Spring Fling Celebrates Three Decades of Foster-Care Assistance, Honors Mattress Mack

Quy Tran
Spring Fling Celebrates Three Decades of Foster-Care Assistance, Honors Mattress Mack

Marta Fredricks, Aaron Bludorn and Elyse Cokinos Stevens

A HOUSTON NONPROFIT has quietly but diligently served the children and families in the Texas foster care system for three decades. Tanglewood residents and longtime donors Laura and George Pontikes hosted a springtime soiree in honor of Arrow Child & Family Ministries' 30th anniversary.

More than 200 partygoers raised a glass to the Pontikes, who spearheaded the renovation of Arrow's Spring-area HQ, which will be named for them. The evening, which featured delectable dishes courtesy of Aaron Bludorn, also honored Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale. He got a superhero cape and video tribute showcasing his contributions to Arrow and the foster-care community.

Joella and Steve Mach, Chris Pappas, Ellen Cokinos

Patrick Hicks, Doug Dillon, Nancy Pettiette, Billy Braddock, Ed Britt

Cynthia Pritchard-Stevenson, Jean Durdin, Sharilyn and Gayle Lampson

Aimee and Wynne Snoots

Laura and George Pontikes

Mike and Susan Holland

Jack and Brenda Lynch

Eliza Flannery, Nick Pontikes, Molly Jodeit

Fr. Juan Torres, Scott Lundy, George Pontikes, Laura Pontikes, Jim McIngvale, Debi Tengler

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Fried Chicken, Fancy Bubbles, and a Side of Glamour: Sundays at The Marigold Club Just Got Fun

Chef-owner Austin Waiter of The Marigold Club, now serving fried chicken and Champagne on Sunday nights.


IF YOUR SUNDAY nights could use a little sparkle—and a lot of fried chicken—The Marigold Club has just the thing. Starting May 25 at 5pm, the Montrose hotspot known for its playful mix of Southern charm and London polish is rolling out a new weekly tradition: Fried Chicken & Champagne Sundays.

This isn’t your average comfort food situation. We're talking a shareable fried chicken dinner for two, made with farm-raised birds from Deeply Rooted Ranch, and served alongside buttery whipped potatoes, minted peas, aged cheddar scones, and some over-the-top sauces — including a foie gras sauce supreme that’s as extra as it sounds.

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Food

Kristi Ison, Rebecca Pritchard, Nora Jarrard, Katie Tsuru, Ronda Carman

H-TOWN FOOTBALL JUST got a fashion upgrade. The Texans teamed up with Houston’s own Christy Lynn to debut a first-ever capsule collection that swaps jerseys and hoodies for silk sets, chic dresses, and elevated knitwear — all in the team’s signature colors.

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Style

Sonja Kostich, Margaret Alkek Williams, and Jim Nelson

HOUSTON BALLET’S 2025–2026 season opened in high style with a double celebration. After the curtain fell on Onegin — John Cranko’s tale of love and rejection — more than 220 patrons gathered on stage at the Wortham for the annual Opening Night Onstage Dinner, one of the company’s most anticipated traditions.

The evening paid special tribute to Jim Nelson. Nelson, who took the helm as Executive Director in 2012, guided the Ballet through the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and the challenges of COVID. During dinner, Nelson was honored with a proclamation from the City of Houston. Even Nelson’s mother attended and received a special shout-out during his dinner toast.

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