Lunch Bunch

The inaugural Women of Substance luncheon honored a dozen local ladies for their philanthropic contributions, and raised $400,000 for the Mission of Yahweh shelter. ... Meanwhile, supporters of the Houston Botanic Garden also raised nearly $500,000 at the organization’s lunch. ... A sold-out event benefiting Houston’s Ronald McDonald House thanked Southwest Airlines for its support. ... The second annual Power of Literacy luncheon, hosted by the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Ladies for Literacy Guild, celebrated the unveiling of the 30-foot Curiosity Cruiser mobile library. ... Finally, Rob Lowe was the ballyhooed keynote speaker at the Council on Recovery’s fall lunch, which raised $520,000.


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Leadership in Action: John Kuykendall Traded Newcaster Dream for Success in Luxury Retail

John Kuykendall, Showroom Manager, Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove

How did you get to where you are today? Growing up I had envisioned myself as a news anchor, living in NY and enthusiastically saying into the camera “Good Morning America!”. To this day, I am still a news/political junkie. My mother owned fur salons so specialty retail, luxury retail was in my blood through the family business. Eventually, mom shuttered the stores and I was recruited to a large specialty retailer. Over the next 30 years, I was in commissioned sales on the sales floor, became a department manager, worked my way up to buyer and store manager. Although I never became a newscaster, I did live in NYC for a few years. But Texas is home and with aging grandparents, I felt the pull to come back to my roots. A headhunter approached me. I never envisioned myself in the high-end appliance market, but there are so many similarities. Clients want a memorable experience; whether shopping for diamonds and fur or remodeling their kitchen.

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Kathryn Lott, Guy Hagstette and Barry Mandel

EVERY TWO YEARS, some of Houston's best-known names and most generous patrons descend upon Downtown's Discovery Green park for a night of dinner, dancing and art-admiring.

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Parties

Brasserie 19

THE RODEO OFFICIALLY opens on March 4, but Houston restaurants have already started saddling up with specials! So boot-scoot on over to one of these restaurants to savor the Texas tradition.

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Food