertran at the final Don't Stop Believin' bash, held at Jackson's Watering Hole.

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Grapes and Glory

It’s a tie: two champs crowned at prestigious Houston wine competition

Photo by Dave Rossman

Sean Beck, co-winners Zachary Newman and John Mason, Lara Lack, and Justin Goodman.

For the first time in Iron Sommelier history, it wasn’t just the wine leaving guests speechless.

It was the scoreboard.

Zachary Newman of Pappas Steakhouse and John Mason of The Coronado Club made history with a rare draw, splitting the coveted title of Iron Sommelier 2025 at The Periwinkle Foundation’s annual swirl-and-sip showdown at The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Park.

The event, presented by Chord Energy, turned up the tannins and raised the bar and a record $535,000. Proceeds support Periwinkle’s Camps, Arts, and Survivor programs, all serving children and families facing life-threatening illnesses.

Chaired by Sean Beck and Lara Lack, the evening gathered more than 650 oenophiles to sample and swirl wines thoughtfully curated by 14 of Houston’s top somms. Each wine pro presented a trio of selections rooted in a theme of their choosing. Newman’s operatic “Bottling Bel Canto” paired Italian wines with their musical muses, while Mason’s “The Wine King” offered a journey through the diverse terroirs of South Africa.

In a competition judged by industry experts including Jesse Katz, Jim Clarke, Eugenio Jardim, and James Tidwell, sommeliers were scored on originality, depth of knowledge, and flair. Katz, recently crowned Winemaker of the Year by Wine Enthusiast, even popped into the Underwriter Room to pour from his Aperture Cellars portfolio and chat with fans.

Elsewhere, a Masters Tasting Room featured rare, high-end pours guided by four Master Sommeliers, while Steven McDonald and Frank Bullington delivered a surprise rap performance about the wines — you had to be there. The University of Houston Cougar Marching Band brought the brass, and standout bites came courtesy of local chefs like Laura Reyes, Richard Knight, Jassi Bindra, and the duo of MJ Zapata and Juana Gomez.

Emcee Kevin Quinn of KRBE-FM steered the night with humor and heart, sharing his family’s personal connection to pediatric cancer. Periwinkle camper-turned-counselor Sydney Decker brought the mission to life with her own survivor story.

Additional honors went to Kelly Rau (first runner-up), Coleman Mason (second runner-up), Harold Houpt (best wine), and Marcus Gausepohl (best theme and table decor). Newman also nabbed People’s Choice, adding a cherry on top of his co-win.

Meanwhile, the crowd kept spirits high with a wine pull, a whiskey-and-wine raffle, a live auction featuring art by pediatric patients, and a trip-worthy wine case curated by 2024 champ Matthew McLaughlin. In a toast to community and generosity, Doug Suggitt saluted presenting sponsor Chord Energy and longtime supporter AutoSol for fueling the foundation’s mission.

Sippin’ and strollin’ were Justin and Natalie Goodman, Jayne Finkowski-Rivera and Carlos Rivera, Jenifer and Scott Jarriel, Karen and Dave Smith, Dr. Tim Porea, Dr. ZoAnn Dryer, Melinda and Matt Mogas, Susan and Kurt Hanson, Debbie and Ozzie Bauer, Anne and John Clutterbuck, Frank Billingsley, Kevin Gilliard, Jessica and Bobby Matos, Sarah and Charlie Blanchard, Heidi and Ken Dunek, Paulina and Jim McGrath, Valerie and Rick Greiner, Livia Schooley and Jimmy Massaad, and many more wine-loving friends of the foundation.

Photo by Dave Rossman

Sean Beck, co-winners Zachary Newman and John Mason, Lara Lack, and Justin Goodman.

fundraisers wine iron sommelier