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AIA Home Tour Preview Party at Enfield Home
Traditional is sexy. That’s the judgment of any number of consummate modernists who viewed an Enfield home gloriously revealed during a preview party for the American Institute of Architects-Austin’s home tour, sponsored by Austin Monthly Home.
Aaron and Elizabeth Stanley
The house is soaked in history. It once belonged to late banker, power broker and social bon vivant Ruben Johnson, disgraced before the law but pardoned by President Bill Clinton. In fact, just about every party guest over a certain age shared a private story about a mad party there — or more. Almighty University of Texas leader Frank Erwin once lived across the street in this River Oaks of Austin. Imagine the concentration of influence!
Harriett Sakin and Mimi Rosenthal
Architect Paul Lamb altered the labyrinthine 1930s house with reserved taste from roof to basement. Interior designer Fern Santini synthesized every aspect of the rooms for adults, children and guests. Dick Clark designed the playful guest house.
Weston Lipscomb, and Jeff Taylor
The party guests — smart, sophisticated, informed — couldn’t get enough of the antique golf clubs, glowing aquarium, crystal chandeliers, wine cellar made of rescued wood, historical photographs of musicians, and, especially, a calf-hide carpet and plastered niche in the master bathroom.
Helen Thompson, Paul Lamb and Fern Santini
Movie blogger and music videographer Cole Dabney accompanied me, making new friends of all the swells. For those who could not make this prime party, the AIA tour is coming up Oct. 2-3.
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Open House at the Parish
Music lovers love the Parish. The upstairs venue on East Sixth Street molds sound almost to perfection. Only a half dozen Central Texas clubs compete in its class.
Amanda DeLeon and Susan Menta
The Parish leadership has not always matched its audio quality. Indifferent upkeep and marketing dampened consistent attraction for tourists and locals. Unkempt was equated with funky, which, in Austin, meant authentic. So why bother with the comforts of musicians or fans?
Kassie and James Purpura (Catering with a Twist)
Since Doug Guller purchased the spot, he and his management team have carefully refurbished the place. The changes did no damage to the sound. Now, the look reflects the street below’s New Orleans heritage with darkened woods, lighter brocades and even brighter mirrors. The unmentionables no longer need mentioning.
Scott Standley, Chris Saad and Danny Yirgou (Jungleset)
A pleased crowd of unfussy party planners — caterers, music bookers, managers, etc. — scanned the product on Tuesday at an open house. Everyone we spoke to joined the chorus of praise. It is now an ambassador for Austin.
During the open house, I wondered for a long time about the identity of the lovely singer onstage. Turns out Corrine had been one of my students at St. Edward’s! Absolutely gorgeous, papery, jazz voice. The next Kat Edmundson?
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The UIL season starts for executive director Charles Breithaupt
They may not be able to pronounce his name, but two out of three students attending Texas secondary schools know about Charles Breithaupt. Or his work.
Already this school year, his staff of 50, plus students and volunteers — housed in a modestly postmodern building on Manor Road — have been been sorting out rules, providing officials and keeping the peace among the early-starting football and volleyball teams.
That’s back-to-school with a long to-do list with many potential land mines, especially after always controversial district realignments. Breithaupt prefers to look on the bright side.
“We are preparing the citizens of tomorrow, teaching them how to handle success, a missing ingredient in our society,” Breithaupt says with the polish of a corporate captain, but the warm of a small-town minister. “You learn all too quickly that what you did yesterday is not good enough tomorrow.”
Descended from a German line of cotton farmers who immigrated to South Carolina in the 18th century, and then migrated to Louisiana, Breithaupt, 56, grew up with all the benefits and opportunities that American public education provides for small-town boys.
He was born in Jena, La. (population: 2,971), but his family moved early on to Buna (population: 2,269) in the Texas Big Thicket.
The Breithaupts’ house was sandwiched between the First Baptist Church and Buna High School. His father, who made it to the eighth grade, worked in a pulp and paper mill, but never missed his son’s many practices, games or concerts, of which there were many.
“Dad was sports fanatic, who also played several musical instruments,” says Breithaupt, wearing a crisp, dark, tailored suit — with a splash of color — at Hoover’s Home Cooking, a few steps from the league headquarters. “I grew up participating in everything: Music, athletics, science club. And I served as class president (four years).”
He competed in football, baseball, track and basketball, the last leading to an athletic scholarship at Lamar University in Beaumont. After Lamar, he landed a job teaching English and coaching at Buna Junior High.
