Full Hearts, Can’t Lose: AHA Raises Astounding $2.3 Mil at Heart Ball

Daniel Ortiz and Wilson Parish
Full Hearts, Can’t Lose: AHA Raises Astounding $2.3 Mil at Heart Ball

Robert and Lisa Hearn

THE BALLROOM AT the Hilton Americas has sat rather empty for the past couple of years, only occasionally hosting a luncheon or VIP event. But this year’s Heart Ball had hundreds of black-tie-clad Houstonians bursting through the double-doors, eager to party and raise funds for the American Heart Association.


The ‘Journeys of the Heart’ gala took on a theme of travel, something many have missed out on since the dawn of the pandemic. A Champagne reception preceded the main program, which took flight as emcee — or Captain — Khambrel Marshall welcomed guests along with honorees Ann and Peter Fluor and Lacey and Matt Goossen.

Dinner included a main course of stout-braised beef short rib with seared Chilean seabass, and a raucous live auction touted items like trips to Hawaii and Istanbul, and a 100-point case of wine. The energy remained high as the Taylor Pace Orchestra took to the stage, compelling everyone to hit the dance floor.

April and Jorge Salazar

Molly and Jim Crownover

Marcelo Saenz and Adrian Duenas

Ann and Peter Fluor

Lacey and Matt Goossen

Chairs Joanne Houck and Tim Singletary

Rachel and Tim Dash

Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell models Valobra ring

Lydia Davis and Andrew Johnson

American Heart Association's Mel Edwards

Amber Baker, Doug Lawson, John King and Suzie Kupiec

John Schlosser

Khambrel Marshall

Parties
Wellness Pro LeBrina Jackson on Gratitude at the Holidays: It’s a ‘Reset Button for my Mind’

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.

Keep Reading Show less

Late photographer Jhane Hoang (center) and some of her subjects, including fashion models and musicians

WHEN JHANE HOANG died late last month after a quiet, private battle with cancer, Houston lost one of its most talented and exacting photographers — and my colleagues at CityBook and I lost a beloved contributor and friend.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

John Bryan, Mary Jon Bryan, Billy Bob Thornton, J.P. Bryan

MORE THAN 500 guests gathered in Galveston for the Bryan Museum Gala, an evening that celebrated both the 10th anniversary of the museum and some of the most influential names in Texas oil and gas. Titled the Wildcatters Gala, the event honored Ernie H. Cockrell, Mary Ralph Lowe, Trevor Rees-Jones and the families of Eddy C. Scurlock and R.E. “Bob” Smith — all recognized for their legacy of leadership and philanthropy in the industry.

Keep Reading Show less
Parties