Having a Ball

The Houston Area Women’s Center hosted a gala commemorating its 40th year of helping survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The disco-savvy “Party Like It’s 1977” event — guests sported bell bottoms and brocade — raised a whopping $650,000 for the organization. ... Meanwhile, Space Center Houston celebrated its own 25th anniversary at its biennial Galaxy Gala. Apollo 13 actor Gary Sinese made a special appearance with his band, the Lt. Dan Band, and an array of out-of-this-world space artifacts was on display for the 650 galagoers. ... And attendees of the Virtuosi of Houston gala mixed and mingled with British TV personality and author Sarah, Duchess of York.



Duke and C.C. Ensell at ‘Women’s’
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Thrive & Inspire: Creating ’Something Bigger Than Ourselves’ Drives Gooch and Pappas of RYDE

Ashley Gooch and Andrew Pappas, Co-Founders

WHAT INSPIRES YOU as you grow RYDE? The RYDE community and our team inspire us every day. The goal from the start was to create something that is bigger than ourselves — our community is just that. We want to push the limits of what a fitness experience can be. Our new Heights studio is a testament to that commitment, offering a high-energy indoor cycling experience in a stunning space. RYDE Heights opens in April, exactly eight years after our first location opened on West Gray in River Oaks.

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LeBrina Jackson

AS WE GET into the holiday season, we’re reminded of what we have, what we want and what might be lacking. As Sheryl Crow says in her song, Soak up the Sun, “It’s not having what you want, it’s wanting what you've got.” We caught up with LeBrina Jackson, owner of Escape Spa in Cypress, Texas, and learned how she tackles the holiday season with hope, love and most importantly, gratitude.

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Paella Valenciana at Mi Luna

THOUGH IT'S BEEN in Houston less than a decade, Sof Hospitality has made major inroads with foodies and critics alike. Its concepts include Doris Metropolitan, Hamsa and Badolina Bakery, all of which deliver the rich flavors of Israeli cuisine in complex, photogenic and delicious dishes. Its newest, Októ, opened earlier this year, one of several energetic restaurants to bow in the Montrose Collective, just in time for the holidays.

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Food