Legendary Anchor Retires

Legendary TV anchor retires from the 10 o'clock news and an epic party at iconic Houston restaurant follows

Veteran KTRK Channel 13 news anchor Dave Ward signed off on the 10 p.m. newscast for the final time earlier this week and for the milestone adios after 48 years at the helm, close friends and colleagues gathered at Tony's for a late-night fond farewell.

It's not exactly goodbye for Ward. Rather it's the end of his late news stints. He remains front and center on the 6 p.m. news and plans on holding that seat at the news desk for two more years. That 50-year run at the same news station will place him in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Laura Ward organized the celebration of Dave's long-lived career, convincing Tony Vallone to keep his restaurant open into the wee hours. As the party didn't get rolling until around 11, guests were still supping on Tony's killer crispy bacon, French toast, hot biscuits and more well after the midnight hour — on a weeknight.

A microphone was passed around the gathering of close to 60 admirers with colleagues including Wayne Dolcefino, Melanie Lawson, Tom Koch and Ilona Carson congratulating Ward on his remarkable tenure.

Highlight of the night came when Ward took the microphone and said, "This is something I've been wanting to do all of my career, but I never had the guts to do it." With that, he mussed up his perfect coif into a standing mess as guests laughed and applauded.

Sheridan and John Eddie Williams added their congratulations to the praise as did Dan Strickland, Ed Brandon, Gary Becker and Tony Gracely.

Applauding Ward on this sentimental night were Tilman Fertitta, Carol Sawyer, Edna Meyer-Nelson, Brenda Koch, Lisa and Mike McGuff, Deborah Wrigley, Sandy and Dr. Barney Barrett, Carol and Mike Linn, Jan Carson and Tim Connolly and Allen Becker.

After signing off on the 10 p.m. news for the last time KTRK ABC 13 news anchor Dave Ward tousles his hair in public, a long-held dream.

After signing off on the 10 p.m. news for the last time KTRK ABC 13 news anchor Dave Ward tousles his hair in public, a long-held dream.

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Viva la Moda

Havana flair fills the runway at Latin Women’s Initiative fashion fête

Photo by Jacob Power

Rochelle Deiso, Ashlee Rubbo, Naimeh Salem, and Samantha Werber.

Welcome to a Havana-kissed fantasia.

Photo by Jacob Power

Rochelle Deiso, Ashlee Rubbo, Naimeh Salem, and Samantha Werber.

The 24th Annual Latin Women’s Initiative Fashion Show and Luncheon, themes Viva la Comunidad, Viva la Moda, unfolded at the Hilton Americas in a whirl of style and unapologetic Latin flair. More than 900 guests slipped into the scene for an afternoon where the stilettos were sharp, the tequila flowed, and the energy never dipped below high-decibel mode.

Luncheon committee chairman Julie Garza and Latin Women’s Initiative (LWI) president Vicky Dominguez welcomed guests into a space transformed by Johanna Terry Events. The marketplace opened early and quickly turned into its own social runway as shoppers browsed, mingled, and paused for Titanium Tequila tastings. Then came the mariachis, weaving through the ballroom to enthusiastic applause.

The fashion show, presented with Tootsies, delivered exactly what the city’s fashion faithful came for: drama, movement, and Latin designers who understand that clothing should enter a room before you do. Under the creative direction of Fady Armanious and production by Lenny Matuszewski, models swept past towering LED visuals in looks accented with jewelry by Brazilian designer Claudia Lobao, while menswear by Festari added a polished counterpoint. Telemundo Houston produced the event videos, and KPRC’s Daniella Guzman emceed the afternoon.

Nearby, an electric Porsche gleamed beside the stage like a very expensive plus-one.

The luncheon honored María Moncada Alaoui, recognized for her generosity and longstanding commitment to Houston’s community causes.

The event raised more than $550,000 benefiting Sunshine Kids, The Rose, Prelude Music Foundation, Finca Tres Robles, A Small Place Farm, and BridgeYear.

Supporting the cause were April Fabre, Lisa Flores, Lisset Garza Ceron, Omar Alaoui, Patricia Herrera, Rosi Hernandez, Gloria Luna Bounds, Trini Mendenhall-Royalty, Becky Reyes, Maritza Gonzales, Vicki Luna-Lerma and Horacio Lerma, Chree Boydstun, Patricia Garcia, Jolene Treviño, Mari Salazar, Leanne Schneider, Hoda Sana, Xochitl Ljuboja, Cathryn Martinez, Monica Alvarez, Cyndya Garza Roberts, Estela Cockrell, Cinthya Reade, Maria Morales, Jovanny and Samuel Orellana, Anna Reger, Hallie Vanderhider, Debbie Festari, Ally Shell, Edna Meyer-Nelson, Zinat Ahmed, Nora Jarrard, Stephanie Tsuru, Laurie Sanders, and Chelsea Collmer.

fundraisers latin women’s initiative