Sister and brother Collen Ryan and David Ryan

Back then, I requested “Tenderly.” Twenty-five years later, at the Eponymous Garden, I requested “Tenderly” again …

Joyce DiBona and Diane Perella

Wright’s voice remains eloquently supple, radiating jazzy warmth, just like her hug-happy personality …

Sterling Price-McKinney and Margaret Wright

Wright sang at the baby grand with Sterling Price-McKinney during a party at Price-McKinney and Lorne Loganbill’s Eponymous Garden …

Cathy Wallace and Carol McClendon

It was an EAST tour event in honor of painter Joyce DiBona, whose exuberant canvases lined the walls and sparked many a conversation …

Olivia Walker and Martha Koock Ward

I figured that out on my own. (Not bad, huh?)

This also gave us a third chance to check out Our Town’s newest — and only — lesbian bar. Although this time, early on a Friday evening, it was 90-percent populated with men.

Dominic Miller and Alan McLaughlin (pictured) are the men behind Austin’s Q Avenue Productions. It’s a Web site development and design company. The business also deals in marketing, logos, images, event planning and everything domain related.

“We’re not Muppets,” McLaughlin says. “We predate the musical. But when it became a hit, our hits went through the roof. We don’t mind.”

“And they don’t mind us,” Miller says. “They even gave us free tickets to raffle. We didn’t win. We’ve never seen the show!”

Larissa Ness and Neil Diaz

She’s extravagantly pretty. Her middle range hooks words and tunes together ably. And she’s attracted a platoon of producers, managers and other collaborators …

Sara Deeds and Ryan Tietz

Thursday at the Phoenix, a suitably various crowd, assembled by Neil Diaz, greeted her live set with alacrity …

Marion Kellough and Coi Burress

Truth be told, Ness’ studio-friendly sound was not well served by the mix …

Joy Scott, Angel Diaz and Monica Piñon

She sounded profoundly better on the video of “Thoughts of You” from “Hello,” shot at a mansion in Austin with formally dressed party people and projected for the convocation …

Brandon Wang and Tyson Macomber

I’d like Ness to expand her range, but for a city with so little pop — whatever that ultimately means — it’s refreshing to hear somebody dig into it.

Roy and Karen Spezia

The local following for the Wine and Food Foundation of Texas consists, after all, of the hardcore foodies …

Sharon Boggus (BRB chairwoman) and Tracy Schell

Yes, smaller tastings narrow the field even further, but if a newcomer wanted to taste the best that Austin chefs have to offer, matched with robust red wine or dizzy sparklings, this the Driskill Hotel affair is the one to choose …

Bethlyn and Tom Thornton (Austinist)

This year, I generally stuck to the food (ongoing trends: scallops, cookies, crab and things on sticks) …

Devi Krause, Bethany Andree and Shannon Finch

BRB was sold out again this year. Because of that, the Foundation might be tempted to expand. I wouldn’t …

Paul Ritter and Kelly Boatright Ritter

The event would lose its impact if stretched beyond current scale …

Geoff Boyd, Bobbie Ragsdale (in a Linda Asaf dress) and John McGee

I especially liked the silent auction zone that separated the main dining areas, giving everyone breathing room on a humid night …

Danielle McGarrh and Lance Piechura

Sightings: On the Hike & Bike Trail: Ben Stiller. Why is he in town? … During EAST tour: John Krasinski. Obviously, taking time out from the premiere of “Brief Interviews with Hideous Men.” Wonder if he purchased any art. … Keep an eye out in the next week or so: Zac Efron, Elton John and John Legend, in town for the premiere of Richard Linklater’s “Me and Orson Welles” or, on the same night, the Andy Roddick fundraiser Nov. 30, which will also feature Brooklyn Decker and Mack Brown, having just conquered the Aggies, one hopes. … Also scan the horizon for Adrien Brody, starring in Robert Rodriguez’s “Predator” remake. They are filming in Southeast Austin.

Aren’t you fascinated every time resurgent former Longhorn Vince Young returns to Houston to play against the Texans with the Tennessee Titans? Talk about conflicted emotions. Young is still a huge role model on the streets in Houston, but wasn’t drafted by the Texans. And, of course, the Titans are the former Houston Oilers, thanks to owner Bud Adams. Fraught with off-the-field drama. At least for TV sportscasters.

Sometime Austinite Dennis Quaid is a bargain. Forbes magazine lists him among its “Best Actors for the Buck,” meaning box office return on salary. Shia LaBeouf, starring in the “Transformers” and “Indiana Jones” series, topped the list with $160 returned to the studio for every dollar he made. Also included on that list were Robert Downey Jr. were and Christian Bale. Poor Will Farrell led the “Most Overpaid Actors” list, his films earning just $3.29 for every dollar he was paid. Ewan McGregor, Billy Bob Thornton, Drew Barrymore, Leonardo DiCaprio and Jim Carrey also made the overpaid list.

AP photo of Sandra Bullock in NOLA.

Humanities Texas began examining the building five years ago.

