Austin360 blogs > Out & About > Archives > 2012 > February > 02 > Entry
Angelina Eberly Luncheon at Driskill Hotel
In three short years, it has become a tradition. The Angelina Eberly Luncheon benefits the small but growing Austin History Center Association, the nonprofit group that backs the city’s historical archives. It filled the upper lobby of the Driskill Hotel with tables of dignitaries, including all but one Austin City Council Member.
Marina and Gus Garcia
There were mayors aplenty though, including current Mayor Lee Leffingwell and three past mayors — Ron Mullen (1983-1985), Lee Cooke (1988-1991) and Kirk Watson (1997-2001) — who were saluted humorously at the end of the lunch. Three others — Frank Cooksey (1985-1988), Bruce Todd (1991-1997) and Gus Garcia (2001-2003) — were present.
Suzy Lindeman Snyder and Margaret Berry
Recently deceased association president Nancy Price Bowman was honored. And after way too many public thanks and recognitions, the three saluted ex-mayors took the stage, sitting on ornate throne-like chairs with Downtown Austin Alliance director Charlie Betts, who could have been mayor at some point if he had chosen to run.
Mary Arnold and Madge Vasquez
Betts — who must be tickled by all the talk about a medical school, teaching hospital, affordable housing and the Waller Creek project in downtown’s neglected northeast sector — stuck to questions that elicited funny mayoral memories. Odd political coalitions, failed and successful public projects and, especially, angry citizens made for anecdotes that, for me, could have lasted all afternoon.
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