Jackpot! Casino-Themed Cocktail Bash Raises Nearly $700K for Ronald McDonald House

Daniel Ortiz and Dave Rossman
Jackpot! Casino-Themed Cocktail Bash Raises Nearly $700K for Ronald McDonald House

JB and Bridget Brennan, Chelsea Partain and Ryan Haney

MORE THAN 300 charitable Houstonians decided to roll the dice and go all-in for Ronald McDonald House last week — and, it turns out, hit the jackpot on fantastic weather to boot! The open-air Bayou City Events Pavilion was the perfect setting for the cocktail fundraiser, which garnered nearly $700,000 thanks to casino games and an auction.


The evening honored supporters Lesha and Tom Elsenbrook for their contributions to Ronald McDonald House Houston, which provides housing and other amenities for families with children who are long-term and critically ill patients of the Med Center.

Crowd-fave activities included a bourbon pull, Quarter Slots raffle, and a rare-whiskey tasting hosted by hospitality exec Sean Beck.

Cyndy Garza Roberts and Hallie Vanderhider

Damien Taylor , Beverly Welch, and Hannah and Paul Wolfert

Bill LeSage, Ozzie Bauer, Greg Smith and Dave Smith

Madeleine and Larry Hanrahan

Sarah and Aaron Stai

Lee and Seliece Womble

Pooja and Chirag Amin

Chairs Debbie Bauer and Karen Smith

Deanna Barton, Karen Thompson, Maria Bush and Paige Fertitta

Brian and Katie Patterson

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.

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Chairs Elia and Michael Gabbanelli

ANOTHER YEAR, ANOTHER sold-out Wine Dinner and Collector's Auction for the Houston Symphony. This year's event was chaired by Elia and Michael Gabbanelli, and raised more than $900,000 for the Symphony's education and community programs.

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Art + Entertainment

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