“As a statewide organization, we needed a visible presence near the Capitol,” says executive director Michael Gillette. “Our office condominium, which was located five miles south of downtown, had the visibility of a post office box and lacked suitable program space for events.

What tipped them off about the building they had just purchased? Touring Byrne-Reed with distinguished architect Larry Speck, Downtown Austin Alliance executive director Charles Betts and philanthropist Jo Anne Christian, Gillette was able to assess its full potential. Speck was concerned with finding the correct tiles to replicate the original roof, bricks to match those that were cut out to make room for the 1970s windows and how to deal with botched air-conditioning and wiring.

“Charlie Betts was unrelenting in his disgust at the ’70s redo,” Gillette wrote in his notes at the time. “He and Larry agreed that the architect, if there had even been one, should have been shot. The photograph of the original house brought into focus the property’s potential for Larry. As we stood on the sidewalk, he declared with great emphasis that if we can take the building back to its original mansion, we would be real heroes. He added that doing so would be a huge accomplishment for Austin, one that would put Humanities Texas on the map.”

The organization will use the living room, dining room and other downstairs areas for public spaces; upstairs for private offices. A third floor, built within the attic, also will be used for offices, and the basement will become space for exhibition preparation and storage. The project, now under way, will restore the enormous porches and terraces — perfect for parties.

“As a statewide nonprofit that advances culture, heritage and education, Humanities Texas is an appropriate steward to restore and occupy this grand historic building,” Gillette says. “In contrast to the restoration of a private residence or place of business, this endeavor is historic preservation with a public purpose. Local residents and Texans generally will be able to use, appreciate, and enjoy this landmark.

The Reeds remodeled the house, adding, for instance, ornate gold ornamentation to what is now the “dining room.” This clashes somewhat with the original dark stained wood, simple clean lines and squared details, as shown in historical photographs of the living room, says respected architect Emily Little of ClaytonLevyLittle.

Page built other Austin homes, including the Gilfillan House at 603 W. Eighth St., which Little and her team studied to learn more about the architect’s thoughts.

Virtually no one remembers how the Byrne-Reed House actually looked when the Reed children grew up there because ownership changed hands and the neighborhood’s character changed.

After World War II, 15th Street was widened and eventually bridged Lamar Boulevard and Shoal Creek, creating a commercial throughway where residences once ruled (and cutting off the neighborhood from Judge’s Hill to the north). The Byrne-Reed House was converted into offices. Then in 1970, the building’s origin as a family home was muffled under white, stucco arcades. For almost 40 years, commuters sped by on 15th Street without guessing that a historical treasure lay beneath an exterior more appropriate for an insurance office, which is what it was for a while.

“For 30-plus years, I had been averting my eyes,” Little says. “It has not been exactly a beautiful architectural feature of Austin since its 1970s remodel, although very indicative of the style of that time. Once I saw the historic photos, I began to look more closely and saw the hipped roof peeking over the east stucco façade, and hints of the ornate cornice still visible at the north entry. It is a remarkable structure in its own right. The fact that most of it still exists beneath this stucco shroud makes it even more remarkable.” In recent weeks, the stucco exterior has been shorn and more original elements have been uncovered.

“We have been fortunate to find existing elements intact of the most significant feature, particularly the plaster cornice on the exterior of the building,” Little says. “Original windows and wood screens have been found intact, but covered up. We have yet to find an original door, so we will use historical photographs of the home for reference.”

More to come …

As preserved in a Reed family photograph, the five young friends, in ruddy health, lounge on the spacious terrace of a home on Rio Grande Street. They dress in summer whites that dip down to swallow necks and backs. Their imperturbable leisure bespeaks the status of privilege in small-town Austin of the early 20th century. (Austin population in 1900: 22,258 — about the size of Seguin today.)

We might never know. Their world is gone. And, for a long time, their house was gone, too. Or, rather, chopped up, twisted to face West 15th Street, hidden under a nondescript sheath of modern stucco and used for offices.

Now the Byrne-Reed House, built circa 1905, will be restored to its original glory, thanks to its current occupant, Humanities Texas, which fosters the study of history, literature, philosophy, ethics, language, art and related disciplines across the state. Aided by a $1 million challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Texas group undertook the $4.6 million project, $2 million of which paid for the property. Humanities Texas expects to complete the renovation by July 2010 and to occupy the building the following month.

With its art nouveau frieze, mission-style roof tiles, Romanesque arches and Prairie-style porches, the Byrne-Reed House — named for its most prominent residents — fits no particular style. Yet the materials used by architect C.H. Page Jr. are all local: Elgin brick, Hill Country limestone, Austin-fashioned iron and Texas pine.

So besides the leading families who lived there, the house deserves special attention as an example of Texas eclecticism executed in native materials.

According to Humanities Texas, the first occupants were Edmund and Ellen Sneed Byrne. He was a cotton broker, she the daughter of an influential family. They lived on Rio Grande until Ellen died in 1915.

For 33 years, it belonged to David Cleveland Reed and Laura Moses Reed. Ruth Reed, pictured above with her bob-haired friends, was one of their children. David, a civic leader and philanthropist, ran an export business, invested in cattle ranches and oil and served as a partner in the Driskill Hotel.

More to come …

Cindy Hayes and Faith Roberts

And its Christmas Affair is Austin to the core (goes back 34 years) …

John Guerra and Bill Wendlandt,

Its very popularity is a major reason the Palmer Events Center was built …

Elizabeth Serrato, Currie Bucher and Courtenay Puckett

You see, creating the Long Center out of the old dual-use Palmer Auditorium would have left the powerful Junior League in the lurch …

Michael Kellerman and Thessaly Startz

For the few of you who haven’t attended, it’s a market fair laid out in a enormous, strict grid …

Lindsey Hess, Tracy O’Hargan and Denise Horvileur

Its funkier and equally seasoned cousin, the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar, displays similar apparel, crafts, decorations and gifts. The Christmas Affair leans a little more upscale …

Nick Fuhrman with Ben and Inez Joyce

I was delighted to see two fantastic purveyors of jewelry and accessories — Kendra Scott and Eliza Page — well-represented and busy in more open, modern stalls …

Lauren Shallcross and Jenny Longwell

The annual Christmas Affair Gala, staged Thursday, kicks off the market …

Diane and Howard Falkenberg

It’s “black-tie-optional,” so you see everything from extravagant gowns to jeans and Ts …

Garrett Heifrin and Camille Jobe

This year, some of the refreshments were moved into the north and west hallways, decorated in a Serengeti Desert theme …

Darrell and Heather May

This relieved the crowding in the market’s center, but it also diluted some of the energy …

I ran into lots of friends and lingered longer than I expected. Still, it’s mostly a woman’s world. I found virtually no menswear or accessories …

Courtney Harker and Halley Grogan

And thank goodness! …

Gerry Tucker and Sharrion Jenkins

The Legacy of Giving holiday shopping event at Chez Zee is an ideal example …

Milton Dolittle, Libby Malone and Terry Quinn

Perhaps 100 people mingled and munched on focaccia while keeping a sharp eye on the displayed sparklers from Benold’s Jewelers. Milton Dolittle of Benold’s contributed thousands of dollars in stones and bucks to the benefit …

Linda Brucker and Bonnie Mills

Legacy of Giving incorporates the lessons of philanthropy into area school programs …

Kendal and Ken Gladish

A young program, incubated by the Austin Community Foundation, Legacy shows much promise in the 20 schools it now serves …

Lauren Peters and Cathy Casey

Mega-chains Barnes & Noble and Borders landed respectably at 10 and 6 percent. All the rest — 12th Street Books, Moneywrench, Austin Books and Comics, Brave New Books, Resistencia and Domy — achieved 2 percent or less.

Competitors didn’t even clip close. Jackson Ruiz buzzed up 10 percent. Avant curled up 9 percent. Birds Barbershop shaved off 6 percent.

The rest — Urban Betty, Wet Salon, Salon 505, Vain, Salon Sirrah and Zig Zag — rinsed out four percent or less.

Two spots — Barton Hills Playground and Wooten Park — tied for third place with 7 percent. Three — Ramsey Park, Givens District Park and Brentwood Park — tied for fourth with 5 percent. The back of the pack: Walnut Creek Park, Alamo Park and Shipe Park.

That’s the case with the top winners in the Best Breakfast readers poll for Your A-List. Kerbey Lane served up a full 30 percent. Magnolia Cafe dished out 22 percent. And Juan in a Million fired up third place with 16 percent.

Some of the remaining breakfast spots have not been around so long, others are even older: Galaxy Cafe (8 percent); Omelettry (7 percent); The Frisco (5 percent); Counter Cafe (5 percent); Curra’s (3 percent); Austin Java (3 percent) and El Sol y La Luna (2 percent).

I adore each and everyone.

Andree Bober and Cheline Jaidar

Especially on a dreamy night like Tuesday night, when the gardens, designed by Daniel Gregory of Silver Sage Landscape Environments, form a fairy land of delights …

Sarah Bird and Doug Dorst

The gardens connect five houses, four of them owned by designer/legal eagle Lorne Loganbill and composer/performer Sterling Price-McKinney, who have returned from New York City to grace Our Town full-time …

Jenny Larson and Dustin Wills

Full disclosure: Kip and I rented one of the bungalows on their property in the Holly Street neighborhood for six years in the 1990s. The houses, including the Victorian main house, and gardens are MUCH improved, thanks in part to Gregory and renovation architect Emily Little of ClaytonLevyLittle …

James Dean Jay Byrd and Kyle Henry

Tuesday’s event, called the Parlour, was a creative fundraiser for Salvage Vanguard Theater, one of the city’s top warehouse theater groups, so there were performances, inventive raffles and signature drinks …

Daniel Gregory and Chris Meier

A splendid melding of arts, architecture and Austinites …