“They actually hired me because I could drive the bus” he says, smiling. I” thought I was the next Vince Lomardi, but I was hired because I had a chauffeur’s license.”
Breifhaupt coached at various southeast Texas schools and served as principal at Hardin Jefferson High School, which gave him a taste for administration (which any teacher will tell you, is not for everyone).
He remembers the forbidding power of the league, which could punish a school or team in the way the NCAA does at the college level.
“I was in awe,” he says. “Everyone was fearful of calling the UIL, as if they were the Gestapo out to get someone!”
As president of the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches, he discovered that the league leaders were actually open to suggestions.
Director Bill Farney asked Breithaupt to join the league as an assistant director in 1992. He worked his way up through the athletic side of the organization to become executive director, earning his doctorate in education along the way.
He needs all educational and diplomatic skills he can muster to deal with students, teachers, coaches, administrators and, especially, parents, always read to find fault in the league’s rules or rulings.
“When you hear about the conflict, you really see how important our activities are for people,” he says. “Most people don’t know that anyone can make a suggestion during the rule-making process.
For instance, an Austin cab driver actually suggested a plan for a 6-conference alignment.
“UIL has proven it can change as society has changed,” Breithaupt says.
Alignment is the Gordian knot for any league director.
“Alignment impacts every school, every child, every parent of a child,” he says. “Travel is the big issue, especially west of Interstate 35. In general, if you are grouped with someone you can beat, you’re happy. If not, you talk about the travel hardships.”
One solution to the travel issue, more league events online. That won’t cool tempers about football, though.
Any newcomers to the state who don’t know how essential high school football is to small Texas towns should rent the first four seasons of “Friday Night Lights,” a show as heart-achingly authentic as it is frighteningly naturalistic.
“It has a real-life feel, dealing with real problems that students face,” says Breihaupt, who would love to make a cameo appearance on the show (alert the Emmy-nomiated casting directors). “Also, it focuses on towns where football is overemphasized and boosters are so zealous. They tell our stories well.”
While sports are bread and butter for the league, it actually started with a debating society, which joined the parallel athletic group, based on the University of Wisconsin extension system. Music, math, science and other subjects are just as fiercely competitive.
As someone who has witnessed the joys and travails of the league’s one-act play contests, I can attest to the life-or-death attitudes attached to the battles. On another side-note, my alma mater, Strake Jesuit in Houston, successfully sued the league to join, along with Dallas Jesuit. The tiny college preparatory that I attended in the 1960s recently reached the state playoffs in basketball, pooled with the largest schools (5A). Earlier this year, Strake Jesuit played Dallas Jesuit in the state soccer finals.
UT is the last remaining American university to host statewide extracurricular activities. After 90 years, the University of North Carolina recently dropped its leadership of a similar group. Recently, state legislators have suggested spreading out the competition finals to other parts of the state.
“UT is a natural because it has the facilities for arts, academics and sports — classrooms, dorms, gyms, fields, theaters and pianos and especially support,” says Breithaupt, who cherishes his friendships with coach Mack Brown and other Longhorn leaders.
Like many Texas families that moved up in the world through public education, Breihaupt’s continues to serve the system in disparate capacities. His wife, Debbie, is a retired elementary school teacher. Their one daughter, Deah, teaches eighth grade language arts, and her husband, Tom, is an assistant principal. They have produced one grandchild, Reagan.
An admirer of President George W. Bush and Gov. Rick Perry, the Georgetown resident has considered entering politics. But his job is every bit as powerful, challenging and rewarding as any political post.
“My dream is to have every student in Texas public schools — and the two Jesuit schools — participating in at least one extracurricular activity,” he says. “We develop character, (teaching students) to have fun, build social networks and represent their communities.
UPDATE
A previous version of this post incorrectly reported the results of a state basketball final.
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Austin Social Agenda: Aug. 30-Sept. 5, 2010
Today, devotees of Brad Sorenson, who appeared on “The Next Food Network Star,” toast the Asti cook at the Hyde Park-area eatery. A portion of the take goes to the American Cancer Society.
Also today, L Style G Style launches its September/October issue at Rain and Oilcan Harry’s on West Fourth Street.
Also Tuesday, the AIA Homes Tour 2010 previews at a private residence in West Austin.
Wednesday, the Arc of the Capital Area and Austin’s Anti-Defamation League unite for Austin Destination Dignity, a reception promoting respect for people with disabilities, at Austin City Hall.
Also Wednesday, Austin’s Lawrence Wright’s HBO film, “My Trip to Al-Qaeda,” previews at the Blanton Museum of Art in a benefit for The Texas Tribune.
Thursday, the tour for “I’m From Driftwood,” the website that collects personal stories from GLBT folks, launches at the Salt Lick in — where else? — Driftwood.
Also Thursday, Robert Rodriguez’s contentious “Machete” premieres at the Paramount Theatre. The after-party at Austin Film Society’s Austin Studios promises to be “explosive.”
If that party scares you a bit, chill down with the DJs of (In) Fused, who have moved to West Fourth Street at M Two on Thursday nights.
The next night, plan to check out First Friday Frolic with Adi Anand, who writes the blog “From The Mind of Adi,” at Club de Ville.
Also Friday, “The Intergalactic Nemesis” opens at the Long Center, followed by a small VIP after-party at Little City on Congress Avenue. A larger public event rockets over to the Highball on South Lamar Boulevard on Saturday.
Saturday, the Brazil Independence Day Celebration and Austin Aztex Pre-Game Tailgate Party parks at the Thundercloud Subs lot on West 12th Street.
Sunday, the Women’s Symphony League’s sneaks in a Spymaker-themed party at the Renaissance Austin Hotel.
Also Sunday, Heartbeats II supports Health Alliance for Austin Musicians at ND at 501 Studios in East Austin.
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Afghan Dinner at Zarghun & Eddaicsa Dean’s Home
As loyal readers know, dinner parties hold sway in my social universe. Four or five hours of conversation, unwinding leisurely over zesty food and drink: These are the just rewards for evenings spent meeting and greeting strangers at clubs, cocktail parties and receptions.
The Deans joined us at our humble South Austin bungalow for a Wren Cottage Feast earlier this season. They returned the favor at their Travis Heights mid-century modern on Sunday. Appetizers and desserts consisted of fresh or dried nuts and fruits, set off by peppery wines. The main dishes were served hot and buffet-style: A tomato-based stew, thin, elegant white rice, sizzling kabobs and pastry pouches filled with turmeric-saturated potatoes.
As always at these private dinner parties, the reporter’s off-the-record cone of silence descended around the far-ranging topics. I can say that Austin culture, politics, food, media and economics played leading roles in animated discussions. Much talk of California, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and, of course, Afghanistan, all places of origin for at least one guest. We steered away from the long war, which looms over Zarghun’s extended family around Kabul.
Other invitees — Iliana de la Vega and Ernesto Torrealba; Drew and Simone Arnold; Jennifer McNevin and Greg Koury; and Emilie Farenthold — were drawn heavily from the restaurant and interactive communities.
Farenthold saved the best line for last. After listening to spiraling chatter about gardens, kitchens and dining, she said: “I don’t dare cook for any of you!”
Don’t worry, we’ll love anything that is prepared with as much care as the Deans invested in our Afghan evening.
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Catalyst 8 Bash at the Long Center
Goals are good. Catalyst 8, the group of young leaders backing the Long Center for the Performing Arts, has made a goal: To raise $600,000 this year.
Sara Dunne and Pat Buchta
They intend to subsidize 60 nights of local arts in the center’s Rollins Theatre. If there’s a smarter, more focused goal for an arts guild, I don’t know about it.
Catalyst 8 energizer Carla Jackson says she’d like to help subsidized groups, such as Tongue and Groove Theatre, to learn marketing as well. (She adored that company’s clever staging of “The Red Balloon.”)
Wolfgang and Julie Niedert
For its annual Bash, the leaders decked out two levels of Long Center lobbies and gathering spots. Kevin Smothers concentrated on a downbeat lounge in the third floor. Technology provided the theme: Centerpieces were constructed of electronic innards.
Jake Stewart and Troupe Gammage of the band Speak
The synthpop band Speak got guests moving in the Kodosky Lounge. I first heard the foursome during the Austin Fashion Awards show at the Dell Hall, for which they were ideally suited. Here they played dance beats from the ’70s and ’80s, as well as their own adroitly layered compositions.
Laura Mitchell, Susan Nelms and Robert Taylor
I danced, thank in part to the companionship of Jackson and restaurant owner Cameron Lockley. Yes. So you know it was a good party. Any videos of my inevitable awkwardness should not make it onto the Internet. Seriously. No. Seriously.
Outgoing Catalyst 8 chairwoman Amy Holloway and her retirement gift, not a close likeness
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Texas 4000 Dinner at Hyatt Regency Austin
Charities stage stunts. Few are as stunning at the Texas 4000 Ride. Students cycle from Austin to Anchorage. That’s in Alaska, more than 4,000 miles away.
Tyler Mann and Amira Jensen
They raise money to fight cancer, working closely with Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong Foundation. To celebrate the intense experience, the riders and their friends gather in Austin each summer for a formal dinner.
Art Acevedo, Maria Groten, Eric Groten
In the past, the dinner has taken place at the Four Seasons Hotel. The Hyatt Regency Austin, site of Saturday’s event, is not in the same class, almost anyone would agree. Yet the Hyatt upped its gala game with multiple service stations, comfortably spaced tables and a full staff of alert helpers. Dark curtains behind the dais helped shape and warm the space. (The kitchen simultaneously catered the Catalyst 8 Bash across the way at the Long Center. Color me impressed.)
Sydney Reynolds and Drake Dominy
Earlier Texas 4000 dinners attracted Olympians, especially Longhorn swimmers. None popped into my view on Saturday. Yet I spent time with the celebrated — Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo and his artfully coiffed wife Tanya; along with legal and charity eagles Eric and Maria Groten (Eric is arguing his first case before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in New Orleans soon).
Lauren Ibarra and Bijal Mehta
A little birdie — none of the above — told me that a cheerful announcement would be made later in the evening, relative to Livestrong and the Texas 4000. I’ll let fitness reporter Pamela LeBlanc follow up on the official word when the time is ripe.
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Concordia University Texas Gala at the Four Seasons Hotel
A pattern develops, almost inexorably, while socializing in Austin. It begins with cursory introductions, perhaps as part of a group at a party or a club. Eventually, an individual conversation catches fire. Later, a whole afternoon or evening is devoted to familiarizing oneself with another Austinite, or handful of them.
Claudia Teinert and Jim McConnell
This pattern was borne out through Concordia University Texas. On a busy social night a couple of years ago, I attended the cocktail portion of school’s first Excellence in Leadership dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel. I did so out of respect for Elizabeth Christian and Associates, the veteran Austin public relations firm which informed me of the budding event.
At the next year’s gala, I paused in the lobby for chats with some of Concordia’s backers and leaders. I was impressed. Still, I barely knew their names. Then, a few weeks ago, Concordia president Tom Cedel and his wife, Penny, took me on a tour of the still-new West Austin campus. The proverbial scales fell from my eyes as this cheerful power pair revealed, not only the university’s physical promise, but its rare sense of clear purpose.
Matt and Heather Powell
So Friday night, I brushed away other invitations to spend the entire evening with the Concordia crew at the Four Seasons gala, which has grown every year. In the packed lobby, I chatted with former Austin mayor Bruce Todd and his wife Elizabeth Christian, also with her business teammate, the heavily pregnant but radiant Kristin Marcum.
I was pleased to join the Cedels at their table, discreetly to the side of the main dining room, near the dais. Joining the discussion around the meal were board members and their spouses, such as Ed and Carolyn Moerbe, and Alan and Alice Werchan, as well as Penny’s mother, Helen Garrard, a newly minted Texan with a fresh driver’s license. To my left was Lance Thompson, a senior and baseball player at Concordia who would later speak eloquently from the stage about his educational journey and the business he founded (already!).
Abigail Pfiester Rue and Blake Rue
Communications professor Abigail Pfiester Rue kept the ceremonies paced and punctuated; newspaperman and the dinner’s honoree, John Garrett, spoke of the religious inspiration that helped him expand a Community Impact business. (He leaned rather heavily on the David vs. Goliath analogy, which drew eyes in my direction, presumably as representative of the giant.)
By the time it was all over, it felt like I had joined a club. That’s what a gala should do. And, for those who dismiss them, that’s why I attend, if gingerly at first.
UPDATE
An earlier version of this post did not mention Garrett’s newspaper chain: Community Impact. Also, his last name was misspelled.
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iCare Gala for Care Communities at Airport Hilton
Last season, your social columnist fairly gushed about the iCare Gala for the Care Communities. The speeches, videos and testimonials moved just about everyone in the room at the TDS Exotic Game Ranch. The interfaith group organizes teams to support the seriously ill, sort of like Meal on Wheels and More, but targeted to particularly severe cases.
Hal Katz and Ana Pechenik
This year, iCare moved to the Airport Hilton. First a word about the doughnut-shaped building, formerly a U.S. Air Force headquarters, on the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport grounds. The open atrium rises to a striking climax, at once modern and casual, and the event rooms on the ground floor and in the basement offer a flexible social experience, once one gets past the odd-shaped spaces and obstructing support beams.
Ramkrishna Prakash and Carol Thompson
Right away, super-connector Carol Thompson introduced me one of her new causes, Ramkrishna Prakash, the software wiz who is exploring ways to care for the elderly in their homes. Outreach coodinator Roger Temme proved ever the gracious host, and he filled me in on this year’s honorees — Roseanne Becker, Charlotte Hale and MariBen Ramsey.
Rebecca Crossley, Evelyn Williams, Wendy Chapman, Marlene Gescke and Nicole Anderson
I approached one table for a party picture only to have the entire, rambunctious bunch jump up for the shot. They remained good sports about squeezing together for the traditional vertical visual treatment.
They begged — no, insisted — that I join their table for the remainder of the ceremony. But after four social events, spread all across the city, it was time to call it a night, and to bid this outstanding charity all the best.
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Austin Fearless Woman Award at Maggiano’s
What a thrill to enter a room full of dauntless women. At a banquet hall inside the vast, dark Maggiano’s in the Domain, several dozen crisply dressed leaders from the Austin Chapter of EWomen Network had gathered Thursday to give out the Austin Fearless Woman Award.
Patti DeNucci and Jean Carpenter Backus
The nationwide Fearless Women Days — and their attendant awards — were timed to the 90th anniversary of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. The victor was entrepreneur, environmentalist, filmmaker and screenwriter Brandy Amstel, who posed with a rather serious looking sword which was used by photographer Mary Ann Halpin in her book of portraits, titled, of course, “Fearless Women.”
Brandy Amstel and Steve Barcik
Two Austin entrepreneurs, Jean Carpenter-Backus of Carpenter and Langford, and Patti DeNucci of DeNucci & Co. were featured prominently in the book.
Lisa Copeland, Melinda Garvey and Ricci Neer
Other finalists for the local award included Melinda Garvey, Austin Woman Magazine, Sari Waxler, Seedling Foundation, Melanie Moore. Badgerdog Literary Publishing, Cherie Matthews, Heal in Comfort.
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Austin Marathon Kick-Off at J. Black’s
One really doesn’t expect to nick the conversational surface at a kick-off party for the Austin Marathon and Half-Marathon (rechristened Livestrong).
Obinna Ugokwe and Laura CaJacob
Yet at J. Black’s on Thursday, multisport athlete Laura CaJacob and accounts manager Obinna Ogokwe filled me in on the marathon’s background and leadership.
McKinzey Crossland, Stacey Conley and Shelly Gupta
PR specialist McKinzey Crossland and coordinator of client services Shelly Gupta joked around with Stacey Conley, the other half of Conley Sports, whom I have grievously ignored in favor of her slightly more famous husband. (They are known as expert organizers of foot races.)
Michael Pearson and Nanette Labastida
Yet the most penetrating chat was shared with social media experts Michael Pearson and Nanette Labastida, who dug into subjects as varied as Twitter, bad neighborhoods, entertainment journalism and, especially, the essential qualities of the (jerks) who sometimes infiltrate West Sixth Street.
We agreed upon: Arrogance, insincerity and emotional inflexibility. Still thinking about a column about this breed.
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Reader nominations for 2011 Out & About 500
2011 Out & About 500: Here come some reader nominations for the most social Central Texans. Those already listed in 2010 are automatically renominated. Fresh names always welcome at mbarnes@statesman.com.
STYLE
Stacey Conley. Conley Sports, Austin Marathon
Susan and Bobby Epstein. Full Throttle Productions, Dell Jewish Community Campus, Long Center, Prophet Capital Management
Garrett Weber-Gale. USA Swimming
Aryn White and Tavo Hellmund. Full Throttle Productions
NIGHTLIFE
Larissa Ness. Larissaness.com
Camille Styles Moore. Camille Styles Events
Nikki Boudreaux and Marcus Swagger. LegitArt Entertainment
MUSIC
Diane and Randy Miller. Rainmaker Artists, Primary Wave Music Publishing
EDUCATION
Anna Land. Austin Heart House.
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I saw Gavin DeGraw there I guess two years ago and although it was a great and personal show, the building was a little shoddy. I'm glad to hear that they invested some time and money into the venue because it is a really cool place to experience live music.
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On the Second Picture,
instead of Lesha Griffin,